I did something recently I thought I'd never do. I bought a Ford. That's a huge challenge for me. I've been a GM/Chevy man for 25 years. But the last few years GM products keep going up in price but down in quality. The Tahoe I traded in on this new Expedition was well short of stellar.

I decided if I was going to spend $40 grand on a new SUV I was going to open my mind to everything. So I researched, read, asked questions, and test drove every full sized SUV thatwas in my price range. This included Tahoes, Suburbans, Yukons, and Sequoias. I even test drove Navigators for grins and the Nav is what got me to thinking about an Expy.

After all the research and test drives I was most impressed with the 2003 Ford Expedition. Thsi says a lot considering I was so biased to GM products. The Expedition exceeded my expectations. I even test drove the Tahoe head to head with the 2003 Expy. The Expedition won hands down on ride, performance, and especially handling. This new Expy handles more like a sports sedan than an SUV. There is virtually no pitch and roll when turn sharp corners at speed, unlike it's competitor Tahoe/Suburban.

So many features on the Expy are standard, like running boards, tow hitch, third row seat etc, all of which cost extra on the GM junk and way extra on a SUKquoia (which rode like crap and had little acceleration). A Tahoe similarly equipped like my Expy cost about $3000 more.

The only question in my mind is long term reliability. I've got 23,000 miles on mine with no probs so far. Can any of you share your experiences?

Thanks

Cg

 

Hi ExpyCody and welcome

So far I havent seen any real problems on the new style Expys and hopefully it will stay that way
The engine is basically the same as the last few years and they have them figured out now.
Being a Ford I assume we'll see worn ball joints before too much longer but a lot of that depends on the roads you're on. They are pretty rough around here.
I think if you keep up on the maintenance, transmission services etc you'll be good for a long time. I wouldn't hesitate to own a new Expy. Other than the price

 

They aren't as expensive as they appear, right now.

I got mine at the end of March for $3,000 under invoice (that's $1K under invoice from the dealer, and then $2K cash back from Ford). AND I got a fair trade price on my '97 Explorer V8 AWD. Buyers have all the leverage right now.

Ford has since upped the rebate to $3K. If you can manage to get $1K under invoice from a dealer (try the end of the month -- car dealers are hurting big time right now), then with the rebate you are looking at as much as $10K under sticker price for a fully-loaded EB, or maybe $8K under sticker for a more lightly loaded XLT.

Good luck.

Josh

'03 Expedition XLT 4x4 5.4L (for $31K)

 

1st Ford for me as well.
I can safely say that after 2 short weeks I am extremely happy so far and hope to stay that way!

 

Well, TCExp and ExpyCody, let me be the second to welcome you to FTE, as well as the Expedition Forum!

I think that you'll find that we've got a great group of Ford owners here who would agree with your sentiments towards your new rig.

I personally don't feel that any particular brand is THAT much better than another, but my Expy gave me all the features I wanted, and at the right price. My only complaint about GM trucks is the frumpy interior - everything is right angles. Looks like a computer from the 70's - all business.

Anyhow, I've got about 66K on my 99 Expy with no problems to really mention, except for the IAC valve ($65 - fairly common failure around 50K) and one coil pack (blew up because I hosed down the engine compartment - DOH!)

Other than that, I love my Expy.

Hope you enjoy the collective thinktank that we've got here. We're looking forward to seeing you guys around!

XXL

 

I would have to agree with ExpyCody. I, too, looked at the Tahoe, and last week bought an Expedition. It has so much more going for it. The only thing I liked better on the Tahoe was the slightly smaller overall size. I have owned at least one Ford for the last 20 years, but I always buy what suits my needs at the time. That's why my wife has never had a Ford. After she gets used to the size of the Expedition, that may change, and I'll end up with the minivan, 'cause she really likes the Expedition.

 

Something is wrong with this forum. I had to totally re-register to even access this post page. I've emailed the admin maybe he can help.

Regarding the Expedition jsirota made a good point. The Expys are great buys right now. The dealers here in OK are offering $6000 off MSRP. We had a line on a couple of XLTs that stickered for $38,500 and could buy them for $32,500.

However we were at Prestige Ford in Edmond last week and stumbled across a 2003 program Expy equipped exactly the way we wanted in a color we loved. The original MSRP was $38,130 but we bought the thing for $27,738. Being a program it had 23,000 miles but it was Ford certified so Ford extended the powertrain warranty out to 6 years and 75,000 miles! The truck still has the original 36/36,000 Bumper to bumper in addition to the extended warranty. Ford must have a lot of faith in this machine to extend the powertrain warranty that far. I was pleased with the deal because we got the new body style Expy, equipped the way we wanted for under $28K. And it still has the new smell.

BigMatt It's funny you say that. I couple years ago we were all sitting around bragging about our trucks. Some Dodge, some Chevy, other Ford. My 21 year old son sat there listening to all this old man bravado and suddenly annouced at the top of his voice " THEY ARE ALL JUNK!!!" We all looked at each other and died laughing. He was dead on the money. None of them are worth the premium you pay. When I spend 30-40 grand on a car I expect the thing to go 200,000 miles with NO problems AND serve me breakfast in bed!

Having said that, if this new Expy gives good service (meaning 150,000+ miles no major probs) then I'll be a Ford man for life.


FiremanRon We owned a Tahoe since '99. We drove the new '03 Tahoe head to head against the Expy. Even pulled the Expy right up next to the "Hoe" at the dealership to compare the two directly. The Chevy salesman wasn't thrilled at it but I told him if I can't compare the two directly I wouldn't even consider his Tahoe so he relented.

First thing we noticed is the Expy was much better looking than the Tahoe. The "hoe" isn't a bad looking truck it's just not elegant and expensive looking like the Expy. The Expy appeared to be only 6 inches longer and but when we drove it it turned tighter than the Hoe! The interior of the Expy was classy looking whereas the Hoe was kinda sporty looking. Depends on the look you want. But handling wise there is NO comparison. The Hoe rolled and pitched in fast turns and the Exp was solid as Porshe (well relatively speaking).

The thing that really sold the wife was when we popped the rear lift gate on both. I folded the third seat down on the Exp and then on the Tahoe. The Exp seat simply dissappeared into the floor...FLUSH. The Hoe seat was all crumpled up against the back of the second row. It took up much of the space available. In order to get the same space we had to completely remove the seat from the Hoe. Very UN-impressive.

I could go on and on but the fact is the Expy is a much much nicer and user friendly ride. And right now you can buy one for less than a comparably equipped Hoe. I know. I beat the bushes for the past several weeks and compared everything on the market, up, down and sideways. IMO the all new 2003 Expedition is the STUFF if you want a full sized SUV.

Thanks guys. Sorry about having to post under ExpyCody2. I dunno whats wrong.

Cody

PS:

BigMatt-I just read your "posting protocol" and will straighten up my act. I have a bad habit of masking profanity. I will change that here to comply. Sorry.

 

Before the Expy I was driving a Mercedes Benz ML320 (stop laughing, it was only for 11 months). I was pleasantly surprised to find the Expy had a similar turn ratio to the much smaller ML.

 

I think that it's important to make the point that the expedition is not perfect. I don't know if everyone is having the same problems I am, but the front brakes wear badly, and cause the front rims to need constant cleaning. Also, the front tires rub when turning sharp on my expy. Other than that, I love the expy. It does handle great, and the third row seat is the best.
You guys are talking about the great deals you're are getting on expys these days. Just remember that the more Ford rebates and gives these things away, the more it hurts their resale. I bought my expy when the new style first came out, and I paid under invoice, but now you can buy an Eddie Bauer or a loaded 4x4 for the same price I paid. I know that's just the way the car industry works, but if I needed to sell my vehicle in an emergency, I would loose at least 7000. Ford may want to consider its past customers when offering such huge discounts. What do you guys think?

 

Welcome BajaB,
I'm new to the board myself, but it's been a blast getting educated by this group.

To answer your question with a question, when has big business EVER worried about how they impact their customers?

 

I test drove a Mercury Marauder again 2 weeks ago,thought of possibly trading my new 03 EB 5.4 Expy with 2,200 miles on it. The Expy still has all the plastic covers on the seats,the floor mats are still in plastic,and the auto climate control face and outer trim around the top of the doors still have the protective plastic on. The dealer called it "in the wrapper",options are power moonroof,power folding 3rd row seats,rollover side safety curtain airbags,4X4,etc. They only wanted to give me $30,000 for trade-in. I wasted no time getting out of there,with my Expy.

 

Interesting that it's still "in the wrapper" as the dealer that sold it to you can get in deep doodoo for selling it like that as it doesnt pass fire standards etc like that
The Marauder is pretty cool eh? We've got one on the lot. I havent driven it yet but hope to soon.

 

BajaB-

I've heard the new Expy coughs up mega brake dust. Had someone tell me to switch to Wagner pads and the prob dissappears.

As far as the price...the ONLY reason I bought an 2003 Expedition is because they have FINALLY gotten somewhat affordable. I mean I personally would never pay much more than $30,000 for any car/truck/suv. IMO cars are simply TOO damned expensive today. So expensive that people can't "really" buy them.. they have to lease them. The avergae car consumes WAY more of your income than it did 20-25 years ago.

Case in point. My father bought a brand new 4x4 Suburban when I was in high school (1980). This was the top of the line loaded to the nines Suburban. He paid $11,500. His annual income in 1980 was $28,000....a very good living for a working man in 1980.

Fastforward to 2002. Dad has the same job. The job now pays $54,000. But the Suburban now cost $44,000!!!! His salary hasn't quite double. That damned Suburban has QUADRUPLED!!!!

THAT IS ABSURD. I realize there is a lot more that goes into vehicles nowadays. But these new vehicles ARE NOT worth 4 TIMES what they were then. Dad still has the old '80 Suburban. Thing has over 250,000 miles on the original engine. I doubt any 2002 Sub will go that far.

No doubt the new Suburban should cost more than in '80 simply do to inflation. Then it should cost additionally more do to improvements in "creature comforts" like stereos, DVD, leather heated seats, power butt massagers.....but NOT 4 times. That is simply too high. If dad's salary had gone up 4 times and he was earning $112,000 then it would be equal. I think it is time for a radical market correction regarding new cars. They need to come DOWN....WAY DOWN. Their price should be more reflective of peoples incomes like they were 20+ years ago.

New today cars are a very POOR investment. The instant you drive them off the lot you've lost thousands simply because they are now considered "used" due to the fact they have been titled. It did not used to be that way.


Cody

 

I'll apologize ahead of time to all dealers or sales people now.
If it offends you, I apologize for what I'm about to say; but it's true.

Whether new or used, you're faced with an unlevel playing field.
If trading used to used; your car can't be listed as clean even if it's pristine. Why? Because we never give clean book value at our dealership.
But....the hardly clean car they're trying to sell you will always be asked at the clean level.

Never ever an even break.

 

TCExp

I have a good friend that is a Chevy dealer. I really feel for dealers. The extreme cost of new cars is NOT their fault. They have no control over the price the manufacture sets. And they don't really make a lot on new cars in this competitive market.

The problem (or cause) of overpriced cars as I see it is 3 fold. 1- Corporate "greed" 2- Labor costs 3- Government regulation. I'll address the thre:

1- Corporate Greed Corporations in the US today (inclusive of most all big corps) have a sick attitude toward profits IMO. Most coroporation will not settle for sane, reasonable profits. If they can't make a "KILLING" they are not satisifed. Profit growth in corporate America used to be stable and single digit at best. Now everyone thinks double digit growth is the norm. But I don't think our economy is stable at those rates. The truth is most peoples incomes are NOT growing at double digits to keep up with the insane cost of some of the products they buy.

2- Labor This will certainly offend many people but IT IS THE TRUTH. I want to tell a story from experience. Ten years ago I knew a man that worked in a plant for General Motors. This guy was BIG on unionized labor. Now I know why. He was a "master machinist" (whatever the heck that is) at a plant in Indiana. He had been working for GM for almost 30 years. His compensation package in 1992 was a whopping $90,000!!! That was more than my doctor was making in 1992. And that is absurd. This man barely had a high school education and he was making more than some medical doctors by simply working on an assembly line.

Now I have NO problem with people making good solid salaries. But something is HORRIBLY awry in our economy when a "MASTER MACHINIST" on a palnt line makes that sum of money. No wonder a new Suburban cost almost $50 grand.

3-Government regulations This is simply a fact of life. Government regs can be good sometimes. But much of the time they are redundant and inefficient and simply drive cost up. For instance my father has a ranch in Western Oklahoma. He bought needed a new truck to "ride range". The truck will never leave the ranch. It will never be on the highway. Yet the goverment forces the maker to install airbags. An unwanted cost in this case. The truck WILL NEVER exceed 40 mph, and the odds of it ever being in a collision are virtually zilch. I'm sure there are other case people can site of unwanted costs associated with cars.

When you add it all up the cost of cars is extreme I think. The relative cost of autos is not in sync with our incomes. They simply are NOT worth what we are having to pay for them. Yet much like gasoline it is a nessicity of our time. In order to survie we must have automobiles. However, like I said before, I think the market needs a radical correction in pricing. the only way that will happen is if people stop buying them and drive what they've got. I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Cody