FordExcursions.com Forums
Randy B
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• Virginia Beach, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 3/18/2003 |
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• 3 posts |
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 Posted:3/19/2003 20:44 |
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I am a potential buyer of a 2003 Excursion. I am debating whether to buy the V10 gas engine, or the Diesel. I'm sure that many of you will be happy to chip in your 2 cents. I'd like to get the diesel, but the wife says I need to put away the testosterone emotional decision.
The price of the diesel will add approx $3200 to the cost of the X. Doing the math with the savings from better milege, yet considering the higher cost of diesel, it would probably take me 3 years or 53,000 miles before the savings paid for the engine itself.
We occassionally pull a small boat at about 2500lbs, so no real towing need that would benefit from the diesel.
Putting aside the extra HP,torque, and milege savings, is there any other benefit that I would see in having a diesel engine over the standard gas engine? Longer life? Less investment in maintenance (or failures)?
Your help is appreciated. |
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gearman
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• los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/22/2003 |
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• 336 posts |
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Posted:3/19/2003 21:05 |
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you would be so cool if you got the diesel  its up to you:be cool or not!
01 excursion psd hellwig rear stabalizer 285 michelins suncoast converter transmission custom built with Transgo shift kit,by me.
TTS computer chip,next mod-TTS exhaust system
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Wheels
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• Visalia, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/20/2003 |
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• 214 posts |
• 1
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Posted:3/20/2003 09:30 |
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I can tell you that our V-10 has over 90K on it. It gets about 13.5 mpg on highway and about 10 mpg around town. I bought the gas because I couldn't afford the extra for the diesel, and I couldn't justify it. Just my $.02 |
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Paul Goulet
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• Easthampton, MA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/29/2003 |
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• 33 posts |
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Posted:3/20/2003 11:11 |
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every guy wants a diesel.. Is is practical? maybe not. I did the back and forth, yes and no. Is this a daily driver? Who will be using it most. The trailer/boat that you tow is really not a concern. Gas or diesel will pull it with ease. Who will be refueling the excursion, it is messy and smelly at times, may step in diesel fuel. Not every shop will work on diesels. The new 6.0 has bugs to work out. I was at a dealer the other day and the owner of the diesel truck wanted a fuel filter change, and the part had to be ordered, 2 day delivery. The dealer was a regional parts depot.
I finally bought a v10 and it is smooth and powerful. I tow a 8000lb. trailer and it does an excellent job. The choice is yours, but I think that the $3200 diffrence is a bit understated.You will have to drive the diesel many miles for payback.
Paul Goulet
Easthampton, MA |
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Bruce Coyne
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• Fircrest, WA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/6/2003 |
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• 12 posts |
• 1
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Posted:3/20/2003 11:54 |
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Seems the biggest reasons to owning a diesel are for heavy towing and extended highway touring. Go to the dealer and drive both (you and the spouse). Get estimates from the service department for your 30, 60 and 90K recommended services. See how much they differ in price and if you are willing to pay the difference. I agree, the diesel is a tough engine but the V10 is a blast too. |
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Dave Sullivan
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• Kitchener, XX, Canada |
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• Registered on 2/27/2003 |
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• 199 posts |
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Posted:3/20/2003 12:07 |
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I have a diesel and I would never consider a gas engine for the excursion. But thats my personal opinion.
From the practical point of view you might consider the differences in maintenance and costs of maintenance as well as the difference in milage.
The initial extra cost of the engine should not cloud your decision because it will pay for itself in a number of different ways.
I've seen some pro's and cons about the new 6 and you might want to take a serious look at those. I have the 7.3L and its getting 21mpg (imperial) (32oz more than the U.S. gallon)
I think in the end you will have to decide what will make you the most happy.
After all.. if you dont like it... why buy it?
Dave.
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2
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Posted:3/20/2003 14:20 |
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| Quote: | | The price of the diesel will add approx $3200 to the cost of the X. |
That's [i]it[/i]??  I see a +$4000 upcharge over the V10.
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gearman
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• los Angeles, CA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/22/2003 |
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• 336 posts |
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Posted:3/20/2003 20:53 |
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i was joking about being cool with a diesel.but here are my thoughts.i have never owned a diesel,but i have worked on a lot of diesels.i have been a big block man since i cant remember.i thought that torque came from cubic inches(had a 454sub)i now realize that the big blocks(and that goes for you V10 owners)dont cut it.if you are happy with your V10,then may God bless you.but you cant pull a load as well as a stock psd.and if you ever run in to a chipped psd,dont try and run him,you will loose.and when all is said and done,the psd got better milage,out pulled you.remember,i am a newb,i work on Ford V10s and i have decided that gas is not the way to go.
01 excursion psd hellwig rear stabalizer 285 michelins suncoast converter transmission custom built with Transgo shift kit,by me.
TTS computer chip,next mod-TTS exhaust system
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E. Long
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• Subscriber since 1/1/2001 |
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• Atlanta, GA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/23/2001 |
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• 2,229 posts |
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Posted:3/21/2003 08:06 |
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Don't forget that the diesel engine has a 100,000 mile warranty by default, you don't have to purchase any extra coverage on it. I have the 7.3L powerstroke in my X, get 15-16 MPG in town and 17-19 on the highway. The convenience of being able to take a 100% highway trip and make it in the 800-mile range on one tank is really nice. My wife is from out of state so we frequently visit her family/relatives. It's about a 500 mile drive...it's really nice to be able to make that drive and drive around town and not have to fill up until we leave to come back home.
In 2000, the diesel was a 4,500 option. In MN, diesel is not hard to find at all. I have found that it is a little more difficult to find in the states south of here after doing some traveling through Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
I quantify the extra $ for the diesel in terms of convenience as well, not just paying for itself in fuel economy. The diesel doesn't skip a beat when the cruise is set, the power is very, very nice...nothing compared to any gas-powered SUV/truck I've owned in the past. I have an aftermarket chip in my X and love the additional power of the diesel thanks to the chip...I haven't had it dyno'd, but my chip is rated for 330HP and 700 ft-lbs of torque.
I would highly recommend driving a gas and diesel around 100 miles before purchasing just so that you can really get a feel for around town driving and highway driving. Before the war started, diesel prices were cheaper than 87 octane gas (at least in MN), too.
-Eric
'67 Galaxie 500 - 390 FE, .030" over, FE to AOD adapter, disc brake conversion. The Daily Driver.
'00 Excursion - 7.3L PSD, LANDYOT Gen-II Radius Rods, Factory Tech Valve Body, 200K+ miles and going |
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greateastern
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• Southern, MD, USA |
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• Registered on 9/21/2002 |
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• 93 posts |
• 1
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Posted:3/22/2003 21:52 |
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What he said. Get the diesel, a year from now you will be really really glad you did. There are enough rebates out there, you can almost get it for free if you shop around.
Good luck!
- Gary
Gary
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'02 X LTD, 4X4, PSD, 3.73LS. True Blue & Gold. 15K miles. Pretty much stock. (Sigh!) Upgraded load range Steeltex tires. Roof rack bars removed. Ford spare tire organizer. Way overdue on getting guages... Sunnybrook 30FKS travel trailer, 31ft, 8000lb. |
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