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Comments
Seems like it would close if you put it in gear or at least give a warning sound that the gate is open.
Mark156
Hope you have a better experience in getting it fixed. It was certainly worth the trouble because now the liftgate works smoothly every time.
blackrhino: The fix for the 03 is to remove them, and put some kind of foam behind them. Works great, by the way.
If the resale is this low, a mint 2003 could be a real steal. I think that you could pick up a used 2003 Nav with a lot more equipment, albeit with 10K miles for maybe 2K more than a new, loaded Eddie Bauer. And, lest anyone is worried about the mileage, you get a free 4th year of factory warranty with the Lincoln.
(Incidentally, do they badge Navigators to differentiate the Ultimate from the others? What is different about the monocromatic package vs. simply a black Nav? Seemingly, everything is black to begin with, except for the chrome which stays. Finally, I hope you Nav owners have picked up on the price differences in the same options on a EB vs. a Nav. Does it really cost that much more to cut the hole for the sunroof in the Nav?)
Any thoughts?
If you can find a slightly used one for thousands less, you would be a smart man to buy it.
I'll also pint out that I purchased my LS from this dealer 4 years ago, and every time I've gone for service, the rep who sold me both cars makes sure to greet me, ask me how everything is, etc. etc. - even if he's with someone else. It's always the red carpet treatment.
Well, this dealer had four '03 units to look at. One had the "monochrome" paint job on a black one. Have you seen the prices of the "monochrome" paint job? ($1,200) There is so little paint, personally, I couldn't justify paying that much for something that doesn't look all that different.
Two disappointments I found.
1) The sunvisors don't slide out once you position them on the side.
There is a four inch gap where the sun will fry the side of your face. It happened to me on my '99 Jeep Grand Cherokee. My '96 Jeep Grand had sliding visors and I assumed the '99 would but found out after I bought it that it didn't. When the 2000 Jeep came out with sliding visors, I paid $300 to have mine replaced with the sliding ones. I drive across country during the winter months and the positiong of the sun will fry you if you don't have an adequate visor.
I hope the '04 Navigator will change the visor to be fully functional. If not, I might have to look at another vehicle and I was getting so excited about the Navigator. Darn!
Also,
2) I found that "Big" sliding door covering the radio on the dash a little awkward to close. You have to pull it out then push down to close. Have any of you had the door break?
Other than those couple of things I mentioned, I'm impressed with everything else about the Navigator.
Mark156
In addition to better customer service and more standard features not available on the EB (32 valve engine, longer warranty, much much nicer interior), I also like the monocromatic paint schemes. The two tone EB, with gold as the contrasting tone, is IMHO awful.
So, what do you think is the correct "striking" price for a used 2003 Nav? Lets assume that a used 2003 EB will be 33K. In other words, how much more would you pay for a used Nav?
Mark156, speaking of monocromatic, what is exactly monocromatic about the black monocromatic edition? I thought that a basic black Nav was all black anyway (except for the crome which stays). So what is different for the $1200?
First, I was not aware that the "solid" color was even available. So, what I saw was that the "grey" plastic around the step and on the rear/front bumpers is painted black. It really didn't look all that different than a regular Navigator. In my opinion, I wouldn't pay extra from what I saw. I didn't notice anything else different although there could have been something I didn't catch. For $1,200, I would rather have the normal paint scheme.
The black Navigator that I looked at had the rear DVD player, navigation system, chrome wheels, wood enhancement on the dash/steering/console, electric third seat, auto liftgate and the monochrome paint... listed for just over $61,000.
I'm still disappointed on those sunvisors.
I will not go to GM! I just might get the new Mercedes E-class wagon.
Mark156
The Navigator ratings look pretty darn good too: link
Steve, Host
I know it must sound crazy to "X" off a vehicle just because of the sunvisors. I had to "X" of the Volvo wagon too because of non-moving sunvisors.
When I drive across country in the winter months, the sun is in a very low position. Either me or my front passenger are blinded/burned by the sun coming in that "vacant" spot where the sunvisor stops and the B pillar starts (about four inches). I've never seen an after market sunvisor that would replace a factory visor.. I don't want a "make-do" visor when I'm spending $60K for vehicle. If it's a perfect replacement, then I would consider it. Where do you find them?
While in Chicago, I stopped by the VW dealer to see the new Touareg. I was impressed with the interior styling and layout. They offer rear heated seats on the V8. Only if it had a third seat.
Have a great day! Mark156
As for the sun, I can't say I've had an issue with that. Although in Miami, driving to the suburbs requires you driving west in the full afternoon sun. I've learned a trick on programming the seat at a higher level, and not AS reclined, I'm able to work around that issue IF the sun visors do not do their job.
At one time on another vehicle, I replaced the sun visors with one of another model within Ford's range. Many of the parts are interchangable. Or even some other manufacturer's. Just take a look at other's vehicles, and you can always buy them off their parts department.
If Lincoln/Ford doesn't make a sliding visor I kinda doubt another manufacturer will work/fit properly. A $50K-$60K should have sliding visors. Even the little "extra" visor is OK but doesn't cover all of the way to the "A" Pillar. Do the car designers ever really check these things to see if they work?
When I'm driving across country (2000 miles), at 3:00-5:00 pm the sun starts hanging low and I'm not ready to stop at that time. The sun is pretty intense out West in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and in California. The same scenario happens in the early morning hours too.
I'm glad that you found a way around your "labeled" visor that works for you. I just want mine to slide because I don't care at all about the labels.
Just .02 worth. Mark156
But you could find some in other aftermarket places, I have seen other people do this, and it even raised questions about: "What if you resell the vehicle, would the lack of stickers, or your removement of them make you liable if something were to happen". This on an article 2 years ago, pertaining to "Stupid stickers" in vehicles.
To me, the "deal breaker" is vehicles that have red interior instrumentation. And at one time I almost bought a BMW (years ago before current designer Chris Bangle hit them with an ugly stick). But I found out there was NO real way of replacing the red lightining, AND I couldn't replace each and every bulb/wire (which I was very willing in doing because the vehicle had very strong positive traits I liked). If I could alter it on my own, then I would have, being no other vehicle at that time possessed such traits I was looking for. I guess it depends how strong the positives of a vehicle might be.
www.freep.com/money/autonews/power9_20030709.htm
I looked at the trunk /folded down third seat room in a 2003 Nav tonight in some detail. Looks to me like the lift- in height is higher to get over the folded seat and the overall distance from the folded seat (the "floor") to the roof must be a lot less than on say a Tahoe. This is only of concern to me because very occasionally I'll want to put a piece of equipment on a pallet into the back.
Interesting quote in there - are they saying that the E class ratings deteriorated more than any other car? Or the car quality deteriorated badly? Rather means the same thing I guess. Black eye either way.
Buick must be looking over their shoulder at Caddy and Lincoln; nice results for GM.
Steve, Host
STEVE: I took it from that quote, that the car deteriorated, but you may have a point> it says, "The rate of deterioration on the E-Class is greater"....so it could mean either, but it bodes badly either way, as you said. But to be fair, which I am loathe to do, I have 3 friends with 2000 E-Classes, and other than frequent brake relines, they haven't been that bad.
Check out the article, then take a look at your seat frames.
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2003/trucks/expy.rustedseats080403.ht- m
I have a few miles to decide if I need the extended warranty, I'm really not incline to purchase due to the high reliability of Ford Trucks (or any rwd V8 Ford). I'll pull the warranty history on the car and review it, if it's bad I'll buy the warranty if not I won't.
I checked a little bit and found you couldn't get the factory NAV or DVD system with the factory Moonroof at the time this one was produced. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't find all of the above but at least I know why. I guess I'd rather have the moonroof than know where I'm going.
Late 2000 model, nearly 45,000 miles.
Can anyone confirm with certainty whether or not it is standard? Thanks.
Does anyone here have an 04 who could settle this and/or do our hosts have access to info that could resolve this minor conundrum?
I would also like to know the type used on the Nav --- assuming it is there as an option or standard feature --- since there are at least two systems used for monitoring the tire pressure. One system is said to have a device within the tire, mounted on the rim I think, and the other is said to operate from the valve or valve stem. The latter, I have read, is not as reliable as the former. Also, as for the display, there are said to be at least two types, one showing only the fact that there is a tire which has abnormal pressure, not showing which tire it is however, and the other system showing which tire as well as more specific info, such as low/high or perhaps a pressure reading. I am not clear on these specifics and look forward to someone here correcting me or adding to this. Thanks.
The 4x4 models, according to Ford, "May exhibit a front axle groan of hum, and/or a slight vibration, when operated in 2 High mode." Ford noted that the condition is most prevalent on deceleration at speeds between 45 and 15 mph, but not in 4 High. The noise may be due to the front halfshafts rotating at different speeds from each other.
To eliminate the axle noise, Ford will install an S-spring into the front axle which would then allow the front half shafts to rotate at the same speed. The service is free under the provisions of the bumper to bumper warranty coverage and should take 1.7 hrs. to complete.
This is PART of the "Dont ask, we won't tell" secret warranty service, so you MUST bring it up to them, and if anything ask for Program: T-30604
The '04 page says it's standard for both trim levels. ("New safety features include a tire-pressure monitoring system as standard equipment").
I'm not sure you should quote me on this, lol.
Steve, Host