2018 Expedition… good deal or not?

Thinking about buying a new car. I’ve been considering a Toyota Highlander but stumbled upon a 2018 Expedition that seems like a great deal. It’s got a clean Carfax, but I’d love to hear the good, the bad, and the ugly about it. Is it worth it?

Watch out for transmission and cam phaser issues. Otherwise, the interior is super comfortable.

Finnian said:
Watch out for transmission and cam phaser issues. Otherwise, the interior is super comfortable.

I just got a 2024 Expedition Timberline. Should I worry about transmission problems too, or have they fixed it?

@Weston
Anything built after August 2022 should have the updated parts. You’re probably good.

@Weston
If it’s a 2024, the CDF drum issue should be resolved. How are you liking the Timberline? Did you get the luxury package or stick with the standard setup?

Luca said:
@Weston
If it’s a 2024, the CDF drum issue should be resolved. How are you liking the Timberline? Did you get the luxury package or stick with the standard setup?

I’ve only put 400 miles on it, but I love it so far. Got the 501a package with leather seats, captain’s chairs in the second row, moonroof, and the big touchscreen. It drives smoothly and has great acceleration for its size. Tons of space too—perfect for my woodworking hobby. My only gripes are the touchscreen controls for heating/AC (wish they had physical buttons) and the overwhelming number of buttons everywhere. Feels like they could break after a while.

@Weston
We rented an Expedition Max once—it had manual HVAC controls, and they were fantastic. But I was bummed to learn that if you want the 360 camera, you’re stuck with the touchscreen. I’m still debating if I can live without the buttons.

Set aside $8k for a potential transmission rebuild. Change the oil every 5k miles and enjoy the ride!

Parker said:
Set aside $8k for a potential transmission rebuild. Change the oil every 5k miles and enjoy the ride!

I agree on the transmission rebuild. If it hasn’t been done and the seller can’t prove it, negotiate $10k off the price. That’s how much mine cost. But the storage inside is awesome, and it drives really nicely.

@Neely
I just replaced the transmission on my 2020 at 107k miles. Total cost was $7,200, including parts and labor, with a 3-year/100k-mile warranty. $10k seems a bit steep unless you’re in an expensive area.

@Max
I’m in Colorado, so prices are higher here. Plus, I had it done at the dealership, which adds another 30%. I didn’t want to risk using a regular mechanic for this.

I love mine (I have a 2019), but the price for that 2018 seems high for its age.

That’s one of the most expensive 2018 Platinums out there for its mileage. It’s been listed for 79 days and already had two price drops. Try negotiating closer to $34.5k.

My advice: look for a 2014 with the 5.4 3v engine. Those transmissions are rock solid. Yes, the engine may need a timing job eventually, but once that’s done, they’re great for 300k+ miles. I’m not a fan of the newer 3.5 twin turbos and 10-speed transmissions.

@Chandler
The 3.5 Ecoboost with the 6-speed is amazing. My 2015 Limited has 160k miles and runs like a dream.

Tatum said:
@Chandler
The 3.5 Ecoboost with the 6-speed is amazing. My 2015 Limited has 160k miles and runs like a dream.

My wife’s 2016 has 120k miles, but we’ve gone through three transmissions already. The latest one failed after only six weeks. Plus, we’ve got cam phaser rattle and broken manifold bolts. It’s been rough.

Tatum said:
@Chandler
The 3.5 Ecoboost with the 6-speed is amazing. My 2015 Limited has 160k miles and runs like a dream.

The internal water pump on that engine is a pain, but if it fails, you can tackle the timing job at the same time.

That’s a terrible price. I got my 2020 with around 45k miles for almost the same amount.

Don’t buy it! I got a 2018 in 2020, and it’s been the worst decision ever. $20k in repairs so far. Total money pit.

We have a 2017 Navigator with 338k miles. Buy it and drive it until it falls apart!