looking at large suvs

[Lubbockguy1979]

So I'm looking for a 2009-2011 big suv. So far the top 3 the navigator, expedition and the armada. I know most here are diehard ford so what can I expect from the navigator/ expedition? Mpg number? What do you like about them? What do you dislike about them?

[berry1234]

Why not Yukon/Tahoe?

[Lubbockguy1979]

The wife isn't to keen on the yukon/ tahoe when we looked last night she also said no to the escalade,

[Biscayne]

We have an 09 Expedition EL 4x4. I keep track of every fill up and it looks like at 83,000 miles it is getting approximately 15 - 15.5 mpg in the combination driving 80% city (with awful traffic) and 20% highway. My repairs on the truck that were unexpected and not regular maintenance related have been:
1. Driver window regulator mechanism came apart and needed total replacement.
2. Wire bulkhead seal for bundle of wires in transmission needed replacement.
3. Blend door for front air conditioning went out on max setting and had to be replaced.

I know all that sounds bad, but my wife loves it (it is our second Expedition) and it really does do what we need it to. Occaisonally it has a hiccup or two but it overall is a good truck. I think if I had been the first owner (we bought it with 20K miles on it and it was a previous rental truck) and paid 49K like the sticker in the glove box said I may not be as pleased. Since we paid 30K for it and it has done what we need it to, hauling 3 kids, 2 dogs and the boat occaisonally, I feel like it was a good purchase.

Almost forgot, likes and dislikes:
Like the ease of fold flat for the third row.
Like the styling
Plenty of storage room for cargo and kid's stuff (back seat folds 70/30) for people and cargo.

Dislike how much leg room I have in the passenger seat. It has always seemed cramped when I ride as a passenger.
Dislike catastrophic failures of components while still making payments.

[Lubbockguy1979]

I greatly appreciate the awnser. I'm hoping to get the expy vs others. So far they seem to be the nicest for the money.

[chuck s]

Depends on your use. Country club SUV? Daily driver? Tow vehicle?

I bought our Expedition for #3, to tow our hybrid travel trailer. The Explorer was working too hard. Standard maximum towing capacity is 6000 pounds. Spend another $350 and get 9000 pounds.

Rides like a town car and I'm watching any notice of discontinuance of the line 'cuz I really like this truck and don't want anything less in the future.

-- Chuck

[Lubbockguy1979]

Its going to be a pavement princess, my wife won't taw a thing and dislikes the look of just about every other suv out there. I have my truck for real towing duties this vehicle should actually be a people hauler and potential road trip vehicle. I bet if I can I use my truck for 99% of my travels if I have it my way.

[berry1234]

Have you looked at the Honda Pilot? 8 passenger and gets good gas mileage.

[Lubbockguy1979]

Another one she dosent like. It though looks to be pretty nice. She is not likeing the idea of getting rid of her mustang conv. And going to mommy duty. Guess a suv isn't as cool in her eyes

[pgonza2723]

Nowadays at least in my area Expeditions and Navigators are running about the same price. The Armada will give you more get up and go due to the bigger engine size, power & tq numbers, but I personally feel the interior leaves a lot to be desired. Expedition and Lincoln interiors are nice with slight variations in design. Think of it as more as different elevation choices you get when looking at a house then anything revolutionary. The differences seem to come in seat surfaces, gauge cluster coloring (white backlit instead of green), HIDs for the Navi, different audio components, etc etc. So far have put about 65k miles on the truck and have enjoyed owning it (15 in city and 19 hwy) and don't have any plans of getting rid of it anytime soon. Biggest issues have come as of recently which are as follows:

bad alternator
bad grooved idler pulley making an awful noise
sometimes temperamental deployable running boards

Other then that so far everything a ok.

[Lubbockguy1979]

Originally Posted by pgonza2723

Nowadays at least in my area Expeditions and Navigators are running about the same price. The Armada will give you more get up and go due to the bigger engine size, power & tq numbers, but I personally feel the interior leaves a lot to be desired. Expedition and Lincoln interiors are nice with slight variations in design. Think of it as more as different elevation choices you get when looking at a house then anything revolutionary. The differences seem to come in seat surfaces, gauge cluster coloring (white backlit instead of green), HIDs for the Navi, different audio components, etc etc. So far have put about 65k miles on the truck and have enjoyed owning it (15 in city and 19 hwy) and don't have any plans of getting rid of it anytime soon. Biggest issues have come as of recently which are as follows:

bad alternator
bad grooved idler pulley making an awful noise
sometimes temperamental deployable running boards

Other then that so far everything a ok.

Thank you for your comment.

[nkenney]

I have been driving a armada for the last 3 weeks. Its nice but I dnt like the old styling. And the car in a 2009 and already has messed up plastic and cracked plastic. But I love how the interior is set up.

[Lubbockguy1979]

*Update* It is looking like a 2011 expedition limited with nav, dvd and all the goodies including cooled deats are in our very near future. Found a dark silver and a light silver one both under 32k miles they are sweet and have more get up than I thought

[Biscayne]

That's a good looking rig, in my opinion, have you worked out an extended bumper to bumper for a thorough "shakedown" after you purchase it? 4000 miles would not let me really "get to know" the vehicle. just my 2 cents though.

[Lubbockguy1979]

One is ford certified, the other one will get a ford backed ext warranty. The one that isn't certified has 18k miles but is cheaper than the 21k certified