I don't know, I am severely torn between keeping my 2000 Expy, or becoming a real man, and getting a Lightning.

I knew I could come here, and get a straight answer, so tell me Expy or Lightning owners, if you could choose between either, which would you have?


A 2003 Sonic Blue Lightning
a 2003 Expedition Eddie Bauer

Or, keep the 2000 Expedition

Decisions, decisions....

The main reason for my concern, I didn't take the extended warranty on my 2000, and I have about 6,000 miles of warrantied travel remaining. After that, anything that breaks will have repairs funded by BigHersh National Bank. I can't see that, while still paying a note... I never expected to love this truck and not want to see it leave. (I never had a vehicle 3-years.. I'm getting close!)

I have two friends with 2000 and 1999 Expy's respectively, and like clockwork, around 60, 000 - 70,000 miles, the tranny failed, and they had to fork over $3,000.00 Anyone have a similiar experience, or 60K plus worry free miles? Please chime in...

 

Well, it sounds like if your looking at a lightning that you don't necessarily need the "utility" of an Expy? The Lightning would be more fun speed-wise although looks-wise, you have a pretty sweet Expy.

As far as problems go, I have a '97 Expy w/5.4 and 73k and haven't had any problem yet, knock on wood. I don't have the desire to spend thousands on a tranny rebuild but then I also don't want a $400+ car payment every month either.

I don't know if your friends did any towing with their Expy's and not sure whether you do or not. That may have shortened the life of their tranny's. Especially if they didn't have a large enough tranny cooler installed. Heat tends to kill them faster than anything.

Not sure this helped or not......

 

Definite help BigC.

I have towed with it once, a 608 mile hike with about 3,000 - 4,000 behind me, running 60-80 MPH last summer. I passed everything except a gas station!

Other than that, the heaviest thing I tow with her is the Ford Badge slotted into the trailer hitch.

I'm sure running like that may have heated the tranny up pretty nicely- Plus, it was 95 degrees in Texas, July 2002. ( I can't sense any sign of difference in it though. I have the 4.6L)

It's been a gem, and I have no real reason to get another, other than the fact that I've never had a vehicle with no warranty....

Fear of the unknown maintenance i$$ue$ ahead. If this were a Sequoia, I wouldn't be as concerned...

The ony thing broke on her now, is my rear window wiper. (Recall that I never got fixed)

 

I just traded my 02 Lightning in for a 03 Expo. I don't miss it much, the L's are very addicting and I found myself pouring in lots of cash into it to make it go faster. Not to mention with 0% apr on the Expo it was a much better business decision. Good luck, you will be happy with whatever you chose I am sure. I also work for a rental company and rent and sell tons of F-150's. In 6 years in the business I have seen one tranny go bad and it was because of abuse by the idiot salesman who drove it. I have sold lots of them with 100k plus miles to customers and they keep coming back for more. I wouldn't worry about your truck unless you have been ******* it.

 

If you like your current Expy, financially its probably going to get you ahead by keeping it. Make the payments to yourself, (savings Account) then you will be ready to trade, when you are ready, or if necesssary have some cash available for repairs, if you need it. My vehicles are paid for, and by making payments to me, I have well over half the cost of the replacement for my 99 Expy on hand already. I'm planning to replace in late 04 or 05.

 

Thanks for your assistance.

I'm having numbers crunched on all 3 of my choices (It was 2, but after seeing that new Cobra......My God!

Anyway, the good news is- I have taken very good care of my Expy. The only time I've been less then gentlemanly with her is when I drove back pulling that trailer. She didn't complain, so I drove like I would have with no trailer... (600 miles is a long way at 55- Couldn't do it)

She didn't complain before, during or after the haul. So, even if I don't buy anything new- I still like my Y2K. Still problem free. I'm about 300 miles from needing my 30K service.

One thing's true about my collegues- They both have 4x4 Expys, 5.4L, they never go off road, but they've had major expense on trannys, for some reason...