I think my wife has talked me into buying a new X instead of a pet project I had in mind...
I usually don't rush into this type of purchase but I believe I have to in order to take advantage of the 0.9% financing.
What I need to know in no order of importance.
XLT vs. Limited: pro's and cons. I keep a rig for a very long time so simplicity seems to pay off... I don't really want the people in the back to have radio controls... What other differences are there. Do XLT's with leather have seat heat available ?
Manual 4x4 avaiability. Every X I have seen seems to have the ESOF, again simple is better. Can a find a standard T-Case in one ?
Pricing, whats the best deal out there ?
Can the Limited's side cladding and running boards be removed without leaving uglies ?
Anything else I need to know please speak up.
I would normally order a rig like this so I feel a bit ill prepared to go to a dealer tomorrow.
I shopped all over the place with full intention of getting the XLT. The longer I shopped, and began getting competing bids from the dealers, the more I could get for the money. I finally wound up getting the LTD model for just about $200 more than the XLT pricing.
I personally love the options in the LTD. I wouldn't trade them for the world. I keep them a long time too. My last Ford diesel was given to a friend after it passed 250K miles. He did some work on it and now is happily driving it.
You can remove the side cladding, but why? It protects the lower part of the body from dings. You can disable the rear controls for the radio with a push of a couple of buttons. It's not been a problem for me, and I have four kids. The leather heated seat is available in both models.
I have not seen manual 4X4 shifting in these models, and I personally was very skeptical about the silly little dash switch. I was used to the beefy lever that did what I told it to do. That is until I gave the X-car's 4X4 system the work-out of a lifetime about a month ago. You can review my post in this forum on taking the X-car 4-wheeling for more details. Suffice it to say that the little dash switch may look wimpy... but it works.
I got the 2000 X-car for $500 under invoice back in June 2000. I would be willing to bet you could do much better today, even with financing.
I would encourage you to get the X-car. You can always buy that Lear jet another time. Get some good pricing and hang in there with the LTD model. It's worth it. I must admit I don't understand why you would want to strip it down to look like the cheaper models. Oh... be certain you get a diesel.
Jay
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H. J. Ledbetter, Jr. J.D.
"Wife's car" Y2K Excursion LTD, 4X4, 3.73 LS, PSD, 3-guage pillar.ISSPRO boost, Pyro (pre-turbo) Banks tranny temp. Diablo 54. Amsoil air filter. Altimeter. Tows a 30' Sportsmen fiberglass-sided TT w/ slide-out, which likes to go to the mountains a lot.
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H. J. Ledbetter, Jr. J.D.
Wife's car Y2K Excursion LTD, 4X4, 3.73 LS, PSD, 3-guage pillar.ISSPRO boost, Pyro (pre-turbo) Banks tranny temp. Diablo 54. Amsoil air filter. Altimeter. Tows a 30' Sportsmen fiberglass-sided TT w/ slide-out, which likes to go to the mountains a lot.
Well, I have to add my .02 in here. I shopped all around and looked at both the LTD and XLT, as you can see I bought the XLT not due to price but due to features. My XLT has every option the LTD has except the heated seats and all the LAME plastic fake wood all over. I think the leather seats look better and feel better. I have all the LTD features with the nice conservative look of the XLT. I am sure some will disagree but this is what I found between the two and the MSRP was within about $500 of the LTD. Good luck in your search and as stated before get the DIESEL.
Dave
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'00 Excursion XLT 4X4 PSD 3.73LS , K&N,WD,lighted running boards, overhead console/computer, leather,Edelbrock IAS,Hellwig Rear sway,Rancho RS5000 stabilizer, SPA Dual gauge EGT/Boost dash mtd, cd/6 cd changer, DEI Python 1500 ESP w/remote start and shutdown timer. And last but not least 4 Firechickens
i got the limited because i thought the xlt was to plain. the heated leather seats are great in the winter. the wife didn't like the xlt, and wanted a suburban until she saw the limited. the rear seat control are great for the radio are great because the kids can listen to what the want to, by just using a cheap set of head phones. with the 4x4 the running boards are needed for the women and children. i also priced both and at the time i bought mine it was cheaper to get the limited than equiping the xlt.
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2000 f250 4x4 crew cab rhino liner, brennen running boards, pace edwards bed cover, ford fog lights, reese titan class 5 hitch, putco bed rails, WESTERN PLOW 2000 EXCURSION 4 X 4
I got my XLT, mainly because I wanted the bench seat. The bench seat is only available in the XLT. I also didn't need to spend the extra dollars for the rear radio controls, the rear vent windows, nor the computer ( I can still figure out how to divide ). I also just didn't care for the additional cladding. As a matter of personal taste for me, but I like the look of less plastic and more metal.
All other items are just a matter of how you want to buy your Excursion. I didn't know at the time I ordered, that I could have ordered it with more options like the auto timing lights. I tried to order a manual transfer case, but was told no way, it has to be ESOF.
If its a unit on the lot and you don't care about what options are on it, then go for the Limited. But if you have to order it, get it the EXACT way you want it. I only wish I could have ordered it with a carpet delete. I do not like carpet, perfer rubber flooring. Easier to keep clean. Especially when hunting or fishing or camping, or whatever you have to do.
Good Luck,
Ben
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2000 XLT EXCURSION, Chestnut, PSD, 3.73 LS, AT Tires, Skid Plate, Tele PWR TT Mirrors, Chrome Wheels, Reverse Sen. Aid., K&N Air Filter, 3 Guages, TTM, APCM, W-D Turbo Brake, Towing a 2001 Dutchman Supreme Travel Trailer Model 31BH4-DSL.
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2000 XLT EXCURSION, 4X4, Chestnut, PSD, 3.73 LS, AT Tires, Skid Plate, Tele PWR TT Mirrors, Chrome Wheels, Reverse Sen. Aid., K&N Air Filter, 3 Guages, TTM, APCM, W-D Turbo Brake, Rancho RS9000's, Grover Air Horn 1609KD, Towing a 2001 Dutchmen Supreme Travel Trailer Model 31BH4-DSL.
jbkrab:
I assume you are referring to the automatic headlights, which is a dealer installed option.
You are quite right about the bench seat, also some exterior colors, as well as cloth interior, can only be had with an XLT.
Of course if you want a front bench seat, there is no center floor console and nothing to mount the rear seat contols in. Also in 2000 the 6 CD changer was installed in the center floor console which required bucket seats (Comfort and Convenience group option in XLT, standard for LTD).
The cladding and heated leather seats have already been discussed, The speed sensitive wipers are also bundled in with the LTD.
The aluminum wheels are different between the XLT and Limited.
Chris,
So little time, so many choices - all of them good.
IMHO - go with the Diesel, all the other things are just personal taste. I went with the XLT specifically to avoid the leather seats. Again, just a matter of taste - I find the fabric seats to be much more comfortable when it's really hot and really cold out there.
How can you make a wrong choice with such a great truck? My wife and I love ours. Best of luck to you. Let us know where you go with this.
2000 Diesel Excursion. Estate Green Limited
3.73 limited slip
trailer tow mirrors
6 disk changer
etc. etc.
Managed to hammer out a pretty good deal, and then watch the wife give the money back by insisting on the exteded waranty and the "protection Package" Hell at that point in the deal all I wanted to do was go home and sleep. Just a touch over $38K ....maybe not the best deal out there but it was a good price in my area (Portland OR) The extended warranty may not be a bad thing when that DT444 eats its 2nd tranny....
Still can't believe the financing...
The real shame is I'm on a businees trip for the next two weeks...
I guess I need a new signature....
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C Brandt
Portland OR
[This message has been edited by Chris Brandt (edited 11-09-2000).]
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Chris Brandt
Portland OR Y2KPSDLTDX
Great Price Chris! I paid $39K Tax, Tag, title. Someone always gets a better deal!
ExcursionPSD, yep, thats what I was talking about. But you can get it factory installed when ordering. Not too bad for my first ordered truck, only forgot to get one item. Next truck, I'll remember!
Chris,
Now enjoy your new truck. If you tow a big trailer you won't be dissapointed.
Regards,
Ben
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2000 XLT EXCURSION, Chestnut, PSD, 3.73 LS, AT Tires, Skid Plate, Tele PWR TT Mirrors, Chrome Wheels, Reverse Sen. Aid., K&N Air Filter, 3 Guages, TTM, APCM, W-D Turbo Brake, Towing a 2001 Dutchman Supreme Travel Trailer Model 31BH4-DSL.
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2000 XLT EXCURSION, 4X4, Chestnut, PSD, 3.73 LS, AT Tires, Skid Plate, Tele PWR TT Mirrors, Chrome Wheels, Reverse Sen. Aid., K&N Air Filter, 3 Guages, TTM, APCM, W-D Turbo Brake, Rancho RS9000's, Grover Air Horn 1609KD, Towing a 2001 Dutchmen Supreme Travel Trailer Model 31BH4-DSL.
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I think the leather seats look better and feel better. I have all the LTD features with the nice conservative look of the XLT. 
I am sure some will disagree but this is what I found between the two and the MSRP was within about $500 of the LTD. Good luck in your search and as stated before get the DIESEL. 
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