As requested from MBSL65fan:
http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle.php?id=110104

I did get a chance to test drive a new Expy, the test drive itself was somewhat ok (not as long as I’d hoped) The dealership stuck me with a Green horn salesman that (during the entire test) was telling me EVERYTHING about the vehicle (as if I didn’t already know myself ) There were a few things I could have corrected him about, rather than telling me. To give you an idea of how persistent this guy was I’ll recreate our discussion during the test drive (God forgive me if he ever visits this site and discovers this post)

Salesman: So, are you looking into buying, trading or maybe leasing a new Expedition relatively soon?

Me: Not now, no ... maybe sometime toward the end of next year.

Salesman: Alright, well, are you wanting to upgrade to the longer Expedition EL or stay with the regular length Expedition?

Me: If I get anything, I’m staying with the regular length version; the EL wouldn’t fit in my garage anyway.

Salesman: Fine, fine, well, um, at around what point toward the end of next year would you be willing to move forward into purchasing a new Expedition?

Me: Well I’m not sure really ... (What I really wanted to say was: How the hell do I know! That’s toward the end of NEXT YEAR for crying out loud! I may not get anything at all ... )

Other than that, I really did like the new Expedition, I absolutely loved the interior. The fit & finish quality was outstanding. I’ve seen the outside of the new Expedition for a while now, but it was the interior that I was particularly interested in. The seats were "make your ass melt" comfortable ... I also liked the power assisted self opening/closing rear Liftgate and power deployable running boards. I do plan to get one, just not right now.

was this the one on Oleander or on Market? I went in to the one on Market just to get a brochure for the Escape (for when my mom was looking - she ended up with a CRV) the guy tried to sell me one right then....like I would replace my Passat with an Escape.

The one on Oleander, Capital Ford. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped by their other place on Market. I don’t like salesmen who are pushy, wanting you to buy a car right then and there, its just not professional. When I get a another Expedition, it certainly will not be from there.

I thought that you would mention this, but what trim level did you test drive?

Sorry, it was Eddie Bauer.

okay.

That's the American hard sell for you!

Well, truthfully I don’t need a new vehicle (the one I have is just fine, no need to get rid of it) its just I have never kept a vehicle for a long period of time anyway. I keep telling myself: "This will be my last new vehicle, I’ll keep it till the wheels fall off." However I fail to heed my own words in spite of myself. Though I would rather be addicted to having a new car, than be addicted to alcohol or drugs ...

Isn't it better financially to buy a car and keep it for a long time (about 10 years or so) rather than changing cars every few years? Cars depreciate quickest in the first couple of years.

If you like cars and you can afford it why not buying one every three or four years?? i'd do it, why keeping a car over ten years when they get old and start giving problems?

For the cars he owns, my father keeps then while they do not have problems and do not cost more per year than a new one. That's how he kept his 1984 Civic for 11 years, and that he still drives his 1995 106 Rallye