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That's an interesting viewpoint about the "decline of the Explorer". Personally, I think it's a little more straight forward; I suspect it fell out of popularity because it filled a niche as a small-turned-mid-sized SUV until cross-overs came about. By then, there wasn't anything compelling enough to make people keep buying Explorers. The performance and gas mileage were crappy enough that people looking at that market segment for the room or towing capabilities just opted for the larger Expedition. Those who wanted better gas mileage and didn't need to go off-road likely looked towards the more efficient, more stylish more versatile cross over market. For whatever appeal Explorer brings to the current SUV/cross over market ...it doesn't bring enough of it.
The cross-over market right now--good, bad or otherwise--is really hot right now. Ford would be stupid not to jump on it by offering all its latest and greatest technologies to take advantage of this "boom". I think that effort is much more likely to generate sales rather than dumping next-gen engines and technology into aging SUV platforms which as a market segment has been losing steam over the last several years. And to be honest, do you really believe that a mere 250 ft/lbs of torque of the new V6 DFI motor is going to do anything spectacular in any of Ford's big, heavy non-cross over vehicles? Full size trucks and SUVs need big engines (or slightly smaller turbo/supercharged engines) to move them. Period.
Autoblog takes 2011 Explorer to Dubai sand dunes
Doesn't sound like the beach would be a problem. Notice they buried it up to the axles and still managed to get out without a tow.
Just finished with all that. I think you'll probably find the Traverse ends up a bit bigger. However, you really need to think about usable space. I take a tape measure and check out 1) tailgate opening dimensions, 2) distance between wheels or seat clips (whichever are closer) and 3) measure the roof distance behind seat where you set it and top opening of tailgate (because they are usually sloped). These things are all going to really matter with the kind of stuff you'll be hauling because it goes from dorm to apartment. Honestly, no CUV is likely to be great. You may not like the image, but a minivan holds way more stuff. Otherwise, you may have to bite the bullet and buy an SUV like Expedition or Tahoe. I'm cheap, so I went with a minivan (which is also easier getting into and out of the seats).
Because you end up hauling them and their friends around and I don't particularly like driving at Interstate speeds dragging a trailer around, nor do I particularly like those U Haul trucks with 140K on the odometer that sound like they are about to fall apart.
Some of my friends are going down to Kiener Plaza in St. Louis today to see it. Interestingly, the local tea party types are staging a "BUYcott" there, to urge people to consider buying the Explorer (in support of Ford not taking bailout money).
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Hitch carriers "lift" the front wheels resulting in lowered directional control and drive traction, bad news, REALLY bad news, for the 2011 FWD or even the F/awd EXPLODER...!!
I'm sorry, what empirical data do you have about the 2011 Explorer rolling over? Or any of the aforementioned vehicles for that matter? Of are you referring to Firestone tire blow-outs?
Also, do you really think that 75 lbs (worst case) of tongue weight is going to lift the front end of any SUV of this size off the ground? Really?
Or are you making an outrageous statement just to inflame everyone here? Apologies, but it does warrant asking.
Yes, ~75lbs of tongue weight might be just enough to "push" the F/R balance beyond the edge in certain situations. Remember this is NOW a FWD(***) vehicle, relying on front tire traction for BOTH drive torque and directional control.
*** To help alleviate the potential for loss of traction and therefore danger to life and limb via loss of directional control the rear drive coupling is pre-emptively engaged ONLY during low speed acceleration or when turning. To do otherwise, even with the newly adopted PTO cooling, would put so much stress on the driveline that components would fail prematurely as they have been on the Escape and Mariner.
Please don't feed the troll. :lemon:
While the majority of those buyers may NEVER take the vehicle off-road there is a great deal of mental comfort involved in driving a vehicle that is off-road capable, especially on adverse wintertime roadbeds.
Given the fall flat on the face sales efforts of the previous inceptions of "this" platform, the FreeStyle and Taurus X, one would think Ford would have know better than to think just re-badging a Taurus X as an Explorer would accomplish anything for those many still loyal Explorer fans.
But I suppose the use of all that FreeStyle and Taurus X tooling and manufacturing capability was just too good to pass up.
You sound like a disgruntled ex-Ford employee. Did Ford fire you recently?
No, but I am in the process of flunking retirement, do you suppose that might be it...??
Pretty please. Don't feed the troll. He will ruin this forum too.
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For the money, I could also get a 7-seat V6 Highlander, 7-seat V6 Outlander XLS, 7-seat Hyundai Santa Fe, or for a little more money, an 8-seat Traverse LS. Also right above that at 30K-31K are a basic 7-passenger Pathfinder S FE+ or a base 4-Runner SR5 after adding the elusive third row seat option ($805 retail).
My wife and I have driven a Pathfinder (2007 model) extensively on a vacation as a rental from Enterprise and we were very happy with it. I have not driven either of the last generations of 4Runner (last I test drove was a 1998 model) and I have no experience with any of the smaller ones. We currently drive a 2000 Dodge Durango with the 318 V8 and 6-passenger seating. When we all go somewhere together, either my wife or I have to sit in the cargo area. We need a 7-seater vehicle. I'm about to add a third row to the Durango but my wife fell in love with the 2011 Explorer when it was featured in USA Today a couple months ago. I know the Pathfinder and 4Runner will be hard pressed to see the gas mileage numbers of the new Explorer, the Traverse, or any of the smaller SUV's (Outlander, Highlander, Santa Fe). We get about 19mpg mixed in the Durango due to my light right foot and the mostly highway driving we do out here in the sticks.
I do think the Explorer's new design is appropriate for our family. 2 adults, 5 kids, good gas mileage, and the Ford name. I'd be plenty happy with one. I always wondered why they didn't make the Edge a 7-seater. Now I know why.
I am very interested in seeing one in person, close up. I drive in snow and ice exactly none of the time, so I could care less about some poster's comments. But I am curious to know how it feels. Maybe the EcoBoost is worth waiting for in a base model? Maybe the V6 just feels better? Does it drive anything like an Edge or Flex? Maybe I'd be better off sticking the wifey in a 5-year old Freestyle and save the money for when the new model gets sorted out right? I've always been told, never buy a new car in the first year, but how new is this Explorer? Isn't it just an extended length Edge? Isn't it a restyled Taurus X or Freestyle? Mechanically, it's the same vehicle, right? The EcoBoost might be something to watch reliability-wise, but I'm sure the 3.5L is fine by now, right?
Other than the soccer mom stigma, a minivan has to make vastly more sense for a large family, especially if you aren't using AWD or towing.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
lost text on the right says
"far as I'm..." and
"soft rooftop carrier"
Sorry, mods, thought the forum would resize it.
If you like, we can delete your post and you can resize it and repost.
I don't know. You tell me? That seems to be a pretty deep well behind the third row. It's set up like a Freestar or Odyssey as far as my eyes are concerned. Keep in mind I am a champion Tetris player, can pack like a soldier, and wouldn't be opposed to a soft rooftop carrier for a few duffel bags."
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(My fiancee wants heated seats but she doesn't want to pay the huge price difference between the XLT and the Limited version of the 2011 Explorer.)
Bud H
No not true. You can order the comfort package which includes heated, power leather seating. It is $2500 extra though.
Why not just get the Edge?
The 2011 Explorer will roll into your local dealer around second week in January.
Check out the latest video revealing the EPA estimated MPG for the new Explorer! This makes the 2011 Explorer the Best in Class for V6 and 25% more fuel efficient than the current model! http://www.youtube.com/user/Explorer#p/u/1/tOHqcHnDfsw
Also, if you haven't checked it out yet, there are some really cool videos and photos over at the official Ford Explorer Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FordExplorer). You should check it out! While you're at it, be sure to visit the 2011 Ford Explorer site where you can build out and price the new Explorer with all the latest features! http://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/2011/
Thanks! Can't wait to hear what you guys have to say !
Marielle, working with Team Detroit/ Ford, Disclosure: http://cmp.ly/Agency/vopg46
http://www.facebook.com/FordExplorer
For everyone, here's our 2011 Ford Explorer Limited 4WD Full Test that went live yesterday.
"Ford's decision to make the Explorer into a car-based SUV was the right one. It's convenient and comfortable in all the ways families will appreciate, and it's a worthy rival to vehicles like the CX-9, Durango, Highlander and Traverse. The Explorer is more distinctively styled than any of those vehicles and offers more safety features to boot. Further, it rides, handles, accelerates and stops as well as almost anything in the class...."
Nothing negative to say about the move to unibody construction, but FWD..Explorer..FWD....??
Sheer idiocy.
And why not DFI for the new V6...?
And DFI for the upcoming (if ever) Gas-Guzzling TwinForce (EcoBoost) 4 cylinder engine but with detuning, substandard compression ratio for DFI.
Sheer idiocy, again.
Lockup the "center differential" when turning in order to reduce the level of drive torque available to the front wheels to help prevent, alleviate, instances of loss of directional control...??
Sheer idiocy, yet again..
Lockup the "center differential" under straight ahead acceleration when on a perfectly dry and highly tractive surface...?
Just how much idiocy will the Ford Explorer buyer tolerate..??
Even with water cooling of the PTO and rear diff'l/clutch combination how long before failure of the weakest link(***) once all the resulting NEEDLESS driveline windup and tire scrubbing takes its toll...?
*** MDX = lockup clutch....Escape/mariner = PTO
I predict an early TSB, a switch to disable the F/awd fucntionality unless/until the driver has reason to suspect/expect a need for same.
And let's not, by all means, forget the need, nay, REQUIREMENT, for HYPERACTIVE TC to INSTANTLY dethrottle the engine and begin braking the front wheels once even the slightest level of wheelspin/slip develops.
Otherwise this would be just another patently UNSAFE FWD vehicle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFDTYTgCz2Q
Everyone knows, or certainly should know, that absent TC a FWD vehicle is just simply patently dangerous to take out on a wintertime adverse condition, slippery, roadbed. Do you even know why so many modern day F/awd vehicles have the ability to turn TC off....?
The new Ford Explorer is FWD or at best F/awd, front torque biased, so we all should know the danger involved in taking one of those out on a slippery roadbed. Sure, TC will kick in the instant wheelspin/slip develops and likely save my life but how do I get up my inclined driveway covered with ice or packed snow...?
The "old" Explorer was relatively safe in comparison since it was RWD or even 4WD. With RWD wheelspin/slip loss of directional control is not a threat unless the driver is an idiot.
Do you know why it is unwise to leave a 4WD vehicle such as the old Explorer in 4WD mode once underway...?
Good to see that you agree that the Ford AWD is the BEST in the business.
The proof was in the test drive in the desert of Dubai this past summer.
No, not, NEVER...!!
For sideways mounted engine vehicles, base FWD, the Honda/Acura SH-AWD system is more likely than otherwise....
The BEST in the Business.
I would suspect that anyone looking for an equivalent vehicle to the now obsolete :sick: Ford Explorer would be looking first at the Toyota 4runner.
Suppose I get stuck in the mud, mud hole, and need to use wheelspin to rock back and forth and get up and going again, is there a way to disable TC such that that can be done...??
Or must I remove the ABS pumpmotor fuse to disable TC...??