'07 Ford Expedition & EL

[Ryan]

Anyone on here have a new '07 Ford Expedition or Expedition EL?

I'm shopping and want to hear some impressions. Particularly whether it feels underpowered when towing your boat, and to get real world MPG info. Especially since the 4x4 EL is pushing well over 6000lbs with the engine listed below. I read that a larger engine and diesel option are coming in 08 or 09. But, I don't want to wait that long.
5.4-liter 3-valve Triton™ V-8
• 300 hp @ 5,000 rpm, 365 lbs.-ft. @ 3,750 rpm
• Standard 6-speed automatic transmission

[SteveO]

Getting rid of the 4Runner? That would be a tragedy. New Sequoia, or wait for the new body styled sequoia...

[Ryan]

The Ford is no where near as much fun to drive as the 4Runner. The HP and torque are about only about 30 less on my 4Runner and it's almost 2000 pounds lower in weight. But my family is getting bigger and I'm afraid the pricing on the 08 Sequoia will far outpace the Ford. I will probably wait until after my move...which will be close enough to the Seq launch to make a decision then. I hope the styling is a little more refined than that of the '07 Tundra. I have searched for spy photos but only found some drawings and a very camo'd pic. If anyone has any '08 Sequoia info pass that on too.

[Sodar]

The Ford is no where near as much fun to drive as the 4Runner. The HP and torque are about only about 30 less on my 4Runner and it's almost 2000 pounds lower in weight. But my family is getting bigger and I'm afraid the pricing on the 08 Sequoia will far outpace the Ford. I will probably wait until after my move...which will be close enough to the Seq launch to make a decision then. I hope the styling is a little more refined than that of the '07 Tundra. I have searched for spy photos but only found some drawings and a very camo'd pic. If anyone has any '08 Sequoia info pass that on too.

With all that camo I could easily mistake it for a Tahoe. Ryan, my man, come on here this whole Ford this is KILLING me... Pony up and buy a Suburban or Tahoe. About the only SUV that Ford ever made that was cool was the Diesel Excursion... even though the Excursion itself drove like crap, it was still a diesel in an SUV and that was totally cool!

[JKTX21]

Hey hey hey! I love my Expedition. I originally wanted a Tahoe, but couldn't justify spending the extra $$$ for the essentially the same vehicle with the same options. I had a z71 before my Ford, and I'm happy to report that I am a changed man. (I would probably buy a Toyota or Nissan if I were going to spend that much).

[Sodar]

(I would probably buy a Toyota or Nissan if I were going to spend that much).

I had a 2001 Tundra... it was a really good truck and was still pulling strong at 110,000 miles, but Toyota's interiors are seriously lame for the price you pay. I even think that the Lexus's lack interior appointments. Toyota has the reliabilty part down... we all know that... but they need to make there vehicle a little more "luxurious." Then they have been.

[bstrom-tt]

Here's a web site I follow, might give you some more info. www.ford-trucks.com/forums/index.php I am looking also at the 07 expi. (don't think I need the EL) For me and my needs, the fold flat third row seat is a must. Looked at Chevy products, they look nice, but they don't have a fold flat 3rd row seat, so there out. Call me crazy, but I have always liked the look of the expeditions.

[Ryan]

JKTX21, those are my sentiments. However, as much as I like the Armada, I won't do it because my kids won't be able to reach the rear door handle until for a couple years. For those who have kids you know how nice it is when they can climb in and buckle up all by themselves.

I thought this would be a Suburban Sequoia battle for me, and maybe I will go GM for the right price. However, while the front dash is nice and refined I feel there are quality, comfort, ease of entry-egress, challenges. And I'm not seeing good pricing on the Z71 that I prefer. The interior of the Ford is what wins for me from the two domestics. And while I don't get excited about the exterior styling, it's not horrible.
If I go Ford, I'll wind up getting the EddieBauer and have the lower sand cladding painted white to match - since they don't offer a white Limited.

[BriEOD]

My wife has an 04' Eddie Bauer Expedition with 5.4L Triton (same motor as my F-150). We have been very pleased with the vehicle. No major issues except the interior. I have had to have the entire back (2nd row) seats replaced. The leather started cracking on just about every piece. It tows my PS 190 without issue. In fact we took about a 9 hour trip a few summers ago and had the Expedition loaded with people and gear while towing the boat. It did fine.

[RobertT]

I just bought an 07 Expedition like you described for one of my employees as his bonus. I only picked it up from the dealer and drove it to my office but...

It has a bit more pep than the 07 Suburban that I just got for my wife. The interiors on all of the new big SUVs while plush and cool looking feels very much more cramped than even a few years ago. I liked the looks of the Ford, but the Suburban is the favorite for real world use.

Mileage on the Ford is 14.7, suburban is 15.5 but that is ALL driving in shopping mall parking lots (grrrrrr).

Never towed with either, sorry.

The fold flat seats of the ford are awesome! Thats a pretty big deal.

I have an excursion, and planned on getting rid of it and getting a new 3/4ton Suburban when the 07s came out but to be honest I decided to keep my Ford. Its just so dang nice and comfy, rides like crap and mechanically is not near what the GM product is but man, nothing like that room and capability.

All in all, if my truck were to get stolen and I could pick any vehicle, I would probably find a very low miles Excursion with the V10 and put about five grand worth of toys in it. Much more capable, and probably 20 thousand cheaper.

If not that, DEFINITLY the 3/4ton Suburban over the Expedition. The new GM platform is really nice...rides and handles much better than the Ford.

Again, this is based on driving the new Ford about five miles, and riding in it about two hundred. I have driven and/or ridden in the Suburban pretty often for three months.

For what its worth.

[Ryan]

I just bought an 07 Expedition like you described for one of my employees as his bonus. I only picked it up from the dealer and drove it to my office but...

Wow! Nice bonus. You hiring?

[CHaus21]

I would highly recommend the 07 Exped or Exped EL. The way this vehicle drives and handles is amazing. It is night and day from the previous generation Expeds.

One of the nicest features of the Exped is the power fold flat 3rd row seat. No heavy 3rd row seats to take in and out and store. It is especially nice when throwing all the boat gear in the back of the vehicle.

The 300 HP engine has more than enough power to get up and go and also tow b/c it is mated to a new 6 speed auto transmission.

If you haven't seen one, sit inside (you'll be amazed how nice the interior is) and drive it. Fantastic vehicle.

[H20skeefreek]

I would have to say that the Expy is probably a bit overkill for pulling a 190/197, I am pulling with and old body style tahoe, but only b/c I got it for a SMOKIN' deal. I frequently pull with my v6 S10 4x4, and it does an good job.

That 5.4 seems awfully small for the Expy EL, I would think you'd want a bigger motor than a 332 cubic inch for a monster like that.

Can it be overkill for the boat, but underkill for haulin' it's own big but around?

[H20skeefreek]

Wow! Nice bonus. You hiring?

you beat me to it, so are you hiring?

[PendO]

I just bought an 07 Expedition like you described for one of my employees as his bonus. I only picked it up from the dealer and drove it to my office but...

It has a bit more pep than the 07 Suburban that I just got for my wife.

That is why you get the Suburban with the 6.0L - or at least why i did HP/Weight ratio.

Still though, when I see the 07 Expy's they are damn nice looking ... one thing I don't care for in the suburban is that my kids can unbuckle the seatbelts from their booster seats pretty easy.

As far as engines go, you will likely see an upgrade to the navigator's hp/torque ahead of an increase to the expd. performance specs. 300hp/365torque

It's too bad they can't put the 6.8L gas engine that the put into the F250's into an expedition, 362hp/457tq which would be better than the 366/380 on the chevy 6.0L