I'm a student in a marketing class and I'm trying to find out how people use their Expeditions. I'm in the process of looking some of this data up, but I just wanted to get a feel about what people use them the most for. Do you customize your Expedition? Use them for work? Just use them to travel around or commute in? Do you carry your families in them? Who normally drives it? Why did you choose this vehicle? I've read many of the other postings and they've been helpful. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

12blue, I have a 99' Expi. My wife drives it. We love it because we can fit the whole family including the grand parents. We like the 4x4 option because of bad weather plus I am a truck guy. I drive a Ford F-250 4x4. My wife is a nurse who works at a local hospital. She works from 7 PM to 7 AM. It is mandatory that she be at work reguardless of how much snow or rain is out there on the roads. Even though there are claims that SUV's are not the safest vehicle's on the road, we feel the most comfortable driving one. My wife has no problem handeling it. She backs it in the garage about 75% of the time when she comes home. We have also done several family road trips. The larger vehicle makes it much nicer. I hope that this is helpful. Good luck.

Jakegypsum // Ford fleet, soup to nuts.

 

I think you should make a survey and send it individual email addresses based upom acceptance by each individual poster. Wouldn't that make your research more scientific? You could include specific open-ended and closed-ended queries.


Well , I just bought a used 98 xlt and I use it to go back and forth to work and just for cruising. I don't have any off-roads plans because I plan to trade it for a 2003 model.So I want to keep it as nice as possible for the next owner.

Despite what the critics and magazines say, my truck handles great and it is easy to park and drive. It seats 7 or 9. The only gripe that I have is the fuel economy, but I would not sacrifice horsepower or torque for anything. Before this truck I drove a 86 Mustang GT convertible for 3 years straight, so basically the 98 Expedition is a great improvement for bad weather driving and comfort.

If you would like to ask me more specific questions feel free to send them to timmartin@www.com and please reference this web site or your e-mail will be blocked.

 

12blue,

I own a '98 Expedition 4X4. It was purchased mainly for business. My dad owns a computer store, and we often make trips to California (from Boise, ID) to pick up computer parts and monitors. We completely fill it, we don't leave an inch of space except for the front two seats for the driver and 1 passenger. Sometimes we take a trailer and fill it too. If there's one thing I love about it, it's that the power is extraordinary. It has the 5.4L Triton V8 running about 240 horsepower (with some minor mods) and it has no problem at all hauling a huge load. When it's not being used for business, it's pulling a boat. Again, not a bit of trouble. Boise has several weeks in the winter that the roads are icy/snowy. With the flick of a swith, it engages All-time 4WD. If the back wheels begin to slip, it automatically engages the front drive line. Bottom line is that my Expedition is one of the best purchases I've ever made. Hope this information is of benefit.

Pete
Boise, ID

 

12blue....
I haul dead deer out of cornfields, run power line trails, run fire trails, go to work, haul a camper and boat, tailgate parties, etc....

 

I bought it to haul stuff back and forth from my camp in the mountains. Works great for this, fits family and gear fine. Biggest concern when buying was that I had something good in snow. Proved more than adaquate.

 

I have a 1997 Ford Expedition XLT and love it. I use it mostly to travel and to customize. I have had no problems with it and it already has 90K miles. It is Black. It has 16 Inch factory chrome rims,Yokohama Rubber,Billet Grill,Chrome Bumpers,Chrome Exhaust,Blackouts,K&N, and lots more.I use it to travel. I have been over the entire SE USA and plan on going to California for a visit. I am actually buying another 1997 very soon.

-1997 Expedition XLT
-1996 Mustang GT(4 sale)
-1997 Expedition XLT(coming soon)

 

I'm a 34 year old mom of three children all under 5. We bought our Exp. both the '97 and the '01 to seat all the kids in the car seats comfortably and have room for us, the parents. We take lots of weekend trips and the comfort factor is the most important to us along with the safety of a larger vehicle. At this point in our lives, the fuel ecomony is not a critical factor. I like the power and the prestige of the vehicle too.

 

Wife has a catering business. She loads it up with prepared foods, folding tables, set-up equipment, etc.

 

My wife and I are at the stage of our lives when we need cargo space to haul everything that goes along with having small children (pack 'n' play, stroller, car seat, diaper bag, etc.). Before buying the Expedition we had a 4X4 ext. cab Dakota and a Stratus, and neither really did a good job as far as family trips go. The "ideal" vehicle to most people would probably be a minivan, but I am just not ready to make that step. Besides, an SUV is a Man's Minivan. The Expedition essentially allows me to keep my "truck" because the 4WD gets me on the lakes to ice fish and off road for hunting, camping, etc. We got the big motor so that we don't have to worry about buying another new vehicle when we get a camper or a bigger boat, and I can hook up my cargo trailer behind the Expy to serve as a makeshift truck bed. Basically I see the Expedition as the ideal vehicle, as long as you're not a "Green Weenie" that has a problem with excessive fuel consumption and you can afford the payments, gas, and insurance.
I can't speak for everyone, but I've been jabbed many times about buying such a big, expensive, and impractical vehicle. All I can say is that the Expedition is a heck of a lot more useful (and often cheaper) than a sports car if you are looking for something fun to drive. Why can't they pick on 'Vette owners for a while???
Jerm

 

I have a '99. My wife and I take turn using it. I wanted something that fit me comfortably. I am a big guy and like my room. My wife likes it because she can see everything when she is driving. We take the family on trips together and can haul anything from a garage sale or Home Depot. We also lend it out to my brother-in-law when he goes on trips. He has a show car and it easy to put everything in. 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

 

i own 97 w/ some minor changes..i had 3" body lift done and oversize tires 315-75-16 which gave me another 2" and exp looks really nice. besides it has euro grille guard and tail lights guards, air-raid cold air intake, jet chip and aftermarket roof rack.

it's 5.4 and i would never by 4.5 or whatever it is ...bigger engine of course more HP and tourqe about 15 or so and it just helps you when you need it. i don't have family since i'm only 21 yrs old and i use it most of the time to drive back and forth from work and to go out. i had couple long trips and no problems. i have had car for about 10 months and didn't have any problems well just 1 where check enigine light came on in summer but only because i was stupid to top of gas everytime i had to fuel it and it would expand and triger some kind of sensor or something. after that i didn't top it of and no problems eversince. it drives really nice even tho some more power would be nice but w/ intake and chip it kind of makes it up. i love A4WD durring the winter it just makes you feel more comfortable.

 

I use my 97 4x4 for work. I am in construction and it is very helpful as well as good for taking out the clients in the evening. I also use it for camping, trips, etc. I am the only one that drives it. I am a single man

 

Just bought a used (pre-owned)98 45k.I love it so far.We traded up from a 4runner.I looked at new Sequoias but about gagged on the prices.We go to the Baja 1000 every year,and I can hardly wait to take my new truck.

 

I recently bought a 2000 xlt. It had 22kms on it, leather, 10pack cd , some extras like wind screens etc..
I have always loved the size and look of the expy.
We take family trips every year (last year drove to FLA) this year did the quebec mountains.
I take it off road as much as i can.. it's great !.. boys with their toyz... I'll keep this one for a while..wife drives it too kids love it.. they each get a 'section' (2 kids) it's hard on gas but if i was looking for fuel economy , i would have bought a diesal jetta