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Comments
Many components are manufactured in other countries. Ironically years ago when the whole "Anti-France" trend started (pertaining to the war) I dealt with "Fat Cat, know it all"at a dinner reception which was harping of how he was boycotting French products. I let it slide for awhile, so he would bake on his own juices.
I eloquently pointed out his Explorer had a French transmission... Well that didn't go to well, and to top it off (he was Jewish and also boycotted German made vehicles) told him his engine was built in Cologne Germany. This knowing full well he didn't have the means to replace it soon. He almost had a canniption, I thought he would have a stroke on that news...Well more the part where I was patronizing him and saying "OH how could you have not known, here you are preaching, ahh, the nerve I tell ya, you weren't loyal enough, geesh!"
In this global economy, there's certain components that while designed by an American company, it's inexpensive building them elsewhere. I mean, yes eventually the money will go back to the American company headquartered in the U.S., but that's up to the choice of the consumer.
"but I'm wondering if a similar situation doesn't exist on the Aviator??? Any comments? "
No, this situation isn't an Aviator... It's electronics are much more simplified. You can actually have a bad battery... I've had 2 car batteries gone bad which I had purchased from a local automotive store.... Times where I've run out of warranty and rather take care of it at the corner, than at the dealership.
About the 7-Series, what they stated was correct, and not the first time I have heard of the situation you had stated. Happens quite a bit with MB as well.
The tranny may have French parts but it is assembled in the US.
I thought the Aviator had a device that turned off stuff after a couple of days, to save battery power so this wouldn't happen, so yes, I would think your battery may have been defective. I too have had two brand new cars with defective batteries in them. It happens.
The battery saver feature you're talking about is for things that were left on - headlamps, interior lights, etc. What we're talking about here is the juice the computer uses while the car is off and that can't be shut off.
And yes - I'm sure the battery was bad - wasn't implying that it wasn't. But even a good battery can be drained with today's modern car electronics.
I'm guessing it's a capacity issue given how many explorers and mountaineers they sell. They sure aren't having capacity issues with LS and Tbird sales figures.
quemfala - Sounds like your battery was just plain bad from the beginning.
Sorry, Got your post on another forum and I'm addressing it now since I was out to Orlando for a few days (returning tomorrow).
Guess I left a few things in the air with my previous post. As Akirby mentioned, as the origin of the transmission is correct. And their might be consolidation of production occuring in the not so distant future as well... to make things easier. Seems most parts travel 3 continents before ending up on our vehicles.
I called back to the garage and they assured me that the battery was "defective", something about a sealed battery and if during assembly someone had inverted it or something like that. They replaced it, however I think that I'll "trickle charge" it anyway on my next extended absence.
Thanks to all
Here's the problem:
1. From the destination entry screen, select "address". -- That works O.K.
2. Input the house number. -- That works O.K.
3. Enter street name. -- Works O.K., to an extent. It frustrates you as the system attempts to force street names before you're ready, or none of them are a match.
4. Select city from list. -- no list appears
5. Input desired city. -- the "input city name" button does not even appear on the screen.
Has this been a problem for anyone else? If I'm just being obtuse on this, maybe I need to let my 6-yr old Grand-daughter play around with it; she seems quite capable of finding her way around any other electronic marvel of the day.
THANX
Life is better at the Beach
You need to choose your city or town before you try entering the street name or number. If you don't, the system defaults to the current city or town. As for the problem of street names appearing before you have entered all the letters. This is not a problem since the choices are limited to not more than a few on most occasions. Also, if no street name appears for a town that you know should have that street. Make sure you use the town name which includes the reference "town" or "town of" in the town's name on the computer.
That solved the problem. I guess I need to "play" with it a bit more to understand the quirks. The manual is probably an English translation from Japanese.
"Life is better at the Beach"
http://www.seriouswheels.com/top-2004-Lincoln-Next-Generation-Avi- ator-Concept.htm
It's based on a car platform, not the current truck platform, so it will be a very different vehicle.
My "parting gift" is that I get to purchase a new vehicle before he leaves to replace my Ford Explorer. It was an older model that accelerated on its own, going up to 100 mph before I panicked, hit the brakes, & caused it to flip over 7 or 8 times.
I mention these two things because A:) I dont TRUST vehicles as I did before and want something I can feel safe in and B:)I dont have that "Manly advice" you can get from your husband about which vehicle to pick-LOL.
I've picked through many old threads here as fast as my VERY OLD COMPUTER & MODEM will allow but cant seem to find a "great" reason to pick the Aviator or Navigator over each other??
I see "whining noise" mentioned on the Aviator, not enough "Power" on the Navigator.....
It would be nice to have a quiet vehicle. I am very short, myself, only have two kids, and now, no husband, so I dont NEED the larger Navigator....
If my finances will allow either a 2004 Aviator or a 2003-2004 Navigator is there any definitive reason to favor one over another?
Are there many features that are not in the Aviator that make the Navigator more "worthwhile?"
I obviously would love the Roll Stability feature because I have no desire to watch the world go upside down again but it seems that feature is hard to find?
Lastly, and this question may yell out "Car Ignorance" but why is it that the MSRP for the 2005 Aviators is not much more than the 2004?
Thank you in advance for your help. I hope someone can post just the right remark to help me make a decision one way or the other. I just know they are both GORGEOUS on the inside and if I need to replace my car I want to be looking at that Gorgeous polished Nickel!!!
Barbara
And, oh, have the dealer toss in a new puter! ;-)
tidester, host
You mentioned about a previous roll-over accident. I ask if you have pondered testing a car based Volvo XC90 ? I believe it would be best for you, instead of these truck based counterparts. I mention the Volvo XC90, because the pillar's/roofing structure is made of boron steel (much stronger). That vehicle can rollover repeatedly, without the roof caving in like the other SUV's.
Since it's car based, it's much easier to drive overall. A bit more fuel efficient, you also keep the 3rd row seating, which is stowable. And the 2nd row center seat, has the same function as that of the Explorer/Aviator, etc. You can place a baby-seat and move the seat forward. The safety canopy airbag system, as well as stability control....(Ford owns Volvo by the way, so you will see similar options/ideas/safety).
And what better way to feel safe, than a Volvo. That's surely one nice partying gift...
Some other answers I can share...
MSRP Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price... It's what the manufacturer believes it should be prices at... (but reality, it's the price you should pay waaayyyy under of after rebates/incentives).
The Aviator will be dropped in 2006, in favor of a new car based platform under the same name, but NOT built on the Explorer platform as the current one.. So your reaching the end of it's life cycle if that's an issue.
Navigator will introduce a new 5.4L 3V engine this year, for 2005 and 6 speed automatic transmission (it'll be quicker). And a few cosmetic touches to freshen it up a bit. Maybe you can get a 2004 for a lower price knowing this new one is around the corner.
Volvo is adding a new V8 this year, a 4.4L V8. It's top engine now is a 2.9L Turbo I-6 in case you wish to hold off till the V8 arrives.
My wife was hesitant on getting such a "big" truck but she became very comfortable in it quickly.
I also have RSC but I had to hunt for it. Ultimately I had to order it since nothing on the east coast had the config that I wanted.
ANT14-I see your name a lot in past messages & get the feeling you know a lot about cars or simply like them a lot
This Volvo model sounds nice but since I sat my 39 year old, aging, but still not so bad, butt in the Aviator and then the Navigator I've been TOTALLY in LOVE!!!!
I havent been in a lot of luxury type vehicles but there's something about the interior of these two that just GRABS ME!!!!
I would hope these SUVS arent too easy to rollover. When my Explorer accelereated I did the WORST possible combination of things. I turned the wheel because I was heading into Red Light Traffic at 100 mph & climbing and I hit the brakes at the same time! Talk about not thinking but I didnt have much time to think. I just panicked.
Unfortunately I herniated 6 discs in my back (had a condition I wasnt aware of -my discs were mushy and prime for slipping-
I take lots of pain medicine just to walk each day which in the beginning was very nice. Percocet and Morphine together had a way of making things just seem "Ohh so pleasant" til my body get used to the medicine-LOL.........
I've been thinking that maybe the 2004 LEFTOVER Aviators might wind up being so affordable that I should skip over the used being this time of the year. Is there an absolute BEST TIME to look for 04 leftovers or are we in it??
BTW-Parting gift from husband-yes- but I'm the one who's going to have to find gas money so Aviator would be best I guess. (not much difference I hear) Is the 4X2 much better on gas?
Barb
I found a 2005 Aviator in the Silver color I love, Moonroof, Entertainment, Roll Stability, Advanced Trac, CD Changer, etc. for MSRP of $47,585.
Then at same place I see a 2004 with the exact same equipment except no Roll Stab. or Advanced Trac for $3,000 more.
I assumed that 2004 leftovers would be priced lower and theres no sign its a demo.
Does this make any sense at all??
Maybe the 2004 does not include wheels or a roof and I'm just missing it
Barb
I had always thought this was the time to get an 2004 but the price difference is so small with the 2005's maybe I"m missing something else.
Take Care-
Barb
I've got an Ultimate AWD model with ABSOLUTELY every available option. We've logged 15K miles on the Aviator since February '04, and several things have gone awry, the most recent being a coolant system dump while my wife was driving her clients to lunch.
My wife, in her words, "heard a loud snap" while entering an eating establishments parking lot. She definitely watched the gages and noticed nothing wrong before leaving the vehicle with her passengers to go eat. When she got back to the Aviator after eating, there was a large green puddle underneath it. Knowing it was coolant, she called a cab for her passengers and then our LM dealership (who then gave her the number for Lincoln roadside service). 45 minutes later she was towed to our dealer.
We've already endured a replacement for a mis-assembled Transfer Case module (shipped with a Ford Explorer module rather than the proper Aviator module), a defective transmission solenoid pack (replaced 2 months ago), and a Navigation System that couldn't (replaced every single component until it finally works).
The dealer has happily repaired everything thus far, giving us a loaner vehicles that include Mercury Sable, Toyota Camry, Lincoln Towncar, and now a new Ford Escape.
I'm really annoyed that the Aviator has been in the shop as much as it has since we acquired it new on Super Bowl Sunday earlier this year. Not enough for Lemon laws (nor would I call our Aviator a Lemon), but enough that I've really lost a lot of faith in F/L/M quality. This is NOTHING like my LS experience (which is just the opposite), but it's disturbing.
We just got back to Phoenix from a week's vacation in the LA area, and the Aviator (and Nav System) worked GREAT! The air conditioned seats are very comfortable, mileage isn't too bad at 16 HWY and 14 City, and the ride/handling is wonderful. My 5-year old daughter loved the entertainment system on the 5-hour drive, so everyone is happy when it works, but it just doesn't work long enough between service visits.
The AWD system works great too, as I've been to Point Sublime and Toroweap on the Grand Canyon's North Rim earlier this summer (both locations are remote and the trails to them are rugged), and the Aviator acquitted itself quite well.
The only other positive spin I can put on the Reliability front is, "at least it quits on us while we're in-town and easily serviced."
I helped convince my sister that the Aviator was a good buy. They have had their 04 (bought used) for under a year and no problems as of yet. She loves it!
In a related/unrelated incident to your antifreeze leak... a co-worker said that he was driving his '04 Pontiac GTO through a construction zone and heard a crack/pop in the engine compartment and saw a plume of white vapor behind him. The low coolant light came on. Seems a plastic tube that runs between the aluminum radiator and the rubber hose (don't know if it was upper or lower) failed and broke open.
Do you know what happened to your Aviator's system?
Quoting from the Service Invoice . . . "Removed A/C compressor and found metal pieces in system. Removed receiver/drier and both front and rear thermoexpansion valves. Flushed condensor, front evaporator, rear evaporator and lines. Replaced receiver/direr and front thermoexpansion valve. Cleaned and reinstalled rear thermoexpansion valve. Replaced compressor and checked system for leaks. . . "
I trust the service was done properly and thoroughly, but the overall quality of the Aviator hasn't impressed me nearly to the degree my 2000 Lincoln LS has, which is the best vehicle I've ever owned after 5 years of service.
I now drive on Yokohama Geolander A/T+II. They have a higher speed rating than my OEM Michelin LTX's for extended exhuberant highway cruising, plus they have a much better off-road capabilities. At $111 per tire, they're still cheaper than the Michelin's. The only downside is that they're a bit noisier.
I just turn up the sound system a notch louder.
By the way, the Geolander's have done some pretty strenuous off-roading . . . no comparison at all with the Michelin's.
A friend put the Geolanders on his Yukon and he likes them. And the price is right.