Does anybody have a report on the new 2003 Expedition? I drove one the other day and liked it alot. What sort of mileage are they getting? Are they as solid as they seem? Are they worth $40,000+?
Thanks for any information.

Steve C.

 

I got my first "up close" look at one today. I parked next to an 2003 EB and compared it with my '00 XLT and am I glad to say I have the '00.

I'm really surprised at Ford's pathetic attempt at a restyled design. All they really did to the exterior is add a lot of plastic around the sides, make a couple cosmetic changes to grille area and squared up the tailgate. Otherwise the lines are identical. My advice, save yourself $15,000 and buy a 2001 or 2002.....rear independent suspension isn't worth the difference in price.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 12-Aug-02 AT 12:53 PM (EST)]I have just returned from a beach vacation (Outer Banks, NC) and took my new 2003 5.4L EB Ford Expedition....

I previously owned a 97 Ford Expedition and I must say the 2003 improvements are truely awesome.

I loaded this thing up with two adults, two kids, rooftop carrier, rear hitchhaul and lots of cargo in the back. We had airconditioning running the whole time and still managed 15 mpg...(according to the display)

Driving in 4WD HI on the beach to go fishing was no problem even in the very soft sand areas. The '03 is lower to the ground than my old '97, but center clearance was still enough to not get bogged down in tire paths and ruts.

The in-dash 6disc CD changer was a great improvement. The integrated DVD allowed my kids to watch Spykids with headsets which helped my sanity...

IMHO, the independent suspension is the #1 improvement over the '97. The ride comfort is greatly improved. The handling and turning radius improved.

My '97 was 4.6L and I expected alot more from the 5.4L...This is an area where the Expedition still needs improvement.

I agree the looks and styling of the previous year models are better, but I bought this truck for versatility and functionality. (I get looks and styling from my other vehicle....

I am still getting to know this truck, but so far, so good...


Hope that helps...

 

I looked at just about everything available in the large size SUV. I get both the GM employee discount and the Ford supplier discount. Pricing all the SUV's, entry level for a fully loaded SUV began (for me w/discount) at approx. $35,000 for the Tahoe up to $40,000 for the loaded EB '03, with the Mercedes ML's, Toyota Sequoia and large Lexus on up from there. The '03 Ford EB is the hands down winner for interior space-just sit in the 3rd seat of all these to see for yourself. But more subtly, the front seat space is also the winner. If you look closely at the front footwell for all of these, the Ford EB has the most mini-van like footwell--flat and wide. As for power, they are all big and slow. The Ford has the best torque curve though. In sum, if you are looking for the mini-van 7 seat replacement, the Ford is the best choice. But avoid the captain's chairs in the 2nd row. I have heard these are losers this year.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 13-Aug-02 AT 01:44 PM (EST)]I have had my '03 for about 2 1/2 months now. Wouldn't change it for the world. I previously had a '98 Expy so it was a big jump in modern conveniences. I believe it is worth the price and if you are weighing between the Expy or the Tahoe, its a no brainer.

Most important features are the fold-down seats and the rear DVD Entertainment System ( a most with kids). Also, the cooling seats are pretty cool especially on a real hot summer day. No more sweaty backs. Stereo system is good but I have already upgraded my speakers (not the sub) and it sounds much better. I have all the bells and whistles except for the Navi System and the tire monitoring system. While others complain about the style, it is enough of a difference but not too much. Gas mileage runs about 14-15 in town and about 17-19 on HWY.

I would buy it again without a doubt.

 

We have had our 03 Expediton XLT for a couple of weeks now. We love it! Our previous vehicle was a 98 Grand Cherokee. Our Expedition came with the premium package with leather seats and 5.4L engine. The 2nd and 3rd row seats fold flat into the floor. That beats the you-know-what out of removing the 3rd row seat like the previous models. We were looking at used 00's and 01's but couldn't find one with leather seats, 5.4L, and towing package like we wanted. The towing package is standard on the 03's.

 

First measure your garage door opening!! You may not WANT this truck!!!

Doors come in two standard sizes: 8x7 and 9x7. If you have the 8x7----don't buy the 03 Expedition!! Unless of course you LIKE opening the window in the middle of the winter to fold the mirror so you can get the truck into your garage!! This is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE with small children in the car!!!

I had the 98 Expedition and it fit into the garage without any problem---a few inches to spare. This 03 EB Exp does not!! I have a 6 year old house with NORMAL sized garage doors!!

I'm currently fighting to have the Lincoln Navigator ELECTRIC folding mirrors put onto my truck. Why do you think they put them on the Navigator---because they KNEW it didn't fit into normal sized garage door.

Good luck --I hope you have the larger sized door---or enjoy your Chevy or Dodge product!!!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Sep-02 AT 03:31 PM (EST)]I had a similar clearance issue with the mirrors on my 1994 Dodge Ram pickup. I solved the problem by cutting holes into the sides of the garage at appropriate height and installing a pair of doggie doors sideways. If you cover each door with indoor/outdoor carpeting, you can drive the mirrors right through them without scuffing up the finish on the mirror housing!

I hope I've been helpful.

 

That is a very ingenious remedy. But doesn't it look weird on your house?

This vehicle is advertised as a standard sized vehicle--it should fit in a standard sized garage!! That is why we didn't buy an EXCURSION!!

We paid a lot of money for this truck---I don't think it is unreasonable to expect it to fit into a normal sized garage without having to 'reconstruct' (or add doggie doors) to your house!!

Thanks for the advice though.
I'm going to continue my fight with Ford!.


DebnKev

 

You spent that much money on a suv and you didn't research it first?

 

>This vehicle is advertised as a standard sized vehicle--it
>should fit in a standard sized garage>DebnKev

Wow, I have NEVER seen the Expy advertised as a 'standard' sized vehical. . . Seems I ALWAYS hear it being advertised as the best selling 'FULL SIZED SUV' that means BIG, no not Excursion big, but even the older '97-'02 models are larger then the gm tato/benali/burpin (not including the xl versions of these bucket o bolts):-X12

 

We bought an '03 one week ago. First tank of gas=14 mpg. I'm very pleased with that, considering the engine (5.4L) isn't even broken in yet. That's mostly surface road driving, some freeway, averaging 70 mph.

The only thing I don't like is that the '03s seem to sit lower that the previous models.

That 3rd seat that folds down flat sure is nice. Don't bother with the power option unless you're some kind of invalid. The manual ones are very easy to operate.

If you're curious, we paid $34,293 for the following:

2003 Expedition XLT 4x4 with following optioins
5.4L
6 disc CD
Captains Chairs

Of course it has the standard features like running boards, aux rear heat/air, fog lamps

 

Hmm, it seems that getting out to fold the mirrors in is no worse than having to get out and open the garage door if you cannot install an opener in your garage. I can think of better reasons not to buy a new vehicle than the mirrors.

 

Maybe it's just me, but when I parked next to an older Exp I sat a bit higher.
03 Exp Eddie Bauer

>We bought an '03 one week ago. First tank of gas=14 mpg.
>I'm very pleased with that, considering the engine (5.4L)
>isn't even broken in yet. That's mostly surface road
>driving, some freeway, averaging 70 mph.
>
>The only thing I don't like is that the '03s seem to sit
>lower that the previous models.
>
>That 3rd seat that folds down flat sure is nice. Don't
>bother with the power option unless you're some kind of
>invalid. The manual ones are very easy to operate.
>
>If you're curious, we paid $34,293 for the following:
>
>2003 Expedition XLT 4x4 with following optioins
>5.4L
>6 disc CD
>Captains Chairs
>
>Of course it has the standard features like running boards,
>aux rear heat/air, fog lamps

 

As for Mirror:

I had the 98 Expedition and it fit just fine in my 8 foot wide garage door. I had a few inch clearance on each side.

I did research the size--as best I could!! All the literature states the wide of the TRUCK--WITOUT the mirrors. So unless I'm a mind reader, I'd have no idea they were going to put 2 feet of mirrors on it.

I find it a huge inconvenience to open the window and fold the mirror. Yes-I have a auto garage door opener. I have small children, and opening the window mid-winter and hitting them with a blast of freezing cold air I find unacceptable.

Ford must have known it wouldn't fit. They make trucks, trucks go into garages. I called two garage door distributors in the area and they said they sell 8 and 9 foot doors-50/50 each. Ford MUST know they wouldn't fit in 8ft door or else they wouldn't have put AUTO folding mirrors on the Lincoln navigators!! I say, for what we paid for an Eddie Bauer, it should come equiped with these same mirrors---or at the very least --be an option.

Facts: my 98 exp fit fine; advertised dementions are without mirrors......

I'm not a happy camper........