I couldn't believe this!!!

[Rob Slade]

I was reading a review of Car and Driver magazine about the 2002 Explorer. I was outraged to read what this person had to say. Here's what made me so mad:It rides better.



"It steers and tracks better. It even carries a Low-Emission Vehicle sticker, which I applaud. But in traffic, the Explorer is still saddled with a kind of slow-witted ponderousness endemic to trucks -- and that's because, well, it's still a truck. I was hoping Ford might have followed a branch in the SUV evolutionary path that Acura recently took. That is, building the thing atop a minivan platform. If it drives like a good minivan, then it's closer to driving like a sedan, which ought really to be the goal. Sure, with its third row the Explorer seats five adults and two infants. Ever notice that a Windstar does, too?" -- John Phillips


Is this the future of our beloved SUV's? I don't want a minivan or car in disguise. I can't believe that someone that is supposed to be objective to all auto's is saying something like that for the future of SUV's. I don't know, this just made me mad. What is everyone else's opinions.

 

[Rick]

Typical yuppie reporter. Want's a softer ride for his trip to soccer practice.

 

[ACBlessing]

Well last time I checked, I still have hair on my chest, my ex wife moved to another state, my girlfriends like riding above low-riding Honda pukes, my paycheck is all mine and I still get a hard-on seeing "V8" on the side.

If I wanted a minivan, I'd go buy a skirt.


Just my thoughts....AC

 

[914x4sport]

Originally posted by ACBlessing
Well last time I checked, I still have hair on my chest, my ex wife moved to another state, my girlfriends like riding above low-riding Honda pukes, my paycheck is all mine and I still get a hard-on seeing "V8" on the side.

If I wanted a minivan, I'd go buy a skirt.


I think the only way to respond to that is "Hell Yeah,Brother!"

 

[JDraper]

Gee, the Explorer, a TRUCK, imagine that!!! It took him this long to notice??? It's quite apparent that Mr. Phillips has never bothered to go 4 wheeling or drive a minivan in deep snow. He can stick his Acura up...........we won't go there. If I were insane enough to bring a minivan home, my wife would have me committed. I'd love to see his write up on an F-250. "This vehicle is quite utilitarian, but it rides too much like a truck and doesn't seem to hug the corners the same as my bimmer. Ford definitely missed the mark on it's handling. They should have built it on a Minivan platform."

What an ass!!

 

[FlyAU]

Car & Driver is pretty anti-SUV to begin with, and has a particular dislike for Ford products. I chucked my subscription after it ran out. Personally, I prefer Motor Trend. Much more objective reporting, and unlike other rags, they actually have fun going off-road and the like.

 

[ACBlessing]

High fives to 914x4sport and JDraper! ;-)

Too bad JDraper didn't write a little more, I was getting a kick out of that sarcasm, lol! In my opinion, Ford really missed the mark when they didn't make the 2002 X 4" higher, 8" wider, stiffened the suspension and put in the V10 motor, standard.

As you might have heard, Congress was hearing arguments yesterday about how SUV owners should now be included in the latest government mileage mandates because (as they say) we X drivers don't use our rigs to haul much, just sport.

Well first, my X will never get 35m.p.g. but I already knew that going in...and gladly pay more at the pump for my choice of toy.

Second, I don't remember needing the government's permission to drive what I WANT to drive as opposed to what they think I NEED to be driving. Besides, I really need my X to pull Bimmers out of the snow in the winter.

^5, AC

 

[DarkFox1]

what so many people do not realize.. is that an suv is about 2 ticks away from being a truck. earlier this year my proffessor tried to convice us that the SUVs are station wagons with pulling power, she is dead wrong. The suv is, up till now, a ranger/silverado/F-150/F-350/whatever with a diffrent body and perhaps some modifications, leaf suspension, solid axles.. this is a TRUCK.. you don't like the ride of a truck? BUY A CAR, DON'T WASTE MY TIME TRYING TO CHANGE MY VEHICLE again... </rant> I'm doing this too much heh

 

[FlyAU]

Originally posted by ACBlessing
Besides, I really need my X to pull Bimmers out of the snow in the winter.

Heh, you'll have less BMWs to pull out this next winter, since BMW introduced an AWD version of the 3-Series. Well, there's always Benz.

 

[ACBlessing]

Heh, you'll have less BMWs to pull out this next winter, since BMW introduced an AWD version of the 3-Series.

...not when they get high centered, AWD or not ;-)


What's really funny here is that the low-ridin kids usually can't afford a winter car from working at Burger King and they drive their polished, lowered cars right into a trough.