Long story short, we're in the market for a slightly used SUV. 30,000 miles or so.

Primary concern is finding a trouble-free vehicle for the wife...that we can afford! Most practical consideration in the new vehicle is 2nd row bench seats so someone can get to the back seat with car seats installed in that 2nd row.

We plan to purchase a extended service warranty with the vehicle, from the manufacturer.


Ford Expedition?
--V8 or newer Ecoboost 6?


Chevy Tahoe?



Other suggestions?

I'm a Ford guy, so....

Either will work, both have good reputations and plenty of them on the market, whichever vehicle has the setup you like for the best money the differences overall as it relates to utility, ride, longevity, repairs are negligible.

quote:

Originally posted by sjames:
Long story short, we're in the market for a slightly used SUV. 30,000 miles or so.

Primary concern is finding a trouble-free vehicle for the wife...that we can afford! Most practical consideration in the new vehicle is 2nd row bench seats so someone can get to the back seat with car seats installed in that 2nd row.

We plan to purchase a extended service warranty with the vehicle, from the manufacturer.


Ford Expedition?
--V8 or newer Ecoboost 6?


Chevy Tahoe?



Other suggestions?

what year tahoe are you looking at? the new explorers and expeditions are REALLY nice, but crazy pricey. I like the ecoboost motor... hell, if it's good enough for the new ford GT, it's good enough for me

some other nice SUV's are the newer 4runner, but may be too small for your needs. the Sequoia is nice too, and priced similarly to the explorer.

If it's slightly used, the Expedition will have the Ecoboost V-6. Both are good vehicles. Not sure what your budget is, but 2018 is a total redesign on the Expedition. There may be some deals and rebates on the 2017 models to clear them off the lot. It really comes down to personal preference.

I've owned several Tahoes over the years and I've had good luck with them.
Having said that, I don't have a newer one, so I would agree with the "drive both and then decide" approach.

quote:

some other nice SUV's are the newer 4runner

I rented a 2017 4runner for a week and enjoyed that too.

I've had a couple Tahoes and my business partner has an Expedition.

First the Tahoe. Both were extremely reliable and I drove them to 280K miles and neither had any major mechanical issues other than rebuilding the trans at about 170K. Would not hesitate to by another one.

The Ford. My business partners has been extremely reliable with close to 200K. His model is the V8. The V8 should be more reliable over time compared to the Ecoboost due to a much simpler design with no turbos. If you are looking to keep long term, I would look more towards a V8.

IMO either vehicle should be a good reliable ride. Go with what you like better.

^^^^^^^

I have been more of a Chevy guy. But nothing this new. I would be more prone to go Ford and V8 vs eb.
No basis really so I too, would drive and check quality etc. Good luck.

Thanks for the comments. I know they are anecdotal but helpful none the less.

It seems like both those models are pretty reliable but, I'm sure, the V8 would be better in the long run than the Ecoboost.

Keep the thoughts coming, please.

My experience is that:

The 3rd row seats in a vehicle that size are usable only by ittybitty people who don't feel pain the way you and I do,

And that a 2nd row with captains chairs (instead of a bench) will offer much better access to the third row seats.

We always removed the third row seat to gain cargo room, which is inadequate if you are hauling the amount of luggage and assorted crap needed by 6 people (like you'd be carrying if you use three rows of seats).

You probably need to look at a Suburban or a minivan (with ugly-ass wheels).

Tahoe for me. I've just had too much good luck with Chevrolet trucks. On my 5th one now and all have been crazy reliable and held value well.

The third row on the Expedition is a waste unless you have little kids that will use it. We had one for a couple years. It was nice as it was high enough off the ground but the third row was useless for us. It is hard to get back there and has very little leg room. The Tahoe is the same way. My neighbor has one and the third row is the same. They don't use it at all so it works good for them.


We eventually got a minivan, as much as I thought I wouldn't like it, I actually do. It has the stow and go rear seats,the second row has captains chairs,sliding doors on the sides, (making it much easier for little ones and having access to them) and if I need to get some large items, it is like having a covered truck with an eight foot bed(don't even have to take out the chairs). It rides nice and the third row is just like the others-lots of head space,leg room and easier to get into. Just my 2 cents.

If you decide to get the Tahoe or Expedition, make sure it has a/c vents that go to the rear. We bought our first model years ago from a dealer and we bought it sight unseen, as they did not have any in stock at the time. That was a HUGE mistake. I didn't realize rear a/c vents were even an option and thought it was standard.

Buy the Expedition and Send it to me!!!!

The third row seats in a Tahoe are practically useless, a five year old barely has enough leg room. The expeditions 3rd row isn't great but it's far more useful than the Tahoe's.

The idea that the Ecoboost will have less long-term reliability is flawed - may I remind you that all big rigs are turbocharged? If the engine is designed correctly (proper oiling, piston design etc) then it will be no less reliable.

I have a 2016 Expedition Limited EL or extended length. Second row bucket seats and third row bench. Has the 3.5 Eco Boost twin turbo. So far I love this thing. It's a beast and the wife don't like to drive it. She says it's too big. But she will drive our 30 foot motor home. Go figure.

I was a little worried about 3.5 litre v6 in a vehicle that large and thought it would be under powered. Not a chance! Lots of power. A friend of my sons has one in a E350 pickup. They tow a 29 foot trailer with 4 snowmobiles out to Montana every winter twice a year and no problems.

The Synch 3 system is awesome. Comfortable on long road trips and tons of cargo space. Will work great when my buddies and I take our ice fishing trips in the winter with all our gear.

Another biased vote for the Expedition.

Expedition. Avoid the ecoboost and you will have a very simple vehicle that will last practically forever.

I have had 4 new expeditions in a row, a 2000, 2003, 2005 and now a 2008. I have 94k miles on the 2008, overall it has been a very good vehicle and still is very tight with almost no issues..... I had to replace 1 starter, heater core hoses, and 1 a/c blower motor. The third row seat is usable by adults up to say 5'8 comfortably. I keep mine folded flat into the floor at almost all times for more cargo area. I have the 5.4L v8, but the new ecoboost has a lot more power......a little better gas mileage (10%). There is a new body style in 2018 and I will probably trade up then.

Honestly I would buy a brand new one. Ford is offering incredible incentives on the 2017's right now. There's a $7000 rebate plus another $1000 if you're current/retired military or first responders and excellent financing.....by the time you add in the higher interest rate, plus extended warranty and at 30k miles you're around the corner from replacing brakes and tires.....and with the new vehicle all of your wear items are new and you have a full warranty.....should also be able to get the vehicle at invoice, most dealers have been pushing them very hard to make room for the 2018's. $7k or more below sticker +$7k rebate....so $14-15k off of sticker...........Get the EL if you want more cargo area.....

Then again here's a site (dealer) that has a good reputation and has used 2016's/2017's in the high $20s/low $30s
http://www.offleaseonly.com/used-ford-expedition.htm

The Tahoe and the Expedition both have small 3rd row seats, if that's a selling point I'd look at a Suburban.

quote:

Originally posted by Surefire:
The idea that the Ecoboost will have less long-term reliability is flawed - may I remind you that all big rigs are turbocharged? If the engine is designed correctly (proper oiling, piston design etc) then it will be no less reliable.

My buddy has a 2011 ecoboost with 200k miles. Hasn't given him any reason to worry yet. Much less problems than his previous 5.4 Liter v8. I have the ecoboost in my 2012 ecoboost and it has been flawless through 34k miles. I love the ecoboost and even though I used to be a GM person, the ford motors are better in the ecoboost line. The pull like a freight train too.