2011 Explorer Police Interceptor

[Joe Dirt]

I totally understand the issues on working on a FWD car- I wish my SHO's were RWD...

And the 'hatred' towards FWD anything wasn't at you Nate, that was more a comment on thaywood's view that the only good FWD is a FWD riding backwards on a wheel dolly tow truck because at least that way the back wheels are temporarily on the back half of the car.

I think FWD has their place. As an Ex? Not my first choice. But, I understand why. I just don't think that every FWD vehicle is the embodyment of Satan, nor are all of the people that drive them limp-wristed Nancyboys. If Ford built nothing but RWD '84 LTD's, they'd be out of business. I think that's what I was getting at more than anything.

With that said, I still don't think the new Ex will work well as a PPV. I mean- how much are they going to spend on repairs if they take a FWD vehicle over curbs? Fair assessment. But, that has to be weighed against the return on investment from all of hte other cruisers that do not chase offroad, in the snow, or need to make 180* turns.

GM is swapping to unibody SUV's because that's what smart marketing says. Dodge is staying there because they're, well, Dodge.

Again- IMHO, this is one of those "everyone is right" arguments, because everyone has a reason for what they choose to believe.

 

[NHarris]

My misunderstanding on the hatred towards FWD. I'm just wondering what will happen to the Expedition...
There will have to be a Body on Frame designed SUV in the market, it just may not be the popular choice. Especially the wrangler; I don't know if the Wrangler would be able to support a unibody design.

True, we all will beleive what we want and buy the cars we want. Whether its a FWD RWD 4WD or AWD. Just don't know how the new Ex will be able to mingle with the rest of em. At least the 2nd-4th gen have the 4.0L in common.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Just don't know how the new Ex will be able to mingle with the rest of em.

Have faith- I know some people that said the same about this:

But of course, they ended up doing this:

And doing this after that...

I guess my thoughts are- why crucify the thing before it's even on the road? So few people have driven it to know what the real story is. Trust me- the real story is going to be pretty good...
It's not going to be the everything for everyone, but NO vehicle will ever be that anymore. The Jeep GC won't, the Durango won't, the Traverse, Tahoe, or 'burb won't, and neither will all of the CUV's.
If Ford can hit as many selling points/desires it's potential customers say they want with one vehicle, i.e. gain 100,000 customers by going FWD and lose 10,000 in the process, as bad as it sounds- that's a success.

 

[NHarris]

Have faith- I know some people that said the same about this:

Is that your old 3rd gen ex? Cause I thought you said you had a 3rd gen Ex at one time...

 

[Joe Dirt]

Nope, mine was a 2003 Red Fire/Charcoal...

 

[NHarris]

And....its joe dirt clean! The paint looks so good on that Ex...like it just came from the car lot...
Now you're back to a 2nd gen , but there are so many things better on second gens than third gens!

EDIT: Hmm...those michelin tires look quite familiar to me...like the old slashed spare tire on my Ex

 

[Joe Dirt]

Well, in it's defense, it only had

And that was just after a car wash in the middle of winter. It was just deceptively clean...

You know, for me, the biggest thing I like about the Gen II vs. the Gen III is the physical size. The Gen II is just so much more compact with similar interior cargo space. The GIII rides nicer for the most part, but it got fat.

vs. a GIII:

vs. an Excursion... (come on, it looks like a Dodge Nitro next to that thing!)

The New Explorer will be even bigger now. MUCH bigger. I don't like that part...

Funny vid with pertinant info:

 

[NHarris]

Such low mileage! Maybe one day I'll see you around the 3rd gen section with a 3rd gen Ex. Any dirt tips on getting a 3rd gen rug to look that good?

ha ha we're getting off topic.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Any dirt tips on getting a 3rd gen rug to look that good?

Yes. Don't get it dirty in the first place...

 

[NHarris]

Ha ha true, not the answer I was expecting, but it works...I should rephrase it...how do I clean up the last owner's mess? EDIT: I should just go follow step by step; shamrock's or wedgie's registry thread from start to finish.

EDIT #2: I just saw that video...quite funny...:bsnicker: The newer the car the bigger the car.

The GIII rides nicer for the most part, but it got fat.

Then, Gen 5 must be obese

 

[thaywood]

So... If the situation arose, is the point catching the fleeing criminal in a FWD or AWD Explorer, or letting the guy escape because your RWD Mustang spun out in the snow?

Actually, anyone who knows how to drive can drive a RWD car perfectly fine in the snow. I've never had a problem with it. And I've never owned a wrong-wheel-drive car. And I'm sure police officers are specially trained in how to properly drive a car. Especially in inclement weather.

I'm just sayin'... I've never seen anyone that had such deep-seeded hatred and animosity towards anything but RWD vehicles. Bad experience? Seriously- they're everywhere, they're not the second coming of the Antichrist...

I don't mind AWD cars. As long as they use a system similar to Subaru or Audi with the engine mounted logintudinially as it should be and most of the power going to the rear as it should. Subie and Audi use full-time AWD systems, which means that all the wheels are powered all the time. The Taurus and Flexplorer uses a HALDEX-type part-time AWD system that is primarily FWD under all but the most sever conditions. The rear wheels only engage under circumstances where the fronts lose grip, which is rarely under most conditions. And the engines are mounted sideways under the hood. I only hate wrong-wheel-drive vehicles with sideways engines. They're evil. FWD is the stupidest invention in the history of humanity. Followed closely by the timing belt. And I know they're everywhere. That doesn't mean I have to like it. I've never owned one and I never will. As long as there are REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE vehicles available, that's what I"ll drive.

 

[thaywood]

IAnd the 'hatred' towards FWD anything wasn't at you Nate, that was more a comment on thaywood's view that the only good FWD is a FWD riding backwards on a wheel dolly tow truck because at least that way the back wheels are temporarily on the back half of the car.

I like that!!! That's exactly how I feel about FWD!! Thanks!

I think FWD has their place. As an Ex? Not my first choice. But, I understand why.

FWD should be relegated to cheesy Korean econoboxes where it belongs. That's how I feel about it.

I just don't think that every FWD vehicle is the embodyment of Satan, nor are all of the people that drive them limp-wristed Nancyboys.

I do.

If Ford built nothing but RWD '84 LTD's, they'd be out of business. I think that's what I was getting at more than anything.

No $h!t! The '84 LTD, howver a nice car as it was, it totally obsolete now. that would be pretty stupid

However, if they built modern RWD cars with modern 4-wheel-independent suspensions, 4-wheel disc brakes, powerful inline-sixes and V-8's, and modern styling...oh wait...they do...it's called the FALCON!!! Now, if they would bring THAT car over here, they'd be in business! The Chrysler 300 would have nothing on that bad boy. Plus they'd have the RWD/AWD Territory to replace the Flexplorer. But for some reason, Ford nowadays thinks that everybody wants wrong-wheel-drive sissy cars and CUV's (Crappy Useless Vehicles). Not everybody wants a car or truck with a sideways engine driving the wrong wheels. I sure as hell don't. Ford has no variety anymore. The Mustang is the only real RWD car Ford USA has, and it's still got a cheesy strut front and log axle rear suspensioin. Ford needs to go all out and not just half-a$$.

With that said, I still don't think the new Ex will work well as a PPV. I mean- how much are they going to spend on repairs if they take a FWD vehicle over curbs? Fair assessment. But, that has to be weighed against the return on investment from all of hte other cruisers that do not chase offroad, in the snow, or need to make 180* turns.

I agree. But I still maintain that if you know how to drive properly, RWD poses no issues i n i nclement weather.

GM is swapping to unibody SUV's because that's what smart marketing says. Dodge is staying there because they're, well, Dodge.

I've got nothing against unibodies. Jeep has had great unibody SUV's for years. Ford has a great unibody SUV in Australia called the Territory. Unibody isn't the problem, wrong-wheel-drive is.

Again- IMHO, this is one of those "everyone is right" arguments, because everyone has a reason for what they choose to believe.

True.

 

[tmike]

However, if they built modern RWD cars with modern 4-wheel-independent suspensions, 4-wheel disc brakes, powerful inline-sixes and V-8's, and modern styling...oh wait...they do...it's called the FALCON!!! Now, if they would bring THAT car over here, they'd be in business! The Chrysler 300 would have nothing on that bad boy. Plus they'd have the RWD/AWD Territory to replace the Flexplorer. But for some reason, Ford nowadays thinks that everybody wants wrong-wheel-drive sissy cars and CUV's (Crappy Useless Vehicles). Not everybody wants a car or truck with a sideways engine driving the wrong wheels. I sure as hell don't. Ford has no variety anymore. The Mustang is the only real RWD car Ford USA has, and it's still got a cheesy strut front and log axle rear suspensioin. Ford needs to go all out and not just half-a$$

So, let me ask you this-- If YOUR so hell bent on Australian Cars, then why the hell are you in the USA? Me, being Vetran of the military and seeing how the only thing you do is complain about everything the USA is ABOUT! Then just go to Australia.

 

[2TimingTom]

But I still maintain that if you know how to drive properly, RWD poses no issues i n i nclement weather.

Really? That's just too broad of a statement to not pick that apart.

Have you ever driven a pickup truck with no weight in the bed, in an ice storm (or ice covered road), on a road with some camber? Keeping the truck straight is an issue. The slightest input of throttle will make the rear end slide out and go down the slope.

Last winter I passed a Nissan 350Z going up a snow covered hill- I was in my FWD Mazda Protege. Those wide rear tires were little help to him as he wandered across both lanes and the right side shoulder at a snail's pace looking for traction. Not an issue? I think so.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Tom, don't bother. You don't know how to drive either.

If the bring-the-Australian-car theory worked, GM wouldn't have killed off Pontiac, because the GTO and G8 would have sold millions because everyone would want an American Holden. Instead, nobody did. Yeah- if Ford did what Pontiac did, we could be as successful as they are! No, wait...

 

[NHarris]

We all need to take a step back on this. Some of us are getting way too worked up over this rwd and fwd conversation
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[Joe Dirt]

Nate, you're the one that signed in from your phone to check the thread...

I'M KIDDING!!!


I agree... Nothing is changing, it's coming, and it's 2010. I'll go back to trying to assist other members with questions.

 

[NHarris]

haha i figured i may as well wander the site at lunch. Well I'm going back to lunch
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[thaywood]

Really? That's just too broad of a statement to not pick that apart.

Have you ever driven a pickup truck with no weight in the bed, in an ice storm (or ice covered road), on a road with some camber? Keeping the truck straight is an issue. The slightest input of throttle will make the rear end slide out and go down the slope.

Last winter I passed a Nissan 350Z going up a snow covered hill- I was in my FWD Mazda Protege. Those wide rear tires were little help to him as he wandered across both lanes and the right side median at a snail's pace looking for traction. Not an issue? I think so.

Actually, I used to routinely drive my '88 Ranger 2.0L 5-speed, short bed, regular cab, 2WD in snow and ice every winter (that way, I wouldn't have to risk the safety of my T-Bird or Mustang). Sure, it was hard to keep it straight. But not impossible. I never got stuck, nor did I ever slide off the road or into a ditch. I will admit that FWD has some perceived superiority in inclement weather simply because the weight of the drivetrain is over the drive wheels. However, that perceived superiority is simply a crutch for those who don't know how to drive a real car in the snow.

Tom, don't bother. You don't know how to drive either.

If the bring-the-Australian-car theory worked, GM wouldn't have killed off Pontiac, because the GTO and G8 would have sold millions because everyone would want an American Holden. Instead, nobody did. Yeah- if Ford did what Pontiac did, we could be as successful as they are! No, wait...

Actually, the G8 was selling quite well and was critically acclaimed by all major automotive publications. Pontiac and Saturn died as a condition of the government bailout of GM. They had to shut down two of their least profitable divisions. Unfortunately, Pontiac wasn't making as much profit as higher-end nameplates Buick and Cadillac, they couldn't shut Chevy down, and Saturn had been tanking for years. So they went the way of the dodo. There are, however, rumors that Pontiac may come back after GM starts making money again.

Also, GM is bringing the Australian Holden Caprice over here as their next police interceptor to compete with the Dodge Charger (this car has nothing to fear from the Taurus or Flexplorer).
http://www.chevroletcapriceppv.com/
Looks like it will be a formidable police cruiser. And it's REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE baby!!! I don't even like Chevy, but this thing is awesome! The Taurus won't stand a chance against this thing. Neither will the Flexplorer. I fear Ford will lose its controlling share of the police fleet when this car hits the market.

 

[2TimingTom]

But I still maintain that if you know how to drive properly, RWD poses no issues i n i nclement weather.

Actually, I used to routinely drive my '88 Ranger 2.0L 5-speed, short bed, regular cab, 2WD in snow and ice every winter. Sure, it was hard to keep it straight.

I see conflicting statements above. Isn't the ability to keep a vehicle straight, typically considered "an issue"?

Sure you were able to not crash, but I don't think you can say you did so without any "issues" and be honest with yourself.

I drove my FWD autox car one winter on bald summer tires (bad idea- very, very, very bad idea) and did not crash (I'm still a bit miffed as to how I managed that), but issues.... yeah. Tons. Luckily I think I only drove on snow/ice covered roads twice with that car that winter.