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Comments
Steve, Host
There's no question the Asians and Europeans are eating the Domestics market share away year after year, but it's not all about reliability folks. It's also about price (Hyundia, Kia), Warranty (Hyundai), and a general Generation Y hatred of all things American that roll. Until we figure out how to sell cars to them, or their kids, this isn't going to reverse much.
Now if GM/Ford went to a 10 year warranty....
thanks
Curious6
The reputation seems to be greater than the reality. That is why I think that Ford would really jolt Toyota and Honda by going to a 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. That, combined with the new products, would be a powerful one-two punch. The 2006 Explorer & Mountaineer are excellent examples. They will be the second generation independent rear suspension designs, with many improvements, while vehicles such as the 4Runner still have a solid rear axle.
Will the 4.0L V6 work ? Some hills, nothing steep.
Any thoughts appreciated. There is more selection with the the 4.0 L
E.D.
Considering than the towing issue, I can understand going with the V8. However, "long term issue" I would like to address. I have a '02 XLT 2WD with the V6. Granted, the engine is inherently loud, but it has proven to be very reliable up to my present odometer of 41,000 miles. So it seems to be the thing to "knock the V6". But I don't understand why. On the highway, it gets a consistent 20mpg if you stay under 75mph. The V8 will not get this kind of mpg CONSISTENTLY on the highway. I will admit in the city the mpg is not that different between the V6 and V8. Of course, you will always have those who claim (when the moon and the stairs align-and the capricorn moon is on the rise... ) that you can get 20 mpg on the highway with the V8.
Anyway back to the original topic.......the six is good. Is it as good as the V8 long term. Probably not. Would I tow with it? I wouldn't be afraid to, with the tow package. Also, depends on what and how often.....When we got our '02 my son and I drove a V6 and an V8 back to back to back. There didn't seem to be that much of a difference. Of course, there was the V8 rumble. The V8 was an extra, I think, $700 bucks back then and after the test drives, I felt the V6 was enough (the misses puts 90% of the miles on). We're pretty flat out here. While we had it there were plenty of times that we had seven bodies and as much stuff as we could jam in. It never felt underpowered.
My next issue at hand is whether to trade up to the '06. Could you really have more horses AND better fuel mileage? Yeah!
As I posted in the 2006 area, the dealer closest to my house, one I have used for service and like, is offering me $145 over invoice to order a 2006 Explorer Limited 4x2 V8 with options 96B (ultimate convenience), 76R (reverse proximity sensors), 21E (side / curtain air bags), 422 (CA emissons), HH (dark cherry exterior), and ZW (black interior).
I have gotten 19MPG on the highway with my 2002 Mountaineer V8, even with the 3.73 rear end which comes with the tow package. I expect that the 2006 Explorer with the improved V8 and 6 speed transmission and the 3.55 rear end will do significantly better, and accelerate better when needed.
By the way, I am ordering a 2006 Explorer because the Explorer Limited does not force you to buy the 3rd row seat and rear air conditioning, things I have never used on my Mountaineer, so it will be less expensive. I also think that the new Mountaineer clear tail lights look too much like the lights many of the trouble-maker types are putting on their vehicles.
FREESTYLE: 1) I heard it is being discontinued after this year and reborn as a Mercury?
2) If you haven't driven one, you shouldn't knock it. It's not a Taurus under there, it's a Volvo, and it's a great station wagon......
Steve, Host
What's the point in designing ugly cars?
Now back to the Explorer/Mountaineer?
Steve, Host
That's a BRILLIANT observation!
Does anyone know if I have a device (gps unit - RM300) plugged into the power plug and have the unit turned off, does it drain any battery power? there is a green light on the cord of the device that always stays green? I was wondering if this is drawing any power?
Also, does anyone know of anyway to stop the power plug from providing power when the vehicle is turned off? I would rather have my gps turn on when I turn my vehicle on and turn off when the vehicle is turned off.
Thanks