Need Opinions!

[Schmec]

Looking to buy a 97 EB Expedition with 83,000 original miles and no rust. 5.4 moonroof and perfect interior. Always in the garage. Looks are 8/10. They are asking $7450 for it.
What is your opinion on the price?
Thank you all!!

 

[ExplorerTom]

Seems high. But all prices are stupid high right now.

 

[Plati]

.

 

[larkja]

I just purchased a 2000 with a little over 100k for $4,900. Stored inside and only driven 10,000 in past 10 years. Owned by older couple that passed away and son just wanted to get rid of it. New Jasper tranny 7,000 miles ago. Had a feeling I would need to replace the ball joints because the steering was a bit loose. Also, new plugs and boots would be due because of the age.

If those things have not been replaced (receipts), here's what you need to consider:
Upper and lower control arms with ball joints (mechanic said needed to get control arms with the ball joints). This was around $2,000
Plugs and boots. This was more labor than anything. $700
Serpentine belt and tensioner. $300ish
Change front and rear diff fluid, and transfer case fluid. $200ish depending on shop rates.
Check the tires for cracks in the sidewall. If they are older, replace. $700 to $1,000.
Mine was the EB model with air suspension. I did the coilover conversion myself since it was starting to sag. $400 to $600.

I started with a very solid rig, but it needed some maintenance. I'm into it about $8,000, but plan on keeping it for another 100,000 miles.

 

[Tuck]

Pay your local shop the 100 bucks or whatever the going rate is in your area for a pre-buy inspection. They have the tools, experience needed to be reasonably (nothing is 100%) sure your $7450 investment doesn't wind up costing you thousands more after you buy it for all the things you didn't see because it wasn't up on a rack. Your local shop being someone you trust, not the jiffy lube technician. They'll just take your money and say it looks great. If they say it's ok and it's what you want at price you like/can live with in today's high priced used vehicle market then go for it. You can probably talk them down some also.

 

[Trainmaster]

It's 25 years old. That's classic registration stuff where we live and this is no classic. It's old.

Add to it a lot of catch-up maintenance (belt, pulleys, tensioner, fluids, U-joints) and hope it doesn't have a warped exhaust manifold or leaking head gasket, for which these are known.

I think you are paying way too much.

 

[Machete]

Where is it located?

 

[riphip]

Like Tuck said, pay to get it on the Rack and go over it. If it gets wrecked or stolen, You'll only get very BASED PRICE for it from insurance.

Also, there was a recall on the plastic intake cracking because the alternator put too much stress on the plastic. Remodeled intake added aluminum crossover I believe.

 

[Fastcar]

It's 25 years old. That's classic registration stuff where we live and this is no classic. It's old.

Add to it a lot of catch-up maintenance (belt, pulleys, tensioner, fluids, U-joints) and hope it doesn't have a warped exhaust manifold or leaking head gasket, for which these are known.

I think you are paying way too much.

Yup, he can do a lot better that will soon become a money pit.

 

[lbv150]

Look up the book value and go from there.

 

[VoxVeritatis]

If it's pristine (only 3% of cars are in 'Excellent' condition, at best it's probably 'Clean' condition), 3rd-row seat, everything works (100%) with no accidents or visible damage, 4WD, rear AC - i.e., completely loaded - in or around Germantown, IL, Kelly Blue Book values it just under $4,000, which is around the Edmunds valuation in a private party transaction as well.

 

[BOB4254]

Kelly Blue book your SUV = $3267.00

https://www.kbb.com/ford/expedition/1998/sport-utility-4d/?condition=excellent&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=83000&modalview=false&options=246764%7ctrue%7c246883%7ctrue%7c2618425%7ctrue%7c246795%7ctrue%7c2729433%7ctrue%7c246893%7ctrue%7c246967%7ctrue%7c246927%7ctrue%7c246976%7ctrue%7c246903%7ctrue%7c246915%7ctrue%7c246920%7ctrue%7c246940%7ctrue%7c246775%7ctrue%7c6431505%7ctrue&pricetype=private-party&vehicleid=6481

 

[BlackBetty]

I just looked it up on KBB. That price they are asking is way off what the book says. I gave it an Excellent condition, and had the site auto select options. I doubt anything I could have done manually would find another $5k.

 

[BOB4254]

That is trade in value......What is Private Party Value.....

 

[VoxVeritatis]

That is trade in value......What is Private Party Value.....

If it's pristine (only 3% of cars are in 'Excellent' condition, at best it's probably 'Clean' condition), 3rd-row seat, everything works (100%) with no accidents or visible damage, 4WD, rear AC - i.e., completely loaded - in or around Germantown, IL, Kelly Blue Book values it just under $4,000, which is around the Edmunds valuation in a private party transaction as well.

 

[VoxVeritatis]

Kelly Blue book your SUV = $3267.00

https://www.kbb.com/ford/expedition/1998/sport-utility-4d/?condition=excellent&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=83000&modalview=false&options=246764%7ctrue%7c246883%7ctrue%7c2618425%7ctrue%7c246795%7ctrue%7c2729433%7ctrue%7c246893%7ctrue%7c246967%7ctrue%7c246927%7ctrue%7c246976%7ctrue%7c246903%7ctrue%7c246915%7ctrue%7c246920%7ctrue%7c246940%7ctrue%7c246775%7ctrue%7c6431505%7ctrue&pricetype=private-party&vehicleid=6481

Navigate to BOB's link and you can select different vehicle conditions for other valuations. But the high-end "Excellent" condition, which almost no vehicle is, hovers just above $4K.

 

[Oldfoo]

While indeed it's very nice, the price is too high. Like others have said, take in to a reputable shop, have it inspected and go from there. If it's an option, have it appraised for "insurance" values. While mine has higher mileage, my interior is in better, had a lot of little issues that were caused by other "mechanics" that I'm finally getting sorted. Oh and another thing.... lower miles isn't always better.

I paid 1500.00 for this one with issues, and the appraised value was 4500.00 after the repairs, just to give you an idea.

 

[zfifty]

I paid 1500.00 for this one with issues, and the appraised value was 4500.00 after the repairs, just to give you an idea.

Good deal. That's about 2 months payments on a new one. Insurance is a lot less also. Figure that over 4 years, depreciation, even with a lot of repairs, your way ahead. Win, win in my book.

 

[laiod]

Personally, I'd pay a maximum of maybe $5k for one in that condition. Have a local mechanic check it out if you're serious so you know if there's any serious issues hiding underneath.

It's a great example and I'm rather jealous you found it!

 

[JamaicaJoe]

check the corners of the radiator support bracket where they bolt to the frame for rust. If no rust anywhere and good paint, adds value.