Expedition or Sequoia? (or GMC) Advice?

[mattrickman]

Diesel Excursion. : )

 

[Martinjmpr]

There's also about a $1200 diff in price for no substantive reason between the Chevy and GMC brandings of the same vehicles. Go GMC and stretch your dollar, if the branding / grill styling doesn't matter to you.

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For no particular reason, we like the Yukon XL better than suburbans, so that's good for me!

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Well...as long as you make sure you're comparing apples to apples, i.e. 5.3 V8 to 5.3.
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Some of the GMC's (Denali models, not sure if it was only the Denalis) had the 6.0 with AWD and a single speed T-case. Over on one of the forums it was described as "an Escalade without the ugly grille."
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So if you want the GMC that is identical to the Suburban/Tahoe, you have to make sure it has the 5.3. Easiest way to do that is to look at the 4wd control next to the steering wheel. If it has it, it has the 5.3, if that panel is blank it's either a 2wd or it's a 6.0 with AWD.

 

[Ivan]

I do a lot of my excursions with my friend who has a 2000 Ford Expedition. His main complaints about the Expedition are lack of power, squeaks, rattles, no interior room, and no interior flexibility. As well as, he's also had a lot more knick knacky stuff fail including some major items which could have potentially left him stranded if they didn't happen close to his home. I have a 2nd gen Sequoia so can't compare exactly to the 1st gen Sequoia. That said, he just bought a 2nd gen Sequoia though more to fit his family of 6 than anything else. He has commented that he loves the extra power of the Sequoia 5.7 and his kids love the comfort and room.

Any chance you could get your friend to post more info/photosof his rig?

 

[drobb]

I have a 05 Sequoia Limited 4x4....it's great for a good size vehicle with Toyota reliability

 

[stom_m3]

Any chance you could get your friend to post more info/photosof his rig?

I'll ask. He's been meaning to do it. Root Moose asked for the same. I'll mention it to him again. He's definitely gone through a lot of trial and error on stuff. My thread has a lot more pictures of our off roading adventures.

 

[Ivan]

I'll ask. He's been meaning to do it. Root Moose asked for the same. I'll mention it to him again. He's definitely gone through a lot of trial and error on stuff. My thread has a lot more pictures of our off roading adventures.

Yeah I rememberreading through your thread a few months back (awesome trip btw), and I think you made a comment about how he had less problems/issues over the same terrain. That comment, and the KISS look of his truck, has piqued my interest on his set up.

 

[mtm_motors]

My cousins had an early 2000s Eddie Bauer, drove that thing into the ground. They bought it new and put at least 250k on it, and they live on 10 miles of dirt in W Texas. Only issues I remember were when it was getting older the suspension started leaking, and they upgraded not too long after that started.

 

[Root Moose]

Ivan, this thread may interest you.

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f47/1st-gen-suspension-tuning-off-road-road-26249/

 

[Martinjmpr]

I just can't get past the looks of the 2nd gen Sequoia. I thought that the minivan was the ugliest thing I'd ever seen until I saw the new Sequoia. That thing is hideous.
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It's too bad, too, because the 1st gen Sequoia was a great looking vehicle. What's interesting is that I see LOTS of 1st gen Sequoia's running around but very few 2nd gen models. I know Sequoia's roll off the same assembly line as the Tundra and it seems like Toyota has really ramped up the Tundra production at the expense of the Sequoia, probably because the Tundra is a better money maker for them. By contrast, it almost seems as if Toyota is content to let Ford and Chevy/GMC "own" the "Full Size SUV" segment. They certainly don't seem to be doing much to challenge the "big dogs."

 

[toylandcruiser]

I just can't get past the looks of the 2nd gen Sequoia. I thought that the minivan was the ugliest thing I'd ever seen until I saw the new Sequoia. That thing is hideous.
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It's too bad, too, because the 1st gen Sequoia was a great looking vehicle. What's interesting is that I see LOTS of 1st gen Sequoia's running around but very few 2nd gen models. I know Sequoia's roll off the same assembly line as the Tundra and it seems like Toyota has really ramped up the Tundra production at the expense of the Sequoia, probably because the Tundra is a better money maker for them. By contrast, it almost seems as if Toyota is content to let Ford and Chevy/GMC "own" the "Full Size SUV" segment. They certainly don't seem to be doing much to challenge the "big dogs."

I think Toyota isn't interested in the new fads that are plaguing the big 3. It's a completion to have the most gears in the tranny they can. (I'm holding out for a 20 speed auto before I'll look at getting a new truck.) then throw in the magic fairy towing dust that the big 3 use. (Toyota was the first and only to utilize the new towing standards for years) The others just started using them. Not sure if gm is yet. Toyota builds a good product and they refuse to give into all the marketing hype used by the big 3 to sway people to purchase their product. Toyota relies on its reputation and once again building a good vehicle.


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[justcuz]

I just can't get past the looks of the 2nd gen Sequoia. I thought that the minivan was the ugliest thing I'd ever seen until I saw the new Sequoia. That thing is hideous.
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It's too bad, too, because the 1st gen Sequoia was a great looking vehicle. What's interesting is that I see LOTS of 1st gen Sequoia's running around but very few 2nd gen models. I know Sequoia's roll off the same assembly line as the Tundra and it seems like Toyota has really ramped up the Tundra production at the expense of the Sequoia, probably because the Tundra is a better money maker for them. By contrast, it almost seems as if Toyota is content to let Ford and Chevy/GMC "own" the "Full Size SUV" segment. They certainly don't seem to be doing much to challenge the "big dogs."

Martin,
Chevy, Ford and GMC have owned the entire SUV segment since its inception. Not only full size, but mid size as well.
If you check the sales figures you will see that all American SUVs have out sold any foriegn brand. I think it was stated best by one automotive writer that said "Lots of people drive foreign cars, but also have an American SUV in their garage to drive while their car is in the shop." It was written as a mild poke in the ribs to BMW, Mercedes and Jaguar owners and a sort of justification for BMW and Mercedes to bring out their own crossover type SUVs.
I believe the average American consumer in the SUV market feels that Ford and GM have had their finger on the pulse of the consumer better than the competition. They have the sales figures to prove it too. Second generation Tundra sales have really dropped off since the second generation was introduced, as have Expedition sales since the introduction of rear IFS. It seems the market has spoken. The days of manufacturers selling consumers what THEY think is good for them are long gone. Today's consumers are better educated and know what they want.
Lastly ALL full size SUV sales have been negatively impacted by the introduction of crossovers. This proves two things to me, first a lot of folks were buying full size SUVs that did not really need them and second we should have never stopped building the full size front engined station wagon. It's funny how the minivan killed the station wagon and the popularity of full sized SUVs, killed the minivan, now crossovers are killing full size SUVs. Soon we may be back to station wagons!

 

[calicamper]

I would also add that the CUV/SUV vehicles have become better built with more capability in the past couple of years also. No longer are they little boxy bodies slapped on Toyota Corrolla frames or Civic platforms, their are enough of them today sitting on fairly robust platforms like the Legacy, Honda Accord, Toyota Sienna/Camry platforms which are being built beefier to allow for additional models to be spun off the single platform. Like the Highlander, Subaru OB etc. Mercedes is finally getting smart and is getting ready to launch a nice SUV based on the Cclass platform which should be a nice little SUV with some decent light duty capability also.

I will say being a Subaru owner that the Legacy/Wagon Outback is about the lightest you can go for over landing / camping adventuring regarding load carrying ability etc. Our OB hauling a family of 4 plus a decent combination of camping gear is pretty much packed to the max and thats watching what we take with us ie trip specific gear vs just taking the standard kit each time etc. The Highlander has a higher load capacity its just a half step up from the OB regarding that aspect and I think its probably the better load hauling range for this type of use. I think the lightest CUV/SUV thing to go with today for a family of 4 that does a few trips a summer are the machines with 3500lb rated towing capacity. The OB is 2700-3000 with a tail wind on flat ground in sub 90 degree temps ;-) which is why I generally target to keep our trailer all up under 1400lbs on our trips.

Curious to see what Mercedes has done with the new GLC SUV based on the C class platform just for ideas as to what can be done with a really solid mid sized sedan platform built into a SUV. So far it sounds like it will set the standard for rear trunk space and could have a load carrying ability that starts to fit pretty well with the whole family of 4 type load needs without being a big machine. I'd guess it will at least have a 3500lb rating given the old funky GLK little thing had a 3500lb rating and seemed to be built like a brick **** house.

 

[unplannedbbq]

Our family of four (with two kids heading toward 6 foot in the next few years), plus dog & gear led us to the full size decision. I had planned on buying a "beater" '00 to '04 H6 Outback to drive for a few years, then use as a donor for engine into our Westy. That outback generation is simply too small for rear seat comfort now, let alone in a couple years.

We had a last-gen AWD CRV for a year, but that was a bit small & rode very poorly when loaded anywhere near GVWR. Wife and I agreed that the CRV was a nice two person car, but not a family hauler by any stretch of the imagination. Sold it to empty nesters for what I paid, so that was a cheap lesson for us.

My options:

some 1st gen expeditions lined up, all 5.4, 4wd, under 160K. Driver's seat is torn up in all of 'em (~$200 for matching replacement leather) I have a buddy with a new-old-stock supercharger for the 5.4 laying in his garage... also a couple "ugly" 100K mile 2nd gen expeditions are in the mix; going to see the difference in ride between the rear ends.

Sifting through suburbans and yukon XLs, avoiding 6.0l and the "escalade drive train" mileage for those local to me seems to be higher than the Fords... lots in the 150-200k range.

Having trouble finding any lower mile 1st gen sequoias w/ 4wd - lots in the high 200k or low 300k range.

Hoping to have something with my plate on it by early next week. Again, thanks to all for input and suggestions.

 

[calicamper]

Our family of four (with two kids heading toward 6 foot in the next few years), plus dog & gear led us to the full size decision. I had planned on buying a "beater" '00 to '04 H6 Outback to drive for a few years, then use as a donor for engine into our Westy. That outback generation is simply too small for rear seat comfort now, let alone in a couple years.

We had a last-gen AWD CRV for a year, but that was a bit small & rode very poorly when loaded anywhere near GVWR. Wife and I agreed that the CRV was a nice two person car, but not a family hauler by any stretch of the imagination. Sold it to empty nesters for what I paid, so that was a cheap lesson for us.

My options:

some 1st gen expeditions lined up, all 5.4, 4wd, under 160K. Driver's seat is torn up in all of 'em (~$200 for matching replacement leather) I have a buddy with a new-old-stock supercharger for the 5.4 laying in his garage... also a couple "ugly" 100K mile 2nd gen expeditions are in the mix; going to see the difference in ride between the rear ends.

Sifting through suburbans and yukon XLs, avoiding 6.0l and the "escalade drive train" mileage for those local to me seems to be higher than the Fords... lots in the 150-200k range.

Having trouble finding any lower mile 1st gen sequoias w/ 4wd - lots in the high 200k or low 300k range.

Hoping to have something with my plate on it by early next week. Again, thanks to all for input and suggestions.

We upgraded to the 2010 OB due to the back seat issue the 2010 and newer models have a huge back seat which was very much needed in the 09 and earlier models. We have two local grandparents that do travel with us on a regular basis the old Landcruiser was too tight to handle the seating for 6 so it was sold and replaced with the 07 Sequoia. The deep cut second row doors makes 3rd row access really easy compared to many of the other options where they seem to be putting skinny 2nd row doors on them like the GM products. I just don't get that?

My typical 6 seating set up is my oldest in the 3rd row with half the seat removed then three across the 2nd row and two up front. This gives us good gear space in the back or the standard 34inchx25 inch Dog crate strapped down next to my daughters seat - then a good amount of space behind, but a roof box is needed for anything beyond a weekend trip.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Martin,
Chevy, Ford and GMC have owned the entire SUV segment since its inception. Not only full size, but mid size as well.

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Well...in the past maybe. With the exception of Jeep, the US builders have all abandoned BOF mid-sized SUVs. The S-10 Blazer/Blazer/Trailblazer is gone, the Explorer morphed into a CUV, and Does Dodge even have anything in this space? I presume the Durango, like the Grand Cherokee, is a unibody SUV, meaning that the only ChryCo product that still fits into the BOF SUV niche is the 4 door Wrangler (I consider the 2 door "classic" Wrangler to be in a class of its own.)
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The mid-sized SUV market is now dominated by the 4runner and (through this year) the Xterra. I guess Land Rover fits in there somewhere - as with the Durango I presume it's a unibody design but with a conventional engine/transmission layout like an SUV.
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Unless the Tahoe and non-EL length Expedition can be considered "Mid sized" (which IMO they are not) I don't think you can say that GM or Ford offer anything in the mid-sized SUV segment anymore.
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Lastly ALL full size SUV sales have been negatively impacted by the introduction of crossovers. This proves two things to me, first a lot of folks were buying full size SUVs that did not really need them and second we should have never stopped building the full size front engined station wagon. It's funny how the minivan killed the station wagon and the popularity of full sized SUVs, killed the minivan, now crossovers are killing full size SUVs. Soon we may be back to station wagons!

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That wouldn't bother me a bit. I like station wagons and always have. I never understood the antipathy towards wagons, to me it's sedans I don't understand. When I see a sedan I look at the space behind the back seat and above the trunk and think "Wasted space."