Hi all! I've lurked on the forums long enough, and thought i'd finally create a post looking for some advice...

Here's the dilemma: Our family is looking to purchase a used Ford SUV (we've pretty well ruled out a truck) but can't decide if we'd be better in an Expedition, or Excursion (gas vs diesel would be another debate).

We're comfortable spending about $12k, anything beyond that and it's time for a loan, and we just don't want the monthly payment.

We have 3 children, all under 6, so room for carseats & boosters is a must. Beyond that, we need to tow a 2500lb (loaded) trailer, 20-ish times a year.

We were pretty well locking in on 2006-2008 Expeditions (opting for lower mileage vs a newer model), but had previously looked long and hard at Excursions. Now that we're getting ready to make a purchase, our cheaper side has taken over, and some of the older (2002-era) Expeditions are really starting to catch our eye. We've seen a few in great shape, with around 90k miles, but at half the price of the 2006-08 Expeditions (which had 70-90k miles).

Looks aside, are there any big gotchas to watch for? The vehicle will be a daily driver for my wife and kids for probably about 2 years, so reliability is the number one concern. After that, it becomes my vehicle, and she gets a new f-150 crew cab (less car seats and kid stuff by then).

We're ok with spending the additional money for a newer vehicle, but would rather keep it in the bank if we can. What are we missing with the older Expeditions? Is the 3rd row just as roomy for the one kid who will be sitting back there? Can i reasonably expect another 2 years of relatively trouble free driving (no major overhauls) from an older Expy that was well taken care of? Or should we just spend the cash and get a newer model year with roughly the same mileage?

I kid you not, we've been looking for 2 months. Driving to dealers with newer model (08-ish) Expeditions, to see how the kids fit...and even finding some ratty excursions at buy-here pay-here lots just to see what the interior room is like (we'd buy from a private seller though, just sizing up vehicles at the dealer).

If it was you, what way would you lean? Newer Expedition, Older Expedition, or an Excursion? (although it would probably have to be gas, for good condition in our price range)

Again, just need a people hauler for 2 years, with ability to tow a small trailer. Don't want something known for problems, and need to squeeze in 3 kids, maybe a dog on occasion, for around 8000 miles of driving per year (including at least one vacation that's 800 miles each way).

I appreciate everyone's feedback, we've been looking so long we're talking ourselves in circles!

 

This is my first post here in the Expedition forum, so if I say something incorrect, please bear with me guys.

I never owned a first generation Expedition, so I won't be much of a help there.
I currently own a second gen 2003 Expedition Eddie Bauer and before that I've had a 2003 F250 Crew Cab / Long Bed truck - which is just about the same frame as an Excursion. It was a powerstroke diesel.
I am not an expert, just putting out my personal opinion, experience hoping it will be somewhat helpful for you to choose.

Like you said, you looking for a "people hauler" and an Excursion might be a little too much for that. Why?
It sure is huge, roomy and definitely safe - just look at all that steel around you - approximately 7500lbs. If you were going to buy a DIESEL one to tow your 10000 lbs boat on a weekly basis, going on long trips with a lot of load and possibly a camper behind you I'd say go for it. But for an in town vehicle with occasional few hundred miles trip and a GAS engine... I don't know. I think you might not like it. It can be a hassle to park it in tight spaces, not even mentioning parking garages, and I can't see you squeezing more than 10 MPG out of it.
If these are no problem, than the Excursion might be the one for you.
I personally wouldn't even consider a gas powered one. Diesel, that's a different story.

Expedition.

I love mine! 5.4 Triton, 120 k miles, almost trouble free. I've had the dreaded fuel pump relay issue, which could be pricey but I ended up fixing it myself with a soldering gun and after $17 in expense, no issues at all. I'm planning to keep this suv until the wheels fall off.
You seen it inside, driven some so I don't have to say anything about it. The main difference between the first and second generation - beside the whole body :-) is the four wheel independent suspension.
To put it in words, it drives like a car - the second gen of course. I can put this suv into the turns like a normal car without the fear of flipping it over. And it's an suv ! You can't do that with a straight axle suv - which the firs generation is.
And that is a big plus in safety for me. And not because I want to drive it like it's a rally car, but because anything could happen on the roads where you need to get out of the way quickly.
So as of a "people hauler" , I would not pick anything else but a second gen Expedition.
But again, it's just an opinion of mine.

 

You're about spot on with the Excursion thing. I love the towing capacity, and the interior room...but it's a little much for the 5 of us, and towing my son's small trailer with quarter midgets. A giant camper, maybe....12ft trailer, not so much. Plus, finding one in good shape is getting hard, especially in the Northeast.

I completely forgot about the independent rear, that's an excellent point!
We were leaning towards a 2007, when the rear passenger airbags became standard (I believe...thought they were optional in '06 too), but the rear suspension is another good reason to sway me into at least 2nd generation. Not to mention we're talking about a $2k difference to get something 4 or 5 years newer.

If you don't mind me asking...or if anyone else would like to chime in...did you go for the bench, or captain's chairs in the 2nd row? An EL would be nice, but they're a tough find up here, and command a premium. I sort of feel like the captains chairs would leave a little more room for a cooler, or maybe the dog, and i'm ok with losing a seat for easier rear access. That said, i haven't been able to find anything local without a bench, and am considering going a couple states away to find captain's chairs (plus no road salt). Just wondering if it's worth the hassle from those with experience.

 

That's a good question about the second row seats. I have captain's chairs , but with a middle seat, that's independently removable, or you can just fold it down. So it appears as a bench, but it's captain's.... I loved this option. Very versatile, and with all rows folded, you have a 4 X 7 feet huge cargo space.

The EB was a must for me back then for several reasons:
-holds the value better
-two color leather seats
-premium sound system ( well, it is as premium as it gets from the factory, but at least there is a sub and a 6 disc changer )
-fold down DVD entertainment - which could be a good addition with kids in the back seat
-and last but not least a white / gold 2 tone color on the exterior

 

One more thing.
I am not entirely sure about the engine options through the years, but I highly recommend finding one with the big engine. 5.4 Triton to be exact.
Don't forget that this is one of the largest SUVs, and it's not light. Not at all!
You need that engine to move it on it's feet comfortably.
Even with this engine, it is like a dog in some cases...

 

I've never experienced doggedness in my "plain old" xlt with 4.6. Better gas mileage, maybe; but it hauls the boat just fine!

While every vehicle has its problems, the triton mod motors can quietly burn through part of a head gasket, but not trip any computer warnings for a long while. just look for the normal things like smoke, etc. You'll love your older expedition. IRS is great (not the gov'mnt agency). And I like my mid bench. easy to get my three kids under six in and out with carseats.

 

I may expect too much...
Well, I can only compare to my other cars , Jeep CJ5 with a built small block chevy 5.7 or my '78 Trans Am. They both are "plain old" carburated engines, and really quick on they're feet.
So, I'm sorry I did not want to mislead anyone, it's just a big difference between them.

I don't know about the gas mileage difference, I'm getting no better than 13 MPG in city, and maybe 17 MPG on highway....with the 5.4
...still better than the others with they're less than 8 MPG though...

 

No problem! I see how it looks when I read my own post back again. I didn't mean to contradict. There are as many different experiences as there are people!

 

hmm, sounds like an interesting option for the second row. I wonder if some of the Expeditions I've looked at are actually set up that way. would be nice to have the versatility of the captain's chairs, but keep that extra seat when needed.

I agree on the engine...i'd push for bigger, unless it was an outrageously good deal. Learned that lesson with my wife's minivan...she likes it, but the thing is an absolute dog uphill, in traffic, standing still, idling, and parked in the driveway. I'd rather give away a mpg, or two, just to have something that will get out of its own way.

 

I don't have a picture of my interior, but I found some on the internet that is identical.
In all honesty I could not see any expys with a full bench 2nd row - which of course doesn't mean there isn't any , but you might want to check them closer.
On the pic the middle one is completely removable, foldable....

 

Well the engine size could be a good debate of which one is the absolute winner... I guess it's personal experience, preference, etc.
I personally not a believer of smaller engine equals to better gas mileage. In a 2000lbs import, yes. But in a 6000 + lbs SUV. I don't know. I don't think so. You need to move that heavy body, and the larger engine will have to work less hard to do so...
The 4.6 is 232 hp , the 5.4 is 260 hp. This isn't that big of a difference, but the 5.4 produces 60 lb-ft more torque than the small brother. Now that is a big difference. Oh, these are factory specs, obviously they all different some, but this is a good guideline.
There is also towing package in mine, I'd like to be sure that I can hook up something heavy and still be able to move it. Even with AC blowing.
Bottom line is, I am a fan of large engines - so much that I will always go for the largest available. Gas mileage is secondary for me.
I - for some reason loved the look of the new Ford Fusion - until I realized that every 3rd car on the roads are those now-days, than I also found out that they come with a tiny 2.0 L engine.
No thank you. That's not for me...

 

I have the 2005 excursion 4x4 6.0 diesel. Mileage and power are good. Not a smooth ride though, anyone in the 3rd row seat gets bounced around a lot. It is a heavy duty truck but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Parking is difficult and some indoor parking might be a problem too with low overhead. It has an 11,000 lb tow rating and tows well.

 

There are no full bench middle row Expeditions. They are all three piece seats. The captains chair set up adds arm rests and takes out the middle piece. In 2003 the third row became a 70 - 30 fold flat, prior to that it was a full removeable bench which was a pain in the *** to lug around.

 

You are correct. And dcaddi2! I really meant whatever was the opposite of the setup with the console in the middle. It is not a true bench, I just leave mine that way so often that I end up calling it bench. It is way more versatile since each section folds up or down, or can be removed, all completely independently. Sorry, all!