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Thanks for theformative post.
I'm pleasantly surprised at the Mountaineer prices. I expected a big jump due to powertrain improvements and added content, and the apparent demise of the Aviator.
Ford Cuts Price of Redesigned 2006 Explorer (Inside Line)
Steve, Host
GM and FORD COULD control prices if they were able to cut production. But until the companies restructure (which won't happen until the next recession/depression causes a true crisis), they'll muddle along building more vehicles than the market really can support thereby causing their vehicle prices to remain lower than what they used to get. Heck, I paid $33,000 for my loaded Mountaineer 3 years ago. Today I can buy the same '05 for about $29,000. Again, supply and demand. A little better quality wouldn't hurt either.
Let's take this over to Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer: Prices Paid & Buying Experience or to one of the News & Views discussions. Someone may be here just to learn about the Explorer/Mountaineer.
Steve, Host
I agree 100%! Hey! Ford, GM, everyone else - the days of the SUV as a profit center is gone! You guys better figure out how to make money on crossovers and cars!
Yea-go check it out all right. There are several owners over there (Pilot Board) who have hurt their vehicles by towing. While they have the "look", they can't match a "body on frame" SUV for towing capacity. Currently, there is someone over on that board trying to figure out how to tow 3,500 lbs without the transmission ripping out!
And all the durability of a minivan - which is what they are based on. For a minivan, they're very good.
2) You must have gone to AAMCO. There are always metal shavings in an automatic transmission that has been driven for any length of time - that's normal to find them in the pan. I've not heard of a transmission shop in years though, that still tries to scare the customer with this story. It's an old scam. To to a different shop - or the dealer, and get an honest inspection. These guys sound like crooks.
1) Only 46000 miles and just over 3 1/2 years;
2) I sent my car to the L/M Dealer. He was originally telling me that he can get Ford help me (provide a transmission for free), but later said they won't. The repair bill will be around $3500! I don't know if I can talk to Ford myself on this. Your thoughts?
I think you're too far gone in miles if I'm reading this right.
The Secret Warranty: (AKA) After Warranty Assistance (AWA)
If the dealer tried to go to bat for you for AWA and failed, you may want to get a second telephone opinion and another estimate or two. You can always tow it to a cheaper independent garage for repair.
Steve, Host
Click Me- Detroit News
how are the 3rd row setbacks lowered without the powerfold? my '02 has a very easy latch in the middle at the top for the 'all the way across' seatback. i also like that i can raise it with one hand too. there are times when i wish it were a split seatback, though.
The best gas mileage was 22.4mpg driving 65-70mph with no A/C. There is no rear axle whine. Tranmission shifts down rough occasionally, but nothing to complain about YET.
Joe
Car detergents, road salt are the main culprits from the examples I have seen.
The #4 spark plug had misfired again. Upon close inspection of the mechanic (different one than where I used to go), he discovered that the plug wasn't fouled by oil, but rather by gas or antifreeze. It was only a matter of time before it did it again. I probably would've just had a blown head gasket or it could've been warped heads, or onto another laundry list of other problems. Also the transmission had begun to slip frequently and had started to grind when downshifting to go up a hill. I have to say I will miss it, especially when I start going to the gas pump more often, however my explorer had never gotten very good mileage, usually 13/17. The R/T is rated at 12/17.
I've enjoyed sharing experiences with you guys over the past couple of years and I will continue to check in once in a while. Hope everyone else is doing well!
and yes, the ones on the b pillar
When I sold the 2002 Mountaineer, I loaded my work items into my wife's Mercedes-Benz C230 hatchback and realized that a larger hatchback would do everything I need.
I wound up buying a 2005 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, which has rear seats which slide (and recline), and it works wonderfully. We only miss the bottle holders in the doors and the extra storage in the console (much or which was lost in the 2006 switch to a floor shifter).
For the $24,003 we paid for the Malibu Maxx, it has every option except the engine block heater, and is rated 20 city and 30 highway, so we saved about $10,000 buying it instead of the Explorer, and will save $1,700 plus per year on fuel and insurance. It is very fancy, with a DVD for the rear seat, a moon roof and a skylight, Onstar (including the phone function), satellite radio, and even the best fake wood I have ever seen.
The Mountaineer was probably the first and last SUV we will ever own.
Explorer has certainly been a success since the first year of it's inception, and will always be profittable for Ford. Again, the days of 450K yearly sales are long gone. The Explorer came at a time when most families wanted space, without the minivan connotation, while avoid the station wagon look.
Ironically many are gravitating towards just that, while using a safer "cross-over" label instead. The new Explorer posts 1-2MPG better fuel economy, but it's still a vehicle that consumes quite a bit of fuel compared to those... and most don't need the attributes that the Explorer is well known for.
Probably, I'll not replace my Mountaineer, or my other SUVs with a Maxx. Gas prices be damned, I will likely own another SUV for many years to come, until I'm too old to do anything but drive to the store, and the senior center. Even then, I'll probably opt for a Jaguar, not a Maxx.
First Drive: 2006 Ford Explorer (Inside Line)
Steve, Host
An Accord is not a hatchback, and the rear seat does not fold,so it would be impossible for me to use it for business. My Malibu Maxx is totally loaded, and has things like the DVD player for the rear seat and rear seat skylight which are not available on the Honda or Toyota. By the way, the 2006 invoice has been lowered to about what I paid, so GM is really serious about value pricing. I hope that Ford and everyone else does the same.
NVBanker: For those who need an Explorer, it is a fine choice, and you certainly seem like such a person. It is just not what many people who bought such vehicles in the past need now, especially given the high price (relative to large sedans and other alternatives) and the much higher fuel consumption than those alternatives.
I did some calculations comparing my present car with the 2006 Mountaineer I have on order. The calculations considered: * Miles/year, * Cost/gallon (present vehicle requires premium), and * MPG. I will pay about $375/year more in fuel costs. WELL worth the added functionality and features.
I suggest that these calculations are a more rational way to make a decision than to eliminate a vehicle from consideration based solely on MPG.
Also worth considering is the expected significant improvement in MPG due to engine mods and 6-speed transmission.
I find it very hard to believe that trim level has a 1 MPG difference.
Some models with the 4:10 axle option might see 14/18 (on the previous generation), rather than 14/19 with the 3:73. (as one example). The improvements will be seen in real world mileage overall...But then again, most shopping this segment won't place fuel economy as their highest priority.
How much of a weight and complexity penalty is there with the new 6-speed transmission?
I suggest that these calculations are a more rational way to make a decision than to eliminate a vehicle from consideration based solely on MPG."
Ah - the voice of reason. Exactly my point. This is a much more rational way to make this decision. They all take gas, and unless you drive a zillion miles a year, and your comparison is a Prius to an Excursion, the difference isn't as much as you may think without actually doing the math.
Cracks me up all the time to see people justify a new car purchase on the basis of "it gets better mileage" than their old car. Probably about 2mpg better, and they'd have to drive it about a million miles to make up the cost of the new car in fuel dollar savings.