Toyota Sequoia vs. Ford Expedition EL?

[chocolatemint]

Hi all! We're about to buy a used vehicle for our family, and I was wondering if you could help me weigh the pros and cons of these two choices.

I love the quality of the Toyota (we currently have a Toyota we purchased new and it's been the best car I've ever owned), but I wonder if it's smarter to go with the additional space that the Expy EL will offer.

We have enough kids to nearly fill either one, and will have a double stroller in the back a few times a week. I'll be taking the kids to several activities a week. Most are close but one trip will be about 45 mins ea way.

I limit my grocery trips so I do buy a *lot* when I go, but I don't bring all the kids with me.

We drive to our vacations (8 - 20 hour trips), but those are only 2x or 3x a yr.

Thoughts? Especially from those with a more-than-average-number-of-children who have owned either. Thanks!

 

[luvmy3]

Pro- one is a Toyota
Con- one is a Ford

 

[chocolatemint]

Pro- one is a Toyota
Con- one is a Ford

LOL, true!

 

[luvmy3]

LOL, true!

I can't comment specifically on those models, but I've owned 2 Fords, and I will never own another. I just bought a Toyota and I love it but I've had it under a month so I cant compare with my Fords (and hopefully I won't have too!)

This site was helpful when I was deciding between certain cars. It lists the known service bulletins for model and year.
http://www.carproblemzoo.com/tsb/

 

[tvguy]

Both good choices.
Toyota quality has slipped in recent years, while Fords has improved, these days other than Fiat , Chrysler/Dodge and Mercedes, the quality difference between brands is slim.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

If you can fill most of the seats, you definitely are going to need space for "stuff" too. So, you could go with the EL or a Suburban/Yukon XL. Or, you could go with the smaller one and then you would need to look into:

A) roof racks
B) hitch hauler
C) a small cargo trailer
D) all of the above

Note: you may need these even with the bigger vehicle.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Both good choices.
Toyota quality has slipped in recent years, while Fords has improved, these days other than Fiat , Chrysler/Dodge and Mercedes, the quality difference between brands is slim.

True. The Tundra currently has the highest overall ownership cost of any pickup. And of course, the Sequoia is based on the Tundra pickup.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Comparing Toyota to Ford is like comparing Disney to a ghetto.

Buy the Toyota and don't look back.

 

[mlulrich]

Have you considered a Suburban? We've had ours for almost 4 years and have been totally pleased with it. 2 adults, four growing boys and all of our stuff fit great!

 

[southlakejr]

I'm not familiar with the Toyota, so I won't speak to that. But, for all the bad reputation Ford seems to have, my dad and my stepmom are on their third Expedition. The first was traded in when it hit 175k miles. The second was totaled in a wreck when they were rear ended by a delivery truck. It broke the rear axle, but no one was injured in the accident.

They haven't had any mechanical issues with any of theirs, other than the normal wear and tear. The gas mileage is brutal, but that seems to be the only complaint. We've borrowed it before, for a 7 hour (each way) drive with six adults (plus gear for a weekend) and were perfectly comfortable. It's a nice ride, and a lot of room.

Perhaps the best advertisement I can give is this: My dad's other car is a fully loaded BMW 7 series that's just a few years old. He still drives the Expedition most of the time.

 

[manning]

If you can wait and afford it the Expedition is slated to get the V6 ecoboost in 2014. Good mileage and great horsepower and torque.

This engine is in the Ford F-150 and people are loving it.

 

[tvguy]

Comparing Toyota to Ford is like comparing Disney to a ghetto.

Buy the Toyota and don't look back.

Based on Gumbo4x4's post, I think you got that backwards.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Based on Gumbo4x4's post, I think you got that backwards.

I'm thinking perhaps someone from Georgetown, KY is possibly a tad biased

 

[luvmy3]

I'm thinking perhaps someone from Georgetown, KY is possibly a tad biased

We are all going to be biased in our opinions. I have owned 2 Fords and had hosts of problems, some major some minor. I also have a family member who works for a Ford dealership in the service dept so I have heard enough from them to know that Fords are no longer an option for us. I would never recommend a Ford to anyone, however I would just recommend that they do their own research and try to get all the info they can on whatever kind of car they are considering.

 

[lvillotta1]

Toyota all the way. Like another PP mentioned. Toyota WDW Ford ghetto.

 

[Fab4@disney]

We purchased a 2008 Ford Expedition brand new and drove it for 50,000 with NO PROBLEMS! This was my favorite vehicle I have ever owned out of 20+cars we have had. I traded it in last year on a new Honda Odyssey and I am still kicking myself for getting rid of it I can't say enough about what a great truck this was.
We actually have had Toyota's and didn't care for the quality. Everyone has their preferences but for us it will be another Ford next time! Good luck with your purchase!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

We are all going to be biased in our opinions.

Of course. That said the bias that comes from living in a town where Toyota is the largest employer is a different kind of bias than what most of us have.

 

[luvmy3]

Of course. That said the bias that comes from living in a town where Toyota is the largest employer is a different kind of bias than what most of us have.

Bias is bias, doesn't matter why

 

[chocolatemint]

I admit I'm biased -- having worked for more than one of the Big Three, I'm actually prone to be biased against them. However, I realize that there are always exceptions to every rule and that anecdotal evidence is just anecdotal.

However, I really am trying to decide whether I will regret not having the extra space that the Expy provides. The automatic fold-flat seats are a plus, too, but honestly I doubt I'll use them much. If anyone has this feature I'd love to know if it's a huge benefit for you.

Do those of you with kids and a Suburban, Yukon XL, or Expy EL use the trunk a lot just for "stuff"? Do you fill it up?

 

[Anne34]

I have had two Suburbans (one 8 yrs & one 9 years). No problems with them, just wanted to upgrade at that time. I'm now driving a Tahoe due to one in college & one leaving this year. We decided to downsize. What a mistake. I LOVED having the back of the suburban to strollers, bags, etc and still have room to space out three kids and all the stuff. We now have a carrier for the trailer hitch when we go away for long weekends when all the kids are home. What a pain! Gas mileage is the same for Tahoe/suburban. We haven't had an major problems with either vehicle and they were both over 100,000 miles.

My BIL has an expedition and he likes it, but his 3 are still small so when they travel, all three are across the middle seat and the 3rd row is flat for all their stuff.