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Best thing to do is take the car seats with you and try them on every vehicle.
I'm throwing in with nv on this one. See, a guy who works for my wife, that'd be me!, has a teenager and 2 girls in car seats. Yikes. We went to buy an Aviator (Mountaineer twin). Brought the car seats with us and found that there just was no way to carry the 5 of us and any gear at all. Drove a Navigator and realized that was the ticket for us. A year later we're still quite pleased with it.
Now, I'm speaking about the 2003 and later model years here cause that's what I've got. They're so much nicer, especially inside, that I'd recommend going the extra few $grand over an older one. If u can. And look for one that has the bench 2nd row - not the 2 buckets. In the bench, you could place 3 car seats side by side no problem. In addition, the bench is divided into 3 separate seats which fold down separately and the middle seat is on a track, so it can slide forward. That's the seat I think is best for the little one. You can slide the seat forward so the baby is right there - practically in the front seat with you.
If u do want to put one or more in the 3rd row, it's pretty easy to fold a 2nd row seat forward to get to the third. ANd it's a big 3rd row, but I'm pretty positive you would not be able to get 3 car seats in it. For my money, 3 across in the 2nd row leaves the rear area free for lots of gear, shopping trips, vacation etc. That's the way we do it anyway.
Good luck. Oh, wait, as for the 4WD vs minivan AWD, there's no contest. The Navigator's 4WD system is far better. It has real Jeep-like 4WD Hi and Lo if u ever get really stuck. AND, it has AWD as well. Best of both worlds. We flip from 2WD to AWD in rain or worse. 4WD if bad snow etc. The difference is, you should not leave it in 4WD in dry conditions, but AWD is OK for any conditions.
More progress :-)
Steve, Host
Thanks in advance if anyone has any ideas!!!
Steve, Host
A newbie here. I just ordered an '05 Navigator with the power liftgate. I didn't think to check on the max height on an open liftgate to see if it could be opened in my garage. Anyone have any info? I know the body max's out at just under 78". I've got about 3" clearance on the garage door frame and it opens up a bit inside.
Thanks for your help.
To add a question, If you disable the liftgate at the message center, can the liftgate be operated manually? I can't get a clear feel from the online owner's manual.
One week down and 5 to 7 to go.
I don't think I'll have much problem with my wife driving ours. I have an older Dakota pickup and she won't drive it. She's perfectly satisfied driving her Outback. I'm more concerned with pulling it in the garage myself. I'm so used to just cruising in with my truck. See if you can find any discounts on those mirrors.
I really hope I don't run into trouble with the liftgate. I just don't relish unloading the back with the truck's back-end sticking out of the garage.
Good luck with your new truck. Hope it gets there soon.
Well, firstnav, if you CAN disable the liftgate at the message center (I didn't know you COULD do that), you can operate the liftgate manually, yes. But don't worry about it, I've abused the hell out of my power liftgate, it adjusts and resets quite easily. I can get you out of most every mess you can create with it. If it bumps up against your door, it will not damage anything, it will just quit and go into manual mode. You'll have to shut it manually and it shoudl reset itself. If it won't reset itself with a few cycles of manual opening and closing, you power down the truck at the battery, and that will reset the thing completely.
Having a 2 year old with another on the way, I needed the 40/20/40 rear bench seat and you cant get the power boards with the bench. (at least you cant on 4x4 models). I did get every other option tho - DVD, Nav system, Xenon lights, Trailer towing pkg, bench seat, and Tri-coat paint. Lincoln's navigation system is actually much more intuitive than the one I have in my STS.
I only wish it had the capability to view DVD's on it's screen like GM's does (only with the tranny in Park).
thanks
thanks
Let us know when it's delivered.
But now, it's turned to 1, so yes, I barely notice it, because it's just right!
The sensors are placed in the firewall/dashboard sections depending upon the vehicle.
Please tell how you redid the LS soundproofing to be more effective?
Thanks
Having owned 2 Navigators (2000 and 2003 model years) I did have my share of issues with the vehicles but I didn't think they would rate THAT poorly.
I'm beginning to wonder if these reliability reports are accurate. I find it hard to believe that according to Consumer Reports, Ford makes the MOST reliable vehicle out there (2004 Mustang with 5 problems per 100) and the LEAST reliable vehicle as well (the Navi).
It just doesn't make sense......
Take it with a grain of salt.
I've seen numerous issues with past information that CR has published, and some of the biasness are downright obvious.
I say it's just one example of what's out there, of the many other research data people can access. A wise decision takes thorough research.
With ~300 Miles, MPG as calculated by the On Board Computer is 9.8 MPG. Pretty scary with the forecast for High Gas Prices.
Had anyone experience lower MPG at first and then have it increase over time as the engine breaks in. as I heard from someone else, what kinda of MPG do you expect from a 6,000 SUV Shaped Like a brick.
I have loaded the car up with Aftermarkets, so I better plan to keep it. Protection Pkg, Remote Start, Extended Warranty, Extended Maintenance, Door Ding Warranty Policy, Daytime Running Lamps (I have HID so this will be on the High Beams) Clear Bra, All-Weather Floor Mats, Cargo Tray, Cargo Organizer, Mud Flaps and Plan to get Rear View Camera with DVD to display (w. Camera on the front Nav Unit. This aftermarket exceed $6K Wow!
I got Black with Dove Gray, looks nice, but gonna be heck to keep clean.
Some idiot through a Huge Snowball Spit-Ball at my 3-day old Navi and pitted the paint on the front quarter by the like maybe 2" diameter. Oh well, so much for a Perfect Car.
If anyone has any questions, send them along. FYI, got the $64K MSRP NAVI for ~$52K with all Incentives and I was eligible for X-Plan Pricing.
Interested in getting more experience on the Navi, as this board is a little slow.