CR-V #1 and Explorer #4

[goldenlover1101]

Yes.? The Explorer is still a great SUV.? It's just not a crossover so people thik it sucks.? It doesn't.

Agreed 

[YO]

Yes.? The Explorer is still a great SUV.? It's just not a crossover so people thik it sucks.? It doesn't.

out of the 3 row SUVs, Id rank them

1)Honda Pilot
2)GM triplets, Enclave etc
3)Ford Explorer
4)Highlander

.. the Exploder is a huge improvement over the last gen... but consistant bad Ford press, horrible resale for existing owners has kept the public away.

Remember. The CR-V, Rav4 etc etc are simuler in size to the original 1990's Explorers, plus they give you superior gas mileage compared to the others. Throw in car like refinement and tech toys, and the others feel like walkmans vs Ipods...

[chevyguy06]

The Trailblazer knocked the Explorer off the best seller list last year

[TheIntrepid]

The CR-V and the Rav4 are also hig on that list because of how well they hold their value. Of course, this applies to most Japanese vehicles.

[SVT666]

out of the 3 row SUVs, Id rank them

1)Honda Pilot
2)GM triplets, Enclave etc
3)Ford Explorer
4)Highlander

.. the Exploder is a huge improvement over the last gen... but consistant bad Ford press, horrible resale for existing owners has kept the public away.

Remember. The CR-V, Rav4 etc etc are simuler in size to the original 1990's Explorers, plus they give you superior gas mileage compared to the others. Throw in car like refinement and tech toys, and the others feel like walkmans vs Ipods...

If I was looking at SUVs right now, these would be my top 3 picks (in no particular order):

1. Ford Explorer
2. Mazda CX-9
3. Hyundai Veracruz

As for our Freestyle, I don't consider it an SUV as much as I consider it a station wagon.

[TheIntrepid]

If I was looking at SUVs right now, these would be my top 3 picks (in no particular order):

1. Ford Explorer
2. Mazda CX-9
3. Hyundai Veracruz

As for our Freestyle, I don't consider it an SUV as much as I consider it a station wagon.

Mine would be

1. Volkswagen Touareg
2. Cadillac Escalade
3. Acura MDX

[GoCougs]

The CX-9 is quite the looker, and good deal it seems.

It beat out both the MDX and Acadia in the recent issue of M/T.

[SVT666]

Mine would be

1. Volkswagen Touareg
2. Cadillac Escalade
3. Acura MDX

How about choosing SUVs that are realistic?

[omicron]

Having stood up through the sunroof of a new RAV4, I can verify its stability against crosswinds.

[TheIntrepid]

How about choosing SUVs that are realistic?

They are pretty realistic. All under $65k CAD.

[SVT666]

They are pretty realistic. All under $65k CAD.

How is that realistic for an 18 year old?

[TheIntrepid]

Until September, I do make $45 an hour, work about 15 hours a week, and don't pay taxes.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Until September, I do make $45 an hour, work about 15 hours a week, and don't pay taxes.

I'm telling Canada on you!!!!!

[SVT666]

Until September, I do make $45 an hour, work about 15 hours a week, and don't pay taxes.

Even if you worked 52 weeks a year, which I know you don't, you will make $35,000.  The second you have to pay for gas, insurance, or even move out, you can't afford that SUV anymore.  Besides you will be going to university in September and you will suddenly lose all income.  So, in fact, it is not realistic for an 18 year old.

[ifcar]

Yes.  The Explorer is still a great SUV.  It's just not a crossover so people thik it sucks.  It doesn't.

It's a compromise car, trying to appeal to the people who actually buy it while still making it a truck. You can buy better trucks, and you can buy better cars, and it has other flaws unrelated to the compromise (ergonomics, interior quality).

But I wasn't entirely disagreeing, more trying to establish that frame of reference is critical.

[Tave]

it has other flaws unrelated to the compromise (ergonomics,

I second that.

[ro51092]

Even if you worked 52 weeks a year, which I know you don't, you will make $35,000.  The second you have to pay for gas, insurance, or even move out, you can't afford that SUV anymore.  Besides you will be going to university in September and you will suddenly lose all income.  So, in fact, it is not realistic for an 18 year old.

pwned

[sandertheshark]

Until September, I do make $45 an hour, work about 15 hours a week, and don't pay taxes.

gehen nicht.

[SVT_Power]

i'm surprised the explorer is still at 4th

[SVT_Power]

Having stood up through the sunroof of a new RAV4, I can verify its stability against crosswinds.

winds must have been next to none if u didn't get blown away

[YO]

again, the Trailblazer has a boat load of fleet sales. The CRV's and Rav 4s of the world are doing it retail.

Since I'm leaving Acura in the next few weeks, I'm really tempted to get a MDX cheap while I can manipulate some numbers...

[SJ_GTI]

again, the Trailblazer has a boat load of fleet sales. The CRV's and Rav 4s of the world are doing it retail.

Since I'm leaving Acura in the next few weeks, I'm really tempted to get a MDX cheap while I can manipulate some numbers...

A colleague visiting the office where I work had a Rav4 as a rental (Hertz). She didn't ask for an SUV, but they were out of compact cars so they gave her that instead.

[TBR]

again, the Trailblazer has a boat load of fleet sales. The CRV's and Rav 4s of the world are doing it retail.

Since I'm leaving Acura in the next few weeks, I'm really tempted to get a MDX cheap while I can manipulate some numbers...

Nonsense. Toyota seems to be the one getting the fleet sales that were formerly GM's.

[TheIntrepid]

again, the Trailblazer has a boat load of fleet sales. The CRV's and Rav 4s of the world are doing it retail.

Since I'm leaving Acura in the next few weeks, I'm really tempted to get a MDX cheap while I can manipulate some numbers...

Do it! It's a great truck.

[SVT666]

Do it! It's a great truck car.

[heelntoe]

that's exactly what i wanted to say.

[TheIntrepid]

My bad.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Aren't Edge sales cutting into Explorer sales?

To me that's a reasonable explanation for the loss in Explorer sales considering it's down about 11k from last year?

[Laconian]

Even if you worked 52 weeks a year, which I know you don't, you will make $35,000.  The second you have to pay for gas, insurance, or even move out, you can't afford that SUV anymore.  Besides you will be going to university in September and you will suddenly lose all income.  So, in fact, it is not realistic for an 18 year old.

Wait, you haven't heard the nice elaborate backstory that makes it work out okay!! Give him a little while to go think one up...

[SVT666]

Aren't Edge sales cutting into Explorer sales?

To me that's a reasonable explanation for the loss in Explorer sales considering it's down about 11k from last year?

I got a ride in a fully loaded Edge yesterday and this time I really took the time to look around inside and check out the details and this is what I found:

1. The seats are very nice and very comfortable.? Far better then the seats in our Freestyle (which I like).
2. The windshield is raked so steep that you feel a long way away from the glass, yet really close at the same time.
3. The interior quality and design is top notch.
4. The roof pillars are VERY thick.? They make it feel like there is no way the roof is ever gonna cave in, even if someone dropped a Veyron on it, however they kind of get in the way.
5. The back seat feels fairly claustrophobic.? The beltline feels too high and the pillars are too thick for good over-the-shoulder checks to the passenger side.
6. The hatch hinges almost directly over the heads of the backseat passengers because the back rakes forward quite a bit.? It makes me wonder just how much luggage one could fit back there.
7. The ride and power is really nice.

Overall, I think it's a very good SUV and one worth considering.? From the B-pillars forward it's very impressive, but from the B-pillars back it's a compromise.? I would probably still buy an Explorer over the Edge if I was in the market, but if luggage space and third row seats are not important to you, the Edge is a good choice.