My family's transportation needs have changed over the years. The needs now include:

1. A vehicle that everyone can get into and out of easily.
2. A vehicle that I can load up with huge amounts of vacation stuff.
3. A vehicle that will pull whatever I want (ie I needed V8 power).

I knew I was going to have to get rid of my Nissan Titan and look into the large SUV category. I loved my Nissan, but it didn't fit the first of my required needs. My dad couldn't get in and out easily.

We narrowed our search down to the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, Chevy Suburban and Dodge Durango. I won't lie to you price was my major concern. We looked shortly at the medium sized SUVs but for the money we decided full sized was the better value.

What struck my about the Ford was its clean cut good looks. I love that big chrome grill that says, "Get out of my way!" My Expedition has the molded plastic panel guards around the bottom. Some may turn their nose up at these but if you've ever had your heart broken when discovering you've got a huge chip in your paint from a rock. You'll learn to love these things. I have and I learned real fast. I love it! No more dings and chips in the paint. My expedition came with side steps that are stylish and sturdy. They blend well and don't stick out like a sore thumb like after market tube steps do.

Inside the vehicle all is the real beauty of this machine. The seats are large and roomy. There is enough room for everyone in my family to relax and enjoy themselves. The dash is laid out nicely with white faced gauges. The fuel gauge should be white faced too because sometimes the light catches it and you can't really read the guage. Maybe its just me but sometimes I have to turn my head to see how much gas I've got. All the typical amenities (power windows, locks, driver seat) trip computer, power mirrors. We got the optional audiophile stereo and bose speaker package. (I was never so let down by a stereo than by the one in my Nissan Titan). Let me tell you.. This stereo rocks! 6 disc changer, Sirrius Sat, AM/FM, MP3 player adapter and enough AUX connections available to hook up most anything. Everything else about the front of the vehicle is laid out nicely. Nothing spectacular. The gauges light up nicely. The fit and finish of the front is great. I don't care for the mix in textures on the dash. It goes from smooth on the front of the dash to a coarse texture on the top of the dash (lint and dust trapper!!!). It does have a nice tray built in to hold your GPS etc. The over head console has a flip down conversation mirror which is nice to keep an eye on what the kids are really doing. Sunglass holders and map lights are also built in.

The middle row seats can fold down and flat with the back yielding a gigantic cargo space. They also fold down and flip up to permit access to the 3rd row seats. Back seat passengers have controls for the rear AC and can listen to the radio/CD/SAT or MP3 player via headphones.

We opted to get 3rd row seating in our Expedition. It comes in handy too. The medium SUVs that offered 3rd row seating just weren't practical for human beings to comfortable sit w/o their knees being up around their chin. Not the case with the Expedition. We found that our entire family used it to shuttle people during vacation gatherings because everyone could sit comfortably. Short of a mini-van that's pretty darn good! To eliminate the drudgery of folding the 3rd row we opted for the power fold option. The Expedition has a 60/40 split 3rd row allowing you to fold each side independently if needed. I must say that's handier than the handle on an outhouse door!

As far as power goes. The Expedition can tow 9100lbs. Its not as "peppy" as my Titan was. But it is a lot bigger and heavier too. Not to say the Expedition is a slug. It rides super comfortable. The transmission shifts smoothly. Our Expedition is 4x4 and has an auto 4x4 mode that shifts when necessary. We tried it out and the transition is seamless. On our test we pointed our Expedition up a private dirt road (path...) up to a family cemetery. We never touched a thing inside and the Expedition climbed up the twisted road like it was effortless. Why we did this I don't know. It was a road I should have taken my Jeep Cherokee up instead. But I must say I'm pleased with the Expedition's offroad ability now. Anyway, the other modes are the traditional 4hi, 4lo and neutral.

Over all when I stop to think about buying the Expedition I'm pleased. I will admit I had some experience with the expedition when it first came out. I wasn't impressed. They were so squirrely I thought they were a death trap. But the 2007 has been totally redesigned an has a totally different stance than earlier models. The highway ride is Smoooooooth and handling is great for a large vehicle. The turning radius is also impressive. For such a big vehicle it doesn't take that much space to turn it around. Oh and I used to laugh at people who had the backup alarm(sensor). Now I have one and I must say that is impressive. It has saved me a time or two. The alert is soft and provides a gentle reminder that beeps progressively faster as you get closer to something. It can also be turned off when backing up a trailer.

The first thing people say is wow I bet your wallet hurts when you go to the gas station. And honestly I can't complain too much. I have a 300hp V8 and I get 15 - 19mpg avg. I have gotten as high as 21mpg on long trips. I had a Nissan Titan (I got 13-17mpg) so I actually showed a slight improvement. While it is no Toyota Prius. It doesn't do that badly.

So far we are pleased as punch with our Expedition. Our options and features are: XLT, power windows, locks, mirrors, drivers seat, AM/FM/CD/MP3/SAT with premium sound, tilt, cruise, AC front and rear, 6speed trans, 4x4, 3rd row power fold flat seating, side steps, tow package, fog lights, backup alarm, safety canopy option.

Would I buy this vehicle again. Yes, without hesitation.
Amount Paid (US$): 35000.00
Condition: New
Model Year: 2007
Model and Options: XLT