If you didn't buy the 11-16 explorer, then what?

[Napalm]

Unibody and AWD have pretty much caught up with body on frame and true 4x4. Outside of truly hardcore stuff like boulder climbing, unibody is fine.

The new Range Rovers are unibody. Still amazing off road and can tow 7,500 lbs.

They are AWD with locking differential ability, but I doubt they are locked much.

The true problem with these newer vehicles is ground clearance - and the Ex has that problem. Unibody Range Rover has adjustable air suspension.

I'd mostly agree but the thing I keep trying to impress upon people is the current crop of SUV's are really fake attempts at minivans.

The main thing body on frame allows with 4x4 is the ability to vary height and fix clearance issues easily in manufacturing. IE body stays mostly the same - but the frame can be modified freely.

 

[tmg19103]

I'd mostly agree but the thing I keep trying to impress upon people is the current crop of SUV's are really fake attempts at minivans.

The main thing body on frame allows with 4x4 is the ability to vary height and fix clearance issues easily in manufacturing. IE body stays mostly the same - but the frame can be modified freely.

No doubt these CUV's are being made and marketed to suburban families like minivans. Smooth to drive on the pavement and easy to steer. But, no clearance, no recovery points, no beefed up suspension for off road like a good traditional SUV. Those are the differences. Unibody and AWD can do quite well off road these days if you give the CUV the right clearance, tires and suspension. Again, Range Rover does this very well. Most others are made and marketed for the suburban masses.

Shame as those who want a traditional SUV are running out of choices. They are either being discontinued or turned into CUV's, but that is what the market is calling for.

 

[Napalm]

I already know the explorer will be too small for us when kiddo 2 comes along. (kid crap takes up too much room, strollers and the like) and my wifey can't not keep other crap in her car for no good reason.

but that aside - especially if kiddo 3 were to be a reality.

So I'm curious what the AL bodied Expedition might become. well that and the idea that I hope ford is serious about moving to more and more AL bodied cars.

 

[wifes2011xlt]

I already know the explorer will be too small for us when kiddo 2 comes along. (kid crap takes up too much room, strollers and the like) and my wifey can't not keep other crap in her car for no good reason.

but that aside - especially if kiddo 3 were to be a reality.

So I'm curious what the AL bodied Expedition might become. well that and the idea that I hope ford is serious about moving to more and more AL bodied cars.

Not so fast...We've got three car seats in my wife's Limited right now. We use it as the family hauler all the time. In fact, we took the Limited on a road trip from the Midwest to the Colorado Rocky Mountains and back. It served us well. I will say though that without the second row buckets, I would agree with you. :biggthump

If the Expedition EL ever goes aluminum and they throw that 2.7L EB engine in it, I would seriously consider it.

 

[Napalm]

We have second row buckets - they were roomier and the move easier IMO.

I also have no second row console - so that in theory kiddo at age 3-say 10 can get back into the rear seat without moving the second row seats.

but if we do like we do today - and always cart the stroller (stupid thing is too big in my opinion) and we have car seats in positions 3/4 it might be snug.

We've not done a long road trip with it yet - that's coming up in 3ish weeks. but I see me wanting a modicum of more room.

 

[Odrapnew]

I have 2 kids in car seats and a 70lb black lab that we take regular trips to Duluth, MN(about 2.5hr drive) and I don’t think we’ve ever had an issue with space.

We made the same trip with 4 adults, 1 kid(before kid 2 arrived) and the dog. 1 adult was in 3rd row and the dog was on the other half of the folded down 3rd row. Still had room for all the junk associated with a weekend trip.

As for the topic of this thread, I likely would have been looking at Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, Acura MDX. Jeep Grand Cherokee may have been low on the list. The only reason I bought the Explorer was for the Sport. If the 3.5EB wasn’t an option, the Explorer probably would have been low on the list(above the JGC though).

 

[wifes2011xlt]

Did someone say they needed more room??? And no, (ahem Peter), it's not a barbecue...

 

[Napalm]

honestly dollars vs space vs options. without same content level of stuffs - IE no motor lifegate, no nav, but leather

the Durango would have been perhaps a better buy. but mpgs and the like it was last on my list. if space was key - and 3 row, but not expition, yukon. Durango is that nice not quite as bit, but really close and not priced crazy.

expedition I looked at was 51K I think.