Have a 2018 Ford Expedition Platinum with Max tow package. Currently only 46k miles..Never towed with it. But the transmission is already having issues. Always tow with my Ram 1500 Hemi with ZF Hurth 8 Speed transmission 4 corner air suspension which is an amazing tow combo, I don't recall tranny temps over 192.. The Hurth transmission always knows which gear to be in. 

Back to the Ford. I am so disappointed. First we test drove the Max (longer wheelbase) but purchased the shorter wheelbase and boy was that a mistake.. it rocks front to back over bumps. Wheelbase too short. Can't believe they still make cars that do this...I can only drive it in Sport mode, stiffens up the suspension and doesn't hunt for gears. The transmission tuning and gear hunting under 'normal' or 'ECO' drives me crazy. The 10 speed was developed with GM and I'm hearing GM tuned it WAY better!

It got pretty cold here in the PNW this winter and this is when I noticed the transmission slipping when cold. If you start it up and don't let it warm up enough, It slips out of first gear. One time it just revved up and didn't go anywhere, I let off throttle and loud chunk into gear. If you let it warm up, it won't slip but Drive to Reverse takes too long which isn't a good sign. Also some hard, weird shifts under normal driving.

What I gather is it needs TSB 23 -2250, which is a BIG job requiring a VERY detailed technician... Makes me want to trade it in on something else. Not a fan and will probably never buy another Ford. 

On 5/26/2024 at 10:38 PM, MikeR397 said:

Kinda meh. Depends if you love the colors and options. 180hrs is fairly substantial 

New price is 105k.

On 5/27/2024 at 5:14 AM, CaptainMorgan said:

a 1 yr old T250 at that price is competitive with Onlyinboards options - but this has the full warranty which is valuable and a nice security blanket.  180hrs is substantial use for a single season, but in grand scheme these motors should last like 1500-2000 hrs when maintained, so unless you are running a surf school, you are unlikely to touch those limits anyway.  As a demo boat it means dealer was likely maintaining it properly too (and they took it through the initial break-in/gremlin period).

if interior looks solid, options match your desire, and colors are fine, i'd go with it (vs maybe waiting / losing half the season hoping to find something a few k lower - hypothetically possible, but not guaranteed and you can't get the time back). good luck.

edit: does it have an M6?  an M5 in that boat could be a big regret...

Yes on the M6 and priced dropped to 105k.

On 5/27/2024 at 7:02 AM, dizzygti said:

If it has an M6, the price is decent but not amazing.  If M5, they need to come off a little more.   Obviously other options factor into if the boat works for you. 

Price is 105k now with the M6 and most other options.

On 5/27/2024 at 7:23 AM, ahopkins22LSV said:

I would clarify if the 500 hours is for your use or total on the engine. A lot of people do 100-150 a season so I’m not concerned about the 180 but that will eat into those 500 fast if you are going to use it a ton too. 
 

Axis doesn’t have as much margin as Malibu and 12% to 15% off msrp is generally considered average to good. (Yes, I know, people end up getting better but those are more outliers than the norm). So at 22% off msrp you are doing pretty good imo. There are other ways to get “money off” too. Maybe ask for Proshop credit, service, etc. If this is your first boat 2k in Proshop credit can go a long ways. 

I live up really high (6300 ft) so I don't think I'll be able to use it too much. Maybe 50-75 a year. The price is 105k now.