- Joined
- July 18, 1999
- Messages
- 8,839
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Annapolis, MD
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '97 Limited
Well, I've taken the afternoon off here, and my son and I took the Explorer to get the oil changed. Well, there was a tan 2002 XLT sitting outside the dealership. We parked our Explorer right next to it and gave it a real good look. Stylewise, my son and I both agree, ours is vastly superior. The new truck is very angular, and then goes rounded in the back. The back of it looks very similar to a Windstar Minivan. We also both agreed that someone who had never seen an Explorer before, would have picked ours as the new model, and the 2002 as the vehicle it replaced. The new one doesnt look as modern or as smooth as ours.
Then we took ours around to have the oil changed, and got ahold of a salesman to take the new Explorer (their only one) out for a spin. He stuck on a tag, gave us the keys and let us go nuts. We drove around the immediate area for a little while, then got out on 270 where I was able to get it up to about 90MPH. The 2002 drives just like a minivan, no truckiness at all. As I've said before, if I were to drive this thing every day I'd pick the 2002 because of the carlike ride, but I prefer the ride of my 97. Not harsh, but its truck and it doesnt pretend not to be one. Where the 2002 is vastly superior to my 97 is in high speed operation. Despite its boxier appearance, the new truck (car) is obviously more aerodynamic. Its a windy day and there wasnt as much wind rush or jounce. It also cruised very comfortably at 90MPH, when the steering was released it tracked straight as an arrow, while my 97 is very jittery anywhere over 75-80.
The interior of the 2002 is also not as well laid out, as well designed, or as good looking as the one in my 97. The gauges, console, dash materials are all a lot cheaper. This was a loaded model too with leather seats...but oddly no leather wrapped steering wheel?!? All in all, I was impressed with the way the truck drove, but I am not interested in purchasing one. It drives like a minivan though, so it'll probably sell 100,000 units more a year than the old Explorer ever did.
Also, I looked at the tires. Michelin XW4 Radials. Same tires my Cadillac had. An offroader no more.
Then we took ours around to have the oil changed, and got ahold of a salesman to take the new Explorer (their only one) out for a spin. He stuck on a tag, gave us the keys and let us go nuts. We drove around the immediate area for a little while, then got out on 270 where I was able to get it up to about 90MPH. The 2002 drives just like a minivan, no truckiness at all. As I've said before, if I were to drive this thing every day I'd pick the 2002 because of the carlike ride, but I prefer the ride of my 97. Not harsh, but its truck and it doesnt pretend not to be one. Where the 2002 is vastly superior to my 97 is in high speed operation. Despite its boxier appearance, the new truck (car) is obviously more aerodynamic. Its a windy day and there wasnt as much wind rush or jounce. It also cruised very comfortably at 90MPH, when the steering was released it tracked straight as an arrow, while my 97 is very jittery anywhere over 75-80.
The interior of the 2002 is also not as well laid out, as well designed, or as good looking as the one in my 97. The gauges, console, dash materials are all a lot cheaper. This was a loaded model too with leather seats...but oddly no leather wrapped steering wheel?!? All in all, I was impressed with the way the truck drove, but I am not interested in purchasing one. It drives like a minivan though, so it'll probably sell 100,000 units more a year than the old Explorer ever did.
Also, I looked at the tires. Michelin XW4 Radials. Same tires my Cadillac had. An offroader no more.
I must say I was very impressed in person. It would look very nice with a lift, some nice aggressive tires and a chrome guard package
