The Adventure Continues...
Our on-going evaluation of the totally new 2003 Ford Expedition began in late summer of 2002. In fact, when we took delivery of the vehicle, you really didn't see too many of them on the road. That has changed, and for good reason.
Our goal? To give this Expedition a long term evaluation; something we don't have an opportunity to do very often. Yet, an evaluation that really lets us get a real feel for the good, bad, and in some cases the ugly of a vehicle.
That said, the evaluation has been a good one so far. It's maneuvered through torrential rains, made a path in some heavier snow, and kept me moving in the right direction on icy roads.
I've been a fan of the Expedition since it was introduced in the late 80's. It's always been a roomy, yet easy to handle SUV. And, with the introduction this year of its rear independent suspension system, the ride is smoother than ever. However, despite the smoother ride, from my perspective, it still has that SUV/Truck feel, which I like. I'm not a fan of an SUV that seems just like a car.
I also am a big fan of the 3rd row seats that fold flat to the floor, creating a good cargo area. (Utilizes the optional PowerFold system. With a touch of a switch the seats fold up or down automatically) Fold down the 2nd row seats, and you have even more room for whatever you need to carry. Make note of the fact that it's a "flat" cargo area. That's a big plus.
Some things I'd put on a wish list, include cargo doors instead of the typical tailgate. And, I wish that the center console storage area between the driver and passenger would open right, left, and straight up, instead of just straight up. It's very awkward getting into the storage area while driving. It doesn't stay up, crashes down on your hand….. you get the picture.
What kind of problems have we had with the Eddie Bauer edition of the Expedition so far? One flat tire. Not Ford's problem. And, I've noticed some whistling wind noise around the passenger door when it's very windy. I'm still trying to isolate that. It's slightly annoying. Usually those kinds of noises drive me crazy! Maybe it's just not loud enough or I'm having hearing problems. Let's go with "not loud enough."
These are pretty minor issues in the big picture. However, we still have lots of time to see how the Ford Expedition measures up. That's not a pessimistic point of view, just a point of fact. If you've purchased the totally new 2003 Ford Expedition and would like to share your thoughts, be sure to send me an email. We'll add your comments as our evaluation continues.
And, while we're reviewing, we'd be interested in what you think too, if
you've recently purchased one of these vehicles.
