Suburban owner switches to expedition after 17 yearsp

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Choop101

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I've been driving suburbans since '86, I've had 5 and I just switched 2 weeks ago. I thought I'd share my impressions, I've got thick skin so bring on your responses.

Initial reasons for considering: reputation, view from inside, GMs debt, volt etc.

I bought a 2013 EL limited 4x4, sold my 2007 Z71 with 98k miles.

When I went to look at suburbans, my impression was "this hasn't changed one bit" I asked the salesman about Bluetooth beyond simple phone connectivity and he looked at me like a had a third eye. Eventually he admitted that Chevy is "a little behind on the times"

The Ford was very similarly priced and while ordering and taking delivery my expectations were that I'd be receiving a vastly better vehicle. After a couple weeks, I'm realizing that they are pretty similar. I was surprised how loud the expy is on the hwy- I guess I should be, it is a box. And it seems a little top heavy on hwy, but maybe this is brand new tires?

Here is my pro con list on expy versus suburban.

Pros:
Much better in town ride. More solid, cornering and suspension.

Second row seat functionality and versatility.

Third row seats much more convenient.

Much easier to see out, passing and backing. I guess the c and d pillars are narrower.

Rear hatch window easier to reach over and larger.

Sync, connectivity, navigation vastly superior.

Rear vents are nice. Stops buffeting when one rear window is open.

Hwy pickup better, maybe because my suburban is old.

Seats slightly more comfortable.

Cons:

Ugly, looks top heavy. Personal preference.

Why is the hatch close button in the cargo area, when its full, you can't find the button. Put it on the door edge.

Rear windows don't go down all the way. Only the drivers window has auto.

Stereo sucks compared to stock suburban. Sounds muffled, no mid.

Loud on hwy.

Armrests (console) hard and uncomfortable. Interior plastic very angular and dated.

Console very small, rear compartment storage (small spaces) limited. Where to put tool kit, cables, Umbrella if they won't fit in in-floor storage.

Gauges hard to read and ugly with the white and chrome- poor effort.

Ac controls and the 7 segment LED need a revamp, gm better.

Gear shift takes up console space.

I know some of these cons are coming from a long time suburban owner who is having trouble getting adjusted.


I'm leasing for 2 years so I may switch back, let me know your thoughts.
 
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whowey

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Enjoy it or don't the way you want.

The 'burb and Expy are sold the exact same market segment, so of course they are going to be similar.

I've only driven the new editions of either as rentals... and after the first few days they all start to look/feel/drive the same.

So sit down.. enjoy the conversations here, the beer is sorta cold and the couches are made from the broken unit bodies of the Priuses we have 'accidently' run over getting to the gas pumps.

and Ford took as many gooberment dollars as the others. Just when it came to that last meal at the through, Billy Boy just couldn't stomach giving up control.
 

toms89

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There will be differences and its up to you to decide which you like best overall.

I vote you decide which you prefer.
 
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thatguy

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I think you're nit picking....... but its your thread and your right.
 

BIGRED03

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Have owning two of each, first two Subs and then two Exps I have some definite feelings about each. I had always been a GM buyer until I drove a friends Expedition. I was shocked on how well it handled. At that time I was towing a heavy boat about 150 miles round trip thru Atlanta frequently with eight passengers and camping gear. The independent rear suspension alone sold me on the Expy and the rear windows vent openings are a nice touch. The engine, well the 350 certainly has this over the 5.4 hands down. I wish there was an easy fix to getting more out of it. I think the 6.2 is available for the Sub as well. Other than the engine and lack of hybrid option Ford does well with the Expy. The Expy is over due for a model change we will see who wins the next round at least I looked at a Sub this time around.
 

KWT2000

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yukon/suburban reminded me of driving a sofa down the road

any ways drive what you want
 

andrew_s

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I will admit I looked at tahoes/suburbans when I was purchasing. To compare the GM offerings to the Ford offerings is a test in futility as I have never seen such a close cross brand comparison between 2 vehicles.

That being said drive whatever makes you happy. While I love my buddies z71 tahoe, I just feel the 5.4 performs cleaner and better as well as feeling a bit more solid (both are equally as tough/rugged/solid) add in the flat folding 3rd row with better room and more for your money and I was sold on the Ford. Both are rock solid platforms with years of proven work, fleet and personal use that make either a solid choice.
 

01yellerCobra

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I was looking for a 3/4 ton Suburban before we bought the Expy. I couldn't find one close enough. And the Suburbans and Tahoes I found were ridiculously priced. The price and the folding 3rd row sold me on the Expy.

But that's just one man's opinion.

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thatguy

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Buying a 5.4l expedition is about the same as a 2500 suburban..... a1500 suburban couldn't come close to a 5.4l Expedition....... that being said.... I would not give a plugged nickle for a 4.6l expedition atleast not in the first gens...... had 2 of them and my 91 2500 suburban was the better rig. Fast forward to now I have a 2001 2500 suburban and a 99 expedition eddie bauer to replace the wife's 99 navigator and the expededition is the better rig albiet more difficult to work on.
 

BIGRED03

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There is one big thing I miss from my Suburbans of past. That was the "Dutch Doors" on the rear. They were the absolute best for loading the rear cargo area. The Excursion came close with a half dutch door with a lift gate rear window.
 

tojohnso

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BigRed - those double dutch doors bug the crap out of me. Driving down the road with the pillar down the middle of the window sucks. At least to me. Why do you think the double doors are better for loading? I can't say I've ever had a problem loading with the lift gate.
 

powell

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We also just switched. We had a 2004 Suburban and now own a 2010 EL XLT. We really love a lot about the Ford.

The biggest thing we miss is the dual climate a/c control from the Chevy. Being able to set my a/c temp separate from my wife's side of the cabin was really nice on the Chevy. I swear that single feature alone has probably saved a few marriages.

Anyway, other than that it's just small things that are different, but we really like the Expedition so far.



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powell

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Really? We have separate front and rear, but not separate left and right.


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RI-Matt

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Really? We have separate front and rear, but not separate left and right.


Do you have the digital display climate control or the manual adjust ? If you have the digital one then it has the ability to adjust driver and passenger as well as front and rear.



Matt
 

GAINMOB

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That's why...digital is the only one with that capability...

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adkhunter

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We also just switched. We had a 2004 Suburban and now own a 2010 EL XLT. We really love a lot about the Ford.

The biggest thing we miss is the dual climate a/c control from the Chevy. Being able to set my a/c temp separate from my wife's side of the cabin was really nice on the Chevy. I swear that single feature alone has probably saved a few marriages.

Anyway, other than that it's just small things that are different, but we really like the Expedition so far.



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Yep the others above are right. I just purchased a 2010 Expy Limited and I have the dual zone up front. Ours is digital like the others said.

That being said we looked at other models and brands before settling on the expedition. I will say that I didn't put much thought into the GMs. Im not a GM fan at all. But I did look at least lol. Ford is way farther ahead in the technology department that's for sure! The value is better with the expeditions by far. Your getting more for your dollar. So far we love our Expy and hope to enjoy it for years to come!
 
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