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September 30, 2005

Driving Into the Sunset

Ford bids adieu to gas-guzzling Excursion

Ford Motor bade farewell on Friday to one of America's most infamous gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles, just days after committing to a sharp increase in more fuel-efficient hybrid and ethanol-powered vehicles.

The last 19 ft-long Excursion, equipped with a V-10 engine – nicknamed the Ford Valdez by environmentalists after the supertanker that ran aground in Alaska in 1989 – rolled off a Ford assembly line in Louisville, Kentucky, after six years on the market.


I'll bet they weren't quite as popular anymore. It's not so much the cost of a tank of gas, though...
Filling the Excursion's 44-gallon fuel tank cost about $133 in southern California this week, $41 more than a year ago.

...as how often you have to fork over the cash to fill said tank. Years ago, I remember listening to the Car Talk guys yakking about an info feature they had on their website. It's not there anymore, but it used to be an unvarnished Tom and Ray opinion about almost any make or model. When we popped in the Excursion, what verdict popped up as the very first sentence?
There is no reason on earth for anybody to own this car.

Posted by tree hugging sister at September 30, 2005 03:03 PM

Comments

But they are sooooooooooooooooo nice. Very, very, very nice ride. The interior is great. If I didn't have to worry about money, I'd own one. And laugh as I lit Zeno Davidoffs with $100 bills.

Posted by: Cullen at September 30, 2005 03:12 PM

Bet ya you can get one pretty cheap pretty soon, if you're a saavy shopper. There's already a ton of big pick-ups sitting by the side of the road here, with

"Fer Sale 'Cause It's Eatin' Me ALIVE"
signs on them.

Posted by: tree hugging sister at September 30, 2005 03:19 PM

I hate those things. There are so many of them driven about by little trophy wives while they chat on their cell phones.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at September 30, 2005 03:20 PM

The SUV market is so bloated. And I admit that I've only ever seen one Excursion that was put to a use that seemed work worthy. Hauling a huge amount of personnel, luggage and equipment. Would a 15 PAX van been better? I don't know. Probably about the same, really. The Excursion was a nicer ride, I'm sure.

Like or hate a product, the market will decide whether or not they want it, you know.

Posted by: Cullen at September 30, 2005 03:23 PM

And they CAN'T drive them! That's what kills me, sometimes damn near literally! they come whippin' into a Camry size parking spot, hanging 27 feet into where everyone else has to squeeze by, or maneuver around to leave themselves and look at you like they're entitled. Pretentious twits.

Posted by: tree hugging sister at September 30, 2005 03:23 PM

At the WALMART, no less. Oh, I'll bet they're bulking up on beenie weenies to pay for the thing.

Posted by: tree hugging sister at September 30, 2005 03:25 PM

Not that you're bitter or anything.

Posted by: Cullen at September 30, 2005 03:26 PM

Actually I am cranky about the attitudes that go with the 'car', not the 'car' itself, being more a die hard Audi/Toyota/Nissan kinda gal, myself. All of which we have had (when I was gainfully employed, of course) and I could drive and park quite handsomely.

Posted by: tree hugging sister at September 30, 2005 03:41 PM

She hates it when they clean out the beanie weenie aisle.

Posted by: Mr. Bingley at September 30, 2005 03:41 PM

Yow? They run outta decaf?

Posted by: Crusader at September 30, 2005 03:45 PM

So that's why Roberts is driving a minivan.

Posted by: Ken Summers at September 30, 2005 04:06 PM

About 70% of the close calls I have on my motorcycle involve large SUVs driven by petite females. I have pulled up at lights next to Excursions and realized that I can't quite see the driver. Think they see me on my little cruiser? HELL no...

Posted by: Chris at September 30, 2005 04:50 PM

(Decaf IS for beenie weenies!!!)

Think they see me on my little cruiser?

Even if they tried to LOOK. And that's the attitude thing I am (yes) BITTER about. By virtue of their big a$$, girthy ExCUSEsion, they feel you should be looking for them, little person. Entitlement, baby. It ain't just for government handouts.

Pretentious twits.

Posted by: tree hugging sister at September 30, 2005 04:58 PM

Perhpas it is symbolic of the attitude. But regardless of what they're driving, the attitude will be the same. Even if they're in a Prius.

Posted by: Cullen at September 30, 2005 06:26 PM

Yeah, but in a Prius, their attitude isn't as likely to kill other motorists.

Posted by: Nightfly at October 1, 2005 03:26 AM