Question for 4WD owners

[Fergy]

I'm actively searching for a previously owned PSD Ex and I find many more 4WDs than 2WDs. I have no experience with a 2WD so I'm coming to you for advice. Are there big differences in the ride or driving of the 4WD? Are there any additional things for me to watch for when purchasing a 4WD [if I do]?
I have found a 2003 EB 4WD 7.3l PSD w/26k on it for $35k. Is this a reasonable price from what you know? Any advice would be appreciated.

[86GLHS]

The price seems ok since it is one of the last 7.3's and it did MSRP for a little over $50K. Out the door back when new it would have been $43K or more. Check NADA.com for current retail and private party value to get an idea of what it's actually worth. You can look at KBB.com as well but there usually priced way higher than NADA. When I bought the X last fall KBB was $4K more than NADA wich still was $3K more then what I paid for it out the door.

I know when I looked for an Excursion for my wife for her daily driver it had to be diesel and had to be 4x4. The ride quality may be better in the two wheel drive version but it's resale is worse. One thing to be leary of is the electronic 4x4 vacume seals. Around $400 to fix at Ford and the part is only a few dollars. My F250's have been shot for some time and don't want to pay Ford to fix so it never goes into four low anymore.

[Bruce1954]

If you are up on the posts here you know that you may want new front springs and shocks.

[miobx]

One thing with the 4X4's is that they sit higher so the cornering is more touchy than the 2WD. Of course with all the mod's people have done they will disagree but, if it's stock the handling is not the same due to ride hight. Another thing to look at is weight carring capacity. We tow a rather large Travel Trailer and the extra 500# the 4WD gave us was a factor. Also we had a rather steep drive way and had a Windstar van that would not make it up the drive in Winter. So again 4WD. You live in GA so I think if you get snow it is occasional and if you do get it the whole state is shut down so really no need for 4WD for snow. You're call. If I lived in an area that saw very little snow and did not need the extra weight carring capacity I would go with 2WD. Less things to go wrong which means cheaper repairs. The orice seems high to me but, then again we bought the XLT Premium so avoid the $6,000 extra for a Limited (No EB's in 2002). Good luck!