Am i a complete idiot if i buy an expedition?

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Yeah.

Expedition is more of a Tahoe-sized vehicle.

Excursion was the Suburban competitor.

iirc they were more indirect competitors, that is, the tahoe was the smallest, then the expedition a little bigger than that (ford claimed when it came out it was the biggest SUV that could fit in a standard garage), then the suburban was a bit bigger (much longer but not as tall, i think). and then there was the excursion.

You guys have a weird way of looking at it.


The Tahoe and the Suburban are both the same 1500 series platform, except the Suburban is longer-- long enough for an extra row of seats. That should be obvious just by looking at them. The Tahoe's door has a cutout for the fender, the Suburban doesn't. Except for the length the dimensions are the same. So it's a non sequitur to put the Excursion between them unless you're only looking at length.
There's also a 2500 series Suburban that has the same body.

The Expedition is based on the F150, and is in the same class as the Tahoe and Suburban. It's equivalent in length to the Tahoe.

The Excursion is based on the F250 and has the stretched length of the Suburban, but gets much worse gas mileage because of its enormous weight and cross section.

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: lurk3r

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: lurk3r
Yes, there are way better choices than this 9 mpg canyanaro. Noone needs this rolling monstrocity. Seriously, there are plenty of cherokees, trailblazers etc. If there's only 2 of you and a couple dogs look at pulling the back seat out of a wrangler.

Your post is full of fail. Have you ever even driven one? They are certainly not monstrocities, in fact i find them fairly car like in handling. Having two family members that own cherokees, and having looked at the Trailblazer when looking at our Expedition, I can say those two vehicles are cramped little s!ts. They don't have near the capabilities of the Expedition, except the cherokee handles offroad better because of the shorter wheelbase.

Yes I have driven one, and I get nearly killed by some jackass driving one at least twice a week. The visibility is horrible, and it seems as if the people that drive them are dumber by several factors than any other SUV. It may be intelligence, or it could be horrible vehicle design, but the no look, no indicate lane swerves are much more common in this car than just about any other.

If you adjust your mirrors you can see every single point of the vehicle. I can see around the vehicle easily. You should blow your spiel to the asshat that cut me off today in a little miata.

 

[Bignate603]

Originally posted by: BudAshes

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Buying the Expedition? Fine.

Buying it with your girlfriend? No.

hahah, bitter much?

No, it's a good point. Unless you are more or less engaged I would share nothing more than an apartment. If things go sour (sorry, but most relationships don't end well) it makes it much easier to split everything up.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Tahoe/Yukon were direct competitors with Expedition/Navigator.

They are both essentially the same size...the only real differences are in the sales brochures.

Both are basically GM/Ford's 1/2 ton trucks with an SUV rear. That's it. Front doors forward, they're both identical with their respective companies' pickups.

Suburban is just a longer Tahoe....or more correctly, a Tahoe is just a shorter Suburban, since the Sub was around a LONG time before the Tahoes were introduced in 1995.

Excursion is not a direct competitor for the Sub, since it is based on a 3.4 ton truck chassis.....the only thing it can do better than a 1/2 ton Sub is tow more....but you can't turn it around in a 50-acre field.

It's more of an equal comparison with the 3/4 ton Suburban....not much difference between it and an Excursion, except the Subs ride better, handle better, get better mileage, etc.

1/2 ton Sub had no competitor or equal, until the Expedition EL came out...last year, I think. So you won't find any that are 7-8 years old yet and are great deals.

 

[BudAshes]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Yeah.

Expedition is more of a Tahoe-sized vehicle.

Excursion was the Suburban competitor.

iirc they were more indirect competitors, that is, the tahoe was the smallest, then the expedition a little bigger than that (ford claimed when it came out it was the biggest SUV that could fit in a standard garage), then the suburban was a bit bigger (much longer but not as tall, i think). and then there was the excursion.

You guys have a weird way of looking at it.


The Tahoe and the Suburban are both the same 1500 series platform, except the Suburban is longer-- long enough for an extra row of seats. That should be obvious just by looking at them. The Tahoe's door has a cutout for the fender, the Suburban doesn't. Except for the length the dimensions are the same. So it's a non sequitur to put the Excursion between them unless you're only looking at length.
There's also a 2500 series Suburban that has the same body.

The Expedition is based on the F150, and is in the same class as the Tahoe and Suburban. It's equivalent in length to the Tahoe.

The Excursion is based on the F250 and has the stretched length of the Suburban, but gets much worse gas mileage because of its enormous weight and cross section.

I agree that there are a lot of completely incapable drivers that shouldn't be allowed near these gigantic vehicles.

 

[BudAshes]

Check out this expedition I am looking at. What do you guys think?

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: BudAshes
Check out this expedition I am looking at. What do you guys think?

Looks ok. Juts get the Vin and see if there are any recalls that have not been taken care of and a Car fax.


But again, are you going to use it enough to warrant the extra cost of price, taxs, maintaince, gas, etc... VS just renting a new SUV when needed?


Me and my wife just got a 1994 Mazda "Ranger" B4000. Got ti for $2000 after Price/Taxs/Repairs. But we have used it more then enough to warrant the cost plus we plan on using it a lot next year when we remodel. We put it off at first and juts rented a truck. But after paying to have trash removed once and seeing soem other things we needed to do we did the math and it came out better to buy. But I am a ex-autotech so repairs were not taken into account.

So have you done the math yet???

 

[Raduque]

Originally posted by: heymrdj

When finding one, look for an Expedition that actually had it's 4x4 system periodically used. As my dad found out recently with his Bronco, the systems lock up with no use as they don't get lubricated or unrusted. You should engage your system once per month for some short use off of asphalt to keep it in good working order. If the previous owner didn't use the 4x4 or AWD parts, they most likely will have rusted shut, and you'll have to have the shift motor replaced, which is a 100$ part with 400$ of labor. Make sure the seller lets you get out and test that all these parts work.

Wow, I didn't know this. I own an '01 F150. Does this apply to me, too?

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: heymrdj

When finding one, look for an Expedition that actually had it's 4x4 system periodically used. As my dad found out recently with his Bronco, the systems lock up with no use as they don't get lubricated or unrusted. You should engage your system once per month for some short use off of asphalt to keep it in good working order. If the previous owner didn't use the 4x4 or AWD parts, they most likely will have rusted shut, and you'll have to have the shift motor replaced, which is a 100$ part with 400$ of labor. Make sure the seller lets you get out and test that all these parts work.

Wow, I didn't know this. I own an '01 F150. Does this apply to me, too?

Yes. Applies to any Ford with an electric shift transfer case.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: BudAshes
We already have a saturn that we will be keeping that gets 35 mpg. So i won't be commuting in this thing. I just want to make sure expeditions aren't complete crap if you buy a used one.

I am curious whether a chevy tahoe actually gets better mileage than an expedition. I found out a suburban is actually 2 feet longer than an expedition. That is huge.

Yeah.

Expedition is more of a Tahoe-sized vehicle.

Excursion was the Suburban competitor.

Yep. And the Excursion failed and ford cut it. It just didn't compete well apparently.

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: heymrdj

When finding one, look for an Expedition that actually had it's 4x4 system periodically used. As my dad found out recently with his Bronco, the systems lock up with no use as they don't get lubricated or unrusted. You should engage your system once per month for some short use off of asphalt to keep it in good working order. If the previous owner didn't use the 4x4 or AWD parts, they most likely will have rusted shut, and you'll have to have the shift motor replaced, which is a 100$ part with 400$ of labor. Make sure the seller lets you get out and test that all these parts work.

Wow, I didn't know this. I own an '01 F150. Does this apply to me, too?

Yes. Applies to any Ford with an electric shift transfer case.

It applies to more than Fords. Almost every manufacturer's 4x4 system that uses an electronic shift motor (dubbed shift-on-the-fly, electronic 4x4 and other names) can all suffer this same fate. Age doesn't matter. A vehicle subjected to road salts that doesn't use the 4x4 system will fail the fastest.

PS: Just got back to the college from being back at home for fall break. Drove about 300 miles total. Hand calculate mileage is 17.85MPG, 60% highway, 40% city driving.

2004 Eddie Bauer 4x2 Expedition with 5.4L 2 valve V8.

 

[BudAshes]

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: heymrdj

When finding one, look for an Expedition that actually had it's 4x4 system periodically used. As my dad found out recently with his Bronco, the systems lock up with no use as they don't get lubricated or unrusted. You should engage your system once per month for some short use off of asphalt to keep it in good working order. If the previous owner didn't use the 4x4 or AWD parts, they most likely will have rusted shut, and you'll have to have the shift motor replaced, which is a 100$ part with 400$ of labor. Make sure the seller lets you get out and test that all these parts work.

Wow, I didn't know this. I own an '01 F150. Does this apply to me, too?

Yes. Applies to any Ford with an electric shift transfer case.

It applies to more than Fords. Almost every manufacturer's 4x4 system that uses an electronic shift motor (dubbed shift-on-the-fly, electronic 4x4 and other names) can all suffer this same fate. Age doesn't matter. A vehicle subjected to road salts that doesn't use the 4x4 system will fail the fastest.

PS: Just got back to the college from being back at home for fall break. Drove about 300 miles total. Hand calculate mileage is 17.85MPG, 60% highway, 40% city driving.

2004 Eddie Bauer 4x2 Expedition with 5.4L 2 valve V8.

Whats the point of having a 4x2 expedition? Towing?

 

[Sluggo]

Ours has been dependable and it has more than double the miles of the one you are looking at.

Our major issues have been the cooling system, and those are probably from a lack of getting the coolant changed on a regular basis. I got to replace both the heater core and the radiator, just about a year apart. Neither was a horribly expensive repair, since I did the work myself, but the heater core was an adventure.

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: BudAshes

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: heymrdj

When finding one, look for an Expedition that actually had it's 4x4 system periodically used. As my dad found out recently with his Bronco, the systems lock up with no use as they don't get lubricated or unrusted. You should engage your system once per month for some short use off of asphalt to keep it in good working order. If the previous owner didn't use the 4x4 or AWD parts, they most likely will have rusted shut, and you'll have to have the shift motor replaced, which is a 100$ part with 400$ of labor. Make sure the seller lets you get out and test that all these parts work.

Wow, I didn't know this. I own an '01 F150. Does this apply to me, too?

Yes. Applies to any Ford with an electric shift transfer case.

It applies to more than Fords. Almost every manufacturer's 4x4 system that uses an electronic shift motor (dubbed shift-on-the-fly, electronic 4x4 and other names) can all suffer this same fate. Age doesn't matter. A vehicle subjected to road salts that doesn't use the 4x4 system will fail the fastest.

PS: Just got back to the college from being back at home for fall break. Drove about 300 miles total. Hand calculate mileage is 17.85MPG, 60% highway, 40% city driving.

2004 Eddie Bauer 4x2 Expedition with 5.4L 2 valve V8.

Whats the point of having a 4x2 expedition? Towing?

Wanted a 4x4/AWD, but in this area the only ones available were 05 XLTs and 06 EB's. We were shopping for these before the gas bubble, when they still had value. The 07's had only been out 3 months. The 06EB AWD would have cost 29,000$ with 18,000 miles on it.

We currently have just shy of 70,000 miles on this truck.

 

[BudAshes]

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: BudAshes

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: heymrdj

When finding one, look for an Expedition that actually had it's 4x4 system periodically used. As my dad found out recently with his Bronco, the systems lock up with no use as they don't get lubricated or unrusted. You should engage your system once per month for some short use off of asphalt to keep it in good working order. If the previous owner didn't use the 4x4 or AWD parts, they most likely will have rusted shut, and you'll have to have the shift motor replaced, which is a 100$ part with 400$ of labor. Make sure the seller lets you get out and test that all these parts work.

Wow, I didn't know this. I own an '01 F150. Does this apply to me, too?

Yes. Applies to any Ford with an electric shift transfer case.

It applies to more than Fords. Almost every manufacturer's 4x4 system that uses an electronic shift motor (dubbed shift-on-the-fly, electronic 4x4 and other names) can all suffer this same fate. Age doesn't matter. A vehicle subjected to road salts that doesn't use the 4x4 system will fail the fastest.

PS: Just got back to the college from being back at home for fall break. Drove about 300 miles total. Hand calculate mileage is 17.85MPG, 60% highway, 40% city driving.

2004 Eddie Bauer 4x2 Expedition with 5.4L 2 valve V8.

Whats the point of having a 4x2 expedition? Towing?

Wanted a 4x4/AWD, but in this area the only ones available were 05 XLTs and 06 EB's. We were shopping for these before the gas bubble, when they still had value. The 07's had only been out 3 months. The 06EB AWD would have cost 29,000$ with 18,000 miles on it.

We currently have just shy of 70,000 miles on this truck.

Have you ever tried to parallel park it?

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: BudAshes

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: BudAshes

Originally posted by: heymrdj

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb

Originally posted by: Raduque

Originally posted by: heymrdj

When finding one, look for an Expedition that actually had it's 4x4 system periodically used. As my dad found out recently with his Bronco, the systems lock up with no use as they don't get lubricated or unrusted. You should engage your system once per month for some short use off of asphalt to keep it in good working order. If the previous owner didn't use the 4x4 or AWD parts, they most likely will have rusted shut, and you'll have to have the shift motor replaced, which is a 100$ part with 400$ of labor. Make sure the seller lets you get out and test that all these parts work.

Wow, I didn't know this. I own an '01 F150. Does this apply to me, too?

Yes. Applies to any Ford with an electric shift transfer case.

It applies to more than Fords. Almost every manufacturer's 4x4 system that uses an electronic shift motor (dubbed shift-on-the-fly, electronic 4x4 and other names) can all suffer this same fate. Age doesn't matter. A vehicle subjected to road salts that doesn't use the 4x4 system will fail the fastest.

PS: Just got back to the college from being back at home for fall break. Drove about 300 miles total. Hand calculate mileage is 17.85MPG, 60% highway, 40% city driving.

2004 Eddie Bauer 4x2 Expedition with 5.4L 2 valve V8.

Whats the point of having a 4x2 expedition? Towing?

Wanted a 4x4/AWD, but in this area the only ones available were 05 XLTs and 06 EB's. We were shopping for these before the gas bubble, when they still had value. The 07's had only been out 3 months. The 06EB AWD would have cost 29,000$ with 18,000 miles on it.

We currently have just shy of 70,000 miles on this truck.

Have you ever tried to parallel park it?

Many many many times. We live in a small town with a town square, that's the only parking available. I also parked it on the Georgia DDS drivers course in the parallel parking zone many times for practice.

 

[BudAshes]

several months later i am finally actually going to buy one, now that gas prices are going up for the summer the price of expeditions has dropped again. The one i am looking at is dirt cheap eddie bauer 2000 4x4(permanent awd i think). It is in really good shape but it has some issue where it jumps as you are going up hills on the highway. Its so affordable i'm willing to take it and fix it, the dude i'm buying it from says it needs new ignition coil/tune up. The funny thing is that it has a VCR in it, that seems so 90's.

 

[Sluggo]

Originally posted by: BudAshes
several months later i am finally actually going to buy one, now that gas prices are going up for the summer the price of expeditions has dropped again. The one i am looking at is dirt cheap eddie bauer 2000 4x4(permanent awd i think). It is in really good shape but it has some issue where it jumps as you are going up hills on the highway. Its so affordable i'm willing to take it and fix it, the dude i'm buying it from says it needs new ignition coil/tune up. The funny thing is that it has a VCR in it, that seems so 90's.

Its actually coil packs, and if you don't do the work yourself, it will be an expensive fix. They are a complete PITA to work on.

On a related note, ours broke down this past week, had to have it towed home, it was the fuel pump, the factory pump went 211,000 miles. Just about a 6 hour job for me to diagnose and change it out.

And a special fuck-you to Ford for putting the Schrader valve to check the fuel pressure on the back of the fuel rail buried under the heater hoses and other vacuum lines, instead of the front.

 

[kevman]

also be aware that some of the Expeditions could potentially suffer from blown spark plugs( expensive to fix), I was looking at one for a long time and I found that the some of 5.4 owners have had this problem. I would go for a 2003+ one if you could afford it, it has the folding back seat vs taking it out.

good luck.

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: Sluggo

Originally posted by: BudAshes
several months later i am finally actually going to buy one, now that gas prices are going up for the summer the price of expeditions has dropped again. The one i am looking at is dirt cheap eddie bauer 2000 4x4(permanent awd i think). It is in really good shape but it has some issue where it jumps as you are going up hills on the highway. Its so affordable i'm willing to take it and fix it, the dude i'm buying it from says it needs new ignition coil/tune up. The funny thing is that it has a VCR in it, that seems so 90's.

Its actually coil packs, and if you don't do the work yourself, it will be an expensive fix. They are a complete PITA to work on.

On a related note, ours broke down this past week, had to have it towed home, it was the fuel pump, the factory pump went 211,000 miles. Just about a 6 hour job for me to diagnose and change it out.

And a special fuck-you to Ford for putting the Schrader valve to check the fuel pressure on the back of the fuel rail buried under the heater hoses and other vacuum lines, instead of the front.

HAHA.. man, I have sooo been there. I had to replace two COPs on my 97 F150, both rear on the right side. What a major pita.. and then ripped a fuel injector O ring putting the fuel rail back on so I spewed gas everywhere.

kind of crappy work, but very doable if you have some sockets with extensions and the like.

 

[thecoolnessrune]

We're actually considering upping from our 04 to an 06-07.

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: BudAshes

Originally posted by: biggestmuff
Buying the Expedition? Fine.

Buying it with your girlfriend? No.

hahah, bitter much?

He's got a valid point.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Look for a GMC/Chevy Tahoe. They get a little better gas milage.

Also how often would you use it? Would it be cheaper to just rent a large SUV/Van when needed then have to buy one and insure, maintain, and gas it???

That's a good alternative. There are downsides to renting (have to plan in advance, rental place may not have cars available, may have to go out of your way to get to the rental place, etc), but those tradeoffs may be worth saving money, it all depends on the individual's estimation of value.

I do have to agree with you on this. Unless they're going to use the truck a lot, they can save a lot of money by just renting a 4WD truck when they want to go skiing.

ZV

This is the freedom you get when you pick an SUV to own. Just pack and go. Need something at Home Depot? Just get in and go. 2 dogs, 2 kids, and 2 parents need to get somewhere - get in and go. All the same car. If you're a skiier there's no reason you should want to go find & rent a 4wd to go do it that many times a season. I don't see a better reason to get an all-practical vehicle than this. Perfect example.

It comes down to calculating the cost difference in fuel and see if it's worth it to you. Everybody's got different views on value.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Look for a GMC/Chevy Tahoe. They get a little better gas milage.

Also how often would you use it? Would it be cheaper to just rent a large SUV/Van when needed then have to buy one and insure, maintain, and gas it???

That's a good alternative. There are downsides to renting (have to plan in advance, rental place may not have cars available, may have to go out of your way to get to the rental place, etc), but those tradeoffs may be worth saving money, it all depends on the individual's estimation of value.

I do have to agree with you on this. Unless they're going to use the truck a lot, they can save a lot of money by just renting a 4WD truck when they want to go skiing.

ZV

This is the freedom you get when you pick an SUV to own. Just pack and go. Need something at Home Depot? Just get in and go. 2 dogs, 2 kids, and 2 parents need to get somewhere - get in and go. All the same car. If you're a skiier there's no reason you should want to go find & rent a 4wd to go do it that many times a season. I don't see a better reason to get an all-practical vehicle than this. Perfect example.

It comes down to calculating the cost difference in fuel and see if it's worth it to you. Everybody's got different views on value.

There's no reason to rent or own a 4wd if you're a skier either. I grew up skiing, along with other winter sports, and never owned a 4wd vehicle in my entire life.

 

[heymrdj]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
Look for a GMC/Chevy Tahoe. They get a little better gas milage.

Also how often would you use it? Would it be cheaper to just rent a large SUV/Van when needed then have to buy one and insure, maintain, and gas it???

That's a good alternative. There are downsides to renting (have to plan in advance, rental place may not have cars available, may have to go out of your way to get to the rental place, etc), but those tradeoffs may be worth saving money, it all depends on the individual's estimation of value.

I do have to agree with you on this. Unless they're going to use the truck a lot, they can save a lot of money by just renting a 4WD truck when they want to go skiing.

ZV

This is the freedom you get when you pick an SUV to own. Just pack and go. Need something at Home Depot? Just get in and go. 2 dogs, 2 kids, and 2 parents need to get somewhere - get in and go. All the same car. If you're a skiier there's no reason you should want to go find & rent a 4wd to go do it that many times a season. I don't see a better reason to get an all-practical vehicle than this. Perfect example.

It comes down to calculating the cost difference in fuel and see if it's worth it to you. Everybody's got different views on value.

There's no reason to rent or own a 4wd if you're a skier either. I grew up skiing, along with other winter sports, and never owned a 4wd vehicle in my entire life.

That is some poorly tamed winter sporting. Go where the trails aren't and where you can only take your truck so far in before you take the snowmobile the rest of the way in. THAT is refreshing living.