RandyH2
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- March 28, 2011
- Messages
- 821
- Reaction score
- 22
- City, State
- MI
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '11 Limited AWD
Thanks to everyone who has positively contributed to this great forum. While I am thrilled to be rid of my Explorer, I am grateful for the help received from so many fine folks here at this forum. It is a shame that Ford did not stand by their product for me and left with such a strong dislike of the brand. If it weren't for this forum I would have been much more disappointed.
A quick note on the cost of ownership claims I hear people make. Our Explorer was a $45,000 vehicle when I bought it in 2011. Our BMW X6 was about $58,000 when I bought it in 2010. The Explorer was definitely attempting to be in that luxury SUV market so I make this comparison with that mindset. In the years I have had both vehicles, my out-of-pocket repair bill for the Explorer was over $4,000 and with 81,000+ miles the water pump is a looming $2000+ repair. The BMW recently required a new water pump and because of the fancy suspension on our model I was unable to do the job myself so I had to pay $600 for the work. Other than that, no major repairs.
Here is the kicker:
I received a VERY generous $13,500 on trade-in for the Explorer.
The X6 is at ~$30,000.
Ford: $45,000 new - $4000 repairs - $13,500 final sale price = $27,500 cost of ownership over 6 years or $4583 per year of frustration.
BMW: $58,000 new - $600 repairs - $30,000 = $27,400 cost of ownership over 7 years or $3914 per year of enjoyment.
Just saying, and you are free to argue however you like.
I replaced the Ford with a CPO 2014 BMW X5 with 41,000 miles and am so much happier.
A quick note on the cost of ownership claims I hear people make. Our Explorer was a $45,000 vehicle when I bought it in 2011. Our BMW X6 was about $58,000 when I bought it in 2010. The Explorer was definitely attempting to be in that luxury SUV market so I make this comparison with that mindset. In the years I have had both vehicles, my out-of-pocket repair bill for the Explorer was over $4,000 and with 81,000+ miles the water pump is a looming $2000+ repair. The BMW recently required a new water pump and because of the fancy suspension on our model I was unable to do the job myself so I had to pay $600 for the work. Other than that, no major repairs.
Here is the kicker:
I received a VERY generous $13,500 on trade-in for the Explorer.
The X6 is at ~$30,000.
Ford: $45,000 new - $4000 repairs - $13,500 final sale price = $27,500 cost of ownership over 6 years or $4583 per year of frustration.
BMW: $58,000 new - $600 repairs - $30,000 = $27,400 cost of ownership over 7 years or $3914 per year of enjoyment.
Just saying, and you are free to argue however you like.
I replaced the Ford with a CPO 2014 BMW X5 with 41,000 miles and am so much happier.