I bought a 2000 V10 Limited with 133,000 miles from a Florida boat captain who did not maintain it very well, but it had no rust and nobody had ever smoked in it. Score!!! It now lives in Massachusetts with me.

So 6 months later:

4 new shocks all around, A/C service (major $!!!! It uses mucho gas), serpentine belt, ALL fluids including axle oil(s), full engine/tranny service - all filters, oils, fluids, coolant, spark plugs and 10 new coil packs (people make such a big deal about these - why? It takes about 1 hour to change all 10 using one wrench and compressed air to blow the crap out of the spark plug recess holes + Amazon $70 for all 10 - a place in Hollywood FL), fan clutch, 4 new rotors, calipers and pads (Excursions are *BRUTAL* on the brake components, so buy them with a Lifetime Warranty. They WILL WEAR OUT!!), Mobil 1 oil (does not use a drop of oil) and a few other small silly things.

So 2 grand later... I now use it in Massachusetts, and in snow that does not get plowed by the town, it is probably the best vehicle I have ever driven in snow, and I have a lot of experience in that area. Mine has WARN manual locking front hubs that I keep locked when in snow, so all I have to do is switch to 4WD in the cab. In 4WD "LOW" is has crawled up every hill I have encountered and has pushed a FWD Honda van, as in I was behind and stopped it rolling back on a slight incline of maybe 15 degrees, towed a car from deep in a ditch and amazed few locals as I literally bulldozed snow on unplowed roads. It is perfectly fine *providing* you understand its limitations and can actually drive in snow and just do not expect magic to occur by switching to 4WD like so many folk do. F'rinstance it will slide forever if your method of stopping is via prayer. It will spin all 4 wheels if you have a lead foot. Be smart! It will pull anything I want - 11,000 trailer, and with the rear 3rd seat removed and a dog guard in the back, 2 x 75lb German Shepherds will attest to the huge room.

I have only 2 complaints; the driver's seat is very narrow, and for some reason does not "line up" with the steering wheel and could be more comfortable, but that may be just me though. Secondly the headlights are FAR from impressive. Even with mega-buck Sylvania Halogen bulbs and polishing the lenses with the best products available at Autozone (and they have a few) + toothpaste (it works well as a finishing polish) + Rain-X to add the slip n' slide factor, it still is lacking in the Bright Light Department. I fitted totally illegal off road 4" LED lights with huge sink housings to the front bumper, via a relay and an additional switch inside... problem solved. Daylight at midnight! Just do not flash a Revenue Enhancer (cop) with them.

The engine is huge, but still kind of sluggish, though it has plenty of torques. It will get up and go if you step on it, and for a vehicle of that size it ain't too shabby. Fuel usage is high, but I bought an Excursion and I accept it. I do however wonder why people buy one, then whine when a 6.8 liter V10 engine sucks gas??? It's like owning pigs and complaining that they smell.

It is the biggest SUV out there, and parking it usually means I walk the length of the parking lot, but I need the exercise. We all do. So; it is not fast, it uses lots of fuel, is comfortable, few people cut you off, it is great in snow and the electric heated seats will roast your bottom/keep a pizza warm, it has room, split doors at the back for stuff and dogs to get in, will tow most normal stuff, is cheap to insure, and parts are readily available and not too pricey. All in all, a good buy providing you can live with 10-12 MPG. A small price to pay if it suits your lifestyle.

Hope this helps someone. Now if only I can work out how to use that darned DVD player and get somebody else to drive while I sit in the back...