Little bit of Buyers Remorse....

[stephenmgd]

So I purchased my 2014 Explorer limited last week.... Don't get me wrong I love the style of SUV, but I want a little juice in my ride. I regret not choosing the Sport. I searched the threads but pretty much all came down to intake and exhaust for a slight increase in hp and torque. It's like I went and got the 46" 60hz 1080i instead of the 60" 3D 240hz 1080P, but the upside to that scenario I can return it and upgrade easily @ Bestbuy. Now I'm thinking selling the car pp and then going back to the dealer. Has anyone tried to get the dealer to swap without having your butt handed to you on the depreciated value? If that happens seems like I would need to pay almost 60K for the sport.

 

[LIrican]

This is exactly why I went from a perfectly good 2012 Limited to a 14 Explorer.

It's a week old maybe something can be done if the dealer is willing to work with you.

They get another new car sale and a used car that should sell quick.

 

[Bill #5 Explorer]

So I purchased my 2014 Explorer limited last week.... Don't get me wrong I love the style of SUV, but I want a little juice in my ride. I regret not choosing the Sport. I searched the threads but pretty much all came down to intake and exhaust for a slight increase in hp and torque. It's like I went and got the 46" 60hz 1080i instead of the 60" 3D 240hz 1080P, but the upside to that scenario I can return it and upgrade easily @ Bestbuy. Now I'm thinking selling the car pp and then going back to the dealer. Has anyone tried to get the dealer to swap without having your butt handed to you on the depreciated value? If that happens seems like I would need to pay almost 60K for the sport.

Are you familiar with driving an SUV? They are big & heavy. Heck, your learning transmission has not even figured out your driving style yet. Give it some time. Brake the engine in. Change to a full synthetic oil in about a 1,000 miles, then hammer it. They're pretty quick for a heavy truck. Keep in mind my reference point also includes +450 HP sports cars I drive on sunny weekends.

 

[roamingphantom]

Are you familiar with driving an SUV? They are big & heavy. Heck, your learning transmission has not even figured out your driving style yet. Give it some time. Brake the engine in. Change to a full synthetic oil in about a 1,000 miles, then hammer it. They're pretty quick for a heavy truck. Keep in mind my reference point also includes +450 HP sports cars I drive on sunny weekends.

+1

I agree with Bill, i got the 2013 Limited and from reading the post by the guys with the Sport i get a little jealous at times. However there are some options you cant get on the sport that u get on the limited so i take comfort in that.

Mine is about 8000 miles and today marks the 1yr anniversary. I'll say i am happy and TBH its badass when i open it on a highway. IMO power and speed gets you there quickly - go slower and enjoy the ride.

 

[TxRanger351w]

While I imagine that a driver accustomed to a higher power vehicle would find the 3.5 v6 in the Explorer lacking, I'd like to throw my 2 cents in:

We had a 2011 Explorer that we traded in at 36,000 miles. We got into a 2013 Acadia with a 3.7l V6 and "more" power. Compared to the Explorer, the GMC felt anemic when accelerating. The shift points were all over the map, and the engine would often go out to redline...while still feeling no "oomph." I recalled taking our 2011 Explorer on a roadtrip and being able to slide out of traffic and make passes with ease. So, we recently came back with a 14 Limited.

Now, it's not like driving a BMW M6 or M5, both of which I've had the joy of spending 5 minutes in. But it's respectable for the class it resides in. I think the "Sport" in SUV only means athletic equipment, and not mechanical performance. For that, you may want to upgrade to a Range Rover.

 

[stephenmgd]

Maybe I'll give it a little more time...I haven't really tested it true potential because I've been trying to break in the car diligently, although it's kind of hard in Los Angeles not to maneuver around "brilliant" drivers around these parts.
Airborne - live in California so heated steering is not really a deal breaker...lol. thanks for the info though.
I don't feel like losing any money on this and I'll let you guys know if the dealer will do anything for me. If not I won't be crying in the corner over it. If anything ill give the car to the parents since they in a need for a new ride as their highlander hybrid v6awd is going to crap and love the hell out of my car.
This is my first SUV but I have driven my parents v6 highlander and that car does pull. All of my cars have been either forced induction/awd/ or rwd, so a fwd NA v6 is definately new to me. My BMW x3 4 Banger with twin turbos (wifey's ride) seems like it may pull harder.
In any case what's done is done...ill keep posted of what my dealer says.

 

[tmg19103]

I like putting around in my XLT and have no desire to drive it fast. That's how I have always looked at SUV's as my secondary vehicle. My Saab is the Aero with the High Output Turbo and sport tuned suspension,so that's where I get my need for speed. If the Ex where my only car, I can understand wanting the Sport, but I'd personally be concerned driving such a large and not so mobile vehicle fast except on the highway and wide open roads. I don't see the benefit on suburban twisties. That's what sports cars are for.

 

[ARS1]

I thought the same thing at first but have since grown to like our XLT. For one its paid for and a sport we more than likely would have had to finance due to being upside down in the old ride by $6K. I think for a SUV its still pretty quick being N/A. There was an idiot in a Scion FR-S on the bridge about a month ago that cut me off and gunned it. You should have seen the look on both our faces as I passed him. I was as surprised as he was lol. Yea having a Sport would be nice but I think waiting a little longer and getting a new Mustang or something as a third vehicle is a smarter choice. Just like the whole Explorer over Range Rover argument that gets brought up quite often and deleted. We could have gotten a Range with a payment but have no desire just to join the **** swinging party and say hey look at me I spend my money like a jack ass. Besides they are junk... So if its your only vehicle go for it but if not its just a novelty.

 

[EGUY4]

I picked up a 14 Limited last August and have not regretted it one bit.

I gave serious thought to the Sport, but the additional features the Limited offered that the sport did not made my mind up for me above anything the Sport offered including the extra horsepower, which don't forget adds up to more gas burned.

I drive my Limited pretty conservatively 99% of the time, but there were a couple of times I forget I was in an SUV and drove it like I used to drive my sedan.
I was not disappointed with the pick up, the cornering, or the ride.

I guess if you drive fast most of the times the Sport is for you, if you don't stay with the Limited.

I truly love my Limited more than any other car I've ever owned.

 

[broken strut]

I drove a Ltd for almost 2 years. Fully loaded. I now drive the sport with a livernois tune. I wouldn't go back to a ltd for any add on. They are not comparable to be honest with you. Most of the extras I didn't even use. The ones I did use are available on the Sport. To each their own. I liked my Ltd. I LOVE the Sport.

 

[Sgt1411]

I had a 2013 Limited and a year later I upgraded to the Sport. I loved my limited when I had it and I got so many compliments on it. To me there are some things on the limited I had as options that just made me feel safer with my family in the vehicle while on cross country road trips. The automatic wipers, the collision warning and lane keep assist were all so amazing when we would suddenly hit some nasty weather.
Now I traded in for the 2014 Sport, and I love the acceleration and especially the look, but when I want to have some real fun I leave my kids at home. I think I ended up losing about 7k in value on the limited with the trade in, which considering I had put 26k miles on it in one year was worth it to me.
As others have mentioned, I loved my limited and everything about it, never had a single issue other than the a-pillar blowing clean off on the interstate lol. Oh I also miss the heated steering wheel feature, I actually used that every day during the winter months here because I would have to pass through a security gate to get on base and trying to fumble for an I.D. with gloves on is no fun.
Just decide if that extra power and that different look are that much more important to you, to now go about dropping even more coin (it was to me). Regardless how you do it though you will certainly lose money, but only you can decide if its really worth it.
Also I was going to say around here, the limiteds in certain trims and features have been kinda slim lately. Ive known of the dealerships around here to offer more on a trade in for a vehicle type they have had people coming in looking for but didn't have on hand (they know it will sell fast). The dealer is just going to make more money off of your vehicle anyway, so don't be afraid to get a quote from other dealerships as well on trade in value and on the sport price, you may just get lucky

Having done the exact same move (13 Limited to 14 Sport) I would have to say this summary is very well said. My feeling is, while I definitely miss the features of the Limited (Heated Wheel, Powerfold seats, HIDs to name a few) I would only use those features periodically. While in the Sport I use the EcoBoost engine, stiffer suspension, and sport tuned EPAS/AWD all the time. To add to that I prefer the Sport blackout appearance package with grill, wheels, and trim. I cant wait for the 2016 because we might get it all in one!

 

[stephenmgd]

Yeah...it's pretty much a done deal with me, just spoke with my dealer and he stated I would almost definitely take a huge hit on the equity...but he did say he'll will be happy to transfer that negative equity over to a new Sport...lol. I told him i might be coming by again in the future and would have to get me a great deal. Apparently this happens to him a lot but once off the lot it's done. Still have a great ride though, no more future regrets. I guess I just missed the feel and sound of spooling turbos back in the day when I had my Eclipse GSX.

 

[PIUtility]

I cant say much coming from a PI Explorer, since the 3.7L motor places itself as a major in-between with the Limited and the Sport models, but I will say this. After 4 years in production, I'm seriously amazed someone has not come up with a bolt-on supercharger kit for this engine, considering how many platforms share it, and how much room there is to install one.

 

[Ajar]

We started off with a 2012 Limited and when the Sports came out I knew it was just a matter of time for our family...... Having gone thru college with with Fox Mustang fever, a Sport seemed like a perfect family hauler that could be fun too.

I think the mechanical difference between the two cars is really being down played on this thread by happy non-sport owners that are fine with the power the base engine offers. To someone that is into quick cars I'll offer a simple comparison. Compare the GSX or a 5.0 Mustang to the base engine model. It's exactly the same sort of thing.

Our Limited was a great truck. Great looks and amazing features. Our Sport is all that AND a monster sleeper as well. With a tune, we are taking new 5.0s at the track and working our way into the 12s. Talk about shocked looks on people's faces....

It sounds like you are going to be driving the Limited for awhile. Enjoy it... Put some miles on it and then in a year or two when it hits the trade in sweet spot if you still have that need for speed.... Make it happen...

Cheers,

Ajar

 

[ARS1]

After 4 years in production, I'm seriously amazed someone has not come up with a bolt-on supercharger kit for this engine, considering how many platforms share it, and how much room there is to install one.

This...

 

[stephenmgd]

We started off with a 2012 Limited and when the Sports came out I knew it was just a matter of time for our family...... Having gone thru college with with Fox Mustang fever, a Sport seemed like a perfect family hauler that could be fun too.

I think the mechanical difference between the two cars is really being down played on this thread by happy non-sport owners that are fine with the power the base engine offers. To someone that is into quick cars I'll offer a simple comparison. Compare the GSX or a 5.0 Mustang to the base engine model. It's exactly the same sort of thing.

Our Limited was a great truck. Great looks and amazing features. Our Sport is all that AND a monster sleeper as well. With a tune, we are taking new 5.0s at the track and working our way into the 12s. Talk about shocked looks on people's faces....

It sounds like you are going to be driving the Limited for awhile. Enjoy it... Put some miles on it and then in a year or two when it hits the trade in sweet spot if you still have that need for speed.... Make it happen...

Cheers,

Ajar

By the time I trade in the limited for a sport I'm hoping the sport will be pushing out 400+ hp with even more features. It'll probably be around 2016. I'm thinking Ford will need to supply the demand for more horsepower for enthusiasts.

 

[Sgt1411]

What about getting the Livernois tune for your Limited?.........might be a decent compromise.

 

[peterk9]

By the time I trade in the limited for a sport I'm hoping the sport will be pushing out 400+ hp with even more features. It'll probably be around 2016. I'm thinking Ford will need to supply the demand for more horsepower for enthusiasts.

I'd be very skeptical that you'll see much of an increase in HP. I seriously doubt that the market is there in large enough numbers to justify the extra cost. Many 'enthusiasts' are making do with after market systems. In my opinion, if you're looking for more HP, you shouldn't be looking at an SUV. The 365 horses I have will seldom get used.

Peter

 

[dave91gt]

We bought the wife a Sport a couple of months ago. We needed to replace her ailing Expedition. We narrowed it down to the Explorer and the GC. In the end, she picked the Explorer due to it's versatility. Once I helped "hook" her, I introduced the Sport package. She wanted captains chairs for the kids. I wanted twin turbo's. So we got the best of both worlds. After driving the Explorer the first time to work, she commented how it is actually faster than the 99 Mustang GT she had. That's when we had the conversation about turbos and how they work. Living in WV, we have lots of hills on the interstate. Her Expedition struggled constantly with downshifting and made lots of noise. The Sport? It gets into 6th and stays there on every hill. Acceleration is effortless. Literally. Would we have been happy in a Limited? Yep. But the Sport adds the cool factor for her and the Eco keeps me happy. We are averaging 17-18 mpg where the Expedition averaged 13-14 mpg in the same drive. Our only issues have been the NAV tracking and the gas tank is rather small. Otherwise, the thing is actually fun to drive. And its not like its lacking in options. Intelligent Access, remote start, heated and cooled leather, remote liftgate, etc.

 

[stephenmgd]

I'd be very skeptical that you'll see much of an increase in HP. I seriously doubt that the market is there in large enough numbers to justify the extra cost. Many 'enthusiasts' are making do with after market systems. In my opinion, if you're looking for more HP, you shouldn't be looking at an SUV. The 365 horses I have will seldom get used.

Peter

Peter, you are probably right. The reason I pick an SUV is because of the seating capacity, cargo room, also the fact I can see over traffic, and just plain love SUV's. I'm 6'3 200lbs and always felt cramped in my gs300 and i can't tell you how manys times i've gone to IKEA and said damn this won't fit in my car, also in the restaurant business which requires heavy and large loads at times. But I've always been about power, speed, and comfort, why not kill three with one stone? After my GS300 I told myself SUV's only from now on. I successfully convinced my fiance to get the X3 and my parents the highlander, fiance wanted the bmw 4 series (when released) and parents wanted some kia hatchback crap that could only fit 3 people, right now they are glad they didn't. I think the Sport has more than enough power for what it's used for, but I'm saying in the past companies have been finding ingenius ways to combine fuel economy and extra HP. So I'm HOPING maybe future sport edition's powertrains might be considerably different to be competitive with other car makers and create the best in their class. But if not im still happy with 365hp plus aftermarket upgrades, plus i think the Explorer just looks awesome compared to the other ones I was shopping around for.