ExpyBob, thank you for posting your opinion, I agree completely!

When I first saw the 03 Expedition I had thought that it was an Exploder. It looks just like it but a bit bigger. I guess ford is trying to save some money in the styling department. When I first saw the photos, I thought that the plastic was just like body cladding that was to be removed. I guessed wrong. The Expedition finally came out and the body cladding was still on there. What a dissapointment. I will not be paying over 40K for an Aztek look alike. I am unimpressed. Ford is really messing up lately. The Chrome looks much better in my opinion and everyone else that I have asked. When I told them about the new design, my friends almost started laughing and one of them didnt believe that I was showing him a picture of an Expedition.

The light on the mirror is another money saving design. It has been installed on Exploders for years so Ford just decided to use the cheap mirrors instead of the nice running board lights. Thanks ford.

I like to modify my vehicles. I took a close look at a new Expedition and there is not one thing that can be dont to actually make it look good. What a piece of ****. I cant believe ford actually made such a great vehicle into such a cheap design.

I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER EXPEDITION! EVER!

The person who designed it should be fired. I mean in 1997-1998 when Expeditions first came out, I bought one. I mean it was a great truck. Chrome bumpers, V8, and all kind of neat options. Then in 1999 Ford had to ruin all that by trying to save some money and installing some chea plastic bumpers. Way to go

Next car will definately not be an Expy. Maybe an Excursion or Denali but definately not another Expedition.

IMHO

 

I've owned a 5.4 4wd (coil spring) '97, '00, and now a 98. I lamented when Ford caved and gave us the 99-02 soft impact bumpers (I sneakily also suspect they lowered the 4wd ride coil height under political pressure as well). I cheered when they added 30 hp in '99. Cried when I couldn't get a 3.73 gear in '00...

It's the same thing over again. Political cries for weaker trucks that will incur more damage to save lives really is important (no joke), lower bumpers, less ground clearence, better aerodynamics come along for the ride. But, a truck should still be a truck-and S. Florida is sometime like living & driving in a 3rd world country.

I am very happy with my '98 with it's full metal chrome bumper, an equally equivalent rear bumper/factory trailer hitch, it's full 4wd height, and the aeordynamics (and wieght) of an aircraft carrier.

I have a feeling I will be keeping it for the long run (despite no third row). Ford disappointed me with the Mustang (though now there is some hope...). Now it looks like the Ex will be next.

Laugh now, but soon trucks wiil have airbags in their bumpers...

 

MiamiDave,

You never got back to me where you purchased the extended warranty for your truck. I was hoping to check into where I could find the same warranty for the $1300.00 you said you paid. This forum is great for helping each other out, but it takes communication.

 

ExpyBob,

Thanks for the post. I can say, I have no ideal about even looking at the new Expy's. I've got my eye's on an Excursion or Super Duty. I love my 2000 Expy though. I still don't have new Expy envy in the least.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by FamilyRide
[B]ExpyBob,

. . . I've got my eye's on an Excursion or Super Duty. . .



you only got till the end of the '04 model year to get one

 

Family Ride, I see you and I have both been looking into trading up to a Super Duty.

The Excursion will be extinct after 04, but the Super Duty trucks will soldier on, untouched...

However, I don't think Ford will get out of the Sumo-ute market. I think they will do, what they should have done from the gidddi-up.

Make the Expedition available on the 139" wheel base (Supercab/SuperCrew) as well as the 119" base. It'll still be bigger than a Suburban, but not a garage busting SuperDuty.

They need to make it with the 5.4 and 6.8 only...

Hersh

 

Man,
Flower Mound looks a lot Allen/Plano and parts of Frisco. (Rear entry, alleys, privacy fences, etc...)

Hersh

 

I read that article, but it really did not state why Ford would want to leave that market (Large SUV). It is obvious there has been a pretty good market for that beast.

Did not state sources, so they are hopefully wrong. i hate to see GM with no competition.

 

What they said on the news is that sales were down 16% from last year, and several consumers cited it as being too big for their garages. I guess the suburban fits a standard garage. I have 2 full size trucks in my garage. Unless you specify a large garage on your new house, your Full-size pick up will be outside...

I have a friend with a 2-car garage. It was at it's limit with an Acura RL & MDX inside. No way could my SuperCrew & Expy fit in, an Excursion wouldn't have a chance.

Ford needs to make the Expedition in an XLT/XL version, on the 139" wheelbase, as well as the 119" regular cab version, existing since 1997. Ford could still claim largest SUV, and it shouldn't be as heavy, as tall, or as hard on gas as the Excursion. It'd be 224" long, 4" shorter than the Excursion.

If you do this Ford, they will come: Give us two engine choices.
5.4L V-8 standard, 6.8L V-10 Optional...

300 HP/375 lb. ft & 340 HP/425 Lb/ft., respectively....
Folks when then say- Chevy who?

 

I hope Ford does do something soon to make their SUVs more appealing. If they come out with a new large SUV that looks nothing like the Exploder I would probably buy one. I will need a new SUV in a few years but so far the Excursion is the only thing that I like. Maybe I will just keep my Expedition and do a nice 5.4 L swap. That would be sweet. How hard do you think this would be to do. I have a 4.6 as of now with 108k miles.

 

Navi, sorry, I think I have already responded, but on another thread and to you personally via email. I am active on another forum, so it is hard to juggle both sometimes.

I understand that communication is the whole purpose of the forum, it is just I have an S-load of oars in the water between relocating 1,000 miles, a new job, a new house, remodeling the new house, a new vehicle purchase-and other personal battles...

 

bighersh, I read the article on Autoweek.com and not auto.com The auto.com article was a lot more detail. Autoweek's article was more like my brother's friend told me that Ford was not going to build Excursions anymore.

Good idea on the larger wheelbase on the Expy. But will they build it???

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ExpyBob
[B]I went car window shopping yesterday
I and my wife were greatly disappointed in an overall lack of quality and the growing cheapness of this product since we bought the first one.

.

You want cheap, look at a Durango. Believe me you'll appreciate even the new Ex.

 

Thanks for all the replys.

More and more I keep seeing the 03's and confuse them with Explorers. The same with my wife who is also an avid Expy fan.

I kep hearing rumors about better interior styling for 04. I wonder what they will do to the outside if anything at all.

I was also a little disappointed to find that you have to fold at least one mirror in in order for it to fit into a standard 8 foot garage door (which I have). I have a problem thinking that every time I put it away (every night) in the winter, I'll have to open the window, reach out and yank a dirty slush covered mirror in to get it to fit.

If they keep those mirrors they should make the electric folding ones standard.

Anyway, thanks for the input---Bob

 

Hey Expybob, we have all heard your standard 8 foot door thing already. In all the houses I've built, the minimum size garage door is a 9 foot. Your standard was used thirty years ago. Hey at the very least you could use the new Expy to justify a new garage or house.