For 30k your in a new Expy XLT - not a lot of toys on it, but brand new.

I really like that Expy body style. We have an older one (2001) that we really love. I'll second thatyou will want the 5.4. Our 2001 is a few hundred pounds lighter than the style you are looking at. It has the 4.6, 2wd, and 3.31 gears. It tows job great at 55-60, but really has to work at 60-70. I like the 4.6, but the heavier model needs the grunt. I have heard the IRS in these is great for towing.

Wife loves her expy, but she really wanted the newer style. No regrets though.

FWIW, I like the looks of the Expy. Don't know anything about them, but L would look good in that EL Expy!

Sorry for not contributing earlier, but in that size walk away from anything that is not a screaming deal right now.

The best deal will come from an individual trying to unload one, and the dealer won't give them anything on trade.

I know you're not interested in the Escalade anymore, but whoever said they were getting 18-19 mpg out of one on the highway is simply dreaming.

They all drink gas, and they have big v8 engines - physics doesn't allow you to haul around 6000 lbs plus and get over 20 mpg. My Suburban gets 11.8 around town and 14-15 on the highway, 10 pulling a trailer.

The Expeditions and Navigators are very nice vehicles - but they do not have the same interior room as an extended escalade, denali or suburban. Probably 10 inches shorter behind the rear seat - for us, that extra space is where we put all our stuff - but it costs gas money to haul that space around, and they are also a little harder to maneuver and park because of it.

Indy, I agreed with everything you said up till here. My Excursion which weighs in at just under 9,000 lbs and easily tows my 7,000 lb boat gets 12 to 13 while towing, 17 average around town, and 21 to 22 on the highway. Its got a big V8, just drinks a little different. Now if you added any gas engine SUV (Which is what you probably meant anyway), that would absolutely be true.

Also, he is looking at the EL version, which is the same length (Roughly) as the Burb or XL. Otherwise, you are correct, you have no room until you put the seats down.


Doggg, like Indy said screaming deals now, don't jump too quick .

I've needed the extra room behind the third seat in the Expy a few times. We aren't a large family, so it has never really been an issue but those couple of times when we filled it up with people. But those few times it would have been nice to have that little extra space.

Thanks everyone. No jumping for us right now. I mean we want to get this done here soon due to some thing coming up but we will not buy a vehicle that is not a smokin' deal.

I really like the Expy both EL and regular for their seating and how they flip up to get into the 3rd row. The GM products (pre 2007) just don't offer that and seem to be a pain. Ford still wins out in the 3rd row fold flat and no need to remove as well. For that reason...the Nissan Armada is still high on our list as well. But, limited in the space behind the 3rd row.

I will post it again...not worried about the gas mileage...or I would not even consider one of these vehicles.

Thanks again guys.

OK, yeah the diesel Excursions will get better mileage, but you paid an extra $5,000 or so up front for that, plus an extra 70 cents or so a gallon right now, makes the cost pretty close to a wash over the life of the vehicle.

And yes, Ford did come out with the longer expy when they canceled the Excursion, so they didn't lose those sales to GM.

Holding 60-65, our Expy will get 19, according to thier computer. Never cared to calculate for myself.

[quote=Wet Doggg]Thanks everyone. No jumping for us right now. I mean we want to get this done here soon due to some thing coming up but we will not buy a vehicle that is not a smokin' deal.

[quote]

Is there something in the oven or 2?

Triplets?

I found it difficult to get a smokin' deal because most of the private seller were updside down in a bad way and were simply unwilling to take less than they owe.

The dealers seemed more inclined to deal on the new cars rather than the used cars, since the factory incentives are out there. I was a cash buyer and made what I thought were reasonable offers and no one bit, until I found someone who owned a truck outright and was realistic about the market.

I had one private seller who owed 35K on an 07' sierra and was asking 37K. He was serious.

Ahhhhh...no. For how bad the economy is and how high gas is I am amazed at how few used large SUVs there are on the market. Well, at least the ones I am looking for anyway. We have narrowed our search down to the Ford Expedition (either standard or EL) and the Nissan Armada. The access to the 3rd row seats in pre 2007 GM models just sink and turned us off. That is a big statement since we get a $1,000 check from GM for buying ANY GM car or truck new or used.

Maybe everybody is looking at the situation like I am. I can buy a bunch of gas even at todays prices for the hit that I will take if I get rid of the Yukon.