Ask the Car People.SM


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 32 of 43

#306 of 423 Excursion vs. Suburban by pcjr

Jun 14, 2001 (8:52 pm)

I've monitored this as well as other topics relating to the Excursion and Suburban for some months now. I'd like to throw my opinion in the mix to those considering either of the two. Having purchased one of each I can speak from a position of experience. My original purchase was a 2000 Excursion LTD 2WD for my wife to use haul the kids back and forth to school. The sheer size and weight of the vehicle gave me a sense of security in knowing that short of tangling with a tractor trailer they should be safe. Fuel economy was not a consideration as gas was still cheap ($1.50 gal). The nightmare began immediately in that within the first few weeks the issues started to surface. Doors that creaked anytime we entered the driveway, a horrendous clunking noise originating under the drivers side floorboard and a significant shake in the front end on any but the smoothest of roads. In an effort to see if this was just a fluke of Fords commitment to quality I checked the Excursion boards daily. I found it both a source of comfort and aggrivation to learn that I was not alone. At one point I actually started to consider all the options of aftermarket modifications to improve the vehicle. Retrofit of Edelbrock or Bilstien shocks, Michelin tires and a new exhaust system to eliminate the tinny resonance. I came about my senses after my forth trip to the dealer to again attempt to have the problems corrected. I dont know if the service manager was sympathetic and strung things out, but after 40+ days of the vehicle sitting at the dealer having the front end disassembled, the body lifted off to replace the body mounts and some door kit installed to correct the creaking doors, California law entitled me to my money back via repurchase by Ford. Mid point thru this extended service visit I purchased a 2001 Surburban 1500 LT 2WD. If you consider ride quality, fit and finish and comfort important in your purchase decision it is my experience that the Suburban is just alot better vehicle. While it took just short of three months to complete the repurchase, today I turned the Excursion back to Ford and walked away with all monies I paid with an exception of a mileage charge for the first 850 trouble free miles prior to its first trip for service. Hats off to Ford for making right on a poorly constructed vehicle. I offer this only as my experience and recognize that others are happy with their Ford purchase. Fortunately I was in a position to purchase a replacement when Ford was offering a Focus as rental wheels while the Excursion was under repair. If you intend to tow to maximum capacity then perhaps the Excursions for you, if your using it for moderate towing and hauling more precious cargo, I'd opt for the Suburban.

#307 of 423 Hi pcjr by steve_ HOST

Jun 14, 2001 (9:42 pm)

Mind sharing what the mileage charge was in your particular circumstances?

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

#308 of 423 Excursion Troubles by palfito01

Jun 15, 2001 (6:42 am)

pcjr Good For You!
 
I am getting real close on making the same decision on trying to turn in my Excursion. I really love the size and look of the Ford but I do not think I can take the creaks, clunks and shaking over any bumps of this vehicle any longer. Can you tell me who you talked to at Ford and what the process was(I live in Wisconsin).
 
I would appreciate any help in this matter.
 
Thanks!

#309 of 423 Mileage Charge and Process by pcjr

Jun 15, 2001 (8:11 am)

I dot recall the exact amount of the mileage charge but around $0.30 a mile comes to mind. I was informed the law allows the manufacturer to be compensated for the use of the vehicle prior to it becoming problematic. In response to the request on how the system works I can relate my experience here in California but your laws may differ. The law here is 4 attempts by the dealer to correct a significant problem. I believe that significant was defined as a problem that effects the safety, operation or value of the vehicle. In addition to that if the vehicle is out of service (at the dealer for repair)for a cumulative total of 30 days during the first 18 months or 18K miles it becomes a "lemon" and your rights kick in regardless of reason or number of repair attempts. In my case I retained an attorney who specializes in the so called "Lemon Law". A search on-line will probably find you one in your area. While I am sure that one could achieve the same results without getting a lawyer. In my case I just dint have the time and dint want to invest in learning the law so that I could argue my rights to Ford. After the attorney reviewed my paper work (service orders and my time line summarizing our problems) he submitted what was called a demand letter. This basically was a letter that demanded that Ford abide by the provisions of the lemon law and repurchase my vehicle. It took about 3 weeks for Ford to respond to the letter which they agreed in principle to make things right. I believe here they had 4 weeks to respond or you win by default. It then took Ford another 3 weeks or so to send their formal offer of repurchase which indicated the amounts they were reimbursing. These included my down payment, registration, sales tax and all of my monthly payments. Then there was a reduction in the offer price to reflect the mileage up until the time I had the Excursion in for the first repair. In addition Ford was to payoff the remaining balance of the note. Once that offer was received I accepted and the paper work was sent back to process which again took about 3 weeks due to an error which was picked up by the vehicle repurchase departments auditor at Ford. After the error was corrected the paper work was sent to the dealer I purchased the vehicle from. I scheduled an appointment to take in the Excursion, they inspected it for damage and wear, I signed the documents and received my check. All total took about 3 months which was long due to the error in the offer paper work. I hope this helps you to better understand the process I went through. I am normally one who addresses and resolves problems on my own. An inherited trait I think Ive perfected through years of real world business experience! Every product has the potential for problems. Its how you address and correct the problem that is most important. I was not at all pleased by Fords product, I was however pleased with the resolution. My advice... If you have a problem get it in right away... document by means of a log your conversations and experiences because unless you have nothing else in your life to distract you, you are going to forget something... Finally I felt that when all else failed legal representation got it handled quickly and was well worth the cost to me. Good luck on getting your situation resolved Palfito 01

#310 of 423 Dan 165 Saga by heatwave3

Jun 15, 2001 (6:51 pm)

I read your horror story on the Sequoia forum. After looking at the Expedition and Yukon, you owe it to yourself to drive a GMC Denali. Bigger motor than the Expedition or Yukon, AWD not available in the others and lots of luxury features really worth checking out. Good Luck.

#311 of 423 PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! by thebeast2001

Jul 09, 2001 (2:19 pm)

2001 FORD EXCURSION LIMITED 4X4 V10
Come on now anti-EXCURSION folks! I am getting tired of your bitching and griping about the Ford Excursion. I bought mine two months ago and put it 4 thousand miles and I did not have any problems such as the AIR CONDITIONING, CLUNKING, ROAMING issues. I am just plain tired of some people complaining about this 8th wonder of the world SUV. By the way, I call mine, THE BEAST hehehe. First of all, the only issue that I found out is the wallowy ride and the gas mileage. HECK! if you can afford a 44 grand SUV, why will you complain anyways??? If you like a car ride, why not buy a BMW 740il??? But for mine, I changed my shocks and suspension when I got it so, the wallowy ride was never been an issue to me. For the gas mileage between the SUBURBAN and EXCURSION is not that far. Damn, it's only a mile/gallon difference. It is really understandable that these big autos will consume gas tremendously, so why complain about it? Don’t be so dumb and stupid about it. So PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE!, do not complain about those impertinent things such as gas mileage, etc. I had enough of those things already and it is time for me to speak. I really love my SUV, I had a Suburban k2500 before and I believe that the Excursion looks better and far outdoes the SUBURBANers. IN MY OWN OPINION, those people who keeps bitching and griping about the EX haven't experienced to own this one or just plainly haven't driven one! So stop being JEALOUS!

#312 of 423 Beast 2001 - Calm Down by pcjr

Jul 19, 2001 (11:26 pm)

Perhaps you should do a bit more research before you ask those of us that had been plagued by Fords rolling monument to piss poor automotive design to quit bitchin. Seems you focused in on gas mileage being the cause of our woes. Gas mileage was never a concern of mine and if you read further back a couple of posts you'll see that statement. Quite frankly had mileage or the cost of fuel ever been a concern to me I would have purchased a 740iL as you had indicated instead of the gass guzzling 750iL which I previously owned. At least we share some common opinion as to what is considered a decent quality automobile. By that statement I make no reference that the excursion should be compared to a passenger car. What I do have a significant issue with is a vehicle that spent a considerable amount of time at a dealership while a service manager, service writer and mechanic attempted to correct real problems, not imagined problems resulting from either poor design, poor build quality or a combination of both. If you are content with attempting to improve your vehicle by removing and replacing inferior components with ones that make it satisfactory in your eyes so be it. I was just not prepared to redesign and rebuild a new vehicle. Does it not concern you why Ford with its tremendous engineering talents chose not to install the shocks and suspension components you did? I can assure you that it wasnt because of any reason other than economics and the result of rushing into the profitable "me-too" SUV market. By the way I think Ford has heard of Michelin before as well. Im happy that your content with your 8th wonder of the world and truly hope that it remains trouble free for you. Call me overly critical, a whiner and a bitcher. $44K is not alot of money to spend today on a vehicle but nonetheless you should still get your moneys worth regardless of the cost. Proof in point is that even in light of the significant savings the new owner of our excursion realised by means of its plummeting resale value, I doubt if he will feel he got his or hers moneys worth... As you did indicate that your tired of the bitching and negative comments, perhaps you miss the point. Some evening when your suffering from insomnia, go back and read some of the early posts and track the transition of joys to woes. It may also surprise you just how many people have experienced the same problems.

#313 of 423 One of each by stirlnjo

Jul 21, 2001 (1:40 am)

I have a 2000 Excursion Limited which I like for the durability, interior "toughness" and the room it provides my wife and her 7 day care kids (although she cusses at the rocking everytime she goes in and out of the driveway). I have a 1999 GMC Sierra which I much prefer for the comfort and ride. In fact, I'm upgrading to the Yukon XL Denali shortly for the comfort, bells and whistles, ride and quietness. As I have experienced it, I'll have the best of both worlds -- toughness for the kids and camping trips and a nice personal ride with plenty of room for bi-weekly trips to the city with friends (and superior factory design for a major stereo upgrade!

#314 of 423 Had both and like both by starrow68

Jul 21, 2001 (12:39 pm)

After 3 2500 Sub's over almost 30 years, replaced the last one with the Ex because of the interior space. They are both good and getting better by the year, but all vehicles have problems at some time. I do think GM has had more time to work out the kinks in the Sub's/XL but IMO they screwed up taking up too much interior space with panels. Hence the Ex fit our requirements. Like both on the open road going long distance, and the Ex is only 8 months old so time will tell. It did get a slow start going only 3k in 6 months but has 3k in last 6 weeks so it will get to 15k + miles by it's birthday. 2wd V-10 Limited. Get the best deal and what you really need.

#315 of 423 A new titan? by steve_ HOST

Aug 02, 2001 (12:02 pm)

"The PowerBox is a hulking eight-passenger sport-ute with massive 20-inch wheels under flared fenders and a grille the size of a whale's mouth."

Steve
Host
Vans, SUVs and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

Messages Page 32 of 43

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement