trying to decide on a 2000 EB. price/issues

[troutsc]

Found a 2000 EB/2wd/5.4L. Local car, same owner for the last 10 yrs. 121k miles.

I took a long test drive today, car felt good, nothing stood out to me an an issue. Sunroof doesnt work (not a deal breaker) everything else seemed to work besides the passenger unlock didnt work all the time from the remote (common i think) and the dvd player wont play through the audio system, theres a fm modulator dealio but it has lost power but dvds play fine and get sound from the headphones, which is how it would ever be used anyways. I think thats the only things noticed.

The carfax is clean, body is perfect. Paint could really use a good waxing. Interior was whole, could use a good detailing. The leather looked Ok, crinkly but no tear/rips. Steering wheel needs a cover thrown on it.

Most in my area are approaching 200k miles. I felt that finding a same owner long term with only 121k was a good find and with some elbow grease this could be a nice clean ride.

From what I see online, prices are all over the place. We are at $4300 as is on this one. He came down some to account for the detailing but it firm at this price due to the lower miles and the fact that hes owned it for 10 yrs and isnt hurting to make a sale. So assuming these are the only issues and drivetrain is sound, is this a decent deal?

edit- its a southeast car, no rust below. I did see some on the roof rack railing up top when i climbed up there. Assuming I can recoat those.

 

[KWT2000]

it is approaching the mileage for front end repair ( ball joints tie rods etc) has the trans been serviced? other than that i think i would put $4000 in his face and see if he bites

 

[toms89]

You may want to check out this thread if you have not already.

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f42/what-look-when-buying-gen-1-expy-10741/

 

[troutsc]

thanks for the super quick replies! I have him looking for the punch list of what they did on the 100k service. I know no work was done to the ball joints/ tie rods, I imagine most of what I find will be approaching that soon. Hes only been doing basic service, oil/brakes/tires and did the 100k.

My goal is to find one like this thats been 1owner and keep it going and try to squeeze out another 100k. Ive had luck in the past with older bmw e36s, 4runners, but havnt ever had an expedition. I do see alot of them on the road and for sale that are + 200k so figured theres some possibilities there. From what I gather, the 5.4s also came with the more 'desired' tranny as well, right?

Ill probably also pay for a pre-purchase inspection. Found a local remote service for $95.

Also, the leather, I just began to research, but Im assuming there are some decent cleaning/reconditioning products out there that can make a difference.

 

[Jay87LX]

Even if it was perfect IMO $4K is a bit high

 

[KWT2000]

Even if it was perfect IMO $4K is a bit high

in some areas you are correct

up in my area xlt 5.4 4x4 with 200k sell for 4k all day everyday

 

[Swetrid]

Seems like a lot for a 2wd to me. I do agree with what state/area you are in. You can get 4wd around here for $2500-$4000 all day long. I got mine for free because previous didn't want to put the money into it and it only has 100k on my 2000 XLT sport.

 

[OnMy11Six]

You may want to check out this thread if you have not already.

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f42/what-look-when-buying-gen-1-expy-10741/

thank you!

 

[GaExpedition]

With that mileage it is probably getting close to the infamous "intake manifold crossover coolant leak" if its a 5.4L with the plastic intake manifold. Do a google search for more info. Its out there. Just went through it myself. BTW I'm in Ga. and I gave $3500.00 for my 2000 EB Expy earlier this year with 140,000 miles. Everything on it was in working order with just normal wear on the seats, and 4 brand new tires. I have since had to fix the leaky windshield, the abs pump stayed on one day after I parked it so I unplugged it till I can get it fixed, repaired a wire feeding the passenger side seat heater, and just replaced the intake manifold because of the leak.

 

[rtbrjason]

I paid $4200 for my99 EB 5.4 AWD (127k miles) in Aug 2012. There were a bunch around cheaper, but this one was from Phoenix and had no body rot. Everything that's been in upstate NY for any length of time is pretty much rotted so I paid a bit more and felt okay about it. I've since put about $3200 into it and am about to redo the top end of the engine due to an external head gasket leak. That will take me well into the $8k invested range so you can bet I will be running this one into the ground. Hoping for 220-250k miles out of it.

 

[71Rcode]

I paid $4500 for my 108k '01 4x4 5.4 11 months ago in DFW Texas. I'd agree with the prior post that the price you've received may be a bit high for a 2wd EB model. Many guys with EB models will switch over to conventional shocks (added expense for you) vs troubleshooting and repairing the air-ride suspension components. So you'll want to consider that.

On the other hand, one thing I really like about the deal you're considering is the history of the current owner and (assuming) the service records you'll receive. That is huge. My truck came from a guy that owned it for 10 years --- and the truck was really taken care of. She's been trouble free since I bought her 11 months ago.

Good luck and keep us posted, man! And remember, there are always a ton of these for sale on CList and ebay and autotrader.com each week. But only a small percentage will be FSBOwner with the service records and 5-10 years of ownership history.

(BTW - My brother lives in Lexington, SC outside of Columbia)

 

[troutsc]

Bought it today. So far all I can see it needing right away is a lot of cleaning. Plan to go through and detail everything, clean/condition/etc.

 

[troutsc]

So far so good, put over 100 miles on it quickly. Had it waxed, paint looks refreshed except for the roof. Plan to pull off the rails/crosses and repaint them at some point. Going to try a headlight buffing kit as well. The family really likes this truck which surprised me. It's very comfortable and looks great, especially after having the exterior buffed/waxed. Interior is looking great, did a quick detail but plan to do a thorough job on the leather and also have the carpets professionally cleaned. Overall for 13 yrs old, it's quite clean and solid.

I'm thinking of throwing a bead of silicon around the sunroof and not worrying about it fixed, just want to make sure it never leaks. Is there an isolated fuse for it or a quick way to cut power to it? I don't want to take a chance of having someone accidentally hit the switch and end up with it stuck open.


@71rcode, I grew up in Dfw, Irving.

 

[troutsc]

Up to about 400 miles so far, got new oil and a serp belt today. Also got a new gas cap and cleared a p1450, hopefully it's just the cap, if not ill investigate the vents/canister.
Running like a champ. Over the next month or so I'll do the hoses, trans fluid, rear end, coolant, break fluid changes. That's about all the ford dealer recommended today, otherwise seems solid.

 

[Yudaman]

Going to try a headlight buffing kit as well.

Don't waste your money!!! Do you have a tube of toothpaste?
Did the toothpaste clean on mine. Came out AWESOME!!!
There are a ton of YouTube videos on the toothpaste polish. It really does work well!

 

[troutsc]

Thanks for the tip, already bought the mcguires kit. Hope it works.

I have an annoying rattle in the roof between sunroof and DVD player that I need to solve. Sunroof isn't working so I might try shoving some sponges in that area, it drives crazy.

 

[M1757]

I recently purchased my 2001 Expy EB with 106,000 from original owner for 3,000 he was asking 3,600 and I would have given him 3,600 but he said yes immediately to 3,00 cash. Anyway, as far as the rattle coming from your moonroof, thats the only problem my truck had and from the good folks on here it was obvious that the metal drip tray on the rear part of the moonroof falls off due to the two way-to-small screws holding it on. If you just go and re-install it in the factory screw holes it's gonna come out again in 100 miles. There is a flat spot, if you go towards the center of the truck, about an inch in. I drilled a hole in the drip tray and ran the screw through...it's never come loose since. You will have to remove the moonroof to do this, it's really pretty easy, just make sure to take a pencil and trace around the four screws that hold the moonroof in place on the inside of the truck. I re-installed mine three times in two weeks till I decided to move the screws that some engineer at 130,000 a year couldn't figure out. P.S...that rattle is the most GD annoying sound. Good luck.

 

[markp]

I recently purchased my 2001 Expy EB with 106,000 from original owner for 3,000 he was asking 3,600 and I would have given him 3,600 but he said yes immediately to 3,000 cash.to do this.

Almost the same story with my ghetto 98 expy. Guy was asking 3,600, I offered him two grand, and it's been a money pit ever since.

New tires, coils, plugs, injectors, shocks, repairing the coolant systems, and now the transmission crapped out. To burn to the ground or not to burn to the ground... for that is the question.

 

[troutsc]

I've put about 1700 miles on it so far, not a hiccup.