Still more questions.

[MCelitom]

Still havent decided between the 2000 EX PSD I ordered and a Suburban. All the postings regarding cackle, loose turbo bolts and engine knock concern me. Has anyone tried Edlebrock IAS shocks on an EX or SD, PSD or gas? Shade Tree Mechanic (PBS TV) tried them on a Sub and said they helped ride AND handling. How do the wives/girlfriends like driving the EX around town? Mine prefered it's commanding view/seating position to the Sub, but I wonder if parking it at the shopping center will get old. (this will be her kid hauling vehicle, can't get much safer) All coments appreciated, MIKE.

[MGiles]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MCelitom:
but I wonder if parking it at the shopping center will get old. (this will be her kid hauling vehicle, can't get much safer) All coments appreciated, MIKE.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have had my V-10 Excursion since 9/99, and I love it. I got rid of a '97 Suburban to get the Excursion, ONLY because I beleive the Excursion is the best looking vehicle ever built. The '97 Suburban was an outstanding vehicle, and overall, better than the Excursion. I still have my '92 Suburban. I beleive the Excursion is a better overall vehicle than the '92 Suburban.
.
Alot of evaluations of Suburban vs Excursion are done via a 1/2 ton Suburban (C/K 1500) versus the 3/4 ton Excursion (F-250) (at least in the evaluators mind), as I personally will do here. The reality is, that if I buy (bought) a Suburban, it will (has been) be a 1/2 ton and the only Excursion available is a 3/4 ton. That may not be fair, but its REALITY, and how I must approach it as buyer. Most people only buy the 3/4 ton Suburban if they will tow trailers heavier than 5-7000 lbs. I only tow a motorcycle trailer, so if I buy a Suburban, it will (and has been) be 1/2 ton.
.
I beleive the new Suburban will probably beat the Excursion in almost all categories.
HOWEVER, the Excursion is still VERY good, just maybe not AS good as the Suburban.
.
Here are a couple of categories where I beleive the Excursion excels. Interior room is noticeably better. Put 3 or 4 people in the 2nd or 3rd row seat, and the Excursion is noticeably more roomy. I beleive the Excursion V-10 is stronger than my Suburban 5.7 was, even given the heavier Excursion. However, the V-10 is definitely noisier under acceleration. Personally, I like that V-10 power sound. Unfortunately, Ford uses more RPM (in speed/gear mapping) than than the Suburban, and this also contributes to extra noise. However, this noise is only a factor during acceleration, not during constant speed. I find the Excursion (V-10) very good relative to noise on the interstate.
I don't have experience in this area, but for towing heavy loads, I beleive the Excursion PSD would be a better vehicle than the 3/4 ton Suburban.
.
I personally find the Excursion ride very good, especially on the highway. I beleive the Suburban ride is better, but the Excursion is still very good. The Excursion falls noticeably short of the Suburban on ride quality only for sharp bumps, like speed bumps or pot holes. I personally am very pleased with the ride quality of my Excursion.
.
You indicate your concern about parking and you are right on target. I beleive this is the Excursion's worst trait. I always park out away in parking lots because it falls just too close to the 2 lines for me (worried about people dinging the doors).
My Excursion does fit in my standard-size garage (I have the 2 8-foot doors with a center pillar). However, I have to be very attentive when pulling in to the garage because of its width. The hump (18 wheeler design) in the hood contributes to that problem. You cannot see the right side of the right fender over the hump in the hood, so its difficult to know EXACTLY where the front right bumper is. I honestly beleive there is a good chance that one day I may accidently hit the side of the garage while pulling it in. I have not, and may never let anyone else pull the Excursion in to the garage.
There is also only about 1" to 2" extra length in the garage, therefore the Excursion must practically touch the front wall. I placed a 2' x 5' board across the front wall to distribute the weight when I touch the front wall while parking in the garage.
.
The bottom line is that the Excursion is a VERY good vehicle in almost all categories, contrary to some of the supposed objective professional??? evaluations out there. Its very comfortable, roomy, rides good overall, and has a strong V-10 engine.
I would highly recommend it to anyone, as long as they are aware of the negativeties of its size.
By the way, since 9/99, I have had NO problems and have not been back to the dealer once.

[Randy Martin]

In response to your question on the Limo topic:
I personally like the vehicle. I traded in my F-350 Crew Cab, Dually to get it. I find it much easier to park the Excursion in town. This is one of the reasons I got it. I also don't hit as many curbs while turning right. The ride is stiffer than my truck's was because I didn't have the 4X4 on the truck. Plus I lost about 40 inches of wheel base.

I just heard a cackle this morning. And I will be tajking it in for that and an itermitant vent window switch. No other problems at 7k miles.

Basically, I love the Excursion. I can achieve 20 mpg if I watch my foot and the entire family is more comfortable. Five adults and three children (I include my 14 year old as an adult because he is as tall as most men) were very comfortable on a 300 mile trip to the beach last weekend. I drove 2000+ miles myself with no discomfort. "If you have the means, I highly suggest you pick one up." - Ferris Bueller.

------------------
2000, Excursion, PSD, 4X4, Limited, 3.73 LS, Oxford White w/Gold, Skid Plate, 6 CD Changer, Heated TT Extension Mirrors

[jbkrab]

I agree with just about everything MGiles says. Just keep in mind that the Excursion is a 3/4 ton vehicle so only compare it to a 3/4 ton vehicle. I personally do not like what GM has done to the new '00 Burb's. But everyone has an opinion.

I do not find parking to be much of a problem, especially since I have the Reverse Sensing Aid. I actually couldn't park it without it. But since I do have it, backing it up and into a spot is easy. The truck is not much wider (except for the mirrors) than my old '86 K Blazer, just a few additional feet in length . If you are getting a Limited than the back-up sensors are included, but if it's a XLT you will want to add them onto the order.

I have the PSD and I never gave a thought about the cackle issue. I figured that the cackle is not as rampant as some people think (unless your one of the unlucky souls who has it). Look at the number of PSD's out there and how many have the cackle.

As for mileage, I get about 20 mpg if I can keep my foot off the the floor. Otherwise I get about 16-17 mpg.

In general, I really do enjoy this truck more than anything I have owned before. It has all the power I need and then some more if I really need it. I haven't taken it off road yet, will have to wait until hunting season in the fall. But, I am very impressed so far.

Would I get something else if I had to do it over again, NEVER. I always bought a GM. I never thought I would ever buy a FORD product. But then again, Ford only makes the SUV. International (Navistar)makes it a TRUCK.

Good Luck,
Ben

------------------
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

[POLR BR]

The previous responses summed it up very well. The only question omitted was how wives/girlfriends like driving the Ex. The only thing I can say is you better have groundrules laid out in advance as to who drives and when or you won't see the thing. Amazing how 8000 lbs just disappears. Also make sure the groundrules are in writing or you will still be on the short end of the stick.

------------------
2000 Excursion LTD 4x4, Oxford White, PSD 3.73, K&N, Hypertech PPIII, Dynomax Muffler, Ramsey Winch Mount & Grill/Brush Guard

[MCelitom]

Thanks MGiles, Randy Martin, JBKRAB, POLRBR and other's who previously replied to my inquiries. I saw a 00 F350 CC on the HGY yesterdy and could not stop looking at it. I agree it/EX is won of the BADEST looking vehicles in a long time. I believe what I and my wife WANT is the EX. I'm trying not to comprise a buy what is (might be) more "practical". If I buy a SUB I will still be stopping at the Ford store after work to drool! I've been wasting a lot of time lately doing that! Although having been a car guy all my life, the Vehicles are ART and science to me. I sometimes stare at my 88 Lincoln Mark VII LSC. Thanks for past and future replies!

[John Pahl]

We've had our PSD Limited Excursion since the end of February and have 4K miles on it now. We typically buy a new vehicle and drive the wheels off of them. Had an '88 heavy 1/2 ton Sub for twelve years, good ride,room and power but weak transmission and rear end for occasional heavy towing. Needed to move up to 3/4 ton and the new 3/4 Sub not available until end of 2000. Also 6L is the largest engine available now and no diesel. I promised my better half that the new vehicle would get the same of better mileage. We are now getting 18.2 average MPG in mixed driving (calculated) which is better than our old Sub and the new SUV's on the market. We are also paying $1.35/gal for diesel versus $1.45 for reg. unleaded. Had one problem with an improperly installed heater hose but otherwise no cackle, steering pull, or front end noise. Vehicle is firmer than Sub but still comfortable. Children like the reclining middle seats and often fall asleep on our Sunday night trips back to the ranch. I have always backed the Sub into parking spaces and do the same with the Excursion with no problems, even front line spaces at shopping malls. Good luck on your decision. I recommend making a spreadsheet of the features important to you and yours, and list the two side by side. When you get to the bottom the decision should be easier.