Have 1st chance at near new 2003...

neil · #1 (**permalink**) 09-20-2010, 09:05 PM

I'll keep it short as possible. 2003 (build 11/02) F250 SC LB 4x4 XLT. Dark Blue/Silver lower. Charcoal interior with front buckets (the seats are mint). New Goodyear ATS Wranglers, soft tonneau, Ford bedliner. No other modifications.

The truck has 36000 original miles. Always garaged. Was owned by a doctor who basically used it to pull a boat and camper when needed using the receiver hitch (no goosneck or 5th). Perhaps to haul something if needed. Had a decal under the hood indicating dealer flash done. Thats it.

Other than that...its the most pristing 6.0L SuperDuty I've ever seen except those that were new on the lot back when. Its simply outstanding and not a scratch, flake of rust top/bottom/underneath, or speck of dirt on it.

It was traded in at the Caddy/GMC dealership for a Excalade EXT truck. The guy just didn't want it anymore.

I have first chance on it...AFTER...it goes to the Ford dealer across the street. The GMC dealer said once in a while it feels like it "loads up" and "surges" a little. The truck already had the appointment at Ford by the previous owner...so GMC dealer kept it knowing they'd need the problem resolved. However the salesman said he'd drove it the day before all day and didn't notice the problem at all.

The Ford dealer said they were going to see if it needed something "cleaned" in the top end. All I could think of was perhaps the EGR valve or Turbo was carboned up from low mileage and not running hard enough over the years.

The price will be $21,000. Which Nada and KBB says is reasonable for retail excellent condition. I'd be willing to pay this...as its as close to a new truck I'd get for the money. Beats $49,000 for a new 6.7L I looked at with the same options/body/4x4 except all silver.

Would anyone be "scared" of this 2003 at this point in its life and knowing the issues I described? I know that the issues they have are well known and now have some good solutions for the long run. But I didn't know if 2003's were a "bad" place to start or had worse problems than other years.

There were no oil drips on the bell housing or anywhere. It sounded perfect when I started it. I figured at 36K miles...if something bad was going to happen...it should have showed up by now. I'll have Ford run an Oasis to make sure I'm not missing something.

**95dieselsmoke** · #2 (**permalink**) 09-20-2010, 09:10 PM

Get a carfax on it to check the history.

npccpartsman · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2010, 02:33 AM

surging on an 03 is probably the ICP sensor, EGR valve, or (with only 36K miles) a rusted turbo or combination of both. These are easily remedied problems. 11/02 is a very early production date 6.0 and, unless they've all been changed, problematic injectors. I'd get someone to get you an Oasis on the truck to see what warranty work Ford has done on it. That being said, they also ran like a bat out of hell (at least mine did). With only that many miles.....I wouldn't be scared if the price was a bit better. It is an 8 year old truck.

FWIW--NEVER EVER EVER EVER listen to anything a used car salesman says about a problem that a vehicle has. He'll tell you the truck will blow sunshine up your azz by itself just to get you to buy it and DON"T let them add anything to the price for their repairs. Also, it might still be eligible for warranty or make them throw it in, especially for what they're asking.

**Jonboywv12** · #4 (**permalink**) 09-21-2010, 02:45 AM

wow that does sound like a good deal hope all goes well with the buy. take some pics of it when ya get a chance.

neil · #5 (**permalink**) 09-21-2010, 05:27 AM

Its going to Ford this afternoon. I'm going to have them give me an Oasis when it gets there...and I'll find out what the problem was/is. Eitherway they are going to fix it.

The GMC/Caddy dealership that has it are good folks. I've done business with them for years (mainly buying GM parts

). They give me big discounts on part prices and the mechanics there know me well enough to loan me specialty tools (when I needed them on my 02 Duramax I just sold outright). So I trust them. They guy is being straightforward on what they want for it, what they know its doing on the road causing a problem...and what they are going to do to fix it. I'm going to drive it here in a little while.

Here's the bottom line...and its like I knew beforehand. If I don't buy it...I guarantee it won't be there long at all. They are located along busy busy busy US41 and NO diesel they have there lasts more than a week...any year, any price.

So...They've basically said 20,500 - 21,000 and they are going to add the repair price on. They said they would. They've been getting calls on it (its on their website but no photo), another guy test drove it and is breathing down their neck about it.

So in this situation...its first in line with the cash gets it. And I'm first in line. Will I spend the cash?

I'll get a photo and post it up anyway...whether or not I buy it.

**PGreenSVT** · #6 (**permalink**) 09-21-2010, 11:27 AM

I'll bet with that limited usage that the turbo rusted up and the VGT vanes are hanging up. You just can't leave these truck sit and you can't drive 'em like a pu$$y or they'll give you problems. Keep on top of the maintenance and drive it hard and it'll give less problems.