2011 Explorer
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
You must have been pretty ticked off when Ford switch to the IFS from the TTB and made all the other changes.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
I love the IRS on my Expy. The '07 and newer Expy's are rated to pull 9000 lbs with the max tow package. No loss in capability with the IRS. The only thing I don't like is that wheel alignments are more expensive.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
New Explorer is nice
So people are paying the same amount now for less capability. I think there are going to be some hard-core SUV buyers duped into buying these and they are going to be sorely disappointed. I still don't think this new Explorer is worthy of the Explorer name, and people will discover this.
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Sodus, NY
Even though the market intended is only selling 53,000 units per year.......the Chevy Traverse. The 2009 Explorer sold that much. So Ford spent all those millions on a new lesser chassis that won't yield any improved sales numbers. They would have saved money by just updating the current design. Every person that I know who owns a current Explorer HATES the new one, and I work with a lot of Ford guys...me being one of them.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 317
Likes: 0
From: Lititz, PA
I think Mike-G hit the nail on the head. A lot has to do with intended audience.
Let's admit it, the intended audience of the vehicle is the family person getting groceries, hauling kids, trailering some toys. The vast majority of buyers are not saying, "Sweet! Can't wait to run the mudbogs this weekend with this thing!" Sorry, just not happening.
I guess I'm having trouble figuring out what a "hard core" explorer owner is. Frankly it just boggles my mind a bit. I'm not trying to be an a$$, I just never saw them as a hard core vehicle. Its a 4x4 mid size SUV built on a truck frame. The new one is an AWD mid size SUV...not built on a truck frame. What's it really not going to do other than have a lower tow rating? Seriously...
I still think the intended audience will get a bit more ruggedness and light/moderate trail capability over say an Edge or Flex. Its going to get most guys up to the cabin for hunting season, it'll get you to the remote stream for trout fishing - it will definately be the choice over Edge/Flex if that's going to be part of the duties of the vehicle.
Let's admit it, the intended audience of the vehicle is the family person getting groceries, hauling kids, trailering some toys. The vast majority of buyers are not saying, "Sweet! Can't wait to run the mudbogs this weekend with this thing!" Sorry, just not happening.
I guess I'm having trouble figuring out what a "hard core" explorer owner is. Frankly it just boggles my mind a bit. I'm not trying to be an a$$, I just never saw them as a hard core vehicle. Its a 4x4 mid size SUV built on a truck frame. The new one is an AWD mid size SUV...not built on a truck frame. What's it really not going to do other than have a lower tow rating? Seriously...
I still think the intended audience will get a bit more ruggedness and light/moderate trail capability over say an Edge or Flex. Its going to get most guys up to the cabin for hunting season, it'll get you to the remote stream for trout fishing - it will definately be the choice over Edge/Flex if that's going to be part of the duties of the vehicle.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
Why do you think Ford separated the name plates of the F-150 and the Superduty? Half ton trucks were the in thing for a while. So, the car makers made them ride better and haul more people and now they're getting much better mileage. Though still very rugged and capable, the Superduty is there for the person who really NEEDS a truck.
He hits a long drive deep into center field, back, back.............A grand slam over the green monster!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good job Ford!!!
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 839
Likes: 0
From: outback
It is about paying for something that will last. A unibody car will not likely take you to 300k+ miles. Especially if are a person actually uses the vehicle as a tool. Besides, the old Explorer probably had more transmission failures than any car on the road and that was with a supposedly robust platform. Sad to think what will happen with the new one.
"Ford could have owned the American mid-size 'traditional' SUV market.....duh" Ya, all 50K units annually.
The traditional SUV is what "died on the vine". Very few people took their $30-$40K vehicle off road and most of these buyers finally realize they don't want to pay for this capability and then be too afraid of scratching their paint. These same people still want a vehicle that has the attention put into it's design, worthy of the Explorer name.
Mike
99 F150 w/ 145K miles and going very strong!
The traditional SUV is what "died on the vine". Very few people took their $30-$40K vehicle off road and most of these buyers finally realize they don't want to pay for this capability and then be too afraid of scratching their paint. These same people still want a vehicle that has the attention put into it's design, worthy of the Explorer name.
Mike
99 F150 w/ 145K miles and going very strong!
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
It is about paying for something that will last. A unibody car will not likely take you to 300k+ miles. Especially if are a person actually uses the vehicle as a tool. Besides, the old Explorer probably had more transmission failures than any car on the road and that was with a supposedly robust platform. Sad to think what will happen with the new one.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
People want the utility of a light duty truck and the ride / MPG's of a car.
Ford is in business to make money and the bulk of people that buy explorers don't use them hard. With this economy, people are buying vehicles that more closely match their real lifestyle.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,024
Likes: 1,519
From: Maine, Virginia
The utility and mpg of a minivan is more like it. The crossover is basically a minivan with less room and no side sliding doors.
People are also downsizing their vehicles and toys to try and save some money vs having a big truck like a SD or Excursion and a big TT. If Ford wants to really save money axe the Explorer altogether and just offer the Edge instead, because thats basically what the new Explorer is. Also spending millions of dollars on a financial black hole like the Ford GT doesn't help the profit margin either. Not to mention the companies they bought and lost their asses on when they sold them.
People are also downsizing their vehicles and toys to try and save some money vs having a big truck like a SD or Excursion and a big TT. If Ford wants to really save money axe the Explorer altogether and just offer the Edge instead, because thats basically what the new Explorer is. Also spending millions of dollars on a financial black hole like the Ford GT doesn't help the profit margin either. Not to mention the companies they bought and lost their asses on when they sold them.
I still want to see how the new Ranger will play out as I believe it could have an impact on Ford's small and medium SUV market.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I will be watching to see what becomes of the Ranger also. Theres nothing wrong with the Ranger currently IMO, except that Ford cut the configurations and options in half. That said the Ranger could use some improving and will have to go through some changes to meet future emissions and mpg requirements.
Ford ruined any brand loyality the Taurus had when they did anything they could to make it cheaper instead of improving on it. The Taurus name got tainted and eventually led to its demise. I am seeing very few newer Taurus models on the road in my area however the Fusion is pretty plentiful. Sometimes going to a different name is good, sometimes its bad.
Ford ruined any brand loyality the Taurus had when they did anything they could to make it cheaper instead of improving on it. The Taurus name got tainted and eventually led to its demise. I am seeing very few newer Taurus models on the road in my area however the Fusion is pretty plentiful. Sometimes going to a different name is good, sometimes its bad.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,817
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Today's Taurus is definitely more of a car than past Taurii. It is also very large, which may play a part in why there aren't as many on the road as years ago. My 2011 Taurus SHO is longer and wider than my 2004 Mountaineer. If they keep similar dimensions for the new Explorer, I wouldn't say it's just like the Edge.
The Fusion had some pretty hefty rebates during the Cash for Clunkers days which probably contributed to the numbers of them on the roads today.
If they put the EcoBoost V6 in the new Explorer and AWD I suspect that something like 90% of the typical Explorer owner will remain loyal. Many of those 90% are not members of this forum probably.
Ford did listen to loyalists in retaining the Mustang and bringing back the SHO, so there is a good chance they will listen to the concerns re: the new Explorer and make it more truck like again, it just may take a few years worth of complaints and fuel economy technology. There is certainly a larger market for the Explorer than there ever has been for the Taurus SHO....
-Rod
The Fusion had some pretty hefty rebates during the Cash for Clunkers days which probably contributed to the numbers of them on the roads today.
If they put the EcoBoost V6 in the new Explorer and AWD I suspect that something like 90% of the typical Explorer owner will remain loyal. Many of those 90% are not members of this forum probably.
Ford did listen to loyalists in retaining the Mustang and bringing back the SHO, so there is a good chance they will listen to the concerns re: the new Explorer and make it more truck like again, it just may take a few years worth of complaints and fuel economy technology. There is certainly a larger market for the Explorer than there ever has been for the Taurus SHO....
-Rod