With our fourth child due any day now, we've thought about an EX. to replace the Windstar. I've read reviews that say the big suv is not a replacement for a van. Reviewers seem to always give the Suburban more friendly ratings. But... I am a Ford man and I could use the Ex. to do some towing when I don't want to take the older, '90 diesel I've got.
To keep the price down and being the wifes' drive, I would be getting a gasser, probably and XLT. I was leaning towards the 5.4 but I've learned that those only have the 4:10 rearend, which I know is better for towing and easier on the tranny. I wonder if the 3:73 V10 would get similar milage as a 4:10 5.4.? The bigger engine would probably not work as hard. We don't commute far at all and she is even going to take a few years off, so I'm not totally turned off by the milage, but times ARE changing as far as fuel prices so it still weighs on my mind. So, any input on the Ex. and or milage would be appreciated, Thanks!!!!
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94 IDI Turbo 5 SPD Crew Cab, 252K, new paint, 35 12.50 BFG, Big ARSS Stereo
2003 Excursion E.B. V-10
(http://www.alaskancamper.com/)
You should go drive a Suburban also. I don't know about the Sub/Exc comparison but my inlaws had an Expedition and recently traded for a Tahoe and the Tahoe is a much better ride. Quieter and smoother riding with better interior. Both are 4x4's.
I guess I don't understand brand loyalty. I think it should work the other way around.
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F450 CC V-10, 6spd, Reading RevPak, F350 Dually bed
Lance 1130, Jeep Cherokee, 16' car trailer
5.4s are a rarity in the Excursions. I am not sure that they are even made that way unless you are ordering one. We had a 5.4 in an Expedition that had 3.73 rear ends. That vehicle was smaller and lighter than the X. When we went to the Excursion, our mileage dropped around 1 mpg. The Excursion is a lot nicer to drive as the overdrive isn't kicking in and out on like it did on the Expedition. The Excursion has 3.73s. We are getting around 13 all the time by the overhead computer. IF you want good gas mileage and haul people, consider the minivan but your family would be safer in the Excursion plus you the capability to tow various items. The Excursion has good leg room in all 3 rows of seats plus has a big storage area behind the third seat. The Expedition doesn't have that nor does the minivans. Filling up with gas is a major downside as it has a 44 gallon tank. Mega cash to fill up.
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95 F250 4x4 SC, Alloy wheels, Catectomy, 3.55's, E4OD, Dark Green, Ground effects package, Warn manual hubs, 12k mod, Redline Oil throughout, Big Hayden cooler, Factory AIC, Fuel shimmed, TYMAR air filter & HX mod, Ceramic Hypermax dp BD 5/95, TEE5 code, Timbrens, SCMT, boost, tranny, and pyro in Rocky's overhead pod
90 F350 SRW with Loral Sprayer setup, 38.5" Super Swampers, 4wd, 5 spd, 7.3 IDI, 93 factory turbo motor with Luk clutch, homemade air intake, 3" "99" downpipe, 3.5" straight pipe exhaust
Autometer boost, pyro
I know I should look at the GM stuff. I feel more familiar with the Ford; Looks, feel, dash and interior.
The bigger SUV's are what I am considering. We have tha van now. Quite capable, more storage than the Expedition. My wife still needs to drive one and I still need to see if my measurments are correct that it will fit in the garage.
I was seeing a lot or '04 excursions on auto trader, all XLT's with the 5.4. My guess is rental/lease returns, all about $29K. The current rig in town is a '02 XLT V-10, w/ 29K for $22,900 at a dealer. Pretty fair price before dickering!
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94 IDI Turbo 5 SPD Crew Cab, 252K, new paint, 35 12.50 BFG, Big ARSS Stereo
2003 Excursion E.B. V-10
(http://www.alaskancamper.com/)
I have a 03 EX limited 4x4 w/V10 and 3.73's. From what I have read the truck weighs close to 8k pounds. My daily commute is about 60/40 highway/city but is often in rush hour traffic. The truck gets 11-12 in town during my commute. On the highway at 70-75mph it gets about 13. If I slow down it does better.
Towing my motorcycle (about 900lbs total weight) at 70-75 mph it gets 12.5.
Power wise it does quite well.
We bought it in June last year with 19k miles. It is loaded except for the DVD entertainment system and we paid 29K. You should be able to find a 2wd 5.4 XLT for substantially less than that.
If you are any bit concerned about gas milage I would consider an Expedition. I did not consider the Excursion until our 5th came along. Also as everyone got bigger the Expedition just didn't have enough room. I found the Expedition very good for 4 kids and it got 14 MPG vs. 10-11 MPG
Just traded in my 99 Crew Cab V-10 Superduty this morning, 05 Excursion is sitting in the driveway now. Between the 99 pinging and piston slap, and the kids driving me crazy in the pickup (no place for the noise to go but fwd), it was time to make a change.
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06 F250 Crew Cab LB V-10 4x4
99-122 Bright Atlantic Blue S-281 S/C Convertible
Factory Five Daytona Coupe #139
We have been driving a Ex V10 for 4.5 years, bought one of the first, great vehicle: ex:
accident #1: wife has to stop to merge onto highway, fellow behind her is unable to see this, bam; 25+/- mph hits her in the rear end: damage: us-1 new tow hitch: him-car front end totaled, fluids all over ground, towed away, junk: Excursion vs Tarus
accident #2: wife has once again stopped this time for a traffic light, lady behind her unable to see this, bam 35/40mph hits her again in the rear end: damage: us- 1 new tow hitch, 1-new bumper, slightly of angle, re-paint doors stratched by fling debris: her- car listed totaled, glass, plastic, fluids every where: Excursion vs Honda
The Excursion is a family fortress, milage is not a consideration, my wife and four kids are safe thats all that matters. The GMCs sit lower, and yes they ride smoother, they are not solid axile vehicles, they are built to be soft like a car. The Ex has more room, and with a large family you will use it, and bad weather nothing beats it in the snow. This was the best automotive purchase I have made, including my F350 6.0.
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I have a 03 EX limited 4x4 w/V10 and 3.73's. From what I have read the truck weighs close to 8k pounds.
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Do the excursions really weigh that much? Ive got a 2002 excursion with a 7.3 in it and it feels like it wieghs much less than my dually when driving in grass or soft sand. My 2003 f350 crewcab longbed dually with a 6.0 diesel and 3 - 200lb guys in it and 2 drums of fuel in the bed only weighed in at 8100 pounds?? maybe your GVWR is 8000lbs??
My F250 gasser weighs in at ~6,400lbs empty. The V10 and my 5.4L are pretty close in weight. I couldn't tell you how much more an Ex weighs than a F250.
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