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We have a 2wd premium with Nav and DVD. So far we have about 1K miles with drives to San Antonio and Houston (no towing, 3 kids ages 10,7,5).
1. Performance - It's hard not to like that 300hp 4.6L V8. Sure it drinks lotsa gas - 17mpg on the hw according to the trip computer, 12-14 in mixed driving, but it is fun and eager to be pushed. The suspension settings are also tuned for a sporty but not rough ride. I'd say sportier than and MDX but not quite up there with an X5. Steering is speed sensitive which is a nice touch. Brakes feel is not that great, somewhat mushy until you press hard enough for real good bite but the brakes themselves do a good job.
2. Luxury - Very elegant in an understated way. I've been surprised by this. We have both the butt warmers and coolers - a little gimicky but they do work as advertised. However, the front seatbacks are controlled manually - why is that? Rear DVD player is well integrated with stereo and controls on the touch sensitive LCD screen that also displays nav system. (Except you can't watch DVD movies in the front). Speaking of the NAV system, it's close to the MDX NAV in terms of usability which is saying something.
3. Comfort - For 2-3 hour trips the front seats are just fine. Not as comfy as the big Sequoia but acceptable. Same thing in the back according to my kids - I have to take their word on this - and we did a few 20 hours marathons in the Sequoia. The adjustable pedals are great - my wife who is 5'2" really loves this as she does not have to sit so far forward now. However there is no dead spot for the left foot (or if there is one it is too flat).
4. Utility - For hauling 3 kids and our stuff for a quick two day trip this works great. I've not had to use the fold down seats for loading anything and I doubt I will as I have a pickup for that. My wife who is the primary driver may have to use that on the occasional shopping spree. The split tailgate works great for loading groceries and other small items.
Overall we have been impressed and pleasantly surprised - we have not had any issues or problems (granted its only been a week). I went ahead an bought the Aviator because of the specials, X-plan, and the 3 year maintenance inclusion on the '03. The original plan was to get a Volvo XC90 but X-plan pricing is not available on the XC90, dealer was asking at least MSRP and I had to wait a few months.
-Juan
http://media.ford.com/products/model.cfm?vehicle_id=961
is anything different from the upgraded NAV introduced/announced in April?
http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=15148&ma- ke_id=93
is it the THX?
Al
Can anyone share with me their recent experiences (good or bad) with the Aviator. I am close to pulling the trigger on an 03', but I still may need a little more convincing to seal the deal.
Also, the 6 disc changer premium sound system sounded horrible in the test model that I drove. Not much bass even after adjusting it to max.
Thanks..........Bill
MSRP $49,250; only discounted to $47,432 plus $2000 for return lease and cash incentive. Who qualifies for the 'X' plan?? Sounds like a better way to go. I have been in the Ford Credit system for the past 8 years with leases and purchases.
Other 'hidden' question above - why can't the dealer find out where my car is, let alone when it will be delivered.
Impressed with all of your knowledge out there, especially - ANT14. Thanks in advance for your time and efforts.
Ask to see the invoice and negotiate from there.
Ford also has programs for people with high-profile jobs - such as business owners or realtors.
You can drill down that price to a few hundred dollars over invoice - the same as the X-plan.
Try talking to the fleet department of a different dealer, or send out an RFQ to dealers in your area and see who gives you the lowest quote.
Also, during the test drive of th '03 Kitty Hawk the salesman said something about how after the DVD for the NAV system is running it receives further updates via satellite such that it is continuously updated. This seems to fall in the "too good to be true" category. Anyone know if this is true?
Thanks.
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/incentives/holdback/index.html
As far as arrival times, the dealer said that they can't locate the arrival of the car until it has been shipped.
X-plan: I'm getting mine through the x-plan, plus I am eligible for all rebates. The x-plan is roughly 7% off of the MSRP. There is no negotiation when using the Ford plans but you do get the incentives and a set rate on the financing.
1. When do the current year-end offers expire? I've seen different data (7/31 vs. 9/02)
2. Is there any difference between "Advance Trac" and "Interactive Vehicle Dynamics". I see some vehicle data sheets listing the latter.
3. Is the factory Class III/IV trailer tow package option dealer installable afterwards? In looking at dealer inventories so far I've only been able to find my preferred color and other desired options with this option missing, so I'm wondering if that's something that can be added on later? Or does it involve some fundamental vehicle characteristics (like axle ratios and such)?
Thanks in advance for any answers...
Naren.
There is a big difference between revenue that is paid months down the road on the parts statement(holdback) and profit. I don't know any dealership that is "making money" with jsut holdabck.... I just wanted to clarify so you don't confuse people.
http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat- _code=autotestfile&loc_code=index&content_code=07792605
2. I factory ordered the typeIII/IV hitch. I believe it doesn't involve any different radiator, alternator, or change of axle ratio. If added later( dealer installed) it may not accommodate the factory plastic bumper cover that is standard ( a different cover is supplied when you order this option as the type III/IV protrudes a bit ). As you mentioned it seems that the dealers are routinely not sent vehicles with this option.
3. The Nav system will not let you enter the address of the destination while the SUV is in motion. ( I suspect a safety feature) I also have not seen a digital clock with the nav system on the nav display.
http://www.autointell.net/nao_companies/ford/lincoln/lincoln-navi- cross-concept/lincoln-navicross-concept-03.htm
This again is media speculation, coupled with the same story months ago that Aviator sales were not as expected, when actually they are almost on target. For some odd reason, the media is just wanting to pick on Ford lately....
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/ford5_20030805.htm
What I can't figure out is why the XC90 is still backlogged. Aviators are a great deal compared to a $48K loaded T-6, and even some Navigators are available at the price.
The ship sank last December. There must be some other production problems - or it must be a low production vehicle. Volvo still sold 3792 XC90's in May.
Somehow Volvo is simply outmarketing Lincoln - or perhaps people simply want a European 7-seater SUV?
Latest numbers show majority of Volvo's being sold are SUV, or Wagon related. Sedan sales are holding steady, ir not dropping a bit. Versality seems to be a Volvo consumer favorite.
I think the Aviator is probably the better vehicle of the two - it just doesn't appeal to the same crowd for some reason.
Isn't the new Discovery being built on a modified Explorer platform?
I think the Freestyle is going to be a hit.
"Reports of the death of Lincoln’s Aviator have been greatly exaggerated, insisted Ford Motor Co. COO Nick Scheele, during a discussion with reporters in Traverse City. In recent days, numerous news stories have indicated that Lincoln’s mid-size luxury sport-ute will be pulled from production in 2005, a victim of weak sales. But such reports are “premature,” said Ford COO Nick Scheele, quickly substituting the word, “wrong.” MBS keynote speaker, Scheele stressed “We have taken no such decision on Aviator,” insisting that after a slow start, sales have begun picking up. Through June, he reported, Lincoln has sold about 13,000 of the SUVs, nearly half the 30,000 target for all of 2003. Scheele, meanwhile, countered concerns that Lincoln has lost its direction. Last spring, he told TheCarConnection the luxury brand was rethinking its entire product program following its pull-out from Ford’s Premier Automotive Group. The new lineup is “impressive,” Scheele said, denying that the American luxury unit will simply rely on “badge-engineered” versions of products sold by other Ford divisions."
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=6270
Like I kept saying, alot of media hype with a bias against domestic manufacturer's.
Of course there was that little war thing that depressed industry sales for a few months, but lets not let facts get in the way.
The media chooses to highlight the early months when the vehicle had not even reached all the dealers and wonder why they weren't selling 2700 per month when the vehicles were still in transit to the dealers.
What a crock!
Avaitor doesn't offer, like the dimming mirror, the folding outside mirrors, the power liftgate, the power folding seats, the power running boards.
I've never heard that sound yet. The sound that I have heard, about three times, and always when I am turning the steering wheel is a loud grinding type sound that sounds like its coming from the front axle. Anyway hear this sound, or have any idea what it might be?
Thanks.
2003 Aviator- 1600 miles.
By the way, my navigator does a slight "whine" from behind the stereo system for a few seconds on start-up but goes away when I drive off.