Behemoth SUVs

In reply to Chris_V:

I'd be all over that, but it's for my wife...I'll just reap the benefits of the towing ability. She wants the '07-'14 bodystyle.

The Expedition XL is a definite contender. Interesting that it has 10 less hp and similar tq than the 5.3L 'burban, but can tow significantly more.

My wife drives the Suburban more than the MINI these days. She loves it.

The Suburban/Yukon XL are the answer when towing, people moving and storage are the question. I think the big drawback is the buy in price, they are stupid money nowadays even for used ones. I have had a '97 Burb, 5.7L, an '04 Yukon XL, 5.3L and now have a '14 Burb, 5.3L. The older ones all had over 200k when it was time to part company, still running strong. All tow (3-6k) and travel awesome. My biggest gripe is the new one has the least comfortable seats. I think the '00 - 06 had the best of everything; comfort, body style, reasonable prices for parts, etc. Most of those are getting up there in mileage now though. The other issue the '07-'14 models have is the way the second row folds up, it takes up a lot of cargo space. They supposedly fixed this in the '15s but I have not looked at any. If storage/hauling is important go with the older versions. When I have been looking to buy, I have found it hard to find the used 2500 versions, the people that buy them new apparently get buried with them. I have only known a couple of people that owned Excursions, they seem to be related to the 3/4 ton GM guys as they just don't get rid of them. I have not driven an Expedition but have known a few people that had them and I don't know that they were any more maintenance/breakdown friendly than GM versions and now that Ford has the XL version it should be the same size as the Burb. The Tahoe/Suburban difference is significant, its probably only 18" longer but a world more usable space. Go long with whichever truck you pick.

Depends on your absolute need. Of the ones mentioned, the Armada is the "sports car" of the group. The others don't come close in enjoyment, but they also have pluses in other catagories. It all comes back to what you want / need.

I think they build the armada in Alabama.

Is there any significant difference in terms of the drive train reliability between '08 Expedition XLT and '08 Suburban?

I don't think so. The Expedition is an F150 with a box on top, so it's going to have the same reliability as they do.

After driving all the behemoths, my wife decided she liked the Expedition better than any other. She liked the ride quality and that the third row folds flat, where it doesn't in the Suburban. Now it's a matter of dollars vs. mileage. For example, we can get an '08 w/95k miles for $14k, but a 2010 w/60k for $17,500. The truck is essentially identical from '07 through '13, so it's a matter of how much to pay for what miles.

I think it is worth paying a bit more for an 09+ to get the new head/plug design

Sonic wrote: I think it is worth paying a bit more for an 09+ to get the new head/plug design

I agree with that, probably should have used '09 as an example. Still trying to convince the wife that 90k+ miles is not tragic for an Expedition. She prefers lower miles, but of course they're $3k more. I found her a loaded...and I mean LOADED...'10 Navigator for a good price, but it's close to 100k miles and it's scaring her off.

My 2000 expedition has been a good work horse. I have done 180k with only regular scheduled maintenance. The only issue now is rust.

Klayfish wrote:

Sonic wrote: I think it is worth paying a bit more for an 09+ to get the new head/plug design

I agree with that, probably should have used '09 as an example. Still trying to convince the wife that 90k+ miles is not tragic for an Expedition. She prefers lower miles, but of course they're $3k more. I found her a loaded...and I mean LOADED...'10 Navigator for a good price, but it's close to 100k miles and it's scaring her off.

Does Navigator require Premium vs. Regular for Expedition?

Klayfish wrote: The Expedition XL is a definite contender. Interesting that it has 10 less hp and similar tq than the 5.3L 'burban, but can tow significantly more.

Probably depends on the year. The 5/6 speed fords tow better with less power than the ls motors with the 4 speed. Which leads into my next suggestion...

ea_sport wrote: Is there any significant difference in terms of the drive train reliability between '08 Expedition XLT and '08 Suburban?

The 6 speed auto tuning in the gm's is AWFUL. My 3/4 ton is great, but the transmission shifting is just plain bad. It also "flares" a lot on upshift, which I am sure is not good for clutch life. This is a known issue on the 6L90's.

ea_sport wrote: Does Navigator require Premium vs. Regular for Expedition?

I don't believe so.

Klayfish wrote:

ea_sport wrote: Does Navigator require Premium vs. Regular for Expedition?

I don't believe so.

No basicly the same vehicle with different options. The Navigator may come standard with the 5.4l. My Expedition has the 4.6 and it has been fine. Even towing some good weight it did not complain at all.