2016 Sport to Replace 2002 XLT 4wd 4.6 V8?

[need-a-cage]

My wife and I are on the fence. This is a bad ass SUV and ours is falling apart, but they are just soooooo expensive. Drove a 2016 Magnetic with 401A option package. I get the X plan and they have $1000 off in incentives until tomorrow so it is $49,469 out the door. Tax is 8.25% here!! The MSRP is 48,500. I bought our 2002 used with 15k on it for only $18k 11 years ago. I am just in shock over how much money I am about to spend on an Explorer. I really want the Sport. I am a gear head and have a 10 second Foxbody Mustang, so the Sport is the one I want. I got our 2002 to run 15.3 so I hate to get the NA 3.5 that runs 16's. It is just too weak. The Sport will be quicker than our 02 and get better mileage. I still hate that it is fwd biased, but it didn't seem to have torque steer at moderate acceleration. I didn't beat on it too much since we might buy it. I wanted to break it in and I had my wife and kids in it. It will be my wife's car.

Anyway, what do you think. Is everyone happy with theirs? I love the way it looks and it has tons of options. We'll keep it forever. I do hate how the center middle seat is unusable. I am not sure if the inflatable belts have anything to do with this, but even my super skinny 12 year old had the belt receivers jabbing her in her butt cheeks. It also has much less room for the drivers left foot than the 02. I hate how wide the door sills are now.

 

[Tyleryac]

I currently have a 2005 XLT Sport and if I had the ability to get the truck you are talking about, I would do it.

 

[Halwg]

There is no way an Explorer is worth $50K. If you just have to have a Sport, then look at a 2 year old one with around 30,000 miles. You'll be able to get one for under $30K. Just think how much you are going to lose on depreciation in the first couple years buying a $50K Sport.

 

[new to ford]

maybe skip the sport and get an XLT and go easy with the options?

 

[need-a-cage]

There is no way an Explorer is worth $50K. If you just have to have a Sport, then look at a 2 year old one with around 30,000 miles. You'll be able to get one for under $30K. Just think how much you are going to lose on depreciation in the first couple years buying a $50K Sport.

I wish! I really want the 3.5 turbo motor. It had a lot of lowend torque. You don't have to spin it over 4k rpm to get power. The na 3.5 is anemic. Used Sports are still well over 40k and you still have to add tax and license. With the incentives and the X-plan, I get within 5k of the cheapest used Sport I found, and that one had 40k miles and no warranty! Besides, the 2016 looks a lot better in my opinion. Now, I agree that is too much money and we really can't spend it. Maybe a used 2016 XLT in a few years which won't hold value like the Sport and get the turbo 4 which has more torque than the NA 6. I could tune the turbo for more power as well.

Why did the ugly ass MDX we drove haul ass and it has the same power as the xlt v6? It must be a log lighter...It got ghd mileage of the explorer 4 banger and felt almost as strong as the turbo 6. Same price as sport but ugly. New Tahoes are 60k + tax and license! Same with limited Expedition. Cars are wsy overpriced today!

 

[Sgt1411]

Thats a beauty, exactly the colour/model I will be ordering.

Do you want SYNC3 because the Job1 16 models have the legacy MyFord Touch, unless thats not important then go for it.

 

[need-a-cage]

What are the improvements with the newer Sync?

 

[Blue1ce]

Thats a beauty, exactly the colour/model I will be ordering.

Do you want SYNC3 because the Job1 16 models have the legacy MyFord Touch, unless thats not important then go for it.

Are you saying the Job 2 '16 Explorers will be coming with Sync 3?

 

[Napalm]

that's what they've been saying - some software arrangements (legal) prevented them from bringing out sync 3 on the first round of 2016's.

and I bought one anyway - don't think sync 3 was going to do much for us. and MFT is working just peachy keen.

I'd say don't get the sport - get the limited (for the projector headlamps and feaures) - and mod - massage the 3.5

I have a 2016 that I also got x plan on - and I actually like the thing - like your situation this is the wifey's car mostly - but also the family go car. 2016 has some minor improvements on the 15's - in our case seat leg room was important.

but either way - yes the sports are quick and they are nice for what they are - but the standard 3.5 isn't a slouch for so much azz behind you. and they all handle very well.


save the money - get more mpg's - and give you something to play with over time - like you did with your current explorer.

OR - alternate option and the thing I'd want. Flex Sport - cheaper - more incentives - same drive line more room overall.

 

[alexk]

Can you find a leftover 15? There was some decent incentives on those. The sport is worth it but if it's going to blow the budget no sense in making yourself struggle for a car. Also I've noticed that the regular V6 loosens up some after you've put some miles on it, try a used one and see, 16's also have a sport mode on the trans now that makes it little peppier.

 

[DsN]

There is no way an Explorer is worth $50K. If you just have to have a Sport, then look at a 2 year old one with around 30,000 miles. You'll be able to get one for under $30K. Just think how much you are going to lose on depreciation in the first couple years buying a $50K Sport.

I agree, though a 2014 with 30K miles runs closer to $40K.

I wish! I really want the 3.5 turbo motor. It had a lot of lowend torque. You don't have to spin it over 4k rpm to get power. The na 3.5 is anemic. Used Sports are still well over 40k and you still have to add tax and license. With the incentives and the X-plan, I get within 5k of the cheapest used Sport I found, and that one had 40k miles and no warranty! Besides, the 2016 looks a lot better in my opinion. Now, I agree that is too much money and we really can't spend it. Maybe a used 2016 XLT in a few years which won't hold value like the Sport and get the turbo 4 which has more torque than the NA 6. I could tune the turbo for more power as well.

Why did the ugly ass MDX we drove haul ass and it has the same power as the xlt v6? It must be a log lighter...It got ghd mileage of the explorer 4 banger and felt almost as strong as the turbo 6. Same price as sport but ugly. New Tahoes are 60k + tax and license! Same with limited Expedition. Cars are wsy overpriced today!

NADA clean trade-in value for a 2014 Sport w/ 30K miles is $36,700; retail is $39,925. You should have no problem finding one somewhere in between those 2 values and if you shop around a bit, I'm sure you can find one closer to the trade-in value.

If you're dead set on a new one, I would hold out for better incentives. There were $6K worth of incentives in May on the new Explorers. My mom got one on May 31st, but they somehow managed to convince her to give up 3/4 of the rebates in exchange for 0% interest (she could have easily gotten 1.5% PLUS the rebates with her credit, but oh well).

 

[Nailz13]

Hello everyone!

New to the forum and I just bought a 2016 Sport just like the one above. It had a msrp of $50,090 and I paid $46,500 +ttl. Dealers in my area seemed to be pretty firm on the 16's right now. i saved $3500 on the 2016 and could of saved just under $7k on a new 2015. Traded in my f350 and had $15k of equity so I used that as a down payment. Financed the rest at 1.89%. Sure I could of waited and gotten a better deal but I researched new vehicles for 2 months and was ready to buy and this Sport is a beauty.

Looked at almost every explorer competitor( Discovery, Arcadia, denalia, grand Cherokee, list goes on....) and the explorer was the best all around vehicle for what my wife and I was looking for. It looks great inside and out and is so much fun to drive. It is a lot of $$$ but it's 2015 and all the vehicles I looked at were a lot of $$$. My wife and I are looking forward to driving this Sport the next 4 to 5 years!

If you're not 100% sure about the Sport need-a-cage I would wait...prices will always drop when you wait...

 

[NJExplorerFan]

My wife and I are on the fence. This is a bad ass SUV and ours is falling apart, but they are just soooooo expensive. Drove a 2016 Magnetic with 401A option package. I get the X plan and they have $1000 off in incentives until tomorrow so it is $49,469 out the door. Tax is 8.25% here!! The MSRP is 48,500. I bought our 2002 used with 15k on it for only $18k 11 years ago. I am just in shock over how much money I am about to spend on an Explorer. I really want the Sport. I am a gear head and have a 10 second Foxbody Mustang, so the Sport is the one I want. I got our 2002 to run 15.3 so I hate to get the NA 3.5 that runs 16's. It is just too weak. The Sport will be quicker than our 02 and get better mileage. I still hate that it is fwd biased, but it didn't seem to have torque steer at moderate acceleration. I didn't beat on it too much since we might buy it. I wanted to break it in and I had my wife and kids in it. It will be my wife's car.

Anyway, what do you think. Is everyone happy with theirs? I love the way it looks and it has tons of options. We'll keep it forever. I do hate how the center middle seat is unusable. I am not sure if the inflatable belts have anything to do with this, but even my super skinny 12 year old had the belt receivers jabbing her in her butt cheeks. It also has much less room for the drivers left foot than the 02. I hate how wide the door sills are now.

I was in your shoes back in the middle of the cold northeast winter. I'm a gearhead as well and have a 12-second naturally aspirated running New Edge Mustang GT. I had a 2003 XLT V8 Explorer (stock though) which was time to let go and I thought I would want the Sport as well but the rougher riding suspension, poorer gas mileage etc. and the loss of some nice luxury features pulled me away from it. After riding so much in a stiff suspension Mustang, I definitely wanted something comfortable, smooth and soft on bumps for a family vehicle, just to kind of take a break from the Stang. Anyway, I settled on a 2015 Explorer Limited and I'm never looking back. I thought I would miss my 2003 V8 Explorer and now it's not even a thought. Even with the 20" wheels on the Limited, for an SUV, it is so smooth. I absolutely LOVE IT! And I kind of feel as well that after time, it does seem to get a little quicker. I only have 3,700 miles on mine right now and it hasn't even had it's first oil change, but I definitely feel a difference. Or, I've gotten more use to it. I noticed that the 3.5L V6 is very slow off the line but once it gets into the 4-6K rpm range, it definitely wakes up. Anyway, tough to pull a gearhead away from power but I found it somehow in my heart to make it happen. Keep it in mind. You also don't really need that much power in a family hauler. It would only make the Mustang seem that much faster

 

[Napalm]

I do have to say - after about 300 or so miles I decided to put it in sport mode (something I didn't notice in the 2015 but I might be there).

and it responds differently in general - probably revised fuel map, along with better shifting - full revs. and that's without being completely broken in.

aside from that - wait a bit for priced to settle - or wait the *******s out on the remaining 2015's - because there's quite a few out there to be had, if you're willing to drive a bit to go find them.

 

[Sgt1411]

Are you saying the Job 2 '16 Explorers will be coming with Sync 3?

That is the information I have at this time. Not to say it can't change but as I was told they will not be starting to sell the most expensive Explorer Platinum with legacy MyFord Touch or most buyers would go nuts.

I would too.

I didn't know anything about software licensing conflicts all I heard was it didn't work when final Explorer QC testing was done.

Yes your correct that MyFord Touch is stable now and for many that is sufficient, Im looking more into the future with potential upgrades and functionality that SYNC3 should allow for. MyFord Touch is at end of life.

If you compare MyFord Touch today, to the current competition its now at the bottom of the pile compared to what many manufacturers offer even as standard equipment.

 

[Blue1ce]

That is the information I have at this time. Not to say it can't change but as I was told they will not be starting to sell the most expensive Explorer Platinum with legacy MyFord Touch or most buyers would go nuts.

I would too.

I didn't know anything about software licensing conflicts all I heard was it didn't work when final Explorer QC testing was done.

Yes your correct that MyFord Touch is stable now and for many that is sufficient, Im looking more into the future with potential upgrades and functionality that SYNC3 should allow for. MyFord Touch is at end of life.

If you compare MyFord Touch today, to the current competition its now at the bottom of the pile compared to what many manufacturers offer even as standard equipment.

How credible is your source? From everything I read online, Sync 3 was supposed to be on all Explorers 2017 and beyond. Now you're saying that the Platinum will be getting Sync 3? It does make sense to me, but I'm just wondering why they have not mentioned any of that anywhere.

Also, this tells me that the Platinum probably won't arrive at dealerships until October/November now, as opposed to the "late summer" that everyone has been talking about.

 

[Sgt1411]

Sources are pretty good but like I said these are not sources who control the release dates these are just likely scenarios based on information being given at the time.

For sure the 2017 MY will have it, thats why Im waiting for a 17.

Plus all the first model year bugs on the assembly line will be worked out by then too.

 

[Napalm]

so what exactly will sync 3 do that the current revision of my ford touch won't do?

also aside from not being used in new cars come 2017 - how exactly is my ford touch at the bottom of the barrel with new cars today?

having spent the last 2 months looking at everything from nissan pathfinder to dodge durango and merc ML350. I can't say that any of them work any better and in many cases are worse than the my ford touch implementation. which by the way is well laid out (although I did sort of like the GM version too) and functional - along with the extra steering wheel controls - that I wish more companies would follow up on.

 

[need-a-cage]

Hello everyone!

New to the forum and I just bought a 2016 Sport just like the one above. It had a msrp of $50,090 and I paid $46,500 +ttl. Dealers in my area seemed to be pretty firm on the 16's right now. i saved $3500 on the 2016 and could of saved just under $7k on a new 2015. Traded in my f350 and had $15k of equity so I used that as a down payment. Financed the rest at 1.89%. Sure I could of waited and gotten a better deal but I researched new vehicles for 2 months and was ready to buy and this Sport is a beauty.

Looked at almost every explorer competitor( Discovery, Arcadia, denalia, grand Cherokee, list goes on....) and the explorer was the best all around vehicle for what my wife and I was looking for. It looks great inside and out and is so much fun to drive. It is a lot of $$$ but it's 2015 and all the vehicles I looked at were a lot of $$$. My wife and I are looking forward to driving this Sport the next 4 to 5 years!

If you're not 100% sure about the Sport need-a-cage I would wait...prices will always drop when you wait...

Yes, everything is so much now! What options besides the 401a package did you get? Oh, probably the moon roof. X plan had is at $45,945 on an MSRP of 48,500 so it sounds like you got a better deal than X-plan. You say you'll enjoy it for 4-5 years? Why so short? I told my wife that she had to drive it for 30 years! That would get the lifetime annual cost down to $1700, which is where we are now with our 2002. Paid 19,000 out the door for it 11 years ago. It was 3 years old and had only 15k miles on it. Trade in with 122k is only $1850!! Screw that, I'll have to sell it. Another headache but I should be sble to get at least 3k if I sell it before the trans goves up.

 

[NJExplorerFan]

If it helps as reference, I sold my 2003 V8 with 130K miles on it for $3,500 cash and it had a coolant leak and many other issues with it which the buyer was fully aware. You'll easily get $3K+ for it.