Hey everyone,

I posted this in the new buyer forum, but I figured I might get more feedback on the Expy here.

I'm considering a purchase of a new 05 Expy XLT 4x4 (actually I've been "considering" it for a while, just need to save some $$) but lately I've been looking more at the Excursion PSD. The biggest reason is fuel economy -- since the PSD can get up to 20 MPG on the highway, and I've been hearing the Expy only gets 13-15, that would save me a bunch of $$ in fuel costs. I drive about 20k miles per year and plan on keeping the truck for 8-10 years. I'm seeing a difference of about $6500 invoice between the 05 Expy and Excursion PSD for the XLT 4x4 with the options I would want, and I could save that much on gas over about 6 years (20k miles per year, $2.00 a gallon).

Here is my question: what other considerations are there in comparing these two vehicles? I can definitely use the extra interior space for kids, hauling stuff, etc., and since I currently have an F150 with an 8' bed, I like the idea of being able to fit a 4x8 sheet inside the vehicle with the rear doors closed (the Expy isn't quite long enough). Obviously the towing capability of the Excursion is better than the Expy, and although I don't really need it now I like the idea of having the extra GCWR and tow capacity.

But what I'd most like to know is, especially from Expy and Excursion owners, how do they compare regarding the cost of maintenance and upkeep. Is the 6.0 PSD any harder (or easier) to maintain than the 5.4L V8? I do all my own fluid service work, and lots of little things here and there, but I take my truck to the shop for major maintenance and repair work. How about reliability? Any other info, ride quality, fit & finish, etc.?

Thanks for the info, FTE rocks!

 

Admin note:
Any reasonable person would not go into a man's place of business and recommend the guy across the street. Just because you are behind a keyboard doesn't mean the same shouldn't apply here as well.

 

Yes it is.

We also have a 6.0L forum. Nothing against ........... (where I am a member, too) but referrals off-site are usually not encouraged. We, too, have a wealth of information and knowledge within our forums.

 

I would strongly suggest that you drive both before you decide, particularly if you drive in an urban environment. The Expedition, being lower and shorter, is a heck of a lot easier to drive in traffic, and particularly in public parking garages, than the Excursion.

Which would you prefer to parallel-park?

 

My first question would be "is Ms. SUV owner" going to be driving this. And, if so, could she live with the size of an Excursion, and the PSD part of it. We have the Expy 'cause we live in a suburban/metro area, and the Excursion just wouldn't work- period. In-laws have an Excursion PSD in rual Utah, and flat love it. They also drive 45+K miles/yr, which makes the Diesel pencil out better.

 

I belong to several boards with varied interests. However, I have never seen a moderator pull a post because it mentioned another legitimate website. I don't know what haul_n_horses wrote or in what context the other site was mentioned, but I would never drop FTE because another Ford site was mentioned. Don't be so insecure, guys.

 

Just for clarification. It wasn't me.

The website mentioned is a direct business competitor.

Plus, the answers to the orginal questions can certainly be found here.

 

Well they at least do not delete posts with links to your site. 'Nuf said.

 

Thanks for the feedback. PaulC, I was also thinking about vehicle size/height and navigating city streets and parking garages -- that would definitely be an issue. Most garages in the DC/MD/VA area have 6'6" - 6'8" clearance. And with an 80.4" height for an 05 X 4x4, that wouldn't work. The parallel parking shouldn't be an issue, since my current vehicle (97 F150 Scab LB) is more than a foot longer than the X.

And polarbear, you raise a very good point -- while I'll probably drive the new truck 90% of the time, my wife will need to drive it now and then (she doesn't drive my truck now at all b/c it's a manual and she can't drive a stick). The Expy would certainly be easier for her to drive than the X.

Monsta, I saw your comments in the Excursion forum -- thanks. I'll reply there.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Expy, but part of me really would like the X. Maybe I should wait for the Expy XL...

 

From past experience (and 25 yrs of marriage), if the wife is on kid patrol (school/sports/etc) you'll hardly ever see the keys to the new truck again, except when it's either dirty, fuel tank empty, or needs to be serviced. My first two trucks were compacts with stick shifts, and the wife wouldn't go near 'em. After I bought the '93 F150, though, the only way I could get her out of it was to buy her a Suburban.

re: fuel costs. One way we sidestepped the issue was to get a nice commuter car and leave the Expy in the garage. Used car prices got thrown off of the edge of a cliff because of interest rates/incentives/etc. I bought her a Riviera (hey, at our age comfort means something) that she just loves for less than half the difference between a Expy and a diesel X.

 

I think that they're 77 1/2 inches tall. Our 03 fits in almost all garages we've encountered.

 

Ok, I have owned both the Excursion PSD and an Expedition.

The Excursion was a 01, loved the towing, fuel milage, size etc. Unfortunatly, Ford built them way to soft in my opinion. The vehicle wallowed from side to side down the road. I felt like I was in a school bus. Really should have true 250 or 350 springs in it.

The Expedition is a 99 model. I like the ride, size, and looks, but dislike the milage and lack of power (4.6). The Expedition actually seems to have more room for the second row passengers, but the 3rd row has less room. A 4x8 pc of wood is about 4 inches to long for the gate to close.

I sold the Excursion to buy an Expedition. The Excursion had 34000 miles when sold, and I purchased the Expedition with 96000 miles on it. When this 1 dies, I will buy another Expedition. As for the need of the PSD, when I need the towing capacity again, I will buy a Crew cab shorty and be happy.

Steve S
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