Topic: 2006 Ford Explorer

[blue_oval_fan]

From www.autonet.ca

The 2006 version of the Ford Explorer will show a facelift, a 4.6 L V-8,53 more horsepower as well as 300 lbs-ft of torque.The six-speed transmission should also give it a 10% increase in fuel efficiency. a V-6 engine will be available,as well.
Trailer capacity is upped to 7300 pounds.
It will  show improvements in engine refinement by being more quiet than its competitors,according to Ford.
The second and optional thirs row will fold down flat for more carrying capacity.There are more safety features,such as side impact air bags for the driver and front passenger.

In my opinion,it seems that Ford's popular SUV will be even more popular for the coming year,pending the cost of fuel.

[A4_tom]

All the reviews have been very positive regarding this truck.

[si]

Key-word:  truck.   I hope I don't see more of these things clogging up malls.

I do like to see cars used for what they were designed for.  Side note: it bugs me how many people buy fully equipped cars and have no idea about half the features in it.

[ovr50]

Ya, like rear view mirrors and turn signals.

BTW, I think the new Explorer is an improvement, and Ford will sell a bunch to ppl who don't know any different. Most on lease and they will all come bouncing back in 3 years and resale will continue to be terrible.

[Sterling]

Actually resale is rebounding quite nicely on late model Explorers, at least in Western Canada. For the last few months, Ford has been sending every Explorer they have to the U.S. There hasn't been one for dealers to buy for a couple months now. And we all know what happens when supply is reduced.

[Craig]

People realize how much better the comptition's SUVs are?

[jeeper]

Ford will sell a bunch of them for sure...and the Explorer will keep its reign as the best selling SUV of the world...

[A4_tom]

I have seen a lot more Highlanders than Explorers in Western Canada.

[mrthompson]

"I have seen a lot more Highlanders than Explorers in Western Canada."

That's due to the higher elevations found there.  

[blue_oval_fan]

The Ford dealership where I work part-time hasn't had a used Explorer on the lot in months. There used to be a few available coming off leases,but a lot of people are keeping them once their lease has run out.

[si]

but a lot of people are keeping them once their lease has run out.

... because their buy-out was sooooo cheap!  hehe

[Sterling]

Care to explain that comment Rob. A cheap buyout means the payments were very high. Are you saying that people are paying high lease payments because the Explorer is such a great vehicle?

[Drivesideways]

I have seen a lot more Highlanders than Explorers in Western Canada.

That is probably a function of the areas of Western Canada you frequent.  There's a lot of ground east of the lower mainland and west of the Canadian shield.  And a LOT of Explorers exploring it.

[Craig]

In the case of my 'rent's Expedition, their prepaid 3 year lease was ~25K, and the buyout is ~29K.  No way is a 2003 Expedition EB worth that much, so back it goes.  Still, because they baby it, they were expecting to buy it out.  But after having the first tranny go bad at 50K, and the rebuilt one showing the same symptoms just a couple of months later, they pick up their 4Runner next week.