Just got the June Consumer Reports in the mail. I was pretty excited to see a comparison listed of the BMW X5, Suburban, Excursion, and the MB ML430.
Jeez - I turn to the article and find my face getting warm as I read just how awful they think my pride and joy is.
Vehicle Tested: XLT 4x4 w/V 10 and list of $41,500.00
"The Excursion (10 mpg overall) is one of the lowest-rated vehicles we've recently tested. The ride is extremely uncomfortable, the engine is noisy, handling is clumsy, and braking is inferior."
The vehicle rated 11th out of a ranking of 11 SUVs.
They did make one positive note in an overall negative article, "The Excursion did a good job of pulling a 7,200-pound trailer."
Amazing how the same vehicle can be perceived as so different by others. I have never been as satisfied with a vehicle as I am with my Beast. The comfort level and performance (especially towing) have been outstanding and I have literally not had a single problem arise after 7 months of ownership.
I suspect if they tested the diesel they would have liked the improved mileage but hated the noise.
Your thoughts and sympathy would be greatly appreciated.
I wasn't too surprised by the report. Consumer's Union is a very politically correct organization. I have subscribed for over 10 years to get the low down on products and have often saved money on the front end of purchases and on the repair end by buying the better or best rated items. But I figured out long ago they are so biased in some issues toward the PC, the rating can be biased also. Look at the editorial part of the report and notice how the Excursion was slammed from the beginning because it isn't fair to own such a large vehicle that will hurt others and it (V10) produces too much carbon dioxide, etc, etc. I doubt it would have received a high rating no matter how impressed they might have been with it.
Having said all that . . . the Excursion probably does ride pretty "rough" compared to most of the cars and smaller SUVs. It is a 3/4 ton 4X4 truck! It weighs almost 4 tons and can't be expected to brake as well. The bottom line is they were biased and weren't comparing apples to apples with all the others SUVs. And if you notice, there actually were a lot of positive comments about the Excursion once they were past the PC stuff, ride, noise, handling and braking, all of which are subjective to some degree.
I do disagree with some of the comments made. I don't think it is very noisy in the cabin. I do think Ford should have put better shocks on this rig. I plan to put Edelbrock IAS on mine and hope that will make the ride and handling more stable and smooth - it isn't bad now, but could be better!
I'll be hearing about this from a few folks that believe Consumer Reports can't be wrong. It happens occasionally. That's okay with me. I KNOW what this beast is like and I LIKE this beast!!!!
I have not seen the article myself, but it sounds similar to other Excursion bashing that I've seen. I think these are one of the best vehicles on the road. Granted they may not ride like a BMW or MB (or Sub for that matter), but these ARE trucks. I find the ride far superior to the van I had.
I think Terry is right with the PC comments. It seems that the size of the Excursion is the thing that a lot of people jump on, and then nothing else really matters. A truely objective analysis (and an apples to apple comparison) would probably lead to totally different conclusions.
What really matter is if YOU are happy with the vehicle. I know I am still grinning whenever I drive mine .
I never drove the V10, but I think the PSD is the best choice in a vehicle this size.
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4X2 Estate Green Limited PSD Excursion. CD Changer, L/S 3.73 Differential, PSD Badging. Plate # "4TRESS". Pyro, Boost, Trans Temp & Pillar Mount ordered 5/02. Ordered 2/21; Born 3/17; Arrived at Dealer 3/27; Took Delivery 3/31!
Geez, I wonder what they think about me putting more miles on a school bus in nine monthes than all my cars combined in 12 months. I don't know the mileage but it sucks.
I like big vehicles and have a 76 catalina that I use for road trips because you feel like you are driving your living room down the highway. You can stretch and reposition and never feel cramped. And with a big block it goes with some authority. If I had to replace it the excursion or a 1 ton pickup are about all I would consider because they are about the same size inside.
If they want to be politically correct that's peachy, I just don't see any need to pick on any vehicle that meets all government requirements for emissions and stuff. I had an 86 grand wagoneer that got 11-12 mpg and was small compared to the excursion. So I think ford should be applauded for getting the mileage they did out of the excursion while making it so big. And if you can fit two or three car loads of people in it, doesn't it become economical because you didn't have to drive the extra cars?
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modified cars and a
sportster in progress
Zack,
It's not whether or not a vehicle meets EPA regulations but how a writer "feels" about it. (We are all concerned about everyone's feelings here right?)
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1975 Ford Bronco, 5"lift, 9-inch rear end w/Detroit locker, Dana44 front with Trac-Loc, 35" Wrangler MTs, Ramsey pro9000, Flowmasters, Edelbrock carb & manifold, headers, dual 210 watt lights on custom bumper. Did it all myself except for tranny and paint. Currently being pulled by a '98 GMC 1/2 ton 4x4. Researching and saving my $$ for my PSD!!
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2001 Black Excursion, 4x4, XLT, PSD, LS, (EBM2), Super-Duty grill, 4" MBRP exhaust, Bilsteins, X-springs, OilGuard bypass filter, 295's, Badges, Suvlights harness, APC headlights, Weatherboots, Centramatics, Clear corners, AIC w/ITP mount, ISSPRO EVs, BTS trans, Open element intake, ATS compressor housing, Thule rack, BD Torqloc, F350 rear blocks, Randy Ellis lightbar with a couple of Lightforce 170s, Front receiver hitch, DP Tuner chip
1975 Ford Bronco, neglected since I bought the Excursion
You have hit the nail on the head. There are indeed some minor problems with the quality of some service items, particularly the shocks and steering stabilizer which are awful. The quality of the muffler, headlamp lenses, wiperblades and rear airfoil are also not good. The remainder of the vehicle is wonderful. Best vehicle I have ever owned and probably will ever own. I am getting 21 MPG which is better than anything else in my fleet or tested by CU that I have read in the past for medium to large SUVs. CU's criteria are warped and they have always been unable to deal with top of the line products in all categories. They don't understand products beyond the middle class average or products in the professional grade. They are stuck in the "swamp of mediocrity."
On another note, I am also attempting to install Edelbrock shocks on my PSD. However, Edelbrock does not have a shock for the diesel version of the Excursion. I called their tech support which told me they have not had a volunteer in Calif. offer their vehicle for two weeks so that they could do the testing necessary to calibrate their shock valving to the PSD Excursions handling characteristics. The tech rep could not predict when their shocks would be available and intimated that it could be quite some time. C'mon you California Excusion owners-- sacrifice 2 weeks of pure pleasure for the benefit of all PSD owners! Edelbrock might give you a badge or some similar token for your hardship.
I am considering mixing the F350 SD PSD Edelbrock front shocks with the v10 gasser rear shocks as this combination closely approximates the weight distribution, spring and frame characteristics of our vehicles. I will post this question and see what the responses are.
I have also purchased CR for more years than I care to mention, and have come to realize they just like foreign vehicles better than American grown. You have to ask yourself why did they compare to high-powered short wheelbase SUV's against the Suburban and Excursion in the first place? While the Suburban is being downgraded to a car-like vehicle, the Excursion is truly a utility vehicle that can carry the soccer team and pull your horse trailer at the same time without worrying about your engine of transmission burning up. I would personnaly like to see them post the GCWR's for all four vehicles. I would also like to see them take their "double-lane-change avoidance maneuver" pulling a 6,000 lb trailer going 55mph, and see which vehicles stay on the road. I think most of us purchased our vehicles for work and play, not to sit in bumper to bumper traffic going to the office every day. Enjoy your vehicles and be happy that they do what you purchased them for, not what others say they should be.
John Pahl,
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>, I think most of us purchased our vehicles for work and play, not to sit in bumper to bumper traffic going to the office every day. Enjoy your vehicles and be happy that they do what you purchased them for, not what others say they should be.[/b]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Right on!
Oley
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7.3L PSD Limited Chestnut with medium Parchment Int. Comfort/Convenience Grp 3.73 LSD TT mirrors 6 disk CD changer. No bun warmers or 4X4. California vanity plates BRUTYUT (brute utility vehicle) Oley
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7.3L PSD Excursion LTD, Chestnut with Medium Parchment Int., 3.73LS, Hellwig rear anti-sway bar, Edelbrock shocks, Michelin LTX 265 M/S, PP III, Tricumulator spring set, & Sonnax modulator kit, Walker BTM, 3 pod a pillar, W/ Western Diesel gauges, Ram Air, & Turbo Brake, BD Pressureloc and Autoloc, AXD0, with LL #8, fuel pressure spring 86 PSI, Oil Guard by-pass, Firestone Ride Rite, Cyclone Power Fan
I too disagree with CU's evaluation of the my Excursion. I am VERY satisfied with my V-10 Excursion ride and POWER, even after owning 2 1/2 ton Suburbans. I'm not saying its better than the Suburban, just that its not near as bad as is being reported.
Number one, it needs to be compared to to a 3/4 ton Suburban. The only solution to this problem (PC bias) is to blindfold the tester and take them for a ride in a 3/4 ton Suburban and Excursion.
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2000 Excursion XLT 4x2, Toreador Red, Craftsman Tool Chest (14x28x28 opp sp Tire), autodash.com Trim
I think it funny how all the tree-huggers think its ok for the daycare folks to drive their kids to and fro in a Club Wagon, which is actually a inch or two longer bumper to bumper (I have a E350 Supervan V10) and MORE mass than the Excursion, but for us to buy something we want/need for what we need to do isn't right, and we should have to pay extra for plates, etc. How about if we make them pay extra for cutting us off in their mini-vans while looking for a cause to cry about?
POLR BR (or anyone else)-is your DYNO muffler alot louder than the stock? I don't want my wife complaining about it if I get one. Notice a big differnce w/the PPIII and all? 21 mpg on the highway? I've been around 15 in town w/ the new K&N.
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LTD 4x4 PSD in Chestnut-loaded except for "rear eyes" and LS rear end, K&N
My wife works at the state prison and regularly parks next to or in the state police barracks parking lot at work. Needless to say she is been very fussy about the noise issue and made it very clear that if she didn't like the noise level, I would be doing a new factory muffler install. It was/is a close call but she is so thrilled with the performance that she is willing to put up with some turbo whine and a little more throatiness in the exhaust. After she used the Exc. the first time following the Dynomax muffler install, she came home all smiles. Apparently she passed everyone in sight(and then some). You will definitely notice an increase in noise but it is tolerable.
The performance gain of a PPIII chip, K&N filter and the Dynomax muffler is amazing. I would install the tree together because I thinh each enhances the other components performance. I think you could reasonably expect 20 + mpg depending on the usual factors of driving, temperature, elevation, degree of break-in, driving technique etc, etc, etc. The investment just for the performance gain is worth it. The fact that you get your money back in fuel economy is the silver lining.
POLR BR, how much did the Dynomax cost, where did you get it from, how tough was the installation, is it 3 1/2 inch or 4 inch?
I am planning the same thing you did, but maybe the Western Diesel 65/125 chip, also full 3 gauge setup on the A-pillar
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2000 Excursion Limited 4x4 Toreador Red ext./gray int. 7.3PSD, 3.73LS, Skidplates, TeleMirrors, Ford Aero deflector, PSDV8 badging
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2000 Excursion Limited born 11/99 4x4 Toreador Red ext./gray int. 7.3PSD, 3.73LS, Skidplates, Pwr/Htd TeleMirrors, 6CDchanger, HtdBuckets, LT265/75R16E Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revo, Ford Wraparound deflector, PSDV8 badging, RoofMarkerLights, Tekonsha Sentinel brake cntrlr, PCM=AXD0, Edge Evolution II, WalkerBigTruck Muffler, RS9000, RS5410, Performance Friction 2 piece rotors/pads, Sylvania SilverStars, Landyot Gen III, Air Lift rear air bag system, Amsoil from MAXoil.com in diffs/trans/transfer 251k miles.
IMHO, CR is a biased publication, that only enjoys bashing American made products. Regardless of how or what the tests are/performed, it is always slanted against the American Made Product.
I stopped reading CR years ago, and decided that I can make a better judgement on a particular product, just by doing a little homework on my own. It never ceases to amaze me, how many people look at CR as the Bible on consumer products.
I never compare apples and oranges, only apples to apples and oranges to oranges. There is only one vehicle that can be compared to the Excursion, and thats the Suburban 2500! Compare a 3/4 ton to 3/4 ton chassis. I'm not sure, but I thought that about 10 years ago, GM made a Suburban as a one ton chassis as a 3500.
When ever someone tries to get me into making my truck look bad due to its size, I just use the facts and leave out the emotion. Its a diesel, that is so clean, the EPA says no Catalyst is needed. Can a Gas engine do that! No!. My Truck is actually smaller than the older Suburbans that are on the road, and shorter than most extended pick-ups. Plus its based on a 3/4 ton chassis. Not a toy like most others. I also bring out the fact that at least I'm comfortable and have plenty of room for my family and toys. I never need to borrow someone elses truck. If I do get into an wreck, I hope that my family and I walk away, and I pray that the other occupants of the other smaler tin can on wheels survive too. But I love my family and care enough that when we're on the road, I want them protected with 4 tons of EXCURSION.
People don't know how to respond when you use facts, they expect you to to get angry, I actually was able to convert one tree hugging lady at work to actually look at buying an Excursion PSD. I think she'll end up buying a Jetta TDI, but the Excursion is on her short list.
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
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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.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jbkrab: IMHO, CR is a biased publication . . . When ever someone tries to get me into making my truck look bad due to its size, I just use the facts and leave out the emotion. Its a diesel, that is so clean, the EPA says no Catalyst is needed. Can a Gas engine do that! No!. My Truck is actually smaller than the older Suburbans that are on the road, and shorter than most extended pick-ups. Plus its based on a 3/4 ton chassis. Not a toy like most others. I also bring out the fact that at least I'm comfortable and have plenty of room for my family and toys. I never need to borrow someone elses truck. If I do get into an wreck, I hope that my family and I walk away, and I pray that the other occupants of the other smaler tin can on wheels survive too. But I love my family and care enough that when we're on the road, I want them protected with 4 tons of EXCURSION.
People don't know how to respond when you use facts, they expect you to to get angry . . .
Regards,
Ben
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