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Ford Excursion vs Chevy Suburban/GMC Yukon XL - The battle of the titans

423 messages,  Last post on Sep 19, 2008 at 1:04 PM

You are in the Ford Excursion Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Excursion, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, SUV

Messages Page 26 of 43

#249 of 423 Suburban, what a joke. 65 years of trial and mostly error by protravel

Jan 13, 2001 (6:06 pm)

"The new 5.3 vortec is very modest on gas compared to the Ford products, yet power and towing capabilities are not compromised. I average close to 19-20 in mixed driving... Let's see Ford pull this off!!
"
Well FORD did pull this off and did better. I'm getting 22-24 mixed driving and paying a lot less for diesel than you are for gas.
 
I have the PSD Excursion and is NOT loud in fact it is quieter when it hits speed than any vortec the planet.
Now for the whiners gripping about parking garages, give me a break, the MEN who drive Excursions add 3"-5" lifts on to their TRUCKS and the operative word being truck NOT Chevy station wagon. So we that build our truck even HIGHER than factory could care less about parking in some downtown garage, that we will never go to or park in anyway.
Why don't we complain on why the Excursion doesn't go 150 MPH
at the drag strip, or why it can't fly ...get real. It is what it is! The MOTHER of all trucks with enough power to tear a Suburban in half.
 
Since when is it a good thing to have a mushy ride in a truck. Oh, I know, when it's a Suburban Station wagon.
 
I read all the Hundreds of posts regarding lousy suburbans and tranny's etc, and the most incredible thing - all these Chevy guys complain about how the Suburban is falling apart, ( Brakes, tranny Rear end etc) and then on the next breath say it's the best vehicle they have owned HUH!!!!!. Ya, but its OK now they fix'd all the problems in the 2000. Ha Ha Ha Ha. Ya, right.
 
Let me get this straight, Suburban has been around for 65 years according to the commercial, and just now in 2000 - 2001 they got it right. Can I just ask one question here - What took them so long?
 
Ford first year out of the shoot, and it is heads and tails over a 65 year old WANNABE.
 
Does anybody doubt who would come out a winner if a Suburban and an Excursion were in a head on accident...I think NOT.
 
For no other reason with all the nuts on the road, you want to be driving in that tank with leather seats. Now that is music to my ears.
 
And as far as all the complaints regarding PSD Excursions from Chevy guys, I can tell you it's ALL bunk. And this is from someone who drive one every day, not a three minute ride at the dealership.

#250 of 423 protravel by krey

Jan 13, 2001 (10:02 pm)

Interesting, though not uplifting, diatribe but the problem with your logic is simply that the majority of drivers of both suburbans and excursions are WOMEN, not men. They do use parking garages and have to fit their vehicles into the insanely small parking spaces at supermarkets and schools. Good thing too, because us men like to eat and know that our kids are being taken care of while we men are out "slaying all the dragons."
 
No, real MEN drive whatever they need to get the job done, nothing more. Those who drive big, jacked-up trucks just to look good are nothing more than WIMP wannabes.

#251 of 423 Excursions, garages, manliness, meaning of life, etc. by phil62

Jan 14, 2001 (11:52 am)

I am soooooo embarrassed. Imagine my chagrin in discovering a sexual identity crisis as I approach middle age. As I recall, my analysis of my automotive needs -- which I thought utilized logic and practicality -- was based on several considerations:
   1. I've got a wife (Sob; how will I ever face her?) and three kids.
   2. I engage in such effeminate hobbies as surf fishing and astronomy.
   3. A large suv with four-wheel drive might be just the ticket, if I can afford it.
   4. The wife and I have frequent business in the big city (Houston, for the geographically challenged), and will probably soon be living there again.
   5. The wife will be the main driver of the machine.
   6. The Suburban would be ideal, but as our esteemed friend pointed out, has lousy reliability.
   7. Since to my great shame I lack sufficient body parts in the, ahem, lower frontal regions, I am not able to work, live, play exclusively in the country. Therefore, the Excursion would probably be too big for me.
   8. The Expedition and Sequoia remain as options. Dilemma: Sequoia reliability will probably be better than the Ford, but costs about $10K more.
 
   Due to the above, I'm leaning toward the Sequoia, but no final decision yet. And finally, with regards to "gripping" about parking garages, I must reluctantly agree that I shouldn't do it. After all, as useful as opposable thumbs are, engaging in such behavior in the vicinity of attractive young housewives in parking garages could get a guy arrested -- questionable orientation or not. Oops, I've gotta' go; there's a run in my pantyhose.

#252 of 423 Phil62 by krey

Jan 14, 2001 (6:58 pm)

Great post!
 
Back to business, however. I too looked at the Sequoia and, frankly, if it hadn't been for the fact that it's the first year of the model, I would have opted for one instead of the Yukon we got instead. I've had several Toyotas before, and have had zero problems. The build quality and durability were great. I just never, ever, buy the first year of anything. I've heard a few (there are not many of these on the road yet) complaints about the 4wd and traction control systems; we live where there are lots of snow and ice, so people around here are pretty sensitive about those things.
 
As to which car is really better, it depends...on needs, and a lot of luck. Truthfully, I 've got a lot of friends and acquaintances who own both the Ford and the GMC. Most have had great experiences, others not. I wish there wasn't as much luck involved as there is, but so it goes. But, and this is just my opinion, Ford missed the mark with the Excursion. The beast is simply too tall and the turning radius is unbelievable. If Ford fixes those details, it's a player.
 
My $0.02 worth

#256 of 423 krey by phil62

Jan 17, 2001 (7:50 pm)

Thanks for the kudos. I also have to say you raise a good point re: first year manufacture of a vehicle. It's only because it's a Toyota that I would even consider a first year. I have a 92 Honda Accord, while my brother has had several Toyotas and a Honda. Without exception, they have been quality vehicles, and have rarely needed anything other than routine maintenance. Since this is an Excursion/Suburban topic, however, I should get back on track. One thing I've been curious about is the diesels in both makes. Any of you folks have data, anecdotes or opinions on the relative merits and reliability of the diesel engines in the Ford vs. the GM? Thanks.

#257 of 423 Bush vs. Gore, I mean Suburban vs. Excursion by jkidd2

Jan 17, 2001 (8:29 pm)

This is similar to our last election, I guess I'll vote for the lesser of two evils....the Suburban.

#258 of 423 PSD vs Duramax by tcadams

Jan 17, 2001 (9:50 pm)

Phil62,
 
The new GM diesel, the Duramax, is -- according to what I've read on the web -- not going to be available in the Burb until the 2003 model year
 
When it is available, I've read, it is not going to be mated to the Allison transmission. (IMHO I believe that GM is really missing the boat here by not making the Allison available with the Duramax.) Also, apparently GM is going to "de-tune" the Duramax so that it will not tear up the tranny currently in the Burb. So, you will be able to get a diesel but not the diesel/tranny configuration currently available in the HDs.
 
Hopefully the Duramax will become the same class engine that Ford's PSD is today. Only time will tell.
 
As for the PSD...here is some information that I've pulled off the www.ford-diesel.com site regarding statements made during a presentation by Lew Echlin, Ford's Marketing Manager for Super Duty and Excursion products:
 
begin quote ->
"Recently I had the opportunity to give a presentation to over 3000 of our Ford Dealers during an intensive set of Dealer meetings meant to prepare them for the coming year. I was talking about only the toughest trucks - the over 8500 lbs GVW type, like our beloved F-250s though F-550s. Now, while I went on and on about the technical dominance of F-Series Super Duty trucks over their Dodge and new Chevy and GMC competitors, I stopped dead in the middle of the speech and asked 'How can we talk F-Series Super Duty without talking about Powerstroke?' the engine that made Super Duty what it is today. As if on cue, many Dealers knowingly shook their heads, because they know that we CAN'T talk about F-Series Super Duty trucks without talking about Powerstroke diesel.
 
So I devoted the rest of my speech to the new facts on the Powerstroke engine for 2001 and how it stacked up to the new Isuzu/GM Duramax engine, and I thought I share these facts with you.
 
There are three things that Powerstoke has at its very foundation of toughness:
1) Powerstroke is Proven in the market among customers like you
2) Powerstroke doesn't just look good on paper, it has 'street credibility' as the work engine and
3) Powerstroke is NOT a high maintenance, temperamental engine, it's designed for easy and low maintenance. In my effort to keep you empowered with key facts about F-Series Super Duty and Excursion, let's give you some key 'did ya knows'.
 
Ford Powerstroke is Proven in the Market. Did you Know:
 
- Powerstroke is the best selling engine in its class, Diesel OR gas
- Powerstroke outsells all diesel competitors, combined
- Powerstroke has been proven in over 1 million Built Ford Tough trucks
- Statistics show that even at 250,000 miles in service, 90% of Powerstroke engines have no repairs requiring head, pan or front cover removal.
 
Powerstroke is the Work Engine. Did you Know:
 
- The turbo charged Power Stroke turbo diesel provides peak power sooner, reaching peak torque power at 1600 RPM vs. 1800 RPM for Duramax.
- Power Stroke has an industry leading low-pressure common rail fuel system that is electronically controlled and hydraulically activated (HEUI), technology borrowed from medium truck applications.
- Power Stroke offers a proven tough solid 'V' block design with uniform cast iron block and cast iron heads, while Isuzu/GM Duramax has cast iron block with aluminum heads.
- Powerstroke now offers 520 ft./lbs. of Built Ford Tough torque in manual applications (and 505 in automatics)
 
Powerstroke is Designed for Low Maintenance. Did you Know:
 
-The lubrication system on the Powerstroke employs reusable gaskets.
- Powerstoke has an easy-to-access, spin off fuel filter and a visible air filter cleaner reminder.
- Powerstroke is so tough it has been certified for underground mining applications (and applied in countless other industries) and can even run on 'low lubricity' Diesel fuel like aviation fuel.
 
And to back this all up, Power Stroke comes with a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty standard in every F250-550 and Ford Excursion."
<- end quote Ford has some very impressive things to say about the PSD and GM is bringing a new engine to this party. The PSD has the lead but the Duramax has potential. As I stated earlier, only time will tell.

Messages Page 26 of 43

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