14th May 2003, 07:13

I hope to buy a diesel Excursion simply because it's the most economical and spacious, but they are hard to find here. We are a family of eight and on many occasions have to use two cars. There are many 5.8L Excursions here that are driven by soccer Mom's and the like and don't seem to care about the mileage, but I do; just the fact that they haul and haul plenty!

If 9/10 of all the F-250's here are diesel's and bigger than the Excursion, why not manufacture the Excursion as diesel only? That would raise their CAFE ratings somewhat as well as having happier customers at the fuel pumps.

21st Jun 2003, 14:06

The reason Ford doesn't report the fuel economy is because the EPA doesn't require it for a vehicle over either 6500 or 8500 pounds (I can't remember which). This includes the Excursion, the Yukon, Yukon XL, Tahoe, Suburban, and H2.

2nd Jul 2003, 11:13

I agree that most cars don't get good mileage either (though better than the Excursion) Also look at all the dangerous little cars going 80 in a 35 zone!

14th Nov 2003, 14:12

I agree with the previous posts. The Excursion with a diesel engine gets approximately 16 MPG- only marginally less than those rotten econoboxes made out of plastic and paper-thin sheet "metal". The fact that such a large, heavy vehicle has such a decent fuel economy rating is a marvel of American engineering. I hope to get an Excursion myself when they are a little less expensive in the used-car market, it is an automobile made for the American road. If only they had tweaked the diesel to squeeze out 20 MPG, the mighty Excursion would roll on...

14th Nov 2003, 23:36

Our 2000 Excursion Limited with the 7.3 liter diesel engine gets an average of 18 mpg.

We bought it because we take a lot of trips, have a lot of kids, and haul horse, car, and utility trailers.

This is a truly incredible truck, very comfortable, solid, and reliable. We've had no problems with it at all. I wish I had two of them.

12th Jan 2004, 16:02

Just bought a new 2003 Excursion 4x4 V10. Great power and very spacious. On our last trip it averaged 13.9 mpg. Not too bad, not to great, but we bought it for towing and it's size. Our smaller Explorer gets about the same mileage when we use it to tow! Overall we love our truck and it has been problem free to this point. Now, to set the record straight on the comment about the trend in Virginia being that SUV drivers are the worst drivers. There are bad drivers here in all types of vehicles as I'm sure there are in other states as well! Also, the Excursion from what the booklet says has in it about 15% recycled material. Every little bit helps. I don't why some people despise SUV owners and their choice of automobiles. There are plenty of cars, vans, and trucks that are just as big and get similar gas mileage.

27th May 2004, 13:28

I just bought a 2001 diesel Excursion and love it for many of the same reasons mentioned above. These environmentalist wackos need to get a grip! I bought this vehicle for comfort, towing and safety. All of this destroying the world stuff is a bunch of non-sense. That has been pointed out with many of the forgoing comments. Who wants to ride around in a skate board? All these so called "economical" are the real crazy buys. They are death traps; that can be wrecked by a run away bicycle. Think of how many lives we could save by driving safe vehicles...oh, that's right... save the planet not humanity. After all, man is evil.

No apologies here. If you feel bad about my truck buy a plant or hug a tree... or something.

4th Jun 2004, 00:04

Question for 2000 V-10 gas Excursion owners- what can I reasonably expect for towing power, gas mileage and maintenance? Anyone tried putting a chip in, did it help and how much? Is 17,500 with 50K and clean a good buy, how are they selling? How is the transmission keeping up with the engine?

7th Aug 2004, 21:39

I have a 2001 excusion with the 7.3 liter diesel, have had three door lock motors go bad and the transmission failed at 39,700 miles,other than that its OK.

30th Nov 2004, 04:51

I'm a chauffeur for a limousine company in Calgary, AB. We have two Excursion stretches - one a 10 foot stretch, the other an 11 foot (The longest insurable limo in our province). 10 foot is a 2002, 11 foot is a 2003. Both use the 6.8 V10 gas. These trucks are very heavy to start, add the stretch weight designed to handle the twelve passenger capacity. Additional lengths of frame, full skid plates beneath, exhaust pipe, (crazy) wiring additions, windows, brake lines, climate lines (heat/cool lines), three plasma televisions, DVD/VCR, mini bar for 12 (4 ice bins, 12 champagne flutes, 12 rocks glasses), leather seating for 12, 2 climate zones within the guest area, fiber lighting, etc. That 6.8 shines through it all with good power even with 12 guests and the A/C full blast front and rear. Consumption is high, but barely increases when loaded with people. Also, this motor isn't working as hard as some v8s - it won't burn oil as quickly, or leak oil. Joy of a motor, if I'm easy on it, upshifts are around 2500 rpm! Going uphill with guests, whatever. Suburban can't do this job, barely comparable.

19th Mar 2005, 05:58

I am considering a diesel Excursion. I never owned a diesel before.

Question: Where do you take it if there is an engine problem? To a truck mechanic?

I generally avoided taking my cars to dealers and preferred independent garages. I wonder whether I will still have this choice with a diesel? Will I find independent mechanics for a diesel engine? What do I look for to find them?

Thanks.

22nd Jun 2005, 05:55

I just purchased a 2001 Excursion XLT 4x4 with only 27,000 miles on it! It has the V-10. I will use it as my daily driver, but also need it to carry my family and luggage while towing a camper for summer vacations and a 20 foot enclosed snowmobile trailer for winter fun. I have not hooked it to the snowmobile trailer yet, but I am sure it will pull it with ease. The ride is great, and my 3 year old daughter loves riding in daddy's new truck. The Excursion is at least 2 feet shorter than my dad's F-250 crew cab with 8ft. bed. I formerly owned a 1994 F-150 short bed 4x4 with the 5.8, and only got 10 mpg. I have no regrets on my new purchase.

14th Sep 2005, 15:12

We love our Ex! My wife and I have 5 children and used to drive around in a minivan. We live in Vancouver, Canada. Every trip to the grocery store of holiday meant jamming bags above the rear window, or on someone's lap. Not any more! We actually use our Thule box for skis now, not the stuff that overflowed from the back of the van.

Our 2000 Excursion has the 7.3 Diesel and is marvelous. The truck has 296,000 KM's (185,000 Miles).We average 14.5 MPG. When we first bought the truck it cost the same to run as our Safari minivan b/c diesel was less than gasoline, now it costs about 15% more than the van did. This is a small premium I gladly pay for the added space, safety and longevity of the diesel Excursion. We will definitely buy another one when this one gets too tired (no sign of that yet though!)

27th Feb 2006, 22:40

Who said there is no need for this vehicle. Try having 2 or 3 police dogs in something smaller. And then add all of the equipment that goes with em. Thanks to Ford for this vehicle and the diesel motor.

28th Feb 2006, 15:14

You need a 7 passenger vehicle to fit 3 german sheperds?

I don't think so.