Explorer 97 XLT – Advice
Question:
I have both Explorer & new Expedition I am also a sales rep. Get the Expedition rides a thousand times better than a Explorer I average 20 miles per gallon with 4×4 Explorer. 17.5 miles per gallon with 4×4 Expedition.
Response:
> It sounds like the 3.73 would reduce top speed. I regularly drive on the > North Dallas Tollway and 75mph is slow in some sections. Will this truck > have trouble in the 75 to 90 mph range as far as smooth crusing is > concerned? Acceleration? Would the V8 be a better choice for high speed?
I don’t know, but I can say that the V8, while it will do 75-90, isn’t great at it. You really have to lay into the gas, you won’t be in overdrive, etc. Believe me, I’m a fast driver. I’m a bit disappointed that the Explorer V8 (at least my AWD version) doesn’t seem to want to "cruise" at 80+, although with enough effort it’ll do it. Note that all V8s have the 3.73. Josh — Josh Sirota Phone: (415) 328-JAVA Marimba, Inc. FAX: (415) 328-5295 Palo Alto, CA 94306 WWW: http://www.marimba.com/people/jss/
Response:
(snip) >Perhaps I neglected to mention that I will use the vehicle on sales calls >as well. This is one of the primary reasons I am looking at a SUV.
(snip) >The second reason is this will be my personal vehicle as well and I >personally want something with all the bells & whistles for myself.
(snip) >Together, the cost is justified in my opinion. However, I am always open >to suggestions, the Explorer is not a "final" choice, just what I have seen >the most of lately and the value appears to be there.
My father (I’m 25) makes more than 125K/year as a salesman. He sells millions of dollars worth of baking production needs (oil, ingredients, machinery) over an eleven-state territory. He takes out CFOs, regional VPs, managers of all sorts, etc., etc., and his Ford Windstar is, in his opinion, the best company car he’s had to do it all with. You want a sport-ute. You feel you can afford one. It’s your money, and I per- sonally respect your right to go out and get one; not that that’s a pertinent issue. >I have been hearing about the improved quality of American products from >friends and from the on-line sites dealing with cars and trucks. This is >really the only reason I am considering American in the first place. As a >reference, my parents have owned American all their lives until about 5 >years ago and have always had problems of one sort or another. My mom >bought an Altima 5 years ago and my Father bought a LS400 3 years ago and >neither have had any problems. I figure that if I lease it and only keep >it during the warranty period, that should protect me. If my experience is >a good one, I will likely buy my next one.
If it’s any comfort, my dad, mother, myself, my wife, my sister and her husband, and my little brother all have American cars. No dis- satisfaction registered. My sister and father both travel as reps, I do so as an engineer. We have found our products to be dependable and cheap to maintain. I did not enjoy maintaining the foreign products we owned. Parts and service were *so* expensive. (snip) >It sounds like the 3.73 would reduce top speed. I regularly drive on the >North Dallas Tollway and 75mph is slow in some sections. Will this truck >have trouble in the 75 to 90 mph range as far as smooth crusing is >concerned? Acceleration? Would the V8 be a better choice for high speed?
A Nissan Sentra is a surprisingly fun car to drive. An Explorer or other sport-ute will not give you *nearly* the same pleasure under the con- ditions you mentioned above. I really don’t recommend it on North Central Expwy; trucks just don’t zip through lanes like cars do, especially when it’s wet. I think the SOHC V6 would be plenty of oomph to merge with; the Explorer is built on the Ranger chassis, I think. >I have had friends warn me of the different handling of trucks and cars. >Should I expect much difference here?
YES! Seeabove and *be careful* ’til you get the hang of it at the unsafe speeds you mentioned. My wife and I bought a Breeze that is fun like a Sentra (snapy handling, moreso than the Sentra), especially when you let the engine rev really high and stretch its legs. We only drive stick shifts, and yeah, it’s a lot of fun to bust in and out of traffic with gusto. Not so in the F150. It’s very different than a car, especially when you jump up to 90 mph. >Well, I am certainly looking at sooner than 6 months. 2 or 3 weeks is more >in line with my current plans. When I bought the Sentra new, I visited >four dealerships. The first three treated me like they had better things >to do, I bought from the fourth as they were kind and took the time to >answer my questions. As a salesman myself, I dislike them (salesman) >because their pitches are more annoying than anything else when used >against someone who does it for a living. >Also, I feel that my age tends to be a factor. From what I have heard, few >21-year-olds buy $30,000 trucks (I have high tastes). I have the benefit >of knowing quite a bit about computers which (with my income from my >company) allows me to afford such a vehicle. I also can understand why a >salesman isn’t interested in dealing with me, they want to sell to people >who have money and few my age have it. I have a feeling I might get a >worse reception now than three years ago, hence my information search on >the web.
You are always wise (*always*) to get the info anyway; whatever the salesman says. I couldn’t agree more about the trouble young folks llike us face when buuying things. My wife and I bought our house three years ago and walked out on several mortgage officers who told us to ‘get that check from Dad in your account soon so the money looks like it’s yours’. Made us sick! We had to buy two vehicles this year as ours died (one was kind of anticipatewd, the other wasn’t). Faced the same long looks and ‘are you sure you’re not interested in a Neon? Escort? How about that little Ranger over there?’. They couldn’t believe I have a squeaky-clean credit report many pages long and plenty laying around for the down payment. Should have seen the looks on their pudgy faces……Don’t let’em get you down. I was so persistent and informed they quit messing around; ‘cuz they knew I wasn’t. (snip) >BTW, I have since learned since my first posting that due to the higher >resale value of the Ford Expedition, I can lease one for only $20 more a >month than a similar Explorer. As you own a 97 F-150 and the Expedition is >based on the F-150, might you have any thoughts on this larger vehicle and >why I wouldn’t want it instead of a smaller Explorer?
The Expedition eats more gas, will possibly cost more to insure, and be surprisingly difficult to park in comparison to the Explorer. I don’t mean to go to the same well, but I know my dad and sister never know where they’ll be parking (these things are unpredictable for reps) and appreciate not having something *too* big. Ditto for downtown areas in large cities. I have a long bed p/u that has no problems at construction sites, but it likes the gas (16 mpg in town) and parks like a big vehicle. There are always tradeoffs. Devon Williams
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->To all Ford Explorer 97 XLT Owners, >I am looking at a 97 XLT for personal and business use. I plan to use it >to haul equipment from job site to job site along with my partner. My >current vehicle just isn’t up to the task. > An Explorer or other sport-ute is a very expensive way to do it. > We have some friends who tried to tell us the same and we pointed > them in the direction of the GMC Safari and Ford Aerostar, which > are excellent (box-shaped compartment is good) cargo carriers > with decent mileage and features, especially ofr the money. If it > must be a sport-ute, you really are paying a heck of an upcharge > for looking cool. Look at the Mazda MPV, too; I’ve heard a lot > of good things about them.
Perhaps I neglected to mention that I will use the vehicle on sales calls as well. This is one of the primary reasons I am looking at a SUV. It will handle both sales and transport. When I take a client out to dinner, I want something upscale. Part of the cost is basically bought image and credibility which is useful in some situations and there are people who are just simply impressed with such things. If the cargo hauling ability were my only concern, a used full size van would be a better choice. The second reason is this will be my personal vehicle as well and I personally want something with all the bells & whistles for myself. When I bought the Sentra, that is what my budget could afford, I am just in a better financial position now. Together, the cost is justified in my opinion. However, I am always open to suggestions, the Explorer is not a "final" choice, just what I have seen the most of lately and the value appears to be there. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I have never owned an American vehicle before nor have I owned a truck. I >have heard horror stories regarding the reliability of American vehicles >and I am used to Japanese quality. I own a 93 Nissan Sentra which I bought >new and have never had it into the dealer for anything other than scheduled >maintaince. > I think you could be pleasantly surprised. I owned Mazda and Mitsu > trucks before our two current (American) purchases, and I think the > gap has been closed to where careful maintenance is the key. I have > a horror story about several Japanese cars; a Sentra with 31,000 miles, > a Toyota Camry with 25,000 miles, etc. I find the parts and maintenance > on those cars to have skyrocketed to uncomfortable levels for myself. > I think most such dealers really stick it to clients when it comes to > scheduled maintenance.
I have been hearing about the improved quality of American products from friends and from the on-line sites dealing with cars and trucks. This is really the only reason I am considering American in the first place. As a reference, my parents have owned American all their lives until about 5 years ago and have always had problems of one sort or another. My mom bought an Altima 5 years ago and my Father bought a LS400 3 years ago and neither have had any problems. I figure that if I lease it and only keep it during the warranty period, that should protect me. If my experience is a good one, I will likely buy my next one. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am hoping to get some insight on what I would expect with a vehicle such >as this. Is the handling very different from a 4-door car? What is a 3.73 >Limited Slip Axle? I have seen this reference with the tow package. I >might use the towing, but what does the 3.73 do? > Limited slip is just that; I believe it allows much better traction from > the back end as both rear wheels are used more equally than with the > conventional set-up. The 3.73 differential gearing is lower than the > conventional gearing; requiring more turns of the drive shaft to turn > the wheels. I have a ‘97 F150 with the tow package and it comes with a > 3.55 rearend, the standard is 3.08 on the new truck line. The lower > ratio drops the mileage slightly but I notice a little better pickup > and it’s better for starting from a dead stop with a trailer b/c more > of the applied (engine) torque makes it to the drive wheels rather than > being reduced by a higher differential ratio.
It sounds like the 3.73 would reduce top speed. I regularly drive on the North Dallas Tollway and 75mph is slow in some sections. Will this truck have trouble in the 75 to 90 mph range as far as smooth crusing is concerned? Acceleration? Would the V8 be a better choice for high speed? I have had friends warn me of the different handling of trucks and cars. Should I expect much difference here? >I have not actually driven one yet as I find dealerships to be rather >unfriendly towards "browsers". My thinking was that I could perhaps get >some insight into this vehicle and Ford in general from this newsgroup. > I have not had sucha problem at dealerships. I simply tell them I am > looking to get into a vehicle (which you are) and have a specific time- > table. Even a six-month timetable has proven enough for me.
Well, I am certainly looking at sooner than 6 months. 2 or 3 weeks is more in line with my current plans. When I bought the Sentra new, I visited four dealerships. The first three treated me like they had better things to do, I bought from the fourth as they were kind and took the time to answer my questions. As a salesman myself, I dislike them (salesman) because their pitches are more annoying than anything else when used against someone who does it for a living. Also, I feel that my age tends to be a factor. From what I have heard, few 21-year-olds buy $30,000 trucks (I have high tastes). I have the benefit of knowing quite a bit about computers which (with my income from my company) allows me to afford such a vehicle. I also can understand why a salesman isn’t interested in dealing with me, they want to sell to people who have money and few my age have it. I have a feeling I might get a worse reception now than three years ago, hence my information search on the web. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->A side note, as this truck will be used for business, our account suggested >leasing due to lower capitol outlay and the tax write-off. Is Ford Credit >a good choice or are third party leasing companies such as AutoFlex, D & M >Leasing, or Members 1st better choices. > All leases can be negotiated. They are only as good as the money > involved. First begotiate the price of the article being leased > and *then* the lease itself. Leases are basically purchases, anymore. >A second side note, I live in Dallas, Texas. What benefit would 4WD >provide other than the two days a year we get snow? I have no plans to >take the truck off-road so I don’t see that as a concern. > I live in Bryan. I think you’d find the AWD or 4WD a waste of > money on the price of the vehicle and also on the insurance. > There are AWD minivans, too, should you explore this avenue.
I figured as much. The worst I might drive through is dirt and grass near my partner’s house (she lives in Little Elm, just north of Dallas, but still out in the country enough that mud on the road is a problem every so often. > Devon Williams
Thanks for the information, you’ve been helpful. If you have any other thoughts, please let me know. BTW, I have since learned since my first posting that due to the higher resale value of the Ford Expedition, I can lease one for only $20 more a month than a similar Explorer. As you own a 97 F-150 and the Expedition is based on the F-150, might you have any thoughts on this larger vehicle and why I wouldn’t want it instead of a smaller Explorer? Thanks, Jason Hegel Knight Technology & Computing
Response:
>To all Ford Explorer 97 XLT Owners, >I am looking at a 97 XLT for personal and business use. I plan to use it >to haul equipment from job site to job site along with my partner. My >current vehicle just isn’t up to the task.
An Explorer or other sport-ute is a very expensive way to do it. We have some friends who tried to tell us the same and we pointed them in the direction of the GMC Safari and Ford Aerostar, which are excellent (box-shaped compartment is good) cargo carriers with decent mileage and features, especially ofr the money. If it must be a sport-ute, you really are paying a heck of an upcharge for looking cool. Look at the Mazda MPV, too; I’ve heard a lot of good things about them. >I have never owned an American vehicle before nor have I owned a truck. I >have heard horror stories regarding the reliability of American vehicles >and I am used to Japanese quality. I own a 93 Nissan Sentra which I bought >new and have never had it into the dealer for anything other than scheduled >maintaince.
I think you could be pleasantly surprised. I owned Mazda and Mitsu trucks before our two current (American) purchases, and I think the gap has been closed to where careful maintenance is the key. I have a horror story about several Japanese cars; a Sentra with 31,000 miles, a Toyota Camry with 25,000 miles, etc. I find the parts and maintenance on those cars to have skyrocketed to uncomfortable levels for myself. I think most such dealers really stick it to clients when it comes to scheduled maintenance. >I am hoping to get some insight on what I would expect with a vehicle such >as this. Is the handling very different from a 4-door car? What is a 3.73 >Limited Slip Axle? I have seen this reference with the tow package. I >might use the towing, but what does the 3.73 do?
Limited slip is just that; I believe it allows much better traction from the back end as both rear wheels are used more equally than with the conventional set-up. The 3.73 differential gearing is lower than the conventional gearing; requiring more turns of the drive shaft to turn the wheels. I have a ‘97 F150 with the tow package and it comes with a 3.55 rearend, the standard is 3.08 on the new truck line. The lower ratio drops the mileage slightly but I notice a little better pickup and it’s better for starting from a dead stop with a trailer b/c more of the applied (engine) torque makes it to the drive wheels rather than being reduced by a higher differential ratio. >I have not actually driven one yet as I find dealerships to be rather >unfriendly towards "browsers". My thinking was that I could perhaps get >some insight into this vehicle and Ford in general from this newsgroup.
I have not had sucha problem at dealerships. I simply tell them I am looking to get into a vehicle (which you are) and have a specific time- table. Even a six-month timetable has proven enough for me. >A side note, as this truck will be used for business, our account suggested >leasing due to lower capitol outlay and the tax write-off. Is Ford Credit >a good choice or are third party leasing companies such as AutoFlex, D & M >Leasing, or Members 1st better choices.
All leases can be negotiated. They are only as good as the money involved. First begotiate the price of the article being leased and *then* the lease itself. Leases are basically purchases, anymore. >A second side note, I live in Dallas, Texas. What benefit would 4WD >provide other than the two days a year we get snow? I have no plans to >take the truck off-road so I don’t see that as a concern.
I live in Bryan. I think you’d find the AWD or 4WD a waste of money on the price of the vehicle and also on the insurance. There are AWD minivans, too, should you explore this avenue. Devon Williams
Response:
To all Ford Explorer 97 XLT Owners, I am looking at a 97 XLT for personal and business use. I plan to use it to haul equipment from job site to job site along with my partner. My current vehicle just isn’t up to the task. I have never owned an American vehicle before nor have I owned a truck. I have heard horror stories regarding the reliability of American vehicles and I am used to Japanese quality. I own a 93 Nissan Sentra which I bought new and have never had it into the dealer for anything other than scheduled maintaince. I am hoping to get some insight on what I would expect with a vehicle such as this. Is the handling very different from a 4-door car? What is a 3.73 Limited Slip Axle? I have seen this reference with the tow package. I might use the towing, but what does the 3.73 do? I have not actually driven one yet as I find dealerships to be rather unfriendly towards "browsers". My thinking was that I could perhaps get some insight into this vehicle and Ford in general from this newsgroup. A side note, as this truck will be used for business, our account suggested leasing due to lower capitol outlay and the tax write-off. Is Ford Credit a good choice or are third party leasing companies such as AutoFlex, D & M Leasing, or Members 1st better choices. A second side note, I live in Dallas, Texas. What benefit would 4WD provide other than the two days a year we get snow? I have no plans to take the truck off-road so I don’t see that as a concern. Thank you for your time, I appreciate all information and assistance. — Jason Hegel Knight Technology My opinions are my own and in no way reflect the opinions of Knight Technology.
