Ford finally destroyed the Explorer
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Sodus, NY
Ford finally destroyed the Explorer
I knew it would happen sooner or later. For 2011 the Explorer will be turned into a cross over utility vehicle (CUV). It will have unibody construction, lower ground clearance, no V8 option, lower towing capacity, and what appears to be the lack of a two speed transfer case.
I used to own a `91 Explorer, that was a REAL SUV. Ford shouldn`t even call this new 2011 abomination an Explorer. For people who want a watered down SUV Ford already offers the Escape, Edge, Taurus X, and Flex. So now someone who is looking specifically for a midsize, `true` SUV with ladder type frame and two speed transfer case from an American manufacturer is SOL. Seeing as how GM axed the Trailblazer and Envoy and Chysler/Dodge the Durango and Aspen, the only game in town now is Nissan and Toyota
, who offer midsize `TRUE` SUV`s. For could have has a niche vehicle. Way to drop the ball Ford....good one. Am I the only one who feels this way?
I used to own a `91 Explorer, that was a REAL SUV. Ford shouldn`t even call this new 2011 abomination an Explorer. For people who want a watered down SUV Ford already offers the Escape, Edge, Taurus X, and Flex. So now someone who is looking specifically for a midsize, `true` SUV with ladder type frame and two speed transfer case from an American manufacturer is SOL. Seeing as how GM axed the Trailblazer and Envoy and Chysler/Dodge the Durango and Aspen, the only game in town now is Nissan and Toyota
, who offer midsize `TRUE` SUV`s. For could have has a niche vehicle. Way to drop the ball Ford....good one. Am I the only one who feels this way?
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 601
Likes: 86
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Good job on starting a new thread on this sad excuse of a Explorer.
I owned a '96 5-speed 4.0L 4x4 and It was one of the best vehicles
I've ever owned. Too bad the world is going this way...
I owned a '96 5-speed 4.0L 4x4 and It was one of the best vehicles
I've ever owned. Too bad the world is going this way...
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 828
Likes: 0
The problem was, very few buyers wanted the Explorer with the full frame, etc. At 50,000 units per year with big discounts it was a money loser. The new one will pull 5000 lbs with far better fuel economy.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 148
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From: Sodus, NY
That's strange, Toyota seems to be doing totally fine with its 4Runner, and FJ........and Nissan with it's Xterra and Pathfinder, and they sell fewer numbers. One positive thing to say about the Japanese brands, they care enough about their customers to give them a CHOICE in vehicles!
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 839
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From: outback
Yeah, why won't Ford even try to compete with the FJ and T4R? The Edge is already out, so why have 2 crossovers?
That's strange, Toyota seems to be doing totally fine with its 4Runner, and FJ........and Nissan with it's Xterra and Pathfinder, and they sell fewer numbers. One positive thing to say about the Japanese brands, they care enough about their customers to give them a CHOICE in vehicles!
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,006
Likes: 2,688
From: The Great State of Texas
We are on our second Explorer (1st-'96 and 2nd-'04) and although most of there miles have been on road it was the rear drive setup in a midsize vehicle that made it ideal. Now it appears the Explorer is a repackage Flex so I guess one will go away in the near future.
Bottom line the new Explorer doesn't appear to be impressive or innovative like the previous generations.
Bottom line the new Explorer doesn't appear to be impressive or innovative like the previous generations.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
The problem was, very few buyers wanted the Explorer with the full frame, etc.
At 50,000 units per year with big discounts it was a money loser.
The new one will pull 5000 lbs with far better fuel economy.
Senior User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 180
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From: League City, TX
I owned a 1998 Explorer and currently own a 2007 Explorer. The new model is attractive, but it might as well be a minivan. I guess that I am in the minority for actually daring to use an SUV as an SUV.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 80
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1) They used to sell about 500,000...
2) It'a listed in the official release.
As much as we love our classic Explorers (can't believe my 06 is now a classic), majority of the market doesn't agree. Ford had to get on with the times to stay profitable. Truth is, your average buyer don't give a crap about articulation of full lockers. Those that do can buy a Rubicon or Power Wagon.
Sure, Toyota still builds the 4Runner. But sales went from a peak of almost 120,000 to just 19,000 last year.
Nissan is saying "no plans for future Pathfinder and Xterra". Like it or not guys, the body on frame, solid axle SUV is a (quickly) dying breed.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 828
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Toyota builds the 4Runner and FJ off of the same frame and sell them worldwide, something Ford doesn't do with the Explorer. Also, check out sales of the FJ, its a dog in the U.S. and the new 4Runner comes with a standard 4-cyl - no V8 is offered. I can't imagine anyone will really miss the 4.0 from the Explorer.