Hello, I'm looking to buy an Expedition. Years '97 to '99. Could you give me any advice? What do you have, do you like it? Do they give much trouble? What do you recomend?

Thanks in advance for any help!!!
tmrdc

 

tmrdc,

I have a 98 Eddie Bauer,with all options including moonroof. I love it, and have had no problems since picking it up "officially" about 4 weeks ago. (Had some problems with vibration that the dealer had to fix, somewhat typical of the car, discussed on a previous thread)

I'd recommend the EB. If you look around you can find an EB for maybe $500-1,000 over the price of a base model.

I'd recommend getting the 5.4 liter engine versus the 4.6. The 4.6 is fine, but I felt it was a little underpowered.

I would also check for used vehicles at luxury car dealers such as Land Rover, Lexus, Jaguar, etc. I focused part of my Expedition hunt at luxury dealers with the assumption that anyone with the money to a luxury car would probably be trading in better cars, with all the bells and whistles, and would prob have the money to maintain it well. I found this was true, but also found they'd be priced good, as they try to get them off the lot faster. Average cars may be auctioned away, the nicer ones may stay on the lot with a good price. The dealer I bought from said he makes his income from selling $50,000 new cars, not the $250-$500 he might make on a used. So, they price it to move it off the lot so they wont have to haggle over it or take it on 200 test drives.

Hope this helps, let us know what you find.

 

Make sure you drive the prospective new vehicle enough at higher speeds to test the steering. This has been a HUGE concern of other Expedition owners. Mine was a little squirrelly before I installed a steering stabilizer. There is also a problem called piston slap. I understand that this is not a big deal once the car is warmed-up but you should listen for a clanking noise upon initial start-up when cold. Lastly, I've heard some complain that the front doors (a) are not reinforced properly and some have even begun to crack and (b)are rusting along the seams at the bottom.

Don't let these concerns deter you from purhcasing, I mention them as a warning only and I'm sure the majority of Expeditions are not affected. I've got a 2000 4x4 and my old man's got a 1998 2wd and both are superb vehicles.

 

I have a 99 Eddie Bauer, w/all the bells and whistles, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I bought it with 5.4L and it is great. I do experience the piston slap occasionaly and even expressed concern at the dealership. They couldn't hear it of course. I would only recommend two changes: K&N air filter and stiffer shocks. Mind tends to lean in the corners a little. Remember, if you buy it with the wilderness AT tires, Ford has the recall. I just got new AT/S's and they are a much better tire. And they are not as loud as the BFG's out there.

Good luck in your hunt. Jeff


'80 F250 SC 400 4X4,C-6,HOLLEY 4BBL,EDELBROCK INTAKE & AIR CAN,K&N FILTER,ALPINE w/ 6-DISC.

'99 Eddie Bauer Expedition w/5.4L, K&N FILTER.

-OH Yeah, The Wife's 96 CAMARO, K&N, Custom paint, Wheels ,Exhaust