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My question is, the brochure says the system is Voice Activated, has a touch screen, and that it understands 174 voice commands and talks back to guide you. Is this different than the '03 system? Did the '03 system take verbal comands from the driver? And just what are these 174 commands that it recognizes?
"SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGE #17054:
2002-2004 EXPLORER/MOUNTAINEER/AVIATOR - REAR AXLE WHINE. SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT AXLE WHINE AT CRUISE OR DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. TO SERVICE, PERFORM NORMAL DIAGNOSTICS. IF A SPECIFIC ROOT CAUSE IS NOT IDENTIFIED, BE AWARE THAT ENGINEERING IS CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING VIA THE QUICKER SERVICE FIX {QSF} PROCESS. A SERVICE PROCEDURE WILL BE PUBLISHED AS SOON AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUBMIT CONCERN REPORTS {EDSR} FOR ANY VEHICLE WHICH EXHIBITS THIS CONDITION. MONITOR OASIS FOR UPDATES. THERE ARE NO TSBS FOR SYMPTOM ENTERED."
I SINCERELY HOPE THAT THIS FRESH INFORMATION HELPS EVERYONE MAKE A LITTLE PROGRESS IN GETTING THIS REAR END WHINE ISSUE RESOLVED. AS ALWAYS, PLEASE CONTINUE TO SHARE ANY AND ALL NEW INFORMATION ABOUT OUR DILEMMA AS YOU RECEIVE IT. THANKS, MLWLK.
Mine was built in July (2003 model - Job 2) and yes, it has voice commands. I believe the earlier versions may not have the extended set of voice commands - at least that was the case with the 2003 LS. Not clear whether it can be upgraded with just a new DVD.
For those just joining us....
I'm posting this is reference because of the incorrect speculation of the media about the Aviator demise and "slow sales"... Actually this puts the vehicle on pace to sell 25K units as planned.
have goodyear tires, dealer said mich's would fix most of the vibes.
mlwlk and lee1000, thanks for the info and good descriptions.
btw local dealer offering new '03s, list 42xxx for 299xx.
The Aviator also outsold the Volvo XC90, 3260 vs. 3082. At this rate the Aviator is currently selling at a 39,120 a year rate.
whine - mine's 2wd/3.55 regular axle. It only makes a high pitched whine between 55-60 - no vibration.
Voice commands - cd, am, fm1, fm2, map, radio, destination, track up, track down, seek up, seek down, disc up, disc down
hospitals, restaurants, gas, ATM, police station, hotel, rest area, home, bank, casino, I'm Hungry
The list goes on and on.
"(c) If the manufacturer, converter, or distributor is unable to conform the motor vehicle to an applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition which creates a serious safety hazard or substantially impairs the use or market value of the motor vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer, converter, or distributor shall (1) replace the motor vehicle with a comparable motor vehicle; or (2) accept return of the vehicle from the owner and refund to the owner the full purchase price less a reasonable allowance for the owner's use of the vehicle and any other allowances or refunds payable to the owner."
I hope Ford comes up with a "fix" for the Aviator's Rear Axle Whine very shortly and nobody has to invoke their state's Lemon Law, but the advice I'm receiving clearly points to that as a viable option in this situation.
Good luck to all you Aviator owners! Ps. Other than the Whine, I really love everything about my Aviator. I think it's a great SUV!
Regarding the voice activation feature, do you press a button first to make the system listen to your commands? If so where is that button located?, and how well does the system work?
Is the NAV option available only on the Premium edition, or can it be had on the Lux edition? I'm trying to figure out exactly what price I should offer/stick to. Does an invoice price of $45.1k sound like Prem. or Lux? Thanks.
Is the NAV option available only on the Premium edition, or can it be had on the Lux edition? I'm trying to figure out exactly what price I should offer/stick to. Does an invoice price of $45.1k sound like Prem. or Lux? Thanks.
On the 2003, according to the brochure, it looks like a stand alone option. However I can't imagine a dealer ordering such an expensive option on the 'base' version, but it looks like it is possible.
I have the list of voice commands that the aviator will recognize. Just give me your e-mail address and I'll e-mail them to you. It's about 178 commands and they all work. Navtech said that they are adding more voice commands each year so the list will be continually updated.
Bob Golfen
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 11, 2003 12:00 AM
"Despite reports to the contrary, there are no plans to ax Lincoln Aviator after the 2005 model year, according to Ford Motor Co., although the sport utility vehicle could undergo some changes.
Sales for Aviator have been growing month to month and the midsize SUV is on track to meet projections, said Sara Tatchio, a Lincoln-Mercury spokeswoman."
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/wheels/articles/1011whee- ls11aviator.html
Oh yeah...mine is fully loaded (nav, dvd, chrome, tire monitor, etc...) It had 925 miles on it used for a USGA Golf Tour promotion in which a professional golfer was given the truck to drive for a week. So i got this one deeply discounted. I think it was somethng like $7500 off the bat, plus other rebates. I did put 2k out of pocket including gap insurance. All I cared about was that I pay $497 a month for 36 months on an RCO purchase.
So far, no strange sounds. I sure hope I don't get any!
Laura
I test drove the Aviator pre production at a focus group outside of Atlanta at Chateau Elan. They paid me $125 to drive it back to back with a MDX and X5 and answer questions. Tough job but somebody had to do it. I liked it and said if I was buying a SUV this would probably be it, but I really didn't expect to be in the market and I didn't expect the wife to like it so much. In fact I reminded her of her first comment when I showed her a picture of the interior when it first came out. I think it was "You think this looks good?". Anyway, X-plan and $5K in rebates later and we own one. So far it's been great. Only complaint is the dangling keys hit my knee but I can live with that since I don't drive it every day.
4Runner: smooth and strong V8, quiet and a nice looking vehicle. Headroom was terrible, especially with the moon roof. Availability of product was horrible (Chicagoland market).
Infiniti FX: light and quick vehicle, handles superbly. Can't get used to the looks of the rear-end. Interior is just OK - too much plastic - no wood accents. All of the windows are small, including the side ones (door sills come up too high), making it hard to see around you. My wife has to move the seat up high and too close to the steering wheel to drive it - not safe, even though the sales guy did a nice pitch on the sensors that tell the air bags the sitting position of the driver. Tight back seat for adults, OK for kids.
Touareg: Beautiful interior, except for the area where the cup holders are. V6 makes a lot of noise under a heavy foot and goes nowhere. Smoother in the V8, but still didn't seem too quick. Wife liked the size and handling, but I think it looks like a Honda CRV from the front and sides. Heard that the Germans are having many electrical problems with this vehicle and the Porsche. Dealer actually admitted to this saying "the bugs are being worked out". Staying away from this one.
Aviator: We drove this vehicle last for a reason. I had previously driven this vehicle and loved it - wife had not. After she drove it, she basically said there is no decision for her to make - she absolutely loves this vehicle. Pedal adjusters are wonderfull for her and the inertior is stunning! IMO, hands down, this is the better vehicle in terms of value, looks, performance, safety and reliability. I have read almost this entire message board and there is one thing that I can't understand about this vehicle. Why hasn't this vehicle received the attention it deserves? Is it because people have not given it a chance, thinking that it is just a glorified Explorer or Mountaineer? Big mistake, IMO. I'm glad to read that Ford does not plan on discontinuing this vehicle and that sales numbers are starting to pick-up (maybe the word is starting to get out?). I can attribute the same example to when my brother bought a Lincoln Mark VII LSC in 1986 - the first year of the new Mark VII. Sales started out slow because people thought it was the same thing as a Cougar with a 5.0 engine. As it turned out, it was one of the best selling Mark's ever built ( we know what happened after it became a Mark VIII - no need to go there).
If we can find an '03 or '04 in vivid red with Nav, we plan to buy it (I will thouroughly test drive it to make sure there is nothing wrong with the rear-end diff). I will let you all know what happens.
PS - I own a 99 Cobra convertible that has performed flawlessly for 5 summers. I believe the engine in the AV is the same motor sans the headers on the exhaust, robbing about 15 horses and torque.
Acura MDX - minivan based, front wheel drive and front fascia is ugly.
BMW X5- Tailgate and sides of the vehicle are ugly. Design needs updating.
Lexus 330- Minivan based, front wheel drive and front fascia is ugly.
Caddy SRX - ugliest station wagon I have ever seen!
Caddy Escalade - although it is not much bigger in size compared to the AV(AV is actually wider, but lower and shorter in length), it looks bulky and the third row seat doesn't fold flat.
None of the above foreign made vehicles have pedal adjusters. Amazing that only the American products have this feature (Caddy, Ford, Jeep). This is about a $90 option and I can't figure out why the foreign manufacturer's haven't incorporated this feature yet.
As far as the Jeep Grand Cherokee - we did test drive awhile back and found the seats too soft and uncomfortable. Has good looks, but is currently being redesigned for 2005 - due out in Feb 2004.
This my opinion only! Knowing this is a Lincoln site, I don't think I have offended anyone. If I have, my apologies.