Buying a dirt cheap high-mileage Ford Expedition… good idea or mistake?

I’m looking for a cheap, large vehicle to haul stuff and do occasional light towing. I found a few Expeditions on Craigslist, but I’m not sure how reliable they’d be at this price point. Here’s what I’ve found:

  1. 2001 XLT (5.4L V8, 250k miles): $500. It needs an oil pump but still runs.
  2. 2000 (195k miles): $900. Needs a window motor and the AC isn’t working.
  3. 1997 (248k miles): $750. It’s running but misfiring. Seller says it just needs spark plugs (based on a Pep Boys diagnosis).

I’ve owned a Mustang GT with a 4.6L V8 and had a great experience, but I don’t know if these older, high-mileage SUVs are worth the risk. Thoughts?

2001: If it needs an oil pump, the engine probably hasn’t been getting proper lubrication. That’s a major red flag—this one’s a ticking time bomb.

2000: Probably the best option. A window motor is a minor fix, and you can live without AC if needed.

1997: If it’s just the spark plugs causing the misfire, that’s manageable, but it could easily be something worse. Pep Boys diagnoses aren’t always reliable.

2001: The seller says it needs an oil pump, but it could be a lot more than that. I’d avoid it.

2000: Window motor is an easy fix, but AC repairs can be expensive. Could cost $1,000 or more depending on the issue.

1997: Tons of miles, and if it’s just spark plugs, great—but misfires can point to bigger issues. I wouldn’t trust Pep Boys’ diagnosis.

Pick your poison here.

If it needs an oil pump, the engine is probably already toast. As for the others, these engines can last forever if they’ve been maintained properly, but at these prices, I’d guess they’ve been neglected.

Oil pump? Hard pass. That engine’s probably already damaged.

The other two might be okay, but those Triton motors are known for issues. Do you absolutely need an SUV?

If you just need something to haul stuff, maybe look at older pickups like a Chevy with a Vortec engine or even a Toyota. They’re more reliable in this price range.

@Zion
I need either an SUV or a truck. I already have two other cars, so I’m just looking for something cheap to haul things.

Jody said:
@Zion
I need either an SUV or a truck. I already have two other cars, so I’m just looking for something cheap to haul things.

If it’s just for hauling, I’d steer clear of these and look for a cheap older pickup—maybe an F-150 or a Toyota Tacoma. Something that’s simpler and less prone to issues.

Stay away from the ‘97. Misfires on these are often caused by bad coils, and replacing one can cost around $800 with labor. Once one coil goes, the others usually follow. For a tight budget, you’re better off with a simpler vehicle like a 4-cylinder Ranger or S10.

@Noor
How is replacing a coil an $800 repair? Coil-on-plug designs usually cost around $80 each, and labor shouldn’t be that much.

Ira said:
@Noor
How is replacing a coil an $800 repair? Coil-on-plug designs usually cost around $80 each, and labor shouldn’t be that much.

That’s what the dealer charged my parents for their 2002 Expedition. They might’ve gotten ripped off since they’re not car-savvy.

@Noor
If you include diagnostics and labor, I could see it reaching $300–$400, but $800 sounds excessive unless there were other issues.