Rich Stern
Well-Known Member
We've been searching for a replacement for our 2001 Chryslyer minivan for a few months. The Chrysler was showing its age, despite only 91K miles. And we need a tow capable vehicle that could handle more passengers, luggage and big dogs than my ST can reasonably manage. Basically, a full size SUV.
The criteria: 1) Seating for at least seven. 2) Rear seats that fold flat into floor. 3) Towing capacity of 6,000 or better, preferably on a frame based vehicle. 4) Quiet riding for long range comfort. 5) Under $30K purchase price. 6) Built to last well past 100K miles (unlike the Chrysler).
<LI>GM products were out from the get go. No fold flat feature.
<LI>Toyota Sequoia...too expensive new. Earlier, used models lack fold flat seats.
<LI>Nissan Armada, expensive, but possible as a base model new or a late used model.
<LI>Lincoln Navigator, expensive, but possible as a late model used.
<LI>Ford Expedition, probably best candidate in XLT trim new, or an Eddie Bauer late model used.
With recent gas price instability, and current economic malaise, there is good leverage for buying a big SUV. I was prepared to be patient until the right deal came along. Kept my eyes open on the Internet, Sunday paper, local ads, etc. Spotted a 2007 Navigator at a local dealer that had 23K miles and was advertised under $30K. Went Saturday to have a look. The vehicle was in near-new condition, with a couple of minor scratches and almost no wear on the interiror. Carfax indicated it was a repo after 19K miles and had been through three auctions since. Not an easy time to sell full size SUVs.
The dealer gave me $2K more for the Chrysler than my local Ford dealer offered, and knocked another $3K off the advertised price of the Navigator. I had been in negotiations for a couple of comparable 2007 Eddie Bauer Expeditions, with more mileage, which had netted out higher than the drive home price on the Lincoln. The Lincoln has a bit too much "chrome bling" for my taste, but it's awfully well outfitted on the inside. Hard to pass up.
And so the Navigator is now in my driveway.
This is our first time with the 5.4L V8. There are a lot of Expedition owners here, maybe some Navigator owners, too. Be interested to read what folks here have to say about maintenance and other issues relative to the motor, tranny, and the vehicle in general.
Also, want to add a backup camera. Anybody done it? Wired? Wireless? OEM? Aftermarket?
If you had asked me ten years ago if I would ever own two Fords, I would have said "not possible." At the time, we were Honda fans. The 2001 Sport Trac has been the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I have come to love Ford products. Happy to have a second Ford in the driveway!
The criteria: 1) Seating for at least seven. 2) Rear seats that fold flat into floor. 3) Towing capacity of 6,000 or better, preferably on a frame based vehicle. 4) Quiet riding for long range comfort. 5) Under $30K purchase price. 6) Built to last well past 100K miles (unlike the Chrysler).
<LI>GM products were out from the get go. No fold flat feature.
<LI>Toyota Sequoia...too expensive new. Earlier, used models lack fold flat seats.
<LI>Nissan Armada, expensive, but possible as a base model new or a late used model.
<LI>Lincoln Navigator, expensive, but possible as a late model used.
<LI>Ford Expedition, probably best candidate in XLT trim new, or an Eddie Bauer late model used.
With recent gas price instability, and current economic malaise, there is good leverage for buying a big SUV. I was prepared to be patient until the right deal came along. Kept my eyes open on the Internet, Sunday paper, local ads, etc. Spotted a 2007 Navigator at a local dealer that had 23K miles and was advertised under $30K. Went Saturday to have a look. The vehicle was in near-new condition, with a couple of minor scratches and almost no wear on the interiror. Carfax indicated it was a repo after 19K miles and had been through three auctions since. Not an easy time to sell full size SUVs.
The dealer gave me $2K more for the Chrysler than my local Ford dealer offered, and knocked another $3K off the advertised price of the Navigator. I had been in negotiations for a couple of comparable 2007 Eddie Bauer Expeditions, with more mileage, which had netted out higher than the drive home price on the Lincoln. The Lincoln has a bit too much "chrome bling" for my taste, but it's awfully well outfitted on the inside. Hard to pass up.
And so the Navigator is now in my driveway.
This is our first time with the 5.4L V8. There are a lot of Expedition owners here, maybe some Navigator owners, too. Be interested to read what folks here have to say about maintenance and other issues relative to the motor, tranny, and the vehicle in general.
Also, want to add a backup camera. Anybody done it? Wired? Wireless? OEM? Aftermarket?
If you had asked me ten years ago if I would ever own two Fords, I would have said "not possible." At the time, we were Honda fans. The 2001 Sport Trac has been the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I have come to love Ford products. Happy to have a second Ford in the driveway!
