Question:
Hello, I am in the market for a new RUV and I am looking at the Ford Explorer. I test drove one last night and was quite impressed by it’s comfort, power and the way it handled. I also test drove the Lincoln Navigator and was impressed with it as well. Naturally, each – respective – car salesman gave me the long list of negatives about the "other" vehicle. So, I’m really at a quandary here. I like both vehicles and my main concern is that I get the best value for my money. Anyone who feels qualified to respond, please do so to my private email address as well as to the group. I plan to make a decision this week and purchase the vehicle this weekend. Thank you, Kaori Ayn Honeywell
Response:
Kaori, Ford SUV’s include the Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Navigator. THese are essentially the same vehicle with different nameplates and price tags. Standard equipment levels and options will also vary. Many For dealers are also Lincoln/Mercury dealers and the same salesman can give you a test drive in all 3 vehicles. Dan Driscoll 1992 Sport 4.0L 4×4 – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hello, > I am in the market for a new RUV and I > am looking at the Ford Explorer. I test drove > one last night and was quite impressed by > it’s comfort, power and the way it handled. > I also test drove the Lincoln Navigator and > was impressed with it as well. > Naturally, each – respective – car salesman > gave me the long list of negatives about the > "other" vehicle. So, I’m really at a quandary > here. I like both vehicles and my main > concern is that I get the best value for my > money. > Anyone who feels qualified to respond, please > do so to my private email address as well > as to the group. I plan to make a decision this > week and purchase the vehicle this weekend. > Thank you, > Kaori Ayn Honeywell
Response:
BTW, nice hook, but it is still spam.
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Response:
> Kaori, > Ford SUV’s include the Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln > Navigator. THese are essentially the same vehicle with different > nameplates and price tags. Standard equipment levels and options will > also vary. Many For dealers are also Lincoln/Mercury dealers and the > same salesman can give you a test drive in all 3 vehicles.
The navigator is an Expedition, not an explorer.
Response:
Well, you obviously now know that the Lincoln Navigator and the Ford Explorer are really from two different worlds. The Explorer can’t truly be compared to the Navigator – its sort of like comparing "apples and oranges". A better comparison would be the Ford Expedition versus the Lincoln Navigator or the Chevrolet, GMC, or Cadillac counterparts. The Explorer’s main competition is the Mercury Mountaineer, Chevy Blazer, Oldsmobile Bravada, Isuzu Rodeo, Honda Passport, Nissan Pathfinder, etc. By far and away, the Explorer is the best seller of the bunch – that doesn’t mean its necessarily the best for your needs, but it speaks to the popularity of the vehicle. I believe that all of the vehicles in this class offer V-6 power as standard and some offer an optional V-8. The Ford and the Mercury are essentially identical except that the Mercury offers nicer interior appointments as standard whereas you’ll pay extra to get the same thing in the Ford. The Mercury does have a slightly higher sticker price so you’ll have to decide if interior treatments are worth the extra bucks. The foreign imports that I’ve driven tend to ride more like "trucks" and less like "cars". I own a ‘93 Explorer XLT and find the ride quite pleasant. The harshest ride of the bunch had to be the Isuzu Rodeo in my opinion. Will you want to tow anything with it? If so, you may want to consider getting the optional V-8 power which may limit your choices since I don’t believe any of the imports offer this option. Like any vehicle, the Ford Explorer has had its share of documented troubles but my experience with it has been a good one even so. I think that the Ford and Mercury models have the nicest interiors but I also thought that the leather seats in the Nissan were quite comfortable as well. As with anything, you’ll want to buy whatever will give you the "biggest bang for the buck". In my book, that would be the Ford Explorer. Hope this helps. Mark
Response:
The Navigator is larger than the Explorer, costs more for the vehicle and will cost more in insurance, maintenance and gas. Since you like both the Explorer and the Navigator I would recommend going with the Explorer LIMITED as the best bang for the buck. — – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > I am in the market for a new RUV and I > am looking at the Ford Explorer. I test drove > one last night and was quite impressed by > it’s comfort, power and the way it handled. > I also test drove the Lincoln Navigator and > was impressed with it as well. > Naturally, each – respective – car salesman > gave me the long list of negatives about the > "other" vehicle. So, I’m really at a quandary > here. I like both vehicles and my main > concern is that I get the best value for my > money. > Anyone who feels qualified to respond, please > do so to my private email address as well > as to the group. I plan to make a decision this > week and purchase the vehicle this weekend. > Thank you, > Kaori Ayn Honeywell
Response:
Kaori: If all else is the same, and your bank account will stand it, the Navigator seems to be holding value quite well these days. There are plenty of Explorers on the road, and what appears to be a limited supply of Navigators. The Navigator is a big step up from the Explorer in terms of both size and price point. Not really a fair comparison. Parking space and fuel economy may sway you back to the Explorer or Mountaineer, Mercury’s version of the Explorer. In the same price range as the Navigator, consider the Range Rover, and also the new BMW X5. Drove the BMW recently, and consider it the best of any so far. Definitely worth a look. dr bob ps– interesting website! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Hello, >I am in the market for a new RUV and I >am looking at the Ford Explorer. I test drove >one last night and was quite impressed by >it’s comfort, power and the way it handled. >I also test drove the Lincoln Navigator and >was impressed with it as well. >Naturally, each – respective – car salesman >gave me the long list of negatives about the >"other" vehicle. So, I’m really at a quandary >here. I like both vehicles and my main >concern is that I get the best value for my >money. >Anyone who feels qualified to respond, please >do so to my private email address as well >as to the group. I plan to make a decision this >week and purchase the vehicle this weekend. >Thank you, >Kaori Ayn Honeywell
Response:
Ford’s current SUVs (Ford/Lincoln) are the Explorer/Mountaineer, and the Expedition/Navigator. These are two different families of vehicles; the Expedition/Navigator is larger than the Explorer/Mountaineer. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – >Kaori, >Ford SUV’s include the Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln >Navigator. THese are essentially the same vehicle with different >nameplates and price tags. Standard equipment levels and options will >also vary. Many For dealers are also Lincoln/Mercury dealers and the >same salesman can give you a test drive in all 3 vehicles. >Dan Driscoll >1992 Sport >4.0L 4×4 > Hello, > I am in the market for a new RUV and I > am looking at the Ford Explorer. I test drove > one last night and was quite impressed by > it’s comfort, power and the way it handled. > I also test drove the Lincoln Navigator and > was impressed with it as well. > Naturally, each – respective – car salesman > gave me the long list of negatives about the > "other" vehicle. So, I’m really at a quandary > here. I like both vehicles and my main > concern is that I get the best value for my > money. > Anyone who feels qualified to respond, please > do so to my private email address as well > as to the group. I plan to make a decision this > week and purchase the vehicle this weekend. > Thank you, > Kaori Ayn Honeywell
Response:
Oops, my mistake, the Navigator is an Expedition, not an Explorer. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Kaori, > Ford SUV’s include the Ford Explorer, Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln > Navigator. THese are essentially the same vehicle with different > nameplates and price tags. Standard equipment levels and options will > also vary. Many For dealers are also Lincoln/Mercury dealers and the > same salesman can give you a test drive in all 3 vehicles. > Dan Driscoll > 1992 Sport > 4.0L 4×4
Response:
Hey.. Even naked girls have go to the store for groceries.. NCOddBob – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > BTW, nice hook, but it is still spam. > <snip>
Response:
My family has one of each – best bet is Navigator…Definately a better all round package. However, we are talking at cross purposes – as the other respondents noted, the Navigator is further up the range than the Explorer, and has, consequently, a better fit out spec. Good Luck! P.S. We are in Scotland & there are not too many of these things about over here!!! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > I am in the market for a new RUV and I > am looking at the Ford Explorer. I test drove > one last night and was quite impressed by > it’s comfort, power and the way it handled. > I also test drove the Lincoln Navigator and > was impressed with it as well. > Naturally, each – respective – car salesman > gave me the long list of negatives about the > "other" vehicle. So, I’m really at a quandary > here. I like both vehicles and my main > concern is that I get the best value for my > money. > Anyone who feels qualified to respond, please > do so to my private email address as well > as to the group. I plan to make a decision this > week and purchase the vehicle this weekend. > Thank you, > Kaori Ayn Honeywell
Response:
Form and Function are the two criteria you need to consider. Function: The Explorer seems to be the best compromise in size for most people, that may be why this size vehicle (mid-sized SUV) still outsells minis like the RAV and CRV, or full-sized such as the Expedition, Chevy Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon. The question is what you need the SUV for. If you plan to haul a lot of people and gear around frequently (week-long camping/kayaking/biking trips with four other friends), the Expedition makes more sense than the Explorer. But remember that, unless this is a second or extra vehicle, you will be driving this thing everyday for the next several years, and to have a car that’s too big or too small is a real pain. If all you need is something that holds people and material better than a sedan or station wagon, the Explorer is the better choice. I assume you are not interested in the off-road capability of the 4 wheel drive versions of the Explorer/Expedition as you made mention of it, but genuine 4X4 aficionados often don’t seem like the Explorer from what I gather in other newsgroups. Form: Once you decide on whether to purchase mid-size (Explorer/Mountaineer) or full-size (Expedition/Navigator), you need to determine the trim level based on your tolerance or desire for luxury versus the rapid depreciation of features for which you will not receive even 30% compensation (you can compare options in a blue book to the options on the window sticker). Each make has between 2 to 4 trim levels. If you go high end, you’d want the Mountaineer or Navigator. It makes not sense to get a stripped-down version the Mountaineer or Navigator, because for the same price you can get a higher trimmed Explorer or Expedition. Also, you often get a better value to purchase a higher trim level than a lower variation with the same features added on as options. Often times, the features you may want will not be available on a lower trim model. The day after you buy the car is not the time to wish you had a V8 instead of a V6, or 4 wheel drive, or a moonroof (my aftermarket costs double the factory option price), or rear A/C. I hope you will take the time to carefully study the brochures (though they be flimsy fold-outs instead of the real booklets of the past) and highlight the features that are important to you before going back to finalize your purchase. The Competition: I have my reasons for owning an Explorer, but it makes sense to educate yourself about what the competition if offering. I would also check out the similar models offered by Toyota, Nissan, Isuzu, Jeep, and Chevy Blazer (for small to mid-sized) and Chevy Tahoe for full-size before you decide. Yes, it will take time and effort. But then again, how much money are you committing? Good luck. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > I am in the market for a new RUV and I > am looking at the Ford Explorer. I test drove > one last night and was quite impressed by > it’s comfort, power and the way it handled. > I also test drove the Lincoln Navigator and > was impressed with it as well. > Naturally, each – respective – car salesman > gave me the long list of negatives about the > "other" vehicle. So, I’m really at a quandary > here. I like both vehicles and my main > concern is that I get the best value for my > money. > Anyone who feels qualified to respond, please > do so to my private email address as well > as to the group. I plan to make a decision this > week and purchase the vehicle this weekend. > Thank you, > Kaori Ayn Honeywell
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hello, > I am in the market for a new RUV and I > am looking at the Ford Explorer. I test drove > one last night and was quite impressed by > it’s comfort, power and the way it handled. > I also test drove the Lincoln Navigator and > was impressed with it as well. > Naturally, each – respective – car salesman > gave me the long list of negatives about the > "other" vehicle. So, I’m really at a quandary > here. I like both vehicles and my main > concern is that I get the best value for my > money. > Anyone who feels qualified to respond, please > do so to my private email address as well > as to the group. I plan to make a decision this > week and purchase the vehicle this weekend. > Thank you, > Kaori Ayn Honeywell
Response:
I recently moved down to the US East Coast and they all want everything esthitically pleasing where I am…which means no grease monkeys in the front yard doing their own repairs…kinda sucks 
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