Unless those vehicles had massive redesigns which somehow incorporated extra space from Dirk Gently's staircase I don't see how you're planning on child car seats (plural) and still maintain easy access to the third row.

But I haven't tried it. If I were you, I would. Try it. Take your car seats to a dealer and buckle them properly into an Expedition and a Tahoe, then get into and out of the third row. Better yet, if Grandma is expected to get back there, bring her along and make her get in and out.

Sounds like a minivan to me.

Lord why not ask......
9mm or .45
Ginger or Maryanne
AR or AK
Christian or Muslim.

I prefer the Chevy. I like the engines more and feel they are easier to maintain.

The reality is........pick the one optioned the way you like at the best price and call it a day. They both have plenty of pros and plenty of cons that can be argued from either side yet both are damn good vehicles in their modern form.

.....and Maryanne all day and twice on Sunday.

Ive had good luck with Chevy. Had a 97 suburban that went 200k with only a head gasket job. Currently drive a 98 K1500, 187k. Wife drive a Honda minivan that was nothing but problems, one after the other.

Still wanted three rows, but 4wd. Went shopping, came home with this. 2016 Sequioa. Third row is small, but usable and folds flat for cargo space. My dad and brother have Sequioas with 200k. Dad got a new Tundra. Brother got a new Tundra. We're all Toyota fanboys now.

I have no experience with either vehicle you are looking at, but with three kids and only 4 years separating the oldest and youngest, I have car seat experience.

Our first vehicle was a new 2006 Nissan Armada which was the same size as the Expedition at the time. I pulled out the middle seat in the second row so the oldest could crawl back to the third row seat while we had car seats installed for the younger two in each remaining second row seats. It helped that the oldest could buckle himself into his forward facing car seat we had installed back there. Cargo space was at a premium, so I bought a Yakima Skybox for the roof rack.

As the kids got older, we put a second forward facing car seat in the third row and my wife would sit in the second row with the youngest. I was easier to mamage drinks, snacks, etc. with her back there on long trips.

We did this for six years, then we bought a new 2012 Honda Odyssey. It had more cargo space so we didn't need the Skybox anymore. With the Armada, even though the kids were older and we weren't traveling with a portable crib and pack-n-play, we still needed the Skybox.

You haven't detailed how many people, ages, types of car seats, etc. My recommendation is to take all your stuff you plan on loading into your new vehicle and actually load up each vehicle you are comsidering. Whichever vehicle accomplishes this the best is the one I'd buy. The Ford and Chevy will have similar reliability.

I'd also really recommend, as others have, you run the numbers on new, last years model, vehicles against used vehicles. The last three vehicles I bought were new because the incentives and deals made them better values than lightly used vehicles. All three were one model year old.

Does she really want/need the large version? The mid-size might work.

We have an 07 Expedition El with the 5.4L. We actually just got done replacing the motor in ours at 97k. This is not typical, however we got a poor example and the previous owner did not properly maintain it. Shortly after we purchased it with 72k it began to show signs of the cam phasers going. We then recently started having issues with the top end making a nasty noise periodically. We opted to have the motor replaced vs doing a top end rebuild.

While all that may and should deter me from getting another in the future I honestly wouldn't consider looking at anything but another Expedition. We love ours and are very satisfied with it even considering the motor replacement. As far as the 3rd row seating we have captain chairs and then the bench for the rear. While I don't sit back there I've jumped back there a few times just to see how it feels and am pleasantly surprised at the room it has (6'1" 230lbs). We've gone out with 6 adults in the past and everyone has always been comfortable back there. Also I don't believe there is a difference in seating space between the El vs standard and the same goes for the Tahoe vs Suburban. The extra space is all in the cargo area.

I am on my sixth or seventh Tahoe/Suburban from over the years. We've had both Tahoe/Suburban and Expeditions at work. SWAT currently has an unmarked Expedition that I spend a lot of time in.
Between driving the two, I would give the nod to the Tahoe. My personal vehicle is an '02 with 215k on it. And every time I think about buying a new one, it keeps trucking along. I think I am going to just drive it till the wheels fall off. Threads pop up from time to time about when it is time to get rid of a used vehicle, and I don't think I am there yet. Maybe in another 100k.

The new Tahoes that we have at work have been driven pretty hard and they keep on ticking.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
Lord why not ask......
9mm or .45
Ginger or Maryanne
AR or AK
Christian or Muslim.

......


.....and Maryanne all day and twice on Sunday.

Yeah, you're right...Probably one of those questions for the ages!

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
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

Buying new is certainly attractive and, you're right, they are making crazy deals on new 2017s right now!

I called one dealer checking on a used Expedition and, between the $7k rebate and some generous dealing, a new one is $41k. Not bad for a new vehicle. Still, arguably, out of our budget.

I didn't know this but they're doing auto loans out to 84 months now! Simply nuts!

quote:

Originally posted by sjames:

quote:

Originally posted by jimmy123x:
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

Buying new is certainly attractive and, you're right, they are making crazy deals on new 2017s right now!

I called one dealer checking on a used Expedition and, between the $7k rebate and some generous dealing, a new one is $41k. Not bad for a new vehicle. Still, arguably, out of our budget.

I didn't know this but they're doing auto loans out to 84 months now! Simply nuts!

It might be best to go that route (new) and finance out to 84 months, for the first 36k miles you know you will have zero out of pocket expenses besides very very minimal maintenance.....all wear items are new and everything is under warranty....so no oooopppsie moments. If not, check out off lease only's site they have 16's and 15's in the high $20's/low $30's.

Easy decision . . .the Ford with the V8.

My F-150 has the 5.4L v8 and is almost to 260k miles.
No major issues except an alternator, a water pump, an exhaust manifold, and some spark plugs.
One of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned.
(Probably a close 2nd to the Toyota Camry).

Well, barring changing my mind over the weekend, I'm planning on picking up a new 2017 Expedition.

I've talked to a couple of dealerships and they are willing to deal.

The final deal isn't done yet but, all told, I expect to ink a deal on Monday for $38k before trade/downpayment. MSRP was $50k.

Thanks for the feedback!

quote:

Originally posted by sjames:
Well, barring changing my mind over the weekend, I'm planning on picking up a new 2017 Expedition.

I've talked to a couple of dealerships and they are willing to deal.

The final deal isn't done yet but, all told, I expect to ink a deal on Monday for $38k before trade/downpayment. MSRP was $50k.

Thanks for the feedback!

Sounds like a deal. Post pictures or it didn't happen. You will be pleased with the ecobeast. It is a really fine motor.

A big ticket item for sure. Make sure you factor in the cost of Ins. and interest to the deal. They are not insignificant.

I assume V8 and 4wd. Would like to know more details

Another dealer offered even a better deal than the first I was dealing with.

Here's our new 2017 Expedition:




When I test drove it, there were 21 miles on the odometer. Sticker inside the door says it was made in April.

Opted for the Ford extended warranty over the life of the loan.

We're pleased.

Congrats.....that's a nice looking truck!