Help us decide which Excursion to buy

[nkjzmom]

We are trying to decide between two Excursions....both are within our budget (one would save us about $3000), so I'll list the differences and you guys give us your opinions. Keep in mind that when the baby is born we will have 7 people in this family!!!!

First one is an Eddie Bauer version (that really doesn't matter to us), is fully loaded with TV/DVD player, leather seats, heated seats, the electronic pedal mover, and a fancy stereo system. I'm leaving out alot of specifics I'm sure, but if it's available this SUV has got it. And it's white, which I'm not sure I like. Will this retain it's value better than a regular one?

Second one has cloth seats, none of the fancy stereo system or TV, BUT has a bench seat in the front which allows us 9 passengers. And it's red, which I prefer to the white.

Our hangup is that we really want leather seats AND 9 passengers. The leather holds up so much better than cloth. Our van has a TV in it now but we've decided that's not an issue with us...we could live without it or put one in later.

If you have an Excursion, let us know what you think about yours.

 

[scrappinMickey]

We have the 2004 4x4 Diesel (black, very hard to keep clean), it has all the extras on it and we absolutely love it!! We have 6 and it seats 7. We wanted the extra leg room in the middle too, so we got the 4 bucket seats and not the bench seats. Leather, I think, is a must with lots of children.

Also, I had a white van before this Excursion and white doesn't show dirt as much as black does!!! Not sure how the red will be!
Entertainment system was a must for us, b/c we usually drive on vacations and it keeps them entertained. You will be happy with either one, it really just boils down to personal preferrence!!!

Good Luck!!!!

 

[Snoozan's twin]

Oh why would you buy one of those beasts???? Don't you care about our environment and natural resources??? There has to be a better alternative to that creature - it is such a gas hog!!!

 

[hawke]

Originally posted by Snoozan's twin
Oh why would you buy one of those beasts???? Don't you care about our environment and natural resources??? There has to be a better alternative to that creature - it is such a gas hog!!!

it's more environmentally friendly than having to drive two cars, which is what they'd have to do, with so many in the family

 

[ToyStory Fan]

Originally posted by Snoozan's twin
Oh why would you buy one of those beasts???? Don't you care about our environment and natural resources??? There has to be a better alternative to that creature - it is such a gas hog!!!

With 7 people in the family they aren't left with much choice. Instead of inflicting that poor escuse for a conservationist attitude why not offer up some alternative if you are so concerned about the environment. How about a pair of really small cars that put out mor smog emissions than the Excursion does, would that make you feel better??? The Excursion is not that bad and if you get the diesel it is a little bit better.

 

[SeaSpray]

I've been on the Cruise Boards too much lately; my first thought was an excursion for a cruise

 

[mudnuri]

I think you ought to buy a Suburban or Yukon XL, but thats because GM makes them LOL

Brandy

 

[UncleKyle]

I was wondering when I saw this thread earlier today when someone would start in on the environmental wacko stuff.

As for which one to buy I'd go for the red one with the 9 seats. While leather is a huge plus you'll probably be better off with the extra room and comfort. Now if it were me I'd go with the white one with all the features but thats because I'm a gadget guy and I like my toys.

 

[scrappinMickey]

I still LOVE, LOVE my Diesel Excursion! But it is technically my dh!! When he decides to sell his truck we are getting me a Suburban!!

I have 4 ds's and they are all tall and we need the room, cars just won't do for us! Plus, my guys fish A LOT and we needed the towing capacity! You know, things are bigger in Texas!

To each his own!

 

[AZKathy]

I would go for the one with the entertainment system<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_1_112.gif' border=0></a> in it for the kids to be entertained while travelling.

I am sorry someone had to say such a negative thing in this post. Someone has to make a comment like that without a proper alternative. Shame!<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_2_109.gif' border=0></a>

Sometimes two vehicles are not a good alternative. Even if you do that, you still would have to get at least a minivan to take all the children out with a single parent if that group needs to go some place like the grocery store. So, a minivan and a small car extra could maybe contribute to as much as one Excursion? Even if they don't it is still hard to separate the families for trips. That would leave both parents driving and no parent available to intervene in squabbles<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_9_134.gif' border=0></a> unless it is the driver, therefore making sometimes an unsafe situation. You don't have many other alternatives, huh?

Go with your Excursion and happy driving with your family!!!!!!

 

[gymnasticsmom68]

I'd say get the white with the TV and all the gadgets. The only thing I would be concerned about is that they are discontinuing them.

 

[scrappinMickey]

The "discontinue" thing is not for sure. Know a ton have been sold around here since that rumor went out. The dealer here said it wasn't true. '03 were supposed to be the last ones made and we have the '04, but you never know could happen next year.


Found an article somewhere that said it wasn't going to happen, can't remember where though. Have to look again.

 

[Banshee]

The discontinue thing came about because they just didnt seem to hook with consumer's It was too expensive of a vehicle to produce if it was not going to sell (there was no mechanicle reason for them to stop producing) One example of a stop production of a vehicle is the Lincoln Blackwood it was extremely expensive to produce and no one was buying it only 500 were made! One thing I will say is DIESEL DIESEL DIESEL!!! Unless you own an oil field you will be going broke just to put gas in it a V-10 is a BIG engine and the EXCURSION is a BIG boy and it likes it's gas!!We had previously owned a F-450 with a gas engine (duh) for pulling our 8 horse trailer we literally only used it when we were going to a show because it was such a gas hog. You could be driving down the road and visibly see the needle going down!! It was not feasible as our costumer's pay us to ship their horses we couldnt jack up the shipping rates. Withing 6 month's we traded it in on a Diesel F-450. We can drive from Jersey to Texas and not have to stop for a fill-up!! We stop when we get there!! Diesel engines will last way longer than any gas engine. Less maintenance with a diesel engine also.

 

[Banshee]

Originally posted by Snoozan's twin
Oh why would you buy one of those beasts???? Don't you care about our environment and natural resources??? There has to be a better alternative to that creature - it is such a gas hog!!!

Any vehicle that a family of seven would need will be a gas hog!! At least with an excursion you have the option to get a diesel engine which is NOT a fuel hog!

 

[battricia]

If you have concern with colors, i'd say go for the white one. Lighter colored cars are a lot less noticible when they're dirty than red or a darker color. Otherwise I don't really know about any of the options, etc.


tricia.

 

[nkjzmom]

Thanks for all of your opinions. I assume that snoozan's twin's next thought would be why oh why would I have so many children if I really cared about the environment and natural resources.....my thought is I love my family and my choices and it's too bad that there aren't better options for larger families. We wouldn't mind spending a little more money for something a little more environmentally friendly.

Other than the Excursions, we have checked into the Suburbans/Yukons (just too small for us) and also the larger passenger vans that can be customized. Right now we are leaning towards the white 8 passenger Excursion with all the bells and whistles. We'll see what tomorrow brings. I also haven't been able to find much info about the safety of these big SUVs.

Thanks again!!!

 

[nkjzmom]

I just wanted to add that we have a 1999 Nissan Quest to trade in. I am heart-broken to have to give up my van....it's been the best vehicle I've ever driven. The new ones are very, very nice....but just don't offer the space we need.

 

[TIGGERSMOM]

I would go with the white with leather. Easier to wash the outside than the inside. Cloth seats and 7 family members.

I had 1 little boy and nieces and nephews and lots of chocolate, tonic and misc. stains.

 

[4greatboys]

I would go with the one that had the seating that you wanted--and the color. There are lots of places that you can add in the entertainment system--so you could still get that also.

 

[tiggereyore]

After what We've been through this week with a FORD I'm running as fast as I can toward the GM dealer. Our F350 has 19,000 miles on it and has been well cared for (as work trucks go) It has spent the entire week at the dealer having a new oil pan put in. 30 hours of labor that's $1950 never mind
parts. The real kick in the butt is that it's the same part not new and improved going back in. This truck is going to be traded asap (of finacilally possible). I don't want to be in this position in 3-4 more yrs.
Goog luck and if you decide on FORD watch that oil pan.