Ford Expedition - 2004 Review

I was run off the Interstate in my Jeep and it was totaled.  (I did escape unhurt)  I needed another SUV as I tow a 5x10 trailer 250 miles each way at least once a month.  I wanted safety first and then comfort.  I knew mileage would be bad but so was the Jeep.  It had served us well and had 117,000 miles on it and was a 1997.  Why didn’t I get another Jeep?  I wanted something bigger.

I read a lot of articles on the Expedition as well as the Suburban, Toyota Sierra, Tahoe, all the large SUV’s and decided the Eddie Bauer Expedition was what I wanted to find.  As this is not the primary vehicle, we chose to buy one used 3 to 4 years old.  I really wanted the 2005 but could never find one I liked.  This 2004 is loaded!  About all I don't have is 4-wheel drive (which I didn't want), and Navigation (which was not important as I have a portable GPS), I have triplet grandsons, 9 yr old and we like to take them a lot of places.  With the Video and audio controls in the rear seat option, they are happy travelers. 

I love the towing package.  (The Jeep just had a hitch added)  With the Expo, it has the transmission cooler and a frame hitch that is much stronger than the old Jeep.  I always worried that the transmission would go out on the Jeep one day, but it never did.

The comfort is out of this world for such a big vehicle.  I made an 800 mile trip one way when I bought it and drove home non-stop!  No fatigue or soreness in my legs or stiff neck.  It is like sitting in my recliner at home.  I have had a Cadillac, Infinity and a Lexus and they were no more comfortable.  With heated and cooled seats I can always find a comfort zone.  My wife loves the dual mode heat/air controls.

My wife likes to go antiquing, and she loves the room with the third row seats down.  What is best is she does not have to struggle to put them down… just press a button and they go down flat all by themselves.  Who could ask for anything more? 

II guess today, everyone frowns on anyone with an SUV but some of us just need the space and power.  Mileage, not any worse than the Jeep… about 14 in town and 18-19 at 65 on the highway.  I do use cruise control a lot and that does help on mileage.  For me, I drive about 12,000 miles per year and fuel cost is about $200 per month at an average of $3.70/gal.  My wife’s Acura gets about the same amount of driving and it runs $175 per month so it isn’t that big of a difference.  With a 28 gal gas tank, if you run it down to empty, be prepared to spend $100.00 to fill it up.

I am also one who changes oil/filter every 3000 mi and checks my tire pressure at least once a week.  This all helps to keep it in top shape.  I now have 79,000 miles on it and it still needs no mechanical work.  All that has been done besides lube in one set of brakes and a set of tires, both put on at 75,000 miles.

All in all, we are more than pleased with our choice and will probably have it for 8-10 years.