I went car window shopping yesterday since the dealers in PA are not allowed to be open on Sundays. I ran across a couple of 2003 Expys at my local dealer. One was even unlocked which enabled me to play with the power folding deats.

I have owned a 1997, 1999, and now a 2000 Expy.

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.

The passenger door had to be shut 3 times to get it finally fully closed. The rear hatch had the same problem. In fact I'm not sure I ever did get it to fully latch. This was a white Eddie Bauer. No longer does it have color keyed running boards like they started doing in 2000. Oh, where are the lights on the running boards??? That was an item that always made the Expy stand out.

The outside of the vehicle is almost entirely plastic. Just grab the front bumper (well it use to be) and move it up and down. The entire front fascia moves including the grill. This did that on both of them. The same goes for the back so-called bumper. All plastic.

The inside looks cheaper then any other Expy I've seen with some storage pockets unexplainably missing. The seats looked nice but the cheap plastic-chrome plated AC vents just don't cut it. Oh, what's withe the cheap looking yellow directional lenses under the mirrors?? Just awful looking. It almost looks like an after thought. The projector headlights look good but the overall cheapness of the front grill takes away from them.

It really does look like an Explorer. It has lost it's distinguished appearance which always made the Expy stand out.

I once had a Nissan Pathfinder rear end me. The front of the Pathfinder was heavily damaged. Broken headlight, bent hood, crumpled fender, broken lights etc. Not even a scratch on my steel bumper which did not give to allow paint damage. There is no way the new Expy could come out like that. Plastic is soft, cheap and expensive to repair.

Before anyone takes offense to my opinion keep in mind I was looking to see what all the neat new things the Expy had. The power fold down rear seats are the only thig I liked about it. Hardly a reason to drop $46K for a vehicle that has pieces that would shake and wiggle while going through a car wash.

Like I said above, go to your local dealer grab the front bumper firmly and move it up and down. You'll see.

Thanks for listening---Bob

 

I guess I have to ask what's your point? If you don't like the new ones, your opinion is noted. As far as cheapness goes, that is in the eye of the beholder. Doors not closing properly, wow that is bad. Seriously what new production run vehicle doesn't need the occasional tweak by the dealer. As far as ...The outside of the vehicle is almost entirely plastic. Just grab the front bumper (well it use to be) and move it up and down. The entire front fascia moves including the grill. This did that on both of them. The same goes for the back so-called bumper. All plastic.
Really big deal. I prefer washing plasic to chrome. It is much easier and does not usually have rough edges.

The point is everybody has an opinion. You've just read mine. If your'e a glass half empty type of guy then don't get a new one. As for me, I'll be ordering a new one as soon as they let me know when the 3V is going to be available. Hey have a good one.

 

I guess I was very disappointed and left without a plan B as far as acquiring something.

I did look at a Navigator but that's another story.

I'm actually a positive sort of person but got a little upset when I seen something I liked so much slowly degrade the way the Expy has over the six model years it's been around.

My point? I don't know if I had one. But I just thought some of my observations would be helpful to others.

Oh-well----Bob

 

I have to agree with bob about the excessive platic. Personally, I think the 97-02 models look better on the exterior. The 3 that I have seen, all had a very nice inerior, and I really liked it. I saw two with the power 3rd row and one with the manual, and manual is cheaper, folds down quicker, and can't develop problems down the road. The power 3rd row is a gimmick.
I like the new headlights. I like the lights on the running boards, but now they illuminate them with a light under the rear view miroor. Either way is fine by me, the ones on the mirror are out of harms and water's way, but do not illuminate as well. It's a tossup for me.

I don't like the huge price increases since the 97-98 cars. For very small differences the car has gone from just uner 40 for a loaded eb 4x4 to more than 40 for loaded 4x2 xlt's. The only reason for this is that they sold very well and ford is milking it for all it's worth. The 97-98's were higher quality overall than later models. If they wanted to charge more, at least keep them high quality.

This may sound like I hate the new models, but I really like a lot of things about them. Just some of my nit-picking observations.

 

I have mixed emotions over the new models. I have not driven one just looked over it in the parking lot. Comparing a '03 EB to my wife's 01 EB. I read some nice reviews of the '03. I liked some of the new ideas they incorporating into the new model. We have a newbord and the center seat sliding forward would be nice for my wife. The quality of the seats seem to be cheaper. I hope I am wrong. My two older boys have not been able to break anything in the '01. (Boy how they have tried) The price for the same equiped EB is up over $5,000 in less than two model years. The dealer says I have lost $16,000 in depreciation in 15 months. (only have 11,000 miles) Ouch!!!

Also, what happened to 5 mph bumpers? I have no doubt the front bumber and the grill will be destroyed in a 5mph crash. Is the 2004 F-150 going to have this same set up? I had an '88 Bronco that I ran into somebody in a car going 25mph. Absolutly no damage to my Bronco (OK it ripped the front licence plate off) and did over $4,000 to her car. I backed up at a pretty good pace into a cement post (held a street sign years before) a little over bumber high and it just bent the bumper. I guess those days are now gone.

 

The bumpers on the new Expis are similar to the ones used on Navigators from the beginning. What you see is just a bumper fascia and isn't expected to hold up to an impact. On the inside of the fascia is the actual bumper and it is made of steel. As far as looks go, I haven't really taken a close look at the new ones, but I have noticed the similarity to the Explorer.

 

How much is a facia? Does not look cheap to me. No wonder the insurance keeps going up and up and up ...

Oh that reminds me ... I have to have my facia replaced on my new G35 and it is estimated by my insurance company at $825.00. (no other damage, just a torn facia) This is a small sedan. I just expect more from a 5,000 lb auto.

 

" I had an '88 Bronco that I ran into somebody in a car going 25mph. Absolutly no damage to my Bronco (OK it ripped the front licence plate off) and did over $4,000 to her car. I backed up at a pretty good pace into a cement post (held a street sign years before) a little over bumber high and it just bent the bumper."


It looks like you've been contributing pretty heavily to the insurance rate increases yourself. Have you thought about a bicycle? At least that way you won't be doing anymore damage to other peoples vehicles.

As for the looks of a chrome steel bumper and a form fitting front bumper cover, I'll take the form fitting cover any day. Chrome bumpers went out in the 70's.

 

Yes everyone, IT WAS ME ... I confess it was my accident eight years ago that caused everyone's insurance rates to increase ... geez

 

'03 Expy- Is it nice- Yes; Do I like everything about it? No

What I Like:
1.) Flat folding 3rd seat (No more hoisting out the seat)
2.) Power folding seat- (Pimpin') Yall, wouldn't know about that!
3.) Room in the 3rd row- (I never ride back there, but to know that I could now, is a good thing.)
4.) Heated/Cooled perforated seats- I live in Dallas, Texas. A city of extremes. Extremely hot & extremely cold, at times. (Nuff said)
5.) DVD Navigation option.
6.) DVD Entertainment console, over head.
7.) Headlights
8.) IRS (Even though it's still a bit jiggly)
9.) Lots of airbags
10.) Huge center console (Deep too)
11.) Huge Mirrors
12.) Interior ergonomics [Got GM (Cadillac, GMC & Chevy Full size SUV's) beat hands down, even moreso with the Navi interior]

************************

What I don't like:
1.) Loss of protruding bumper: My 00 got rammed by a Chevy S-10 last year. Over $3,000 in damage to the Chevy, $300 to the Big Ford. (Replaced rear bumper, and a bumper support arm that got bent as well) That was w/o a trailering package reinforced bumper, and, before I added my own trailer hitch.)**Didn't damage my lift gate, break any glass, or even scratch my paint**

2.) Seats- (The seats are visibly smaller & harder; a bad combo for a long-haul)

3.) Sitting position- (Feels higher even though I seem to see more hood on the 03, than on the 97-02= less road visibility)
4.) Turnsignal mirrors- Not nearly as nicely integrated as the 97-98, or the 99-02's. "After-thought" were my exact words. I think we'll see a redesign soon-
5.) Loss of lights on the boards. I know they're under the mirror now, but still... They were cool on the boards.
6.) Explorer-like front end.
7.) Didn't bump up the power on 4.6 or 5.4.
8.) 6-lug wheels.
9.) Boxy front grill.
10.) Square/rectangular fog lamps
11.) Supplemental airbags system in rear is an option.
12.) Loss of cassette player, strictly CD's now.

Final question: Would I buy one? Were I in the market today for a new vehicle today, the answer is yes. I'd learn to live with the 12 dislikes above. None are deal-breakers, and I know Ford will address a lot of the dislikes in up-coming models. **Fix those turn-signal mirrors**

However, I still like my 00, and I think it's a more competent vehicle today, than that 03 is. So, I'm not about to roll any NE into an '03, just to have one. (For a man that's never kept a car 3-years, that's saying a mouthful), I'm willing to keep the 00.

Once Ford works out the Gremlins inherent with most redesigned models, in say '05- '06, this generation will be a solid vehicle. Right now, I wouldn't trade my 00 for an 03 Expy. Now, the Navi on the other hand, where do I sign?!

 

I drove the Service Directors 03 EB and I too feel a little disappointed. Perhaps too much hype and overexpectation. Didn't accerate like my 99EB.

Concur on the "Peterbilt" under mirror turn signals, however haven't heard of any gripes from current 03 owners as to any glare at night when used.

Like the 3rd row seat and long overdue. Interior trim rings almost like an afterthought from someone on the line who found a spare box of em and figured what the hell.

Starting to see input from 03 owners about servicing i.e. oil filter location etc. Wish the engineers had to pull a week at a dealership doing the "customer waits" oil changes.

Wishlist would like to have seen addressed:

Traditional method for changing plugs.

Actual "cold air" intake from under the grill instead of the wheel well.

Solicitation from current Expy owners for feedback!

I'm done bitching..........

Oh, one more thing,

Steven 1642: ExpyBob said his 99Expy was destroyed by a Wisconsin tornado, better clip that one for one of your future adventures.

 

Help me out. What is the advantage of having that middle seat slide forward?

 

That's an easy one:

Soccer moms can put the youngest rugrat there in the child seat, slide the seat all the way up so she can:

Feed the kid

Talk on the phone

Put on the make-up

All while driving.

As a bonus the kid can kick the crap out of the rear radio controls and scuff up the console.

 

In all seriousness I think the middle sliding seat is for a rear facing infant seat. So yes mom can still put on her makeup and talk on the phone all the while feeding the little one. One thing I would like to see is for the truck to be at least pre-wired for a cell phone. Hands-free is definitely the safest way to go.

BTW I towed a 6500lb trailer this weekend. Man would I love my 3.73's back. The trailer was just heavy enough to make the tranny hunt around alot.

 

Zing!! ROTFLMAO!!

Ian