Driving a Ford Expedition in the Recession

Long ago and far away, when petrol price was probably 50% less, that would be around 2004 I guess, I wasn't taking notes, we purchased a used 1998 Ford Expedition because my wife loved it. Now, hold it there. She is an eminently practical person. The V8 Eddie Bauer 4X4 model with wonderful leather interior added value to everything about us. We traded in a 1996 diesel engine Toyota Surf, and felt that we got a good deal when wifey negotiated to buy the Ford SUV for just over J$1M (US$11,100).

We are talking the modular engine here, the giant of 5.4 V8 Triton Modular engine.

This was an Eddie Bauer model. The thing was laid out with the most plush inside, with leather upholstery and standard front captain's chairs with a powered driver's seat. The features included air conditioning, a high-powered AM/FM cassette, and power windows, outside mirrors and door locks.

Good for family, fun, business. Airport, wharf, beach, church, rural outing, man were we ready!

You see, all three kids were home at the time (one is now married); removing the back seat created immense storage space for our humble business; and my wife appreciated the comfort and class. So in the early days she drove it to the capital city (120 miles return trip) almost twice weekly. I even took it for the occasional weekend jaunt into the hills of north Clarendon.

Unfortunately, I perceived that the name Expedition did not match up to the riverine roadways of the bush. So we quickly found ourselves a 1995 Suzuki Vitara, which we eventually sold and grabbed a good buy on a friend's 2000 Vitara. This hub is about the Ford, we'll talk about the glories of the durable little beast called a Vitara some other time.

Back to the Ford. We were hit by increase in petrol prices. Wife captured my Suzuki (thought I said I would not be doing the Vitara in this article) and handed me the Ford since she was the one doing the long drive to the capital city of Kingston.

Those were the days that I was desperately trying to coax business out of a flagging real estate market.  So I humbly tinkered around Mandeville, stopping ever so often at the gas stations as soon as I had any little change in my pocket. I quietly sent out word that the Ford was for sale. No ads, just hints.

A funeral parlour offered to buy it for $900,000 (US$10,000). Wife said no way, she wanted more. Smart money said to me "The way the energy crisis is going, take what you can and run."

Peace or safety?

I opted for peace.

So two years later the same funeral parlour is now offering me $500,000(US $5555).

Don't get me wrong, a Ford Expedition is a fantastic vehicle.

Now if I were in the great USA I would sell it on eBay.