Help me choose between Stealth and Platinum

[Cris]

Hi folks,

I currently have a 2018 Expy XLT that's fully loaded:
- Leather
- Nav
- Adaptive Cruise
- Vista Roof
- 20" wheels (which I'm not a big fan of)
- BLIS
- Driver Assistance
- Ford Pass connect

I also did an LED conversion myself to it and Forscan changes, so overall I'm happy with most of the options.

I am looking to upgrade to either a Limited with the Stealth package or a Platinum. There are only a few things I'm missing in my XLT that would be nice to have:
- front sensors (don't need the camera)
- CCD to improve the ride quality
- adaptive steering (reduce lock-to-lock turning in the city)
- noise cancelling would be nice as these are pretty loud vehicles and my wife had it on her Edge Sport
- massage seats would be nice for long trips as well

I don't care about and it's actually a downgrade to me:
- more chrome
- bigger wheels
- light headliner (I prefer black)
- softer leather (kids will scratch it more easily)
- power running boards (more things to go wrong)

I found a Stealth for $65k and a Platinum for $70k. Since I don't want all the other stuff of the Platinum, am I only getting this for $5K:
- massage seats
- noise cancelling
- 25 more horsepower

Also, should I pull the trigger on these highly discounted 2020s, or wait until a 2021? (it sounds from the other thread that there's a few downgrades to the 2021 with 8-way seats instead of 10, etc)

Much thanks for any suggestions or anything I missed!

 

[mwl001]

Unless you want one of the new paint colors I don’t see a reason to buy a ‘21 over a ‘20.

 

[JExpedition07]

Limited Stealth is a lot sexier if you can deal without the massaging seats. If I was to get a 4th gen (or could afford the 70k) it’d for sure be the Stealth Pack. Sexy trucks.

 

[Gumby]

Platinum's will get you the 400hp EB, Stealth I think "just" gets the 375 hp (assuming you are filling it with Premium). Which you already noted. I do like the stealth package look. Black is Fricken awesome.

 

[shane_th_ee]

This is an internet forum! And Internet forums really shine when it comes to spending other people’s money. Therefore, as is my duty as a participant in this forum, I can only in good conscience, recommend you buy the platinum. Because it costs more.

 

[Dice Roll]

Why ditch an 18? Not seeing this as a real upgrade. Paying a lot and losing a lot of equity to gain a few features. Seems like a good way to set probably 10k or more on fire. Different discussion if you had an older one.

 

[dlcorbett]

Platinum, you specifically wanted massage seats and noise canceling, which you cant add later.

 

[Dclr]

Platinum's will get you the 400hp EB, Stealth I think "just" gets the 375 hp (assuming you are filling it with Premium). Which you already noted. I do like the stealth package look. Black is Fricken awesome.

I've had a 2019 black limited stealth for less than a year and am loving it. One side benefit is vehicles tend to quickly pull aside when you approach from the rear.

 

[KJ-Idaho]

I've had a 2019 black limited stealth for less than a year and am loving it. One side benefit is vehicles tend to quickly pull aside when you approach from the rear.

gosh.

You have good equity in your 18 and 20’s don’t really distinguish themselves functionally from 18’s.

You can do a good blackout treatment for around 2k.

Unless you love massaging seats and chrome, why trade your unit in?

 

[Aspen03]

Platinum because it has features you specifically want. Sell the monster wheels it comes with for something that ride and look better. A friend if mine picked up an MKZ w massage seats. They're pretty slick. If I was dropping 70k+ on a truck I'd probably go all out and get anything and everything I wanted.

Not sure why anyone cares what you're doing w equity in the 18. Obviously you realize you're throwing $ in a bonfire but if its what you want, go for it. I'm all for people making spontaneous purchases like these, it frees up inventory for something I could potentially buy. Picked up a few nice things over the years where someone was just tired of what they had or wanted a different experience.

Is the 2018 that loud? I drive an 03 and its pretty quiet up until about 65-70mph and you get wind/road noise but nothing crazy. My parents 2018 Camry is louder on the hwy than the expy. In town and low speeds mine extremely quiet, radio set on 6 or 7 out clearly audible.

 

[KJ-Idaho]

Platinum because it has features you specifically want. Sell the monster wheels it comes with for something that ride and look better. A friend if mine picked up an MKZ w massage seats. They're pretty slick. If I was dropping 70k+ on a truck I'd probably go all out and get anything and everything I wanted.

Not sure why anyone cares what you're doing w equity in the 18. Obviously you realize you're throwing $ in a bonfire but if its what you want, go for it. I'm all for people making spontaneous purchases like these, it frees up inventory for something I could potentially buy. Picked up a few nice things over the years where someone was just tired of what they had or wanted a different experience.

Is the 2018 that loud? I drive an 03 and its pretty quiet up until about 65-70mph and you get wind/road noise but nothing crazy. My parents 2018 Camry is louder on the hwy than the expy. In town and low speeds mine extremely quiet, radio set on 6 or 7 out clearly audible.

concurrence!

 

[MxRacer965]

ALWAYS buy the highest trim level with the most options. That’s my MO. I don’t ever want to have buyers remorse over a missed option I might want. Sure, I spend more up front but I’m not wishing I had something I don’t after having spent 90% of what the fully optioned vehicle costs anyway.

 

[Cris]

Why ditch an 18? Not seeing this as a real upgrade. Paying a lot and losing a lot of equity to gain a few features. Seems like a good way to set probably 10k or more on fire. Different discussion if you had an older one.

My 2018 Expy is a lemon and Ford is buying it back, so I'll be back to square one and this time, I'm choosing to re-buy the Expy in a higher trim level.

The reason the Expy "feels loud" to me is because my wife's Edge Sport had the noise cancelling, so it was insanely quiet.

The Edge Sport was also blacked out, so I hear you guys on the Stealth and how people move over very quickly

The Platinum is an upgrade for the massage seats, the noise cancelling and the extra power but it's a huge downgrade with the bigger wheels (which yes, they can be changed), all the chrome and the light headliner.

 

[Yupster Dog]

The Platinum is an upgrade for the massage seats, the noise cancelling and the extra power but it's a huge downgrade with the bigger wheels (which yes, they can be changed), all the chrome and the light headliner.

Sorry about your lemon and at least it is getting taken care of.

So if the money isn't the problem, you just answered your own question. Get the platinum and the only thing you have to deal with is the headliner. everything else (wheels and de-chroming) you can change pretty easy at your own pace.


So is the headliner a stand alone deal killer?

 

[2019 Plat Exp]

My 2018 Expy is a lemon and Ford is buying it back, so I'll be back to square one and this time, I'm choosing to re-buy the Expy in a higher trim level.

The reason the Expy "feels loud" to me is because my wife's Edge Sport had the noise cancelling, so it was insanely quiet.

The Edge Sport was also blacked out, so I hear you guys on the Stealth and how people move over very quickly

The Platinum is an upgrade for the massage seats, the noise cancelling and the extra power but it's a huge downgrade with the bigger wheels (which yes, they can be changed), all the chrome and the light headliner.

Based on your wants I would go with the platinum. You can easily swap out the wheels and tires like I did and wrap some of the chrome yourself. I have done the C pillar, Roof Racks, Window Trim, Badges, Rear tailgate plaque for about $70 in vinyl. Plan on selling my platinum stock wheels for around $1500 to make up for the cost of my 18" methods with new tires.

 

[Matthew Abrams]

curious....... why not King Ranch? slightly less chrome, black headliner, LED's, and massaging seats

 

[dlcorbett]

curious....... why not King Ranch? slightly less chrome, black headliner, LED's, and massaging seats

Kr doesnt offer massage seats or noise cancellation. Honestly, without the noise cancel, the ride is just as quiet, until the tires wear down. Then it gets noticeably louder. When i had mine, i noticed over time the hwy ride was getting much louder, particularly in the back.

 

[Lou Hamilton]

I think based on what you want, the Platinum is the right way for you.

That being said, I considered both and the looks of the Stealth won over the Platinum. However, I had no interest in the massage seats and did not know about the noise cancelling feature. I never really cared about noise, my last vehicle was a Honda Pilot with knobby LT tires that were loud, especially at highway speeds. So quiet was not on my check list.

Honestly, in day to day driving, I’m not sure you would even notice the HP gain in the Platinum.

I don’t have young kids, but knew I would not be going with a light tan Platinum leather interior. It would be black. If King Ranch was available in 2019, It would have been between the Stealth and KR. I really like the KR interior, but not as much as the original leather they used in the older KR models (I think mid-2000s models). That was a really nice true saddle leather.

Anyway, I digress. Go with the Platinum and black out the chrome and swap out the wheels. (BTW, both models have the 22” wheels).


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[Aspen03]

I have no idea why more vehicles don't offer a black headliner. Its the one single gripe I have about our navigator. Its black on black, every single seat, door panel, console lid, all black. Headliner... Light gray. Wtf Ford? Completely takes away from the luxury feel. One day when I can have it down for a few its getting refinished in black.

I've seen countless vehicles done the same way, honda is guilty, as is Toyota. Is there a reason? Do people actually like it? I've never met one who did if so. Genuinely curious.

If your wife had ANC then yes I understand how quiet the ride was. Its a life changing feeling on a longer ride or one w less than perfect pavement. Road noise is something I can't deal with for long and if an aftermarket ANC setup was available I'd easily spend a couple grand if necessary to make it happen. One of the key reasons I've always gravitated towards nicer sedans most of my life rather than a mustang or the like. I want quiet, enjoyable power.

 

[Gumby]

I'll be honest, I have always had silver on black, white on black and black on black vehicles. Until I got my 18 Expy with ceramic interior. The mix of black dash, door panels, carpet etc against the ceramic color seats, headliner and door trims is quite nice (imo). I've had a few dealer guys comment it gives it a bit of a Navi look (yeah I know...) but at first I wasn't really enthused, but it really grew on me to the point that if I were to get a 21 Expy I would do the same interior. I have a buddy that picked up a 19 Plati in Red on black. He regrets the all black interior now. FWIW...