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I went to the Ford site and pretended to build a 2003 XLT Expedition. On the options page it allows you to select 2nd row captains chairs for $795...or you could keep the cash and pick what's behind curtain number two. It's probably a new Chevy Suburban anyway so I'd stick with the Expie with Captains seating. This doesn't address previous model years and Ford has been known to shuffle the deck so spin the wheel of fortune, you could wind up a Millionaire (I've got to get out more).
We have an '03 EB with the standard seats and once you get the hang of the double front flip in the pike position (the seat, not your body) for 3rd row entry, it becomes second nature. Lots of folks like us need the middle slider seat for our birthday challenged offspring.
Thanks All...
From a Brit living in Canada.
My '03 Expy continues to do well, great drive out, trouble free so far, decent mpg, and plenty of power from the 5.4L... I'd like to have the new 3V 5.4L coming next year... anybody heard anything? good? bad?
Thanks
mardyn
We own a 2001, with about 24K miles on it, and have not had a single problem. The steering has a very light feel, and I was also concerned about the "twitchyness" I had read about, but after two years, it doesn't bother me a bit. It does NOT wander.
Naturally, the Toyota fanatics here on Edmunds insisted that when I went to trade my Expy after a few years, that their Sequoias would always be worth $9000 more than the Expy. Well, it just isn't so. A check on trade-in values here on Edmunds reveals that the difference is now only $5000. Whoops!
So, I figure that I now saved $13,000 by not buying the Sequoia. That makes me feel pretty good!
OTOH, I'm not too pleased that our Expy is now worth only about $24K wholesale. That sucks.
JRC is once gain right.
Next time you're in for an altonator,
be sure to replace it with an alternator.
Your battery could be the problem with your carriage,
as once drained it's never the same,
much like marriage.
Cheers
(Wonder if the long trip may have been the cause of it, but I doubt it) It probably made the problem to come up sooner.
They put the computer up and had the following problem codes P0740, P0741, P0743. The SM indicated that there was a problem with the Solenoid Body Assembly. Solenoid Body Assembly, Filter and a new sealer gasket and all of the transmission oil was replaced. They also had to adjust the manual linkage.
To be honest, I don't know what all of that means, and would like someone to explain to me exactly what went wrong, what could have cause the problem, and whether anyone else may have had the same problem. My "TANK" only has 15K, is a year and 1 month old, and two long distance trips, one to Puerto Vallarta, MX 5,000 miles (no problems there), and about 2,000 to the L.A., ELP, Carlsbad, ELP, L.A. trip.
Steve, Host
thanks
Latest Fullsize SUV Comparison
Everything else is pretty good... not too much I can [non-permissible content removed] about on this one.
mardyn
The '03 Expie is near perfect except our EB has demon spawn mirrors that still aren't fixed after two attempts. I hope the Nissan Armada has this same problem as apparently they copied everything else except the look.
Here's how to overcome almost all the problems you mentioned:
1) Turn the back-up aid off in the set up menu, mine remains off once set but reminds me of the setting on the message center each time I select R on the PRNDL, (displays "Back-up aid off", no sound). I don't know what you mean by temporarily disabled, is that like breaking a leg, folicly challenged or slightly pregnant?
2) The headlight thing only chimes with the key off and lights on, so leave the engine running for the trailer hookup. If not you can always play music and groove to the chime harmony.
3) Buckle your seatbelt before you get in when hooking up your trailer. Minor annoyance but it works. So does driving a short distance with the seat belt buckled over you and then removing it. You will still get a single solid tone no matter what if it's running and a door is opened. Of all the sounds, I find this one the least annoying.
4) If your trailer is on soft ground tap a broom handle straight into the ground where your trailer's hitch is. Even better, 'find' a traffic cone and stick a broom in it, (bristles up of course) and put it where you want the Expie hitch to end up to connect. Lift the rear glass before backing up if you want a clear view at night, (causes another message center warning-arrggh!). You should have no trouble backing up to the exact spot you need without having to get out to look at all. This works like a champ when hooking up the hermetically sealed trailer I make my mother-in-law ride in. If we get separated she can always hop on the broom and fly home!
Anyway... made a long trip in my Expy this past weekend, DFW to Lake Charles, La... flawless performance, decent fuel milage at highway speeds (16.8 I think it was) and cold A/C. A good time was had by all.
Hey, I'm thinkin' about gettin' a new Ford GT once the price stabilizes, anybody got any thought on those things? (I know this isn't the GT40 forum, but I just thought I'd mention it)
mardyn
Complaining is good, it's covered under the Constitution. OCD=duh, something complaining disorder? You may have mentioned it but my A.T.D. has me distracted. Anyway, where were we, oh yeah, SUV's-Expies, which drive train and wheel drive version do you have? I think the 2WD (like ours) with the 5.4 is rated 13/18 and the 4.6 is 14/19. Not sure how the 4WD kills that, something like 12/17 for the 5.4 and who cares about a 4WD 4.6 because both owners nationwide are fools for buying that combo. I apologize if you're either of them.
Over 12K miles we've averaged 15.5 MPG in about an even mix of level Florida C/H driving. Darn message center always estimates 1.3 MPG high, but at least it quit beeping since I drove that ice pick through it. Hope to complain with you more soon.
Please send your response including Ford model and daytime contact info by Monday, June 30 to jfallon@edmunds.com
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Share your vehicle reviews
Thanks,
T.J.
It doesn't sound like an easily found aftermarket item unless there's some Explorer ones around that you can make fit on an '03.
Steve, Host
Steve, Explorer cover stretched to fit an Expie?... are those magic beans in your pocket?
It's just going to get worse as more Ford models start with the letters "E" and "F."
Steve, Host
My bet is they're saving the 3v for '05 as a stretch model Expie replacing the nearly fossilized Excursion, two birds, one stone and all that. I think it'd make no sense to put the slightly stronger engine in now, and then not improve it again with the added weight the longer vehicle brings in '05. Delaying also allows Ford the next move in one-upping the Armada due out late this CY and prevents what I call, "Premature Expie-elation".
I recommend we call the '05 extended length Expedition...the Extradition!
onlyagirl "Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Oldsmobile Bravada" Jul 10, 2003 9:37pm
Steve, Host
Thanks Stacey
Ivy_28_03@hotmail.com
Steve, Host
You call that long? Watch this. Since you're hunting opinions:
1. Safety for occupants and driver (I'm 5'5": we have a lot of rain in FL, sometimes "flooding storms" with lots of water on roadways)
Re: I take it you're worried about being washed away at 5'5"? That's some storm, I'd take the boat. We have a 2WD '03 EB and live in NW FL, same problem but I'm 6'2", not that size matters (in vehicles of course). The XP is sure footed and handles well in lake and puddle surprises. Longer wheelbases tend to do better. The reality is that at 45 MPH and up you'll hydroplane so it doesn't matter how many wheels are powered as they aren't touching the road much anyway. The poundage the XP offers helps is plow through better than any vehicle we've owned, last was a '00 Rodeo, yuck. Can't speak for the Explorer directly but two pals have nothing spectacular or bad to say about wet weather handling. Best 'there if we need it' Expedition safety feature is the side airbags that stay puffy in rollovers. Sounds good on paper and I'm sure we'd want occupants and any broken glass to stay as one happy family plus it blocks the view of impending external peril.
2. Space
Re: XP rocks, could use a little more behind the third row when it's up but hang out until '05 and that'll be fixed. Fold all seats down and there's room for an Explorer in back, 'nuff said.
3. Gas mileage is going to suck on both of these...
Re: Yup. Our '03 Eddie B. 5.4L rated 13/18 gets 16 tops in 50/50 C/H mix. Not bad considering it's 6,500 lbs compared to the 15/19 rating on the Explorer that's a good bit smaller and lighter.
4. Must be a V-8. We plan to keep this for 6 years +/- I wanted all input from you folks on several questions.. (taking into account possible resale value & wear & tear)
Re: Both offer V-8's, XP has two, 4.6 and 5.4. Exploder's 4.0 is adequate but my pals seems just as anemic as the XP with a 4.6 I test drove.
1. (A.?) IS leather worth the extra??
Re: I think so. It's comfy, durable, and most of all, easy to clean. We have a munchkin and love the wipe and go aspect.
2. (B.?) Any experiences w/ reverse-trac option?
Re: Nope, 2WD here and we drive forwards most of the time. No need to ever go backwards to wind it up. Advance-trac on 4WD model was boasted by northern owners as having merit in snow/ice.
3. (C.?) Any advantages to driving in rain w/ 4wd?
Re: Reading several boards I truly believe that the AWD (auto-4WD) function is useful but the 1 MPG trade-off, added weight and cost, plus drive train noise problems prevalent last Oct made me think again. If you plan to go off road go for it, Exxon will thank you.
4. Thoughts on 02 vs 03 for resale?
Both are great vehicles but don't expect either to hold value any different than previous MY's. As your hubby eluded the last year before major revision is worth less (not worthless) but sometimes the first year of the newbie is too. Age, mileage, and condition matters most.
5. Any thoughts on explorer vs expedition?
Re: You came to an Expedition board, remember? Escape=S, Explorer=M, Expie=L, Excur=XL, pick one that fits your needs. This large size Expie-owner loves the extra space, quickie convert seats, safety features & proven track record, and especially the new suspension and steering. '02 had rigid rear axle & recirculating ball vs. '03 with independent rear suspension and rack & pinion, it rides & handles so much better than an '02. The Explorer is a fine SUV but hasn't broken any new ground lately except for hideous colors on the Sport-trac. Despite the large size, the Expedition feels more nimble than you would expect, commanding and confidence inspiring IMHO.
Also, why doesn't edmunds give used values on 03?
Re: As Steve said, too new, with incentives have you considered a new one? Our EB was $33.5 (5.4, side bags, elect 3rd row) and there's an extra grand rebate now...no I don't work for Ford.
Any good sources other than carsdirect.com, cars.com or autotrader.com??
Re: I know of a few good sites that talk up vehicle problems but since I'm still in the 30 minute edit window, can tell you Steve said it's not appropriate to post them here. You can buzz me at davant@hotmail.com if you wish. I bet Steve is back from the walk just when my half hour is up, thanks for the quick hook-up host-meister!
Now, get up and stretch, that was long!
Dave writes Ford novel, film at 11
(thought you were gonna get me eh? <G>. Don't worry, Tidester would have nabbed you if I didn't, LOL).
Steve, Host
(time for a walk!)
I think you're right and that's prolly true on an '03 as well. I thought I did something like that once when I kept running back into the house but never could figure out the sequence that snuffed the alarm. Thanks for setting the record straight.
Then you can go to Crutchfields web site to see what it can be replaced with, if it can. Wait...this is a ford, you have to purchase a $200 tool to remove it then buy the new sub from them for $500. Just kidding. would not suprise me though.
have a new gen explorer 4x4 w/v8, towing package.
gas mileage is usually 16-17. about 15 in bad winter weather, better (18+)on a long trip.
expy 4x4 5.4 v8. got about 13. 12 in bad winter driving. 16-17 on a long trip.
drove an '03 expy 4x4. i think the mileage would be a bit better since i think it defaults to a 2wd mode. someone will correct me if i'm wrong.
had a 2k expy and have first hand on the highway, in-your-face, collision experience. other driver's fault. left front wheel and suspension ripped off vehicle. had to wake up daughter in 3rd row, when it was time to put it on the flatbed. left corner hit in front. airbags did not go off. drove it another couple hundred yards on 3 wheels to get under an overpass since it was drizzling. the crumpled crush zones on the left front fender were a thing of beauty. the engineers did put some thought into this. feel VERY STRONGLY that this is a very safe vehicle if you don't try any drastic maneuvers with it.
i'm 6'2". explorer is a lot less roomy, but not horrible. much easier because of size in everyday use. 7 passengers instead of 8 in expy. 2 adults can sit back there though. engine is very smooth and explo is peppier,although that isn't a big deal to me. transmission is ok. drive the 5.0 if i want some acceleration.
the auto 4wd has very little slip in it. seems like it takes only about half a wheel turn for it to engage. (try some extra gas pedal uphill from a stop on damp pavement.)
many of the features i like are probably common to both, keyless entry, multi steering wheel controls, good stereo, dual air, split tailgate.
the biggest disapointment to me is that the leather seems much like vinyl. also goodyear tires(which i don't think they put on them anymore)give off a lot of vibations, unless the temp is above 80 or so.