Help with buying an Excursion - Diesel Forum

1987IDI · 04-20-2009, 06:45 PM

I'm somewhat new to diesels. I bought my IDI truck and love it. Learned a lot real quick!
My noisy old standard cab 2x4 just isn't cutting it when it comes to long trips, winter driving, or keeping my daughter out of harms way (too much noise and smoke, and no back seat, she's 18 months) I'm going to keep it as my trusty ol' beater.

A local car lot has a 2000 Excursion with 131,000 miles. Its in great shape, but i really don't know a lot about the powerstrokes. I'm looking for something to haul family and friends, or maybe a trailer every now and then. I also like all the options you can find, and the fact that Mr. Banks seems to have everything i need to make it a little faster than my old truck

Would it be cheaper to just find the same year f250 with a 4 door, or are the Excursions really the better vehicle?

skibarefoot · 04-20-2009, 11:07 PM

Nothing like an Excursion for hauling. Haul all your friends, gear and pull the trailer.

CMB32 · 04-21-2009, 02:27 PM

We just bought are about 2 months ago and love it . The X is great for are two girls and room for friends as well . If you want room go with the X over a crew cab .

aklim · 04-21-2009, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1987IDI

A local car lot has a 2000 Excursion with 131,000 miles. Its in great shape, but i really don't know a lot about the powerstrokes. I'm looking for something to haul family and friends, or maybe a trailer every now and then.

I also like all the options you can find, and the fact that Mr. Banks seems to have everything i need to make it a little faster than my old truck

It isn't that bad at 131K. Probably hardly wore in. That is a good unit since you have the forged rods instead of the Powdered Metal Rods. With PMRs you are limited to no more than 400HP.

You can get more and cheaper than what Banks will ever offer you.

socalgn · 04-21-2009, 03:03 PM

Bought mine as an off-lease vehicle in 2004 with 85k miles; the odo is at 169k (or so) with zero drama. Maintenance- batteries, brakes, alternator, tires, and fluids/filters.

It regularly hauls an 8500 lb boat/trailer, with 4 guys + gear for a day on the ocean. We've taken road trips with 4 kids, wife and I, and mother in law from Gig Harbor, WA to San Diego, getting about 21 mpg and having room for all.

Get the X- you'll never regret it.

drewkeen · 04-21-2009, 08:15 PM

Stock it makes way more power than your old 7.3 IDI...let alone with a tuner and exhaust on it.

The biggest consideration is do you need a bed or a 3rd row seat? Since you are keeping the truck the X probably makes the most sense. How much are they asking for it?

1987IDI · 04-21-2009, 08:21 PM

Thats all good to hear. I went and looked at another one today, I love the idea of owning one the more i look at them.

Lets throw another idea out here, i have a WMO centrifuge system setup for my 87. Has anyone run oil in an excursion?

1987IDI · 04-21-2009, 08:22 PM

The power is a good thing, the one i found with 131,000 miles is asking 12,900. I think it might be a little high

Hogboss · 04-21-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1987IDI

The power is a good thing, the one i found with 131,000 miles is asking 12,900. I think it might be a little high

With diesel [fuel] prices making their way down the market is getting more competitive even in this economy, plus the fact there is no competition when it comes to power and people hauling. That being said, it sounds a little too high to me. I ended up picking up a 2004 Eddie Bauer last November w/90K miles on it and loaded w/all kinds of other extras (4" exhaust, intake, upgraded stereo, etc.) for around 16-17K... The dealer just needed to move something I think (for cash flow reasons) so it was a case of being in the right place at the right time... point is - It's timing, so keep you eye open and be ready to pull the trigger when the right deal comes around.

socalgn · 04-23-2009, 05:10 PM

I run WMO in my trucks from time to time- no drama.

1987IDI · 04-23-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalgn

I run WMO in my trucks from time to time- no drama.

Thats good to hear.
I don't plan to run a lot, just enough to save a little here and there.

aklim · 04-23-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1987IDI

Thats good to hear.
I don't plan to run a lot, just enough to save a little here and there.

Fresh motor oil, yes. Used, I wouldn't. I don't think the savings would justify the risk unless you had some way to separate the oil from any of the possible contaminants. It isn't like WVO that has a little food in it. WMO could have all sorts of things in it that the injectors and the engine might not like.