2005 price reasonable? Opinions please

[Jester966]

I hope this is the right section to post this. If not, I apologize.

I have the opportunity to purchase a "loaded" 2005 V6 Explorer Limited 4x4 (with third row seating, leather, DVD, rear heationg, etc) with 123,000km on it for $11,500 (Canadian), safety, e-test and taxes all included. (Actually the seller told me he'll take a little less as he wants to move it, but I didn't ask how much yet)
I have not looked at it yet, but, assuming the vehicle is in good condition, is this a good deal?

I have a couple of concerns that I'd like some opinions on;

I didn't really want the 3rd row seating because from what I've seen, it does NOT fold flat, even though the dealers have told me otherwise. When I was looking at an '05 recently, I noticed that the bench part of the 3rd seat unclips and pulls right out. I didn't check at the time, but if I take it out, will the back of the seat fold completely flat??? If not, could I remove the back seat completely and put down plywood? I need to put a large dog crate back there, and will likely never use the rear seat anyway.

The primary concern though is the mileage - I was hoping for a lot less, at least under 100,000km. I wanted something lower because I don't want a lot of problems off the bat, and want this truck to last me as long as possible. For a 4.0L Explorer, is 123,000km a lot?

The guy who has it is a friend who buys vehicles for dealers in the area, and owns three lots himself. He will basically sell me a vehicle at his own cost, so I may be able to wait and get something with lower milage, and without the third seat. I don't need all the extra features of the Limited, the XLT would suit me fine. I would prefer lower mileage, but if 123,000km is reasonable and you guys think the price is good, then I may be able to overlook it. I don't mind paying a little more for a lower km vehicle, but also don't want to turn up a good deal that will save me money.

Can anyone help me to decide? I don't need it right away, should I wait?
The vehicle is being brought down to my area on Monday, so I will see it next week.

Thanks
-Chris

 

[Donner]

U.S. $9,200.00 w/about 76,450 miles (right?)... I'd buy it if you trust the seller, and after you get an inspection report from a Ford dealer I don't know about the third row...

 

[wdhendrick]

If everything checks out okay I'd say that seems to be a pretty good price. The miles aren't too outrageous but they are a bit high if you assume 12k miles a year - but that's also why the price is low. I don't know how taxes, etc work up in the Great White North, but down in the states you'll pay anywhere from 6 to 10% (or more) sales tax, so that's really like paying aroudn $8,500 or so for the vehicle before factorying in taxes, etc. I paid a little more than that for mine and it's on 04 Limited but also has 13k less miles...

I hope this is the right section to post this. If not, I apologize.

I have the opportunity to purchase a "loaded" 2005 V6 Explorer Limited 4x4 (with third row seating, leather, DVD, rear heationg, etc) with 123,000km on it for $11,500 (Canadian), safety, e-test and taxes all included. (Actually the seller told me he'll take a little less as he wants to move it, but I didn't ask how much yet)
I have not looked at it yet, but, assuming the vehicle is in good condition, is this a good deal?

I have a couple of concerns that I'd like some opinions on;

I didn't really want the 3rd row seating because from what I've seen, it does NOT fold flat, even though the dealers have told me otherwise. When I was looking at an '05 recently, I noticed that the bench part of the 3rd seat unclips and pulls right out. I didn't check at the time, but if I take it out, will the back of the seat fold completely flat??? If not, could I remove the back seat completely and put down plywood? I need to put a large dog crate back there, and will likely never use the rear seat anyway.

The primary concern though is the mileage - I was hoping for a lot less, at least under 100,000km. I wanted something lower because I don't want a lot of problems off the bat, and want this truck to last me as long as possible. For a 4.0L Explorer, is 123,000km a lot?

The guy who has it is a friend who buys vehicles for dealers in the area, and owns three lots himself. He will basically sell me a vehicle at his own cost, so I may be able to wait and get something with lower milage, and without the third seat. I don't need all the extra features of the Limited, the XLT would suit me fine. I would prefer lower mileage, but if 123,000km is reasonable and you guys think the price is good, then I may be able to overlook it. I don't mind paying a little more for a lower km vehicle, but also don't want to turn up a good deal that will save me money.

Can anyone help me to decide? I don't need it right away, should I wait?
The vehicle is being brought down to my area on Monday, so I will see it next week.

Thanks
-Chris

 

[Shotgun]

The absolute maximum you should pay, assuming that the truck is clean and in good working shape, is $10,500.00.

Drive the truck first on the highway to check for vibrations, and listen carefully for any whining or roaring sounds, as you will usually need to spend some big $$$ to fix wheel bearings and the rear differential at between 110-130 kms (approx. $500 to $2500, depending on the amount of repairs needed.)

Sounds like an interesting truck though. The combination of the less thirsty V6, high option content with the Ltd. package, and the third row seating will probably mean that you could sell the truck relatively quickly if you end up not liking it.

 

[Jester966]

The absolute maximum you should pay, assuming that the truck is clean and in good working shape, is $10,500.00.

Are you talking before or after tax? I thought $11,500 (with tax) was a good deal, but maybe not?

Drive the truck first on the highway to check for vibrations, and listen carefully for any whining or roaring sounds, as you will usually need to spend some big $$$ to fix wheel bearings and the rear differential at between 110-130 kms (approx. $500 to $2500, depending on the amount of repairs needed.)

This is what I want to avoid. If I don't hear anything, are these problems likely to come up in the near future then?

By the way this is an "off lease" vehicle, which I'm told (by the dealers, of course) is the best type of used vehicle to get. Why would that be the case, or isn't it?

Thanks

 

[Donner]

A leased vehicle has contractual requirements for maintenance, maintenance that is supposed to be performed by the dealer. And you will also find excellent vehicle history records with the dealer (of any problems, issues, repairs, etc). However, this depends on when the leased vehicle was returned... It sounds like a 4yr lease expired...

 

[Jester966]

Ok, I picked up the truck today and I have it until tomorrow.

The first thing that I noticed is that it is NOT a V6 but is actually a V8! I was dissapointed at first because I was worried about the gas mileage. But, after a little "practice" and getting used to the extra power, I found that it's actually not hard to keep the gas mileage under 14L/100km (16.8mpg), which seems reasonable to me, considering my Grand Am GT that I have been driving gives me around 10.7L/100km (22mpg)

Second thing I realized is that the milage is not 123,000km, but actually 136,400km (84,506miles)!! Again, a little dissapointed. But considering it's a V8, is this mileage that bad? How long should the V8 last?

The truck looks to be in very good shape. The exhaust looks like it might have to be replace in a year or so, and the rear disks have a little rust where the pads should rub. Other than that it looks and runs really good.

So with this new information, can anyone offer me some more advice? Would $11000 (canadian) be reasonable?

Thanks again.

 

[rrgone]

The 4.6l V8 is an excellent engine and in my book is worth a $500 premium. The achilles heel to the gen3s is the tranny. There's no getting around the 5R55, it is the only option for automatic transmission. So pay particular attention to how it is shifting, both warm and cold. If there's any flaring between 1st and 2nd, or going into 5th it will soon need expensive attention. If you go ahead and buy the truck get the tranny serviced right away. In fact, if you're buying from a dealer make it part of your offer to have the transmission flushed. I think you should offer $11k ca as you mentioned due to the additional mileage. Good luck. Let us know if you get it.

 

[Jester966]

OK, so what is the big issue with the transmission, anyway?
I will not be do any major offroading, am I still likely to encounter problems, or is it only if you're really pushing it to the limits?

I will have it flushed either by him, or after I get it. Once done, is there anything else that I can or should do to help avoid problems in the future, or is regular flushes sufficient? (And, how often should it be done?)

Thanks

 

[Shotgun]

Based on the higher mileage and "poor fuel economy" stigma attached to the V8, I think the seller will have a hard time unloading the vehicle. Thus, you should offer $10,000 taxes in. It is important to remind the seller that trade-in value on the vehicle would probably be no more than $7,000.

 

[EB04FFV]

Hey Jester, your seller tells you it's a v6 with 130k and you find out it's a V8 with 146k ? What else did he forget to tell you?
Did you check Autotrader for the local prices? Don't forget those are asking prices. To get a better idea, check the blue book or Edmunds.com for :trade-in value: that should give you an idea what the dealer is paying for the truck,and go from there.
Today a truck with that milage and a V8 will sit on the lot for a long time; offer $8k for it. Also figure out the daily miles driven in the passt 4 years, to me it sounds like a cummuter from Guelph to Toronto ie,about 100km/day. If thats the case I would not touch the truck.
Don't be fooled by the visible condition. These trucks sit high and look good on any day, but think about the milage, the abuse. Get the vin #, go to a Ford dealer and have them look it up - that will show all repairs and maintenance - and then, only then decide.
I have an 04 EB 4x4 could not be happier, specially in winter (king of the road) - mine looks like brand new, paint and all, with 45k only.
The deal with the transmission is that they used the wrong fluid originally and that caused problems. I changed my trans fluid at 30k and it is smoth like butter.
As for the milage (lts/km) , dont trust the display. It only shows the best avarage. If it get real cold, you'll get 20lts/100 on short trips.I coast a lot and get 15lts/100 in winter.
I have a Scan gauge connected to the OB plug and it shows the exact fuel debit at each instant, and you can see 2lts/100 when coasting to 48lts/100 when accelerating - a nice tool. Check out the rear A/C line that will rust and set you back $500+.
Again check with a dealer. Good luck.

 

[Jester966]

Thanks for all the responses.
According to the "Candian Black Book" site the value range it gives me is from $9,923.00 to $11,798.00. I think it may be towards the higher end, based on the condition it appears to be in. If I don't buy it he is taking it to an auction and says he expects $10500 to $11500 as is.

I was thinking of waiting to see if anything else comes along, but the more I wait, the more the "I want it" factor comes into play!

With the current mileage on it, is it too late to have the transmission flushed? Has the damage started by now, or will it still be worthwhile? And, more importantly, what is the best oil to use???

What other fluids should I have replaced right away?

Thanks again for the help.

 

[EB04FFV]

Hi Jester/Chris, did you check autotrader. I saw one just like the one you are looking at listed for $10,888, also has 146,484 km, 3 rows, 4.6, 2005. Same color also. Could those be the same?
Sounds like you are bend on getting this one! But think about the milage, how much will you put on? Just in case you want to sell later - no one will look at a truck with 250,000km. There are others on the market with LOWER kilometers.
Also think about the $cost of gas, it will go up again. If you dont mind $80 a fillup for every 250-350km in winter, you should be ok. That's each week! That's $360/month, for that kind of $ you can lease a brand new car/suv and not even think of any repairs. Remember the hourly rate in the shop today is north of $100.
As for the fluid changes, do the transmission ($180 must use Ford specific fluid), engine oil change ($ 100 - use synthetic), also transfercase front and back, then the coolant ($150 approx), then the brake fluid, then ckeck the brakes, and tires.....my suggestion :
for $100 a Ford dealer will check out the truck for you and give you a report on what needs to be done.
good luck.

 

[Jester966]

(double post)

 

[Jester966]

I saw that one, but it's not the same. That one has higher mileage and higher price (my price is taxes etc. included).
Oh I also just noticed that it's an XLT, this one is a limited.

I'm still on the fence. I told him I'd let him know by today...

 

[zul8ter]

Dont buy it. The the 5r55 tranny is total crap. I have a neighbor told me when i got mine id be replacing the tranny before it hit 100,000. He did in both of his. He was right i have one in the garage ready to go in. My bosses son works for the ford dealer where i live and says they are getting them in atleast once a week

 

[eXcali]

Your kbb value is sitting at about $8.7k USD trade-in, so I would say he purchased this for $6-7k USD. If he states he is gonna get $11k canadian on the auctions he is crazy, plus he'd be looking at about a 10% fee on the auctions. How long has he had this vehicle? Most hold onto them no more than 30days because they want to sell them before the first payment is due to their creditor.

 

[muhl5443]

if it were me i wouldnt get it.

 

[muhl5443]

oops

 

[eXcali]

Right now there are TONS of deals, you just gotta look for them. If you open yourself up to a wider window of vehicle years you just might find something comparible in a 2001-2004 range for less $$ with less miles. Right now your sitting at a vehicle that has been driven 21k miles each year which makes me doubt it was truely a "Lease" vehicle. With these kind of miles if it was a lease vehicle, it was a fleet lease. And from my own experience dealing with about 20 fleet vehicles, they are run into the ground. At the end of the lease the dealership just fixes appearance, polishes them up and sells them fast.