Getting an new SUV, which is an better deal?

[Texasplorer]

I am going to retire my 96 Explorer and just use it as a daily runner and now I am in search of my new tow rig. Which U think I should go with?

Which should I get.?


2002 XLS Explorer w/ 21K miles. 4.0L for $21000.00

or 2003 Expedition XLT w/ 20K miles has an 4.6L Triton for $29000.00




Thanks!

 

[jobunn]

What are you towing?

At first glance I like the Expedition cause of the engine and tow rating.

Have you thought about a V8 F150?

 

[Texasplorer]

The 4.6L did not seem to have that much more impact on towing versus the 4.0L Explorer.
The 4.0L X is a great rig,,, way better ride comfort then my 96EB 4.0L. As for towing it will be an 19' Ski Boat.

I love the F150's but I am not in search of an truck due to family and lot of traveling.
The X will do fine from what I see,, but the Expedtion has more room and 3rd seat is really nice and very comfY

 

[Texasplorer]

oh,,
I was looking at the spark plug location on the 4.6L and it llooks like they changed a bit from 2001 4.6L. on the 03 4.6L there is no coil pack,, and instead there is an coil on top of each spark plug. Looks like there a Bit%h to get to also,, if I ever want to doa replacement.
As for the 4.0L in the Xplorer,,, motor seems to be like mine as for design... spark plugs easy to get to

 

[Texasplorer]

--------------Here is a little review I did on the 2002 Explorer XLS towing my boat-------------------
(just wanted to share my thoughts )


I hooked up the boat to the new Explorer and I was amazed how it performed towing it!
I can honestly tell you that I feel like the boat was never behind me.
I even at a dead stop punched the pedal to the medal and I got to 40 mph w/o any hestitation.

But I took the boat (approx weight w/ trailer was 2800lbs) and suv down the a hilly road which my old explorer top speed was about 40-50mph and this new explorer was doing an avg 60 mph.
As for rpm's I did not even disengage the Overdrive switch at any time,, I feel like I didnt need to. The rpms @ 70 mph was less then 2K rpm's and that is a BIG WOW for an 6cyc.
I took some snap shots to show you all my little test.

The wife and I are still thinking about getting the Expedition NOT b/c of towing reasons,, but now for MORE ROOM inside... I can say I do not even doubt that the explorer is an excellent towing machine A++ for another FORD gone EXCELLENT JOB!!

Here is an pic of my son sitting in the front getting ready to tow the BOAT for an test run.

Here is a pic of the rpms and mph towing the boat on an 60 mph flat road wow less then 2K @ 70mph on an V6. Very impressed!!

LAst but not least the pic of the boat and SUV sitting by the boat ramp... The Explorer did not even want to stop,,, it wanted to tow more.

 

[alphabets13]

buy what makes you and your wallet happy.

 

[Texasplorer]

 

[jobunn]

Nice. My buddy just got that same truck and I really like it. Great ride with the new IRS, decent power and an endless interior.

 

[kkreit01]

Both sound pretty high priced compared to the going rate around here. I've looked, and you can get '02 XLTs, 4x4, leather, even a few V8s for under $21K. I've seen a '02 XLS for < $17K. If the resale value is that much better in TX, I'm going down there to sell mine.

 

[Robb]

Do they still make 5.4s in EXPEs?

IMO, the 4.6 in a EXPE is a dog! I am not terribly impressed with the 5.4s towing ability either, but it is tolerable. The 4.6 with that much weight is just undersized IMO.

 

[Texplorer]

Do you really need that much more room from the Exedition? The Explorer has 3 rows that are plenty of room. I would say unless you carry a large amount of cargo that the Explorer would be the best choice for a people hauler. And you already tested out the towing of it. And its chaper also

 

[Nate1]

They do put a 5.4 in the expy, my friend has one.
IMHO its okay. His pulls the extra weight a little more dogged than my SOHC does with a catback and new filter.
Towing, honestly mine feels better, and its just a sport with a SOHC. Its also not gearing I dont believe, he said he has 4.10s too.
I personally dont like his truck, the expys are like a giant tank, just like my moms suburban, and like to guzzle gas. Plus he is starting to have engine problems (rough starts and stalling) so I'm not entirely impresed, although I think its just his fuel pump.
Overall I know both are great cars, but from my expriences, even the 5.4L in a Expy still feels a little doggish compared to my truck.
Just my 2 cents.
-----Nate

 

[Majisto]

Man those guages in the 3rd Gens are awesome! I like the fact that it actually has a redline now with tach. Is there anyway it would work in a 2nd Gen?

Btw, Tex, what roads were you on? We have a lot of nice hilly roads around here don't we?

 

[diablo5969]

Originally posted by Majisto
I like the fact that it actually has a redline now with tach.

My '94 has an actual redline. I never thought too much of it.

Anyway, if possible, I think you should get the Expedition and do a test drive with that, just so it's a fair comparison

 

[Majisto]

Originally posted by diablo5969
My '94 has an actual redline. I never thought too much of it.

Anyway, if possible, I think you should get the Expedition and do a test drive with that, just so it's a fair comparison

What? Why did us 2nd Gen owners get shafted? I know this is stupid, but I like seeing a redline...how hard is it Ford!

Guess I shouldn't be complaining. GM doesn't even put tachs in many of its vehicles

 

[plrs x45]

A 5.4 in an X???? I don't know about that. As for your choice, the 4.6 is a dog in an expedition. Go for the X.

Good luck!

 

[Nate1]

Well, in theory, our guages dont even go high enough. Ford would have needed to add an extra thosand RPMs, because the SOHCs can spool up to 6000 supposedly safely. Pretty amazing that it revvs that high, but I would like a redline too.
-----Nate

 

[DonM]

Buy a 4runner, much better tow rating and much more reliable then a Explorer.

 

[Texasplorer]

Thanks all for the replies.

I did take the Expedition over the X. I already have an 96 X which I am keeping and now have the 03 Expedition.

As for the 4.6L being an dog... I do not think thats true, but I will admit it is not as peppy feeling as the 4.0L in the Explorer. Come'on fellas its an Triton .
Torque for pulling kicks a$$ (don't hate) .
As for bad gas mileage.. it was 1 mile per gallon less on spec sheets from Ford. I seem to get about 17 miles an gallon in city and 20 on highway (At least). And thats driveing normal conditions.


My wife was the one that actually made this decision and it will be her's to drive and of course I get the Dog OL Mighty 4.0L 160HP puppy w/105K miles .

The wife stated that she likes it when we travel we can have the 2nd passagner seats up and close the 3rd row down and make a sleeping area there which will be great with 2 of our kids.

So far I put over 120miles on the Expedition and I have only 3 problems with it.

1. Right fog light bulb broken
2. rear windshield wiper is not cleaning the glass and instead it loves to wipe the tailgate ... probably some gearing problem (stripped) ?
3. I hear a noise on the front driver side windy noise... I was thinking it was maybe the tire (unballanced), but when I am at 40mph and let go of the gas it goes away and when I touch the gas pedel and give it some gas the noise comes back.

-Either way its under warrenty so they said they'll fix it

 

[Majisto]

On our Spring Break trip, my Church's youth group rented two '03 Expeditions to go down to Big Bend National Park, and they were VERY nice! Funny thing was that they were the 4.6 V-8s, and even with 8 people and gear, they were rolling along at 80-85 MPH without any hesitation. I think the 4.6 in the Expy is quite powerful enough *shrugs*