A New Explorer due in UK in 2010

[Explorerman2]

This week's Auto Express (16-22 Jan) has a lead story, with pics, of the completely new Explorer due in the UK in 2010. There's also a picture on the front cover and full details on P13. Just in time as ours start to expire!

It looks good, if a little squat, kind of Hummerish and comes only with petrol engines turbocharged 2.0l or 3.5l.

Apparently a small table and chairs can be unfolded from the boot so it'll be picnics for all!

 

[Howard]

See it here. http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/214959/detroit_motor_show.html

 

[Willard]

Hmmm....reminds me of a spaceship. Trouble is, a spaceship can't go off-road

 

[blueka]

I've been saying for months that once ford sell of landrover, they'll bring the explorer back on the market over here...


Si

 

[Willard]

Yea, but do you really want that thing? Plus, does the name "Explorer America" seem kind of weird over there?

 

[blueka]

I doubt it'd look exactly like that and I'll still have mine when that things comes out anyway haha


Si

 

[Willard]

I'll be anxious to see how good these things end up being, and if they hold up to the explorer's "off-road" image. They may fail miserably, but then again they could surprise us. who knows

 

[blueka]

They'll probably use the Landrover/RangeRover technology they've acquired since owning the brand.. which would make it highly capable off road.. I would imagine anyway

Si

 

[BIGHVM]

New Ex.

I think it looks very space age and stuff.........but you know, I really love the second generation shape, its not cause we cant get more recent generations here, its that it has an appeal, is kinda looks the part- maybe I am just old fashioned............Nah, its a great capable 4b4 with presence and poise, thats why. To me its a classic shape, just as the disco has an instantly recognisable form.

 

[blueka]

I love the way mine looks now that I've fiddled with it a bit.. and with the other plans I've got for it, it'd take quite a lot to get me to part with it.

I think that it's still a quite modern design and power and performance wise it still gives many of the new cars a run for their money

Si

 

[UK Explorer]

Mmmm - I think I have just seen my next Explorer, roll on 2010!

 

[blueka]

can i have your lift kit then???




Si

 

[BrooklynBay]

Are American cars in the UK like foreign cars in the US? Everybody in the US thinks that foreign cars are better than the domestic cars since they are made somewhere else. Asian, and European cars don't depreciate in value as fast as the American cars, and everybody claims that they need less repairs. I wonder if people in the same countries think the same way about American cars? This could even be a thread on its own. If so, sorry to hijack this thread.

 

[blueka]

er. .not as far as I know.. we only get Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler over here really and they don't look very well made..

Si

 

[Howard]

Are American cars in the UK like foreign cars in the US? Everybody in the US thinks that foreign cars are better than the domestic cars since they are made somewhere else. Asian, and European cars don't depreciate in value as fast as the American cars, and everybody claims that they need less repairs. I wonder if people in the same countries think the same way about American cars? This could even be a thread on its own. If so, sorry to hijack this thread.

Main problem for us with US cars is fuel consumption and the size of the vehicle. The press here slate US cars as badly made using cheap parts and way behind on the technology front. (live axles/leaf springs low power from large engines etc).

The type of motoring in Europe is different from the US as journeys are shorter, on narrower roads with tight bends. Our road surface leads a lot to be desired too. We do rate Japanese cars quite high as they do not break down as much as others. Typical service intervals here are 10/12,000 miles. The other problem we have is taxes. By the time a US car gets to the UK it has almost doubled in price. For example my 1998 explorer 4.0 sohc XLT retailed for some £28,000 ($54,000) and as such was not very competitive compared to the jap alternatives (land cruiser,pajero etc).

A 2.0L engine here is rated at over 200BHP and is considered to be quite large. Most people here are looking for at least 30mph around town and more on a run. The Ford Mondeo is a top seller with a 1.8L diesel engine giving almost 50mph.

Our top speed here is 70mph and the number of speed cameras grows daily. In towns the limit is 30mph and even a 600cc smart car can do that. With the number of cars on our roads growing ever larger, more and more people are opting for small cars such as the Ford Fiesta or Focus with 1600cc or smaller engines. The use of LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) and other eco fuels is increasing with London introducing a congestion charge for driving there (£8.00 per day ($16.00)) eco fuelled vehicles are exempt from the charge.

I hope that this gives you some idea of what we explorer owners are up against here in the UK.

 

[BIGHVM]

Agreement

Howard is correct, its a nightmare owning one of these if only from the running costs point of view- guess we love them, thats why we do it!

 

[blueka]

Yeah, they do cost a fortune to run and maintain.. but I still wouldn't swap it for anything similar

Si

 

[BrooklynBay]

I see that new US cars are heavily taxed like in other European countries. What about their resale value? If that are $54,000 new, how much would a used one be which is about 10 years old? Would it cost the same amount as one in the US? The taxes I assume are added when it's new, unless they also have hefty taxes when you register a used US made vehicle?

 

[Betty Boo]

Here is a 98 UK Explorer being sold on Ebay UK to give you some idea of prices, its not LPG converted though just standard petrol.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-Ford-Exp...oryZ9844QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[BrooklynBay]

It's about double of what it would be in the US at the buy it now price providing that it's in good condition.