Little bit of Buyers Remorse....

[tmg19103]

And, believe it or not, there are still those who take SUV's offroad. I drive on the beach a lot. Both for fishing where I will patrol miles of beach at night seeking stripers and so you can just park on the beach during the day with a bunch of people and have your cooler, barbie, dog, chairs, beach games etc. right there next to you while you can use the vehicle to block the wind on a windy day. Mind you, there are not many places on, say, the Jersey shore to drive the beach, but Nantucket where I have my summer home is all about it.

I also hunt. Wingshoot primarily plus wild turkey. Does not require massive offroad abilities, but I am often driving down rutted, muddy, rocky roads in the boonies.

I have posted before I would not go above 18" wheels for this where I want the higher sidewall. I also don't want a stiffer suspension for this.

Even if the Ex where my only car and I did not also have a sports sedan for my speed need, I'd stick with a loaded XLT. But that's just me. For many people it is all about paved roads (where I still do most of my driving and am fine withe XLT) and the Sport will be fine in snow on paved roads that is not too outrageous and no doubt sportier.

It's really to each their own. Personal preference - even on looks. I personally don't like the blacked out look. I personally like the sliver/grey grill of the XLT and the contrast it gives as opposed to the body matching grill on the Limited. Thus I have a pretty loaded XLT. To each their own. I know a lot of people on here like the aggressive, blacked out look of the Sport, the wheels and the HP. Enjoy!

 

[roamingphantom]

And, believe it or not, there are still those who take SUV's offroad. I drive on the beach a lot. Both for fishing where I will patrol miles of beach at night seeking stripers and so you can just park on the beach during the day with a bunch of people and have your cooler, barbie, dog, chairs, beach games etc. right there next to you while you can use the vehicle to block the wind on a windy day. Mind you, there are not many places on, say, the Jersey shore to drive the beach, but Nantucket where I have my summer home is all about it.

I also hunt. Wingshoot primarily plus wild turkey. Does not require massive offroad abilities, but I am often driving down rutted, muddy, rocky roads in the boonies.

I have posted before I would not go above 18" wheels for this where I want the higher sidewall. I also don't want a stiffer suspension for this.

Even if the Ex where my only car and I did not also have a sports sedan for my speed need, I'd stick with a loaded XLT. But that's just me. For many people it is all about paved roads (where I still do most of my driving and am fine withe XLT) and the Sport will be fine in snow on paved roads that is not too outrageous and no doubt sportier.

It's really to each their own. Personal preference - even on looks. I personally don't like the blacked out look. I personally like the sliver/grey grill of the XLT and the contrast it gives as opposed to the body matching grill on the Limited. Thus I have a pretty loaded XLT. To each their own. I know a lot of people on here like the aggressive, blacked out look of the Sport, the wheels and the HP. Enjoy!

Did you say strippers? Lemme know where, i am bringing my EX up too.

 

[tmg19103]

Did you say strippers? Lemme know where, i am bringing my EX up too.

Haha. A big cow (female striper) will strip the line off, but I don't think you are looking for a big cow in a stripper, but like I said - it's all personal preference

 

[LIrican]

I have both a limited and now a sport as I mentioned before.

I gotta say driving experience is night and day.

The only options I left behind that I wanted on the Sport are power 3rd row but that's taken care of in the 15.

Oh and I guess the off road capabilities although I remember my limited with 20's didn't have a problem on sand and mud.

 

[tmg19103]

I have both a limited and now a sport as I mentioned before.

I gotta say driving experience is night and day.

The only options I left behind that I wanted on the Sport are power 3rd row but that's taken care of in the 15.

Oh and I guess the off road capabilities although I remember my limited with 20's didn't have a problem on sand and mud.

20's can be fine in reasonably firm sand. For real soft sand, like Great Point on Nantucket where you need to air down to 12 psi so you don't get stuck, you need more sidewall. 18's barely cut it. 16's with an even higher sidewall are ideal. There are parts of Great Point and Eel Point I will only take my Escape (which I keep on Nantucket full time) with 16's. Also helps that the Escape is lighter so it glides over the sand without sinking in as much.

If you don't go offroad a fair amount like me, I fully understand the Sport, though I personally am not big on the blacked out look.

 

[LIrican]

I've done well on the Long Island beaches. Maybe that's not real sand.

I understand not liking the black on black look.

I love it and don't like the sliver/chrome look of the XLT and Limited.

All about preference only thing that can't he argued is the driving experience of a sport vs xlt/limited. It's not close.

 

[tmg19103]

I've done well on the Long Island beaches. Maybe that's not real sand.

I understand not liking the black on black look.

I love it and don't like the sliver/chrome look of the XLT and Limited.

All about preference only thing that can't he argued is the driving experience of a sport vs xlt/limited. It's not close.

If you are in sand that is soft enough you need to air down to 12 psi so you don't get stuck, and you are doing it on 20's and not getting stuck, I'm impressed.

It's all relative. You can drive a rear wheel drive BMW sedan on Daytona Beach the sand is so hard and packed.

 

[LIrican]

I air'd down not sure it was that low.

I followed my dads jeep with no problem.

I believe he has 18's

That was a limited so the sport may be different. I haven't had the chance to try it yet.

 

[tmg19103]

I air'd down not sure it was that low.

I followed my dads jeep with no problem.

I believe he has 18's

That's great. I have seen plenty of big wheel low profile tire vehicles have to get towed out of Great Point. $500 for a tow.

The recommendation is 10-14 psi. That's for some really soft sand and that's airing way down. Would curious how a Limited or Sport with 20's would handle it. Have never seen one up there. I'd prefer not to take the chance myself.

http://www.stripersonline.com/t/524354/what-to-take-for-beach-driving#post_3865946

 

[LIrican]

I was down to 15. My dad did it for me before we started. He's always on the beaches in his jeep and we wanted to see how my ex would do.

 

[tmg19103]

I was down to 15. My dad did it for me before we started. He's always on the beaches in his jeep and we wanted to see how my ex would do.

I don't know the LI beaches outside of the Hamptons. Some soft sand over hard pack. Easy driving. Nantucket is essentially a sand bar. VERY soft sand. Many feet deep of soft sand. You have to know how to handle it. I have seen people properly aired down with locking differential 4-wheel and small rims/large sidewalls still get stuck. You have to observe the sand and know where you can go - and you have to know what to do if there is the slightest inkling you are digging in or you will bottom out.

I'm glad your dad showed you the ropes on LI and your Sport did fine.

 

[LIrican]

Didn't try with the sport but thanks.

LI has some soft sand beaches at least in my opinion it's similar to what I see in Delaware as well.

I can't act like I have a lot of experience on the sand. I've driven many times in my dads Jeeps but only took my own vehicle out twice. The Limited was my first SUV and The Sport was my 2nd. Had that Need for Speed.

I think for my personal "off roading" needs it's more than sufficient. And I get to beat up Durangos and and quite a few others on the pavement.

Most people around here really like the blacked out look. I get a lot of head turns and compliments. Best moments are pulling up next to a guy in a limited/xlt and the 2nd and 3rd looks and finally realizing it's a Sport.

Either way love the design of the Explorer and don't think there's a wrong way to go. Love the look of both the Limited and Sport.

I also appreciate that Ford made some slight differences in the 3 models.

 

[tmg19103]

Didn't try with the sport but thanks.

LI has some soft sand beaches at least in my opinion it's similar to what I see in Delaware as well.

I can't act like I have a lot of experience on the sand. I've driven many times in my dads Jeeps but only took my own vehicle out twice. The Limited was my first SUV and The Sport was my 2nd. Had that Need for Speed.

I think for my personal "off roading" needs it's more than sufficient. And I get to beat up Durangos and and quite a few others on the pavement.

Most people around here really like the blacked out look. I get a lot of head turns and compliments. Best moments are pulling up next to a guy in a limited/xlt and the 2nd and 3rd looks and finally realizing it's a Sport.

Not a competition for me.

 

[LIrican]

It's all personal preference and what you want to spend.

I just speak from having owned both what I would say has been a better experience.

 

[tmg19103]

It's all personal preference and what you want to spend.

I just speak from having owned both what I would say has been a better experience.

That's great. That's your personal experience. I explained why a loaded XLT works for me. So we are both happy.

EDIT: And here are some Jeep guys making my point. Note I said above I would not even take my Ex with 18's to parts of Great Point and Eel Point. Only my Escape with 16's. Fortunately, my Ex is fine on most beaches on Nantucket with 18's. Note they make the same point I did on 20's.

http://www.wranglerforum.com/f274/what-size-wheels-for-beach-driving-232428.html#post3593695

 

[Sgt1411]

it's all personal preference and what you want to spend.

I just speak from having owned both what i would say has been a better experience.

+1

 

[peterk9]

This thread has gone way off topic. The OP was talking about whether he should have bought a Sport instead of a Limited.
We are now talking about 'off roading' on beaches and Jeeps which has nothing to do with the topic of the thread.

Peter

 

[broken strut]

Snap

 

[LIrican]

Sorry I was trying to help with the comparison.

Not sure the OP even cared about "off roading" but wanted to let him know the 20inch wheels can handle the terrain I've encountered.

 

[tmg19103]

To me the reason on not going to a Sport for me personally is the offroad ability of an XLT or Limited with 18" wheels with a softer suspension, but I guess it got off topic. I understand the popularity of the Sport as the Ex is now much more a street vehicle than something to be considered a truck or for offroad - not that it was even historically a big offroad vehicle, but some people won't buy a 5th gen. Ex now that it is front to AWD and unibody. I'm one of the not too common offroad types who does not mind the unibody AWD - so I would take a Limited with 18's over a tighter suspension Sport for offroad purposes. Guess that is off topic. Or at least the tire talk was.

Otherwise, the argument is about slight appearance differences, more HP and better suspension. If you want the performance you will live without a few Limited features in my view. I see far more XLT's and Limited's on the road, but there are more than a few Sport posters on here as no doubt they are performance enthusiasts who would like an auto forum - and I can appreciate that. If I did not go offroad, my ideal Ex would have a combination of the Limited and Sport features. I think the Ex has an aggressive look as is, but the Sport is more so and I can see men liking where the Sport would not be confused with a kid carrier - even if that is what it is also used for.