$77,000 Ford Expedition

[Kevin]

We have a 2015 F150. It's paid for. I dropped it off on Friday to get the oil changed... There was a recall on this year, not sure what, something to do with the door latch, but I guess it took 4 hours to fix. That plus the sunroof was sticking. Luckily we bought the extended warranty, since that would have cost $750 to fix.

Anyway, today is Wednesday, and I just now got home from the dealer. Luckily I did not have to spend the weekend in their lobby. They gave me a 2019 Platinum Ford Expedition to use for the weekend. (I told the guy we were thinking of trading in our truck...)

Wow! I was almost too scared to drive it. It had 1000 miles on it, and was loaded with all the bells you can imagine. There have been a few people here who question who can afford to buy expensive houses and drive expensive cars. I think they are right.

Do people NEED a $77,000 vehicle?

As nice as these "trucks" are, they are simply glorified mini-vans. At first my wife and I were really excited, but then I noticed the only people checking out this nice ride were soccer moms with 9 kids to haul around. :shock:

I do appreciate the safety features in newer cars. Ford has really improved the quality of their cars. This is a pic of the back up camera. There are two tiny lenses in the side mirrors projecting a wide angle view of the whole surroundings. It's just a mock-up image of the top of the car, but you can see the parking lot stripes in the image. This makes it really handy to park and back up.

Oh yeah, it also had the parallel parking assist. Very weird, but worked great...until it malfunctions... just after the warranty expires...

I did NOT like the shifter. It's that round dial at the bottom of the picture. What a cheap, cheap gimmick. Yuck.

 

[Bull Barrel]

Trucks are no longer trucks. Try to buy one with manual windows, locks and seats.
My son has a 17 f150 more door. Don't know what it cost but I bet it was a bunch.
I forsee a lot of newer Fords on the market needing new turboss due to not allowing them to cool before shutdown or lack of oil changes.

 

[Kevin]

Our 2015 F150 was $60 thousand. So I bet a 2017 is right up there.

I’m not a car guy so I don’t understand what you mean about the turboboss cooling down, or oil changes? Do you mean going 7,000 miles on the oil? My old VW went 10,000 miles between oil changes.

Needless to say, I did drive my paid for truck home...

 

[Bull Barrel]

Turbos need to cool-idle for 30 sec before shutdown-to normalize temps and cool the bearings with oil while not under boost
This keeps the oil from cooking from a hot turbo and gunking up the bearings.
Same with oil changes. Turbos like clean oil.

 

[Kevin]

Ah! Thanks... this expedition I believe was a twin turbo engine. It was definitely faster than our F150.

 

[contender]

Last summer,, a good friend,, and a DIE HARD Ford fan,, (he owns several,) decided he wanted a new F-150 4x4 truck. he went to a dealer, bought a new fancy one with a lot of the deluxe features. He paid cash too.

The next day,, he took it back to the dealer, and was very upset. He said; "This D#^* truck has too much crap on it that I can't operate or use. I want a refund & you take this piece of crap back." They offered to "teach" him how to use the features,, and he got real mad, demanded a refund & cussed them out. They agreed to take it back & all, and when they cut him a check, he refused the check, saying; "I paid cash, I want cash back!" They had to go to the bank & get it.

I'm all for some nice features that makes driving safer & comfortable. But nowadays,,, there are way too many "features" that are not desired by everyone yet are included in the "package." I'm very afraid of these "auto braking" systems, and even some of the traction controls in many cars now.

I also find it offensive when you start pricing a truck, and see that they charge you for an automatic transmission, yet do not offer a manual WITHOUT special ordering it. And as noted,,, manual windows, door locks or seats. Many features they add on as part of a standard package,, yet charge you more for, all while NOT offering the lower priced stuff without a special order.

The costs of new trucks is stupidly high. There are many places where you can buy houses for the same or less.

 

[Kevin]

Contender, yes, this Expedition has some sort of “pre-crash” warning feature. On Monday, I was driving to lunch with my daughter (it was s holiday) and out of nowhere, this red light started to blink on the dash with an alarm. I think it was rain blocking the outside sensor, thinking we were going to crash. More than a little scary, as it starteled me.

I like all the electronics, but when the car gets even two or three years old, and they start to fizz out, it’s troublesome. All they do is reduce the life expectancy of the car.

That’s a funny story about your friend and his new truck. Most dealers do have people who’s job it is to “teach” buyers about their new car.

 

[wunbe]

Bells and Whistles gone mad!

My new Subaru Ascent has--

-- AVH which allows you to take your foot off the brake when at a light or stuck in traffic.

-- A beep and visual notification when the car in front of you moves forward.

-- Automatic braking in reverse when you approach an object at low speed; automatic braking at highway speeds for objects at a set distance ahead of you.

-- Warning lights and beep when you wander from lane

-- Cruise control that keeps you in lane and a set distance from the car ahead

-- An off road AWD feature that brakes and controls low speed acceleration -- all you do is steer.

-- More USB ports than cup holders,

-- And the capper, a radio that you cannot turn off --only mute!

I will not even discuss the bewildering and never to be used mobile phone, nav system, etc....

But it only cost just a bit more than half the MSRP of the Ford described above.

wunbe

 

[rimmer]

All that money and after a few years they rust out because of the EPA regulations.
Crappy THIN sheet metal or beer can aluminum thickness.
People are real fools to buy into this stupid mentality.

 

[bogus bill]

I like fine trucks but could never afford a $60,000 one. Wife has a 2001 Silverado and I love my 2000 stepside GMC Sierra. Each has about 150,000 miles on and still are dependable. I probably wouldn't end up with $5000 apiece for them! Yet it beats paying about $100,000 + to replace them with new ones!!!!!
We had hers up for sale awhile but backed out. Mine stays pretty much hooked up with our trailer and atv on it as trail riding is our thing. Strange, my first three or four cars cost me about what a tank of gas go`s for today and they hauled my fat azz around as good as a new one!

 

[Big Old Boy]

When I got out of the army I bought my first new truck a 1971 Datson for $2100. Now you can’t touch one for $21000. I did just look at a new Lincoln we own two Lincoln’s now paid maybe $16,000 for both cars of course used. The new one I looked at was nice and I was told that the safety stuff can be turned off but the $51,000 price already had me turned off.

 

[gasbag]

Yes, my wife needed a new Expedition.
That's not taking into account she is free to buy any darn vehicle she wants to.
Years ago she always bought new full size Broncos. Big sturdy vehicle. She felt safe.
About 10 years ago she was stopped on the highway behind a long line of cars
backed up for a blocking accident.
Some oblivious troglodyte in a large business van ran into the rear end of her Bronco at 60mph.
The rear bumper was folded up under the frame touching the rear axle.
The rear window was laying on the dashboard.
There wasn't a straight piece of metal on the entire body. Every window was broken,
The investigating state trooper told her the Bronco saved her life.
She still has neck and back problems but she is alive and with me.
She will not drive a small vehicle any longer. Neither will I. I have a larger F-150.
So yes, she needs the Expedition. She can buy two of them for all I care.
The only problem she has had with it so far is that occasionally we have to stop
and pick a Prius or two out of it's grille.

 

[Captain America]

You can buy a Grand Cherokee Trackhawk for north of $100,000 right off the showroom floor, we regularly sell SRT, models in the mid 80's.

 

[WAYNO]

I have bought truly dozens of new trucks over a lot of years. In most cases, I bought the least equipped model available...Crank windows, rubber floors, vinyl seats, manual transmission. And as quickly as I'd drive my new truck to work, I was questioned on why I didn't have leather seats, or air conditioning, or power windows, etc., and my truck was seen as a novelty not to have this stuff. So...I do see the market for these upscale rigs. Seems a feller is expected to have all the bells and whistles or he's viewed a some kind of eccentric weirdo. But I am an eccentric weirdo.

Not long ago I was having a vehicle serviced at the local dealership, and I strolled thru the show room. They were proudly displaying a Grand Cherokee with a sticker price in the 70-Grand range. I posted that here, and was mostly questioned, "what's the news here?"

So they surely must be selling.


I don't buy vehicles nearly as often as I used to. My latest, a 2016 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab, was the bottom of the line Tradesman, with no added options. Still, it has air, cruise, and power windows, as these are standard on even the bottom rung model. It stickered for $53K, and I bought it for $41K. Quite a discount. And I could have bought the same truck with all the bells and whistles and doubled the price. An extra $40,000 for leather and a TV, and heated seats? But that IS what sells.

 

[Pat-inCO]

The only problem she has had with it so far is that occasionally
we have to stop and pick a Prius or two out of it's grille.

Look in the glove box in the "secret" compartment. That's where you will
find the large tooth picks to pry the Prius out of your grill. :roll: . :wink:

 

[ProfessorWes]

Those high-dollar cars must be selling . . . but somewhere the other day I was reading that arrearages and defaults on auto loans are at an all-time high. Ordinary people have been pretty much priced out of the new-car market for all but the most basic models, and to get one requires financing that borders on a mortgage.

I'd love a new car, but so far my Elantra seems to be holding up fairly well despite being seven years old and over 140,000 miles on it - I have had to replace the alternator and a couple coil packs in the past year - so as long as nothing major goes wrong I guess I'll be soldiering on with my little Hyundai for a couple more years.

 

[Dave P.]

I can't see the window sticker very well, did it come with
bow thrusters and a tuna door?
Dave

 

[Kevin]

Ha! It did come with a wi-if hotspot through AT&T. An extra $20 per month for up to 10 devices to connect. It had 6 USB ports, although I’m not sure how the stereo would handle them all. I guess they just might be for charging.

Professor Wes: Yes, I bet you are correct about the people going into default on their cars. Actually, I bet people are doing the lease to buy option. I know some people who do that to buy their cars. They pay a lot more in interest, but lower monthly payments.

I went to the Dallas Boat Show last month. You can finance a boat for up to 20 years. I think you would have to be pretty foolish to do so however. Of course the first boat we climbed into was $204,000. (Chris Craft....how beautiful.)

 

[pete44ru]

.

As a signing bonus for coming over to his current employer from another Ford dealership, my Son received his choice of a new Ford P/U truck outfitted anyway he wanted - he's Ford Parts guy who has a 30-year history with what's now a $1M/yr parts dollars earning network.

(he brought/moved the better part of the $1M/yr business to the new dealership with him)

So, being very familiar with new Ford trucks, he picked/chose only the features he wanted, and none of the features he didn't want, as a Special Order vehicle.

He opted for this new leather-appointed FX4 Off Road Super Duty Crew Cab, which cost the dealership a little over $55K, and just loves it.

That was a little over 3yrs ago, and today I think it would have an MSRP of at least $70K.



.

 

[Mus408]

Well I hope my 2014 Ram Hemi Quad cab pickup last awhile. Paid 29,000 out the door and it only has 24,000 miles on it to this day.

 

[caryc]

On the Ford commercials, I wondered how that camera image of the top of the car was done. You said it was a mock up image. So if you are in a red vehicle, it's going to show some other color vehicle?

 

[Kevin]

Cary: I’m not sure about the colors for the backup camera. The truck I had was dark grey and the image in the screen was a light grey. I haven’t seen the commercials but I do know the camera lenses were on the underside of each of the side mirrors.

There was also a forward facing camera. I don’t know what it’s purpose was. But when the car was not moving, you could touch a button on the dash to activate this camera. I tried it several times and I don’t know what it was for, but definitely forward facing down in the front grill someplace.

 

[Rancher Will]

We use pickup trucks regularly on my two ranches. We have four right now for normal use plus one older one for only "on the ranch" knock around use on one ranch. Every time I have bought a new one I have always ordered and bought a Commercial Model and not one of the deluxe models displayed on the sales lot. I have saved a lot of money over the years by not buying the expensive gadgets that we don't want or need.

The last one that I bought was a RAM 3500 Diesel Flatbed, just two years ago. It cost $22,000 less than the same deluxe model the dealer wanted to sell me. I only had to wait 8 days to get it after I ordered it also. By ordering the commercial models I am able to specify exactly what I want on the truck and not pay for anything I don't want or need. And, I too always pay by American Express Business Card on delivery so I get an additional 3 percent discount when I pay the AMEX statement at the end of the month.

 

[Dan in MI]

I am trying to keep from buying anything newer than about 2005. I can give all kinds of reasons, but I'm too lazy to type that much.


Cary - I don't know if they do, but it would be very easy for them to set the proper color. Many of the modules are programmed as the vehicle is built. A little check in the build sheet, the module program gets a bit flip and the computer will program red, blue, or whatever.

 

[Tallbald]

I have thought for several years that when and if I shop for a newer truck, I'd have to seek out a utility work truck vehicle. Chevy has or had a "W/T" line with auto and air, two wheel drive, vinyl mats, manual windows and such. Maybe Ford has a similar "fleet" style level vehicle(?). That would suit Miss Penny and me just fine. With a very successful and ethical son in the new and used vehicle field, I'd have him on the lookout for me. Don.

 

[Fox Mike]

A couple years ago the wife was looking for a new SUV. When she was 'looking', I asked one else of the Chevy salesmen if the had any "just plain pickups"? He questioned what I meant. I told him 2 doors, bench seat, radio, a/c-heater, and a bed I could place a 4 x 8 foot sheet of plywood in. He looked at me as though I was speaking a foreign language.

 

[Heliman]

I like the new Expeditions. I did a ride along recently with our local police force. They have mostly Expeditions. We had a couple of hot calls where he had to rapidly accelerate. It was fast! The patrol officers like them because of the roominess and performance. Right now I own a Subaru Forester and see no reason to replace it. But if I did, it would be an Expedition.

All that being said, my other 3 vehicles were born in the last century. ‘97 F250 Power Stroke which is my RV tow rig, ‘99 Ford Ranger is my knock around rig, and a ‘94 Mustang Cobra is my fun car.

Being 70 years old, these rigs will probably be all I need going forward. So, perhaps there is not an Expedition in the future....

 

[caryc]

I am trying to keep from buying anything newer than about 2005. I can give all kinds of reasons, but I'm too lazy to type that much.


Cary - I don't know if they do, but it would be very easy for them to set the proper color. Many of the modules are programmed as the vehicle is built. A little check in the build sheet, the module program gets a bit flip and the computer will program red, blue, or whatever.

Ok, so set a six pack of beer on the roof. Is it going to show that? Of course not! On the commercial there's a bunch of idiots sitting in the car and they let a bunch of gators loose so they're crawling all around the car. So ok, they see the gators and they are safe inside the car. What if one of those gators manages to crawl up on top of the car? Not so safe to open the door then is it? Can you sue the Ford company if that gator eats one of your kids? But, "Your honer, the camera didn't show that gator"!

 

[Ethang]

My wife likes Fords. We just upgraded from her older Explorer to a Expedition(not a new one). It is a very nice vehicle, lots of room, plenty of power, good creature comforts, and she feels safe in it. Our only problem is we live in Michigan so the rusting is going to cause us to replace in a few years. Hopefully by then these new ones will be in the affordable range. I did not spend 77K buying my first house. No way in heck I am paying that for a vehicle.

 

[Dan in MI]

On the commercial there's a bunch of idiots sitting in the car and they let a bunch of gators loose so they're crawling all around the car. So ok, they see the gators and they are safe inside the car.

Of course they're idiots it's a GM!!!