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Looking at something bigger for a family hauler (the Neon and Impreza just aren't working) and found a couple Expeditions that fit the bill.
Are there any gremlins I need to be aware of? Any common failures? Looking at '97-2000 models, since those are what fit the budget.
There are better choices for you out there (and I'm pretty much a Ford guy at heart).
If you do decide to get one, make sure it has the 5.4.
Easy like Sunday Morning.
I just bought a 2002 Explorer and love it. It like a baby Expedition, but with a 6 cylinder. Still plenty big enough.
I'm seen several on craiglist locally with transmission issues, enough that I'd say it's a trend. Not sure what the deal is.
So, suggestions? Explorer won't work, since I need to fit 3 car seats, and I am not willing to get another minivan. Need to keep it in the sub-$6000 range as well.
I have a problem, and it's name is Subaru
Suburban/Tahoe or excursion and maybe a sequoia(if you can find one in that price range).
I have a 99 Exp with 220,000, it's a great truck. Tows my open trailer like it's not there, and tows my 20ft. enclosed trailer OK. Make sure you get the 5.4 and rear air suspension if you plan on towing.
Common faults. Exhaust manifold studs break causing an exhaust leak, not so easy to fix, they all will do this, so find one that has been fixed if you can. Bad soldering causes the odometer to flicker, easy to fix. Some years have a problem with the head gasket leaking oil above the starter, it's caused by a problem at the factory, pass on any you find that are leaking oil.
Have you looked at the Flex? It's an amazing vehicle.
Expedition is fine. 4R70 trans is weak. Some got the 4R100 which is a tad stronger, but parts are much more expensive. Don't get the 5R55.
Coils will fail and they're not easy to diagnose. You'll get a code for "cyl 4 misfire" so you replace the #4 coil and then it says "cyl 2 misfire." Replacing the weak one almost always means the next weakest one will fail. They're $50 each from the parts store.
Don't get the later 5.4 with the funky spark plugs. The Electrode tower almost always fuses inside the hole and its tough to get them out without breaking.
I have a 98 F150 with the 4.6L. Aside from being pathetically wimpy, its a great truck. The 4R70W will crap out on me, but used ones are plentiful and cheap. (and the M5OD is a bolt-in :)
I'm bringing sexy back
Thanks for all the info! Now back to searching :)
I have a problem, and it's name is Subaru
I have had two: 97 with air susp and 230hp 5.4L motor and '99 with air delete and 260hp 5.4L. I used both to pull my 20' Wells Cargo and RX3 or EGT. I was impressed with durability of both and can say that both were up to the chore but the air susp caused passengers to get seasick. The '99 with more power and the stiffer suspension was the better vehicle for my purposes. Compared to the Excursion that I replaced the '99, the Expedtion felt like a miata being quicker and responsive.
Wayne Henry
I don't know a whole lot, other than that all the modular Fords feel weak to me, but I'd suggest that you take a drive in a Tahoe/Suburban before pulling the trigger on an Expedition.
Once the snow melts a bit more, we are going to go test drive both (Suburban and Expedition) and go from there :)
I have a problem, and it's name is Subaru
We are near this decision now. We were after gas mileage as I am pretty sure that gas prices will go crazy again soon. The Freestyle is nearly in your price range and gets like 10 mpg better almost. I haven't run this past Curtis yet for a reliability report from the front line, but they seem pretty good from a truedelta type review.
We looked at the Freestyle a few years ago and don't really like it. We are really looking for something on a rear-drive platform, and willing to sacrifice fuel mileage for it. Thanks for the reminder, though.
I have a problem, and it's name is Subaru
Thanks for all of the info, guys. We've pretty much eliminated the expedition from our search now, unless a low mileage, clean example pops up.
The only real "needs" for the vehicle are more space for storage, more leg room so the kids can no longer kick the rear of the front seats and better inclement weather capability than a neon and a fwd impreza. The venerable Outback has always been the ideal candidate but a suitable, non auto, non dohc, low mileage example has yet to be located.
That and like was said above I've really been craving something rear wheel drive with a V-8 that can haul the family.
They look like angels when they're asleep. But when they're awake...
The_Jed wrote: The venerable Outback has always been the ideal candidate but a suitable, non auto, non dohc, low mileage example has yet to be located.
http://www.cicenet.net/showthread.php?t=10163
It isn't low mileage (150k) and it has some damage, but it isn't too bad. Local too. (no affiliation)
Anytime somebody tells you that vodka mixes well with anything, slide them a jar of mayonnaise and tell them to practice what they preach.
I had forgotten about cicenet!
Thanks!
They look like angels when they're asleep. But when they're awake...
No Outback, sorry Jed. We need more people room than that (great, now the argument over which vehicle is acceptable has crossed over onto GRM 
)
So, the SWMBO in this (me), says large SUV, and, since I will be the one driving it, my opinion is the one we'll be going with. K, honey muffin sugar pie? 
I have a problem, and it's name is Subaru
OUCH.......Muffin? Sounds like your next words should be chosen very carefully. May I suggest Suburban?I have seen many of these GM platforms go well over 300,000 miles with minimal maintenance or problems. Many different trim levels and parts are littering the planet from Peking to Pasadena.
So, are there two people on this thread asking the same question? Are Jed and Morbid in this together? I think I get it... maybe.
Gas mileage is seriously scary. /sorta founder - when the media starts talking about gas going to $5/gallon, it WILL happen and 15 mpg WILL suck /end flounder so maybe the large SUV thing isn't where you want to be.
Oh, and the kids will ALWAYS be able to kick the front seats. Always. Get a stretch limo and they'll find a way.
I hate to say it, and you don't want to hear it, but with more than one rugrat, a minivan is the only way to go.
"If you can make a girl laugh, you can make her do anything" Marilyn Monroe
In reply to tuna55:
Yes, Jed and I are married 
minimac, we have gone down the minivan road before and won't do it again unless we have no other option. Right now a Suburban or Tahoe with a third row is the most practical option (to me, anyway).
And yes, I know it will be a gas hog, and I know that gas prices are only going to continue to climb. All of this has been taken into consideration. Thanks for the reminder, though.
I have a problem, and it's name is Subaru
My 2005 half ton Chevy truck has the 5.3 liter v8, it is 4wd and gets 16 mpg consistently. I drive it pretty hard and usually haul heavy stuff. It has 200,000 miles on it and all I have changed are tires and batteries.
You should do what I did when the board warned me that the possible transmission problems make a Durango a risky purchase: buy a Land Rover!
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