Looking at 2003 X - Diesel Forum

sganz · 06-09-2003, 05:04 PM

Great list -

I'm looking at buying a 2003X, but have a couple of questions since it comes with either the 7.3 or the 6.0 Diesel. My application is towing my 66 mustang race car, and general road rage manuvers and daily driver.

I have a F350SD PSD with the manual gear box and love the power the 7.3 has (I think 25 more the the X). And here are the couple of questions -

Worth looking at the 7.3 at all?
Bad things about the 7.3 and Automatic in the 2003X?

For the 6.0's can you tell the build date from the VIN that is usually posted on the internet so I don't have to bother talking to dealers until I find the one I want?

If I do a 7.3 I'm not so interested in doing the reprogramming route to get the power up, so that is a factor as well, might as well spend the $$ on the 6.0 if that is to happen.

Thanks for any input...

Sandy

dmftoy1 · 06-09-2003, 07:28 PM

I've got the 7.3 and love it, but the 4R100 is suspect. If mine were wore out I'd be looking at a 6.0 with the new torqshift, but only time will tell if it's any better than the 4R100. SO far no major problems with mine and I'm towing pretty heavy. (knock on wood)

Have a good one,
Dave

jschira · 06-09-2003, 08:18 PM

Yes, the 4R100 is suspect, but you have to remember that a lot of these people are pulling 15,000 lbs. 5'rs. Also a LOT of chips out there.

I have a 24' enclosed trailer that I am going to pull with my X. 4000lbs. empty. My heaviest car is under 4000 lbs. Mostly, I will be running between 6500-7500 lbs. I'm not too worried about it.

My open trailer only weights 1400 lbs. empty, so just a little over 5000 lbs. loaded at most. If that is how you plan on hauling, I wouldn't give the tranny a second thought. Put in a good gauge if you are worried,change out the fluid to a synthetic and put a good filter in the system. Then just fire her up to life and drive.

I know that the 6.0 is good, but I really like my 7.3. Not sorry in the least that I decided to "settle" for the old girl.

sganz · 06-10-2003, 12:33 PM

Thanks for all the info, The F350 with the 7.3 I have has a good amount of power, but the X's is down 25hp due to the automatic i guess for safe-tee reasons.

The X's I'm looking at are 4x4's which has more weight so I'm guessing I would have to do a small chip to get back to par with the F350.

I'm also thinking that your correct about the trans, since the max weight of trailer (featherlight alum) and car will be well below 5k. But again, the 5speed is nice and seems to not have much bad press about self destruction (too early to tell however...).

I guess I will have to drive them both (probably thurday this week 6/12).

Last important question, what should I get stuck for? The MSRP for them, and Eddie Bauer or Limited 4x4 Dvd, etc. was listed around 52.7k what can I realistically expect to get them down to? I am looking at doing the 36month 0.0 financing, and on the 6.0 that's all you can get, but on the 7.3's I think you can get an extra 2k from ford, so the question is what is a realistic price for them in the Los Angeles Area?

FYI Edmunds.com shows the 'True Value blah blah blah' around 46.6k for either of them.

Again, thanks for the feedback!

Sandy

jschira · 06-10-2003, 01:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for all the info, The F350 with the 7.3 I have has a good amount of power, but the X's is down 25hp due to the automatic i guess for safe-tee reasons.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes but the auto has more torque (525 vs. 520).

[ QUOTE ]
I'm also thinking that your correct about the trans, since the max weight of trailer (featherlight alum) and car will be well below 5k. But again, the 5speed is nice and seems to not have much bad press about self destruction (too early to tell however...).

[/ QUOTE ]

With only 5000 lbs., that 4R100 will take you to Saturn and back.

[ QUOTE ]
Last important question, what should I get stuck for? The MSRP for them, and Eddie Bauer or Limited 4x4 Dvd, etc. was listed around 52.7k what can I realistically expect to get them down to? I am looking at doing the 36month 0.0 financing, and on the 6.0 that's all you can get, but on the 7.3's I think you can get an extra 2k from ford, so the question is what is a realistic price for them in the Los Angeles Area?

[/ QUOTE ]

6.0 w/torqueshift stickers for $1000 more than 7.3 w/4R100

Rebates (in TX) are $2000 for 6.0, $4000 for 7.3.

So the 6.0 will cost about $3000 more than a 7.3.

There is at most, $5000-$5500 dealer mark up, so take this off MSRP and you are about at dealer invoice. A few $100's below invoice minus any rebate is the best that you can reasonably expect to do.

With TX rebates, $7000-$7500 off MSRP for a 6.0, $9000-$9500 off MSRP of a 7.3 are pretty good deals. You might not be able to get that. It depends on supply/demand and rebates in your area.

If you get a LOADED Limited, take off another $500 from MSRP.

pguidry · 06-10-2003, 06:52 PM

www.carsdirect.com has pretty good pricing (comparable to fleet pricing). That's where I'd go for a new vehicle.

no affiliation, blah, blah, blah.

Paul

sganz · 06-10-2003, 08:35 PM

Thanks, I have 'friend' at a dealer and will use the Internet pricing to make sure he gives me the deal. Otherwise will just go back and get the prices online after I find the color and package (Limited or EB 4x4). Big thing that I'm seeing is that for 6.0's best get a May or later build so will see how that comes into play. I'm swaying to the 6.0 in hopes they figure out all the problems soon.

Thanks again for the suggestion, don't want to give the dealer any more $$ then they need [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Sandy

jdadamsjr · 06-15-2003, 12:13 PM

My story is that Ford replaced my '02 7.3L-4Speed 4x2 Ex with a '03 6.0L-5Spped 4x4....
I got an earlier build date (April-03) and have a few of the issues that others have reported, but nothing I can't live with right now... will wait a bit to get the reflash, etc...

With the possibilty of offending some 7.3 owners (and I don't mean to)
To me, the comparison b/w the 7.3 and 6.0 is not a fair comparison!
I can tell you the 6.0-5 speed is light years ahead of the 7.3-4 speed and if you tow the tow-haul is AWESOME !

Take an extended test drive and you'll love either one..

And around town gas mileage (if I'm good) is 16 to 17... on the road is MUCH higher...