Ok I need a large suv and dont want to spend more than 4 or 5 grand. I have a 98 gs 400 that i love, but dont want to put so many miles on it. I have always likded the 97- 02 expeditions and have had great luck with ford. Of coarse what ever I buy will have over 100k miles on it so im wandering what you all think about expy.

 

The Expedition is based on the Ford F-150, and so, of course, will have some similiar driving characteristics, and towing capacities (depending on the towing package, of course). Consumer Reports gives it an avarage repair/reliability record, overall.....pretty consistant going back to 1999. The drive line (4WD models...that's the way most of them are sold), paint/trim, body integrity (Squeaks, rattles, leaks), and power equipment/hardware have been some trouble spots. Also, if you buy any domestic full-size SUV of that vintage from Ford or GM, check out the brakes and make sure they are acceptable to you...I have found them, from experience, to be very weak and spongy on this type of vehicle, even when they are working correctly, brand-new (more so on the GM full-size SUVs than the Fords). Also, don't expect sports-car steering.....vehicles of this type tend to have VERY slow steering response around sharp curves. That, and the high center of gravity, means instability, sluggishness and tipsiness around corners, if you don't slow down.

 

thanks sounds good to me. and i wasnt expecting a sports car so the steering isnt a problem.

 

the ones pre-07 (i think) have a pretty dated looking interior (cd-based nav anyone ), but they're solid vehicles, but also gas hogs.

do u need this to tow or just haul a whole bunch of stuff inside?

by the way i have an '06 explorer limited (RWD V8)

 

The Explorer, BTW, is a mid-sized, not a full-sized, SUV, and, in my experience on test-drives, has somewhat better steering, handling, and brakes than the larger and heavier Expedition. The Mercury Mountaineer is virtually the same vehicle mechanically, but lacks the Explorer's off-road, low-range transfer case.......Mercury marketers being more convinced that Mountaineer buyers don't want (or need) off-road equipment.

Also keep something in mind if you are going to look at a 100K-plus mileage Expedition. From what I have read, depending on service and use, their engines typically last about 150,000 miles, then are pretty well worn-out and use a lot of oil.

 

I had a 97 EB edition Expedition which was 2WD, on Air suspension, with Load Level (pretty rare combo from what I understand). I also did not have the 3rd row seating. I absolutely loved my truck to death. Would still have it had I not sustained a back injury, at the time, and could not continue to work or make payments on it. Utilitarian, it handled very well. I have loaded all kinds of things into it without a problem. I would look into the infamous cruise control recall to make sure that has been taken care of on the pre 2K vehicles. Don't need your nice, new to you truck, busting into flames.

 

Go for it man. Make sure its sound mechanically. I dont trust American cars with high miles

 

My girlfriend has a 99 Expedition, a 5.4 L, and they most certainly do like to chew oil. I've had to use a few additives and do some small maintenance items, but other than that it's not bad in terms of an American vehicle in terms of ones that I've had direct experience with (I also like the Chevy Suburban). Her Expedition is already at about 113K. Certainly doesn't feel nor ride as big as it is.

 

wierd that ive never heard anything about them using oil, but havent really researched that hard. i know its not going to be as reliable as say a lexus, but for the size and the difference in price i dont think i can go wrong.

 

I have a 98 Navigator and it has been pretty much trouble free, when maintained these trucks are workhorses, over 100k and still driven 75-100 miles daily and it uses no oil, if you can find an 03 or newer in your price range I would go that route, many improvements in the second gen such as independent rear suspension, rides, drives and handles much better, third row seat also folds flat when not in use, GM trucks can't match that, find the right one and you won't be disappointed, good luck.

 

I would stay away from a Ford. Especially late 90's and out of warranty.

How about a 01-03 Sequoia. Just as big a an expedition. Excellent high quality interior. Decent payload and ok towing. Very reliable. It is build of the Tundra platform. The first gen Tundra/Sequoia are good for 300,000+ miles

Also, if you get a 01-03 model, it still has a Japan built 4.7.

 

My girlfriend's father has an 03 Expedition and it's definitely an improvement over the previous generation and her 99.

 

main reason is price. They are almost double what i can get a expedition for. I found a sequoia for around 6200 and it had over 210,000 miles. i can get a expedition for around 4000 with just 130,000 miles. And i dont know where people have got there fords at, but i have had 3 now. one being a 86 mustang and one a 90 mustang. one with 200,000 miles and one with 150,000 and never had a problem or using any oil. Had a 97 explorer and it was nothing but great and had 170,000 miles on it. Maybe i got lucky.

 

Well The foxbody mustangs Ive never heard bad things about. Supposedly that 5.0L V8 in that thing was a very big deal, and to some enthusiasts, still is.

IMHO, Ford makes decent trucks, but I would stay away from the 90's model cars. Go for the Expedition, I know plenty of people with them, and have virtually no problems with them.

Stay away from the air suspension on those... just a warning.

 

I had air suspension and load level on mine and never had any problems with it; and my Expedition had 40K miles when I bought it. I know on the cars, there were many problems with the lines getting pinched, cut, etc and the airbags were very costly to replace. On my 97, the system performed flawlessly and I had well over 150K on the clock when I turned it in(voluntary repo) b/c a back injury kept me from working for 6 months (was self employed).