Why I am having trouble buying a new Explorer

[jdrnd]

or I could buy a corvette (yea I know its a Chevy)

 

[peterk9]

kinda sort of.... but I like the 82 cubic miles of cargo space, the Durango looks cheap, the Lexus is too expensive, I am not a fan of Chevy, and the GC is too small.

I guess I could try to wait 2 years to see if Ford makes changes in the 2018 model?

According to another thread, the redesign is scheduled for 2020. Any changes to models up to then would likely just be cosmetic or software related.
BTW, the Toyota Highlander has a maximum capacity of 83.7 cu. ft. behind the front row seats.

Peter

 

[613GT500]

kinda sort of.... but I like the 82 cubic miles of cargo space, the Durango looks cheap, the Lexus is too expensive, I am not a fan of Chevy, and the GC is too small.

I guess I could try to wait 2 years to see if Ford makes changes in the 2018 model?

Definitely take your time and cross shop with as many in the same segment and also a larger class up. It took us a better part of last year before we pulled the trigger and it all came down to "best bang for the buck". We could have gone with the top of the line MDX at about $65K, or Pilot at $58k. The choice was easy and two people who I know that bought the other two are liking my EX more than theirs.

 

[jdrnd]

why does it have to be a V6? the 2.3 Turbo has plenty of power.

not enough for me

 

[jdrnd]

Definitely take your time and cross shop with as many in the same segment and also a larger class up. It took us a better part of last year before we pulled the trigger and it all came down to "best bang for the buck". We could have gone with the top of the line MDX at about $65K, or Pilot at $58k. The choice was easy and two people who I know that bought the other two are liking my EX more than theirs.

MDX requires premium fuel.

 

[613GT500]

MDX requires premium fuel.

Same goes for the 3.5EB on the Sport and Platinum, if you want to get close to the rated hp/tq

 

[ocracokeBound]

Toyota 4Runner, BoF, V6, full sized spare, 23 gas tank.

 

[peterk9]

Same goes for the 3.5EB on the Sport and Platinum, if you want to get close to the rated hp/tq

But it is Not Required. That is a big difference. My EB has all the get up and go I need on 87.

 

[613GT500]

But it is Not Required. That is a big difference. My EB has all the get up and go I need on 87.

That's correct and if drivers don't care to get close as possible to the rated hp/tq, then the 3.5 NA would suffice.

 

[seanmclean]

not enough for me

Agreed. It's enough for city driving, but pretty anemic above 40MPH, or trying to move around on the highway.

 

[peterk9]

That's correct and if drivers don't care to get close as possible to the rated hp/tq, then the 3.5 NA would suffice.

I've driven both and there is no comparison between the 3.5 NA and the 3.5 EB on 87 octane. Not even close. I'll bet the average driver wouldn't be able to tell if the tank had 87 or 91 in it. Like I've said before, I used 91 for about 5 months in the EB and went back to 87 as there was no noticeable difference in performance. Just in the wallet.
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

 

[jdrnd]

The 4runner was a good suggestion. I would miss the keypad on the door.

 

[jdrnd]

The MDX is the same size as the GC so it doesn't have enough cargo room.

Definitely take your time and cross shop with as many in the same segment and also a larger class up. It took us a better part of last year before we pulled the trigger and it all came down to "best bang for the buck". We could have gone with the top of the line MDX at about $65K, or Pilot at $58k. The choice was easy and two people who I know that bought the other two are liking my EX more than theirs.

MDX is the same size as a GC

 

[jdrnd]

I wish I could buy a customized 2017 Explorer with a 25 gal tank and a full size spare. There has got to be a way for that to be done.

 

[jdrnd]

I've driven both and there is no comparison between the 3.5 NA and the 3.5 EB on 87 octane. Not even close. I'll bet the average driver wouldn't be able to tell if the tank had 87 or 91 in it. Like I've said before, I used 91 for about 5 months in the EB and went back to 87 as there was no noticeable difference in performance. Just in the wallet.
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.

I think the onboard computer adjusts various engine settings to compensate. So I don't think one would notice the difference. However, when we shopped the MDX and Subaru premium Forester in 2010, we were told that if we put anything less then premium Octane in the car we would void the warranty.

 

[J. Gehret]

I wish I could buy a customized 2017 Explorer with a 25 gal tank and a full size spare. There has got to be a way for that to be done.

It's actually quite easy to do. Purchase a 2017 EX then find a shop that will do exactly what you want to it. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility with the appropriate sized checkbook...

 

[jdrnd]

It's actually quite easy to do. Purchase a 2017 EX then find a shop that will do exactly what you want to it. Nothing is out of the realm of possibility with the appropriate sized checkbook...

I know that the adjustments are within the current technology, its just that I don't have the appropriate sized checkbook, or rather I wouldn't want to spend the money on that.

But I can dream

 

[peterk9]

The 4runner was a good suggestion. I would miss the keypad on the door.

89.7 cu. ft. behind front seats!

 

[Lhymes]

There's no way that Ford would go back to a body on frame design for the Explorer. For safety, weight, and the general public, the unibody design is far superior. I would recommend checking out the Durango Citadel. I just traded mine in for my Platinum a month ago. I wrote an unbiased comparison that I'd recommend looking over. From my personal experience with it, it feels more like the vehicle you're describing you want. The material quality in the Citadel was excellent. The leather held up very well and there was absolutely no wear over the time that I owned it. I do prefer the Explorer personally.

 

[jdrnd]

There's no way that Ford would go back to a body on frame design for the Explorer. For safety, weight, and the general public, the unibody design is far superior. I would recommend checking out the Durango Citadel. I just traded mine in for my Platinum a month ago. I wrote an unbiased comparison that I'd recommend looking over. From my personal experience with it, it feels more like the vehicle you're describing you want. The material quality in the Citadel was excellent. The leather held up very well and there was absolutely no wear over the time that I owned it. I do prefer the Explorer personally.

I can except the Unibody, its the gas tank size (range) and absence of full size spare that is most bothersome.... I will look at the Durango again.