I am planning to buy an Armada this summer. A friend of mine is in the used car business and told me he feels the Ford Expedition is a better vehicle hands down. I already own an Excursion and I love it. The Armada will be replacing a Dodge Durango my wife drives. Has anybody gone from Expedition to Armada? What are your thoughts? Thanks.
Armada vs. Expedition
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My buddy has an Expedtion Eddie Bauer and hates it since he rode in my Armada. Better vehicle in just about every way. Excursion is more of a F250 of SUVs, The Expedition is not an F150 of SUVs though. The only thing about the Ford that is better is the price. Test drive them both. The Ford will seem like its 10 year old tech by the time you're done.Mumbo said:
Better motor, handling, braking, transmission, interior, reliability, comfort. You pick.
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I test drove both the chevy and the ford and never went back after my final test drive in the Armada!! 
Lots of old school tech and i hated the interiors on both!! The biggest seller was the difference when you stepped on the gas pedal!!! Whoaaaa!!!
Lots of old school tech and i hated the interiors on both!! The biggest seller was the difference when you stepped on the gas pedal!!! Whoaaaa!!!
I test drove both and was seriously on the fence - but like the others said the Armada has better engine, better trans, and on the LE model it has power liftgate and backup camera. I am pretty sure it will hold its value better than the Expo too. I traded my 2001 Eddie Bauer Expedtion on my Armada. To be fair I never had a problem with that truck..ever. I have to admit I really like the look of the new Expedition - I love the nose and the rear profile but I went with the Armada cuz of the fresh styling and there are hardly any on the road. Good Luck in your choice.
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The Expedition is 33-45, the mada is 34-43. Then options.
One other thing to consider. The new Expo comes out in '07. It will loose value fast.
One other thing to consider. The new Expo comes out in '07. It will loose value fast.
Yes, I went from Expedition to Armada. I am basically a Ford guy. My "other truck" remains a 7.3L F-250 diesel. So why the switch?
First, I saw a decline in the quality of the interior in the new models. My Expey was a '97 model. 4x4, offroad package with skid plates, towing package, etc.
It had the two valve 5.4 engine. It was reliable, but really struggled to tow my trailer and the tranny had horrible gear splits.
The new 3 valve 5.4 is only marginally better and the crappy tranny had not been improved. I borrowed a loaner, did not like the downgrade in the interior and it did not tow much better.
Frankly I thought the Expedition looked better on the outside, but that was just a product of what I had become used to. I would probably have gotten another one until I test drove the Armada.
I fell in love with the engine and drive train. The engine torque is so broad and strong all across the power band and the tranny gearing is perfectly matched to the engine. And it tows the same 8,000 equipment trailer the Expey struggled with like it is a toy on a pull string. (Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but there is no comparison). Oh, and did I mention the power and smoothness of the drive train?
The Armada has bigger interior, especially in the second row seating and more convenience features. Seats are way more comfortable.
I understand that the '07 Expey will have Ford's new 6 speed auto, which will help, but that's not going to be enough. Until they wise up and go to DOHC 4 valve heads they are not going to be competitive.
I'm now at 28,000 trouble free miles on the Armada. Never had to take it back to the dealer for anything, ever. I still get a big smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel.
First, I saw a decline in the quality of the interior in the new models. My Expey was a '97 model. 4x4, offroad package with skid plates, towing package, etc.
It had the two valve 5.4 engine. It was reliable, but really struggled to tow my trailer and the tranny had horrible gear splits.
The new 3 valve 5.4 is only marginally better and the crappy tranny had not been improved. I borrowed a loaner, did not like the downgrade in the interior and it did not tow much better.
Frankly I thought the Expedition looked better on the outside, but that was just a product of what I had become used to. I would probably have gotten another one until I test drove the Armada.
I fell in love with the engine and drive train. The engine torque is so broad and strong all across the power band and the tranny gearing is perfectly matched to the engine. And it tows the same 8,000 equipment trailer the Expey struggled with like it is a toy on a pull string. (Well, that is a bit of an exaggeration, but there is no comparison). Oh, and did I mention the power and smoothness of the drive train?
The Armada has bigger interior, especially in the second row seating and more convenience features. Seats are way more comfortable.
I understand that the '07 Expey will have Ford's new 6 speed auto, which will help, but that's not going to be enough. Until they wise up and go to DOHC 4 valve heads they are not going to be competitive.
I'm now at 28,000 trouble free miles on the Armada. Never had to take it back to the dealer for anything, ever. I still get a big smile on my face every time I get behind the wheel.
Nope. No brake problems, even with towing. I did look at the front pads recently when doing a tire rotation. The rotors are in excellent shape but the pads are getting down to probably another 10,000 miles of useful life, so I'll probably replace them soon. Intend to do it myself. No biggie. These trucks are heavy, and if you tow, that will put additional wear on the brakes. Rears looked good. I figure 35-40 thousand miles on the front pads is not bad for my use.Cillyone said:
Armada said:
Wow, I could have wrote your post for myself. I tow a lot also, in fact probably over 50% of the miles on the truck are towing miles. Maybe there is a strange connection between happy brakes and a steady diet of towing? My boys and myself go dirt bike/ATV riding nearly weekly and it is about a +40 mile round trip run with either my 14' utility or 21' toybox over a somewhat tight, twisty hilly road (You use the brakes quite a bit).
Only reason to get a expedition would be price. You should start with around 10k off sticker. I looked at one a couple months ago that was 38500 sticker and was quoted 28000 without much haggling. I have a 2003 Ex. and have been trying to sell for over a month.
At the end of the model year, Aug-Sep, you can get stupid deals on fords. Last year I could get 12-14 off sticker for the pricier models. New Ex also for 07, so 06 will be cheap.
At the end of the model year, Aug-Sep, you can get stupid deals on fords. Last year I could get 12-14 off sticker for the pricier models. New Ex also for 07, so 06 will be cheap.
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All you have to say is that it is an American made Ford. I am a proud American but WILL NOT buy an American made car or truck. The quality is NOT there as I have learned through many vehicles built and designed on three different continents.
Had a deposit on a Expedition, thought I ought to at least test drive an Armada so I could say I test drove them all and cross the Armada off the list, after all it was just another variant of a Sequoia, right?. Went back that afternoon and got a refund on my deposit, I was blown away and surprised by the Armada engine/tranny combo, could care less about rattles, for me the driveline alone is worth the price of admission..
I would not turn away from the Expedition because of reliability issues. Experience with Ford cars does not carry over, in my opinion to their trucks. My Expey had 107,000 trouble free miles on it when I sold it to buy the Armada.
My F-250 diesel has -- get ready for this -- 450,000 miles. It did need some valve train work at about 300,000, but that was normal wear.
Reliability is not an issue for me. The Expey and the Armada have both been excellent.
I drive the Armada because I think Ford has started to cheapen up the interior on the Expey (compared to my previous one), and because of the incredible engine and drive train the Armada has. I think the Armada is clearly superior.
My F-250 diesel has -- get ready for this -- 450,000 miles. It did need some valve train work at about 300,000, but that was normal wear.
Reliability is not an issue for me. The Expey and the Armada have both been excellent.
I drive the Armada because I think Ford has started to cheapen up the interior on the Expey (compared to my previous one), and because of the incredible engine and drive train the Armada has. I think the Armada is clearly superior.
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