Decision time

[LI-X-Guy]

Hello Folks,

This is my first post on the forum and the reason for my joining is I am seriously considering buying my first Ford vehicle pretty soon.

I have always owned Japs in the past but have my heart set on the fifth gen X. My current 2000 Toyota Avalon served me loyally for the past couple of years but is now due for replacement - 140K miles.

I am torn between with the 2012 Pilot EXL4WD v/s the 2012 3.5 V6 Explorer XLT FWD ( I plan to lease the Ford if i decide to go for it ) and hence the FWD since I drive 50+ miles everyday hence MPG is important. I have my heart set on the X with 290 HP and all that jazz however, the recent feedback about some of the niggling issues with MFT and door panels reported on this forum are pushing me to reconsider my decision.

I am sure some of you must've gone thru a similar situation in which I currently am and I am positive I can benefit from your experience.

Also, I live on Long Island and any info about some of the year end deals would help ( I have the Costco discount )

~A

 

[LI-X-Guy]

no replies ?

22 views and not a single reply...wondering whether am I in the correct sub-forums ?


Can one of the moderators bump my thread into the right section on this forum where it should belong ?

~A

 

[Asmit]

I have owned my 2012 XLT (V6) FWD for just over a month now. I have followed the forums VERY closely for the past 6-8 months and was very hesitant when deciding to purchase my new vehicle (because of all the negative comments on these forums).

Long story short- I am 100% satisfied with my purchase. In just under 2000km, MFT has only done the famed black screen reboot once (and recovered in about a minute). The odd time there is a 1-3 second lag between touching the screen and the input responding, but about 98% of the time the system has performed exactly as it was intended to do. I in no way regret my purchase decision and am very excited about the promised update to MFT coming in early 2012.

As for the door alignment issues- yes, my passenger side door is about a quarter inch low of lining up with the edge of the dash but who cares. Yes I paid over 40K for this vehicle. Yes I agree it *should* line up, but am I going to miss out on this amazing vehicle for such a simple thing? No!

I have not experienced any of the whines, rattles, or knocks some of the others on this forum have reported. Maybe they are there and I'm just too busy enjoying my new ride to notice them. In any case, if I ever do notice them, that's what a warranty is for right

Good Luck!

 

[LI-X-Guy]

I have owned my 2012 XLT (V6) FWD for just over a month now. I have followed the forums VERY closely for the past 6-8 months and was very hesitant when deciding to purchase my new vehicle (because of all the negative comments on these forums).

Long story short- I am 100% satisfied with my purchase. In just under 2000km, MFT has only done the famed black screen reboot once (and recovered in about a minute). The odd time there is a 1-3 second lag between touching the screen and the input responding, but about 98% of the time the system has performed exactly as it was intended to do. I in no way regret my purchase decision and am very excited about the promised update to MFT coming in early 2012.

As for the door alignment issues- yes, my passenger side door is about a quarter inch low of lining up with the edge of the dash but who cares. Yes I paid over 40K for this vehicle. Yes I agree it *should* line up, but am I going to miss out on this amazing vehicle for such a simple thing? No!

I have not experienced any of the whines, rattles, or knocks some of the others on this forum have reported. Maybe they are there and I'm just too busy enjoying my new ride to notice them. In any case, if I ever do notice them, that's what a warranty is for right

Good Luck!

Thanks Asmit for your response ( atlast someone responded to my thread !) and this feedback surely helps.

However with the 2013 MY expected to arrive in a couple of months, I have almost decided to hold off my purchase till Spring 12.

what say ?

~A

 

[Asmit]

If I were ordering now I would definitely do the same thing. We ordered ours in Mid September (2011) and got it mid December. So keep that in mind when ordering.

From what I've read/heard from my dealership, not much is changing besides a few more "options" that will be available on different trims and perhaps a few colour change ups . The MFT update as well, but this will be released to all previous-Gen models too.

If you're in no rush you might as well hold off. I'd be happy to answer anymore questions you have.

One bad thing I just realized this morning with our first real snow dumping - it's a pain in the arse to brush this giant vehicle off!!!

Have a good one!

 

[Sgt1411]

You may have already done this but don't buy either the Honda or the Ford without test driving both of them. You will know after driving them.

I suggest asking the dealer to take it home for a night. Go to the grocery store with it, park it a few times in your usual parking lots, drive some of the common routes you drive.

Use the rear hatch, fold the seats, sit in the back while somebody else drives it, use all the storage.

A 10 minute loop around the Dealership block isn't a test drive.

Honda makes a great product, but it's a little dated and the styling isn't for everyone. The Ford is well thought out and most (if not all) of the issues on this forum have been fixed for 2013MY which starts being built this month.

One word of caution, be careful choosing the XLT, if you're leasing the vehicle consider the Limited as a few on this forum wish they had upgraded.

 

[Asmit]

Yeah - the Limited is nice. I got the XLT and added on the inflatable seat belts, navigation, backup camera, power lift gate, BLIS.....come to think of it- it probably would have been cheaper to just order the Limited!

Like I said though- no regrets!