Okay, time for a new SUV, although I am very happy with my current Buick Rendezvous. Must be the new car itch at work. ‘Had narrowed the field down to the Buick Enclave, Caddy SRX, MB ML 350, Highlander, Pilot, and the Mazda CX-9. THEN I really noted what was done with the all new 2011 Explorer. VERY impressed with the size, fuel economy, apparent quality, and the wealth of safety features which is absent in most of the others. Could it be time to go back to Ford? Took a brief test drive. Impressed. At the time, the only thing I was apprehensive about was that naked looking instrument panel, (before ya fire things up)!
Here’s how I’d build my X: Limited 4WD, Ingot silver, light stone leather, 302A, polished wheels, DP moon roof. Next stop, check out the web. Ford site extremely informative with all the videos.
Lets go to the forums. “Explorerforum.com” excels. But uh oh, what’s all THIS ???
A pillar noise, steering that can lock up when driving, MFT quirks, badly aligned instrument panels and tailgates, tin roof sounds in hard rains, fan failures, streaky windows, squeaky brakes, etc. Okay, the X is all new from the ground up. Teething pains perhaps? But that many? ‘Sure as heck won’t mention this stuf to my better half !
Another nagging point: many of the competitive models are “recommended” by Consumer Reports. Not the Explorer - what the ??? With all it has going for it ???
Go figure.
‘Holding off signing on the dotted line until I see how FMC handles the probs on the 2012 models. BTW, I continue leaning toward the Explorer, one MAJOR reason is that they actually monitor this forum via “Cory”. Very smart move …
Lurking …
PS: 'sorry 'bout the cross post, I'm only a freshman here!
