Trying to decide whether to buy a 2003 or wait for the 2004. Just reviewed the 2004 order guide (https://web.msslib2.dealerconnection...000c588038e1b3) and it does not seem much has changed for the limited and EBs models except for the mirrors and wireless headphones for the dvd. Is that correct? I was hoping they would finally include a satellite radio option since they have partnered with sirius but there is no mention of it in the order guide. Has anyone else heard of a factory satellite radio option (other then buying it 3rd party).. Are there any other major reasons to wait for the 2004?? When will the 2004s hit the lots??

thanks inadvance, steve

 

I don't see a radio being a main reason to buy or not buy a truck. Just get the stand alone Sat. radio installed to your factory headunit.

 

Check the order guide and I believe you will find a radio delete option. Then put in what ever you want after delivery.

 

I selected a 2003 Ford Excursion on a dealership lot some distance away and my local dealership was preparing to order it from them when a 2004 Ford Excursion arrived on the truck. It had all of the options I was looking for, apart from the second row bucket seats, which their bodyshop says they can put in after, and so I purchased it. I take possession tonight.

There are many small changes to the 2004, mainly the running boards, the wheels, and that the bumpers are colour-matched to the body. (I believe the earlier models had chrome bumpers? I am fairly new to the Excursion in general, so I may be wrong here.) What is odd is that it has the keypad on the door for keyless entry, which I thought was new, but apparently has been around for awhile. I have never noticed in on Ford's web page, though, even when building one online. So I thought that was new too, but apparently it isn't. I only took a 2002 for a test drive, so for the interior, I am not sure what has changed. It has the same DVD setup as the earlier models, with the monitor in the middle and the climate control on the left and the DVD player on the right. I think - and again I may be wrong here - the climate control for the front is new. It has a digital display and has automatic climate control. (I think the earlier ones had automatic climate control, but I do not know if it was digital.)

Those are the items I noticed the most, but there might be other minute details. Someone else here posted the spec sheet from Ford and it lists a few other things that escape me now.

I think the best thing you can do if you are debating between a 2003 and a 2004 is wait to see a 2004. If you like it, buy it. If not, buy the 2003. Once the 2004s show up on the lot, the dealers will be trying to get rid of their 2003 stock.

Just my two cents.

 

Buying a left-over from the previous model year is a very smart thing to do. The left-over can be purchased at a HUGE discount, while the new vehicle will lose a HUGE amount of value once you sign the papers. AND the left-over carries the same warranty. I'd by the left-over and use your savings for other toys. That's what I did.

 

I was in the process of doing that until the 2004 arrived on the lot and the dealership offered it to me for the same price. (They were having a real difficult time finding one that matched everything I asked for and so this saved them a lot of effort.)

I hope to have pictures soon, but I don't think they will blow anyone's skirts up.