Opinions on a new SUV

loudog2

loudog2

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I am in need of a new car. Currently I have narrowed it down to the new Ford Explorer Lmited or a new Toyota Highlander Limited, both AWD. What are your opinions on both. I love the explorer, but first year and already 5 recalls are holding me back. My mom has the Highlander and it rides very nice, plus more bang for the buck compared to the explorer. I have bad knees/back(multiple surgeries). so my Infiniti G35 I have is too small for for me now and getting my daughter in and out of the back car seat is a task.

Any highlander or 2011 Explorer owners here?
 
Not an owner, but I like the new Explorer. I wasn't aware of the recalls (I must live in a cave, lol). Probably first year design bugs, if they aren't serious things, I wouldn't worry about them.
 
First year teething pains are not unusual. Ford is likely to get them sorted and Toyota has had their recalls too.

if both cars are similarly comfortable to you, I'd look strongly at the dealership. Some are pretty pleasant and easy to work with. Others make Vlad the Impaler look like a kitten.
 
I try my best to avoid first year vehicles. Besides working out bugs that slipped through the design phase, the second year always seem to have new tweaks that I find highly desirable.
e.g., when I first bought the 1992 Honda Prelude Si, I thought it was really cool. Then in 1993, they came out with the Prelude VTEC. Thirty extra horses. I was dying!

One of my neighbors have a Highlander. She absolutely hates it. The fit and finish has not been to her liking and she misses the convenience and utility of her previous vehicle, a Honda Odyssey. What's funny is that she admitted she dumped the Odyssey for the Highlander because of the "soccer mom" stigma. Now she can't wait for the lease to be over so she can go back to an Odyssey.:laughing:

Have you thought about any other vehicle? The Honda Pilot, for instance? It's been out a few years now and it's always rated at or near the top of most SUV ratings.
 
My parents have an older hilander. It is ok but there are features it lacks compared to other vehicles. It has had 2 recalls but other than that has had held up well with no other issues. Just for reference they are going to be looking into the Chevy Traverse when they plan on replacing it.
 
My brother just got his Explorer Limited as his company vehicle. I drove it the other night and it's really sweet. It's built off the Taurus platform. It's a unibody now, not a frame. The ride is fantastic and we both had plenty of room (I'm 6' 3" and my brother is 6' 6").
 
I use to work for Ford and all I got to say is DON'T BUY FORD AT ALL

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Jeep SRT8!?

Like someone else mentioned the Honda Pilots are very nice
 
Anyone crazy enough to buy a Toyota deserves what they get. Way too many safety recalls and they keep magically finding issues that have existed for years and should have been taken care of long ago.
 
ExoticAutoDetai said:
I use to work for Ford and all I got to say is DON'T BUY FORD AT ALL

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You may want to check out Consumer Reports because they don't agree with you. I've owned several Fords and have a 2011 Fusion SEL and they have all been great vehicles. The Fusion has a 3.0L V6 that will break the tires loose with no problem and handles great. Ford has done alot in the last few years to improve quality, fit/finish and ride. I say go test drive them both and see which one you like the best.
 
Explorer. The new ones are quite nice, and starting to pop up everywhere. They get pricey fast, and I'm sure incentives are quite low now.

I've had 4 Explorers, so I'm somewhat biased.
 
Scott DeBrun said:
You may want to check out Consumer Reports because they don't agree with you. I've owned several Fords and have a 2011 Fusion SEL and they have all been great vehicles. The Fusion has a 3.0L V6 that will break the tires loose with no problem and handles great. Ford has done alot in the last few years to improve quality, fit/finish and ride. I say go test drive them both and see which one you like the best.
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Well,

He works for Ford.

So I would say he knows and deals with them more than a consumer like me and you.
 
Grizzly said:
Well,

He works for Ford.

So I would say he knows and deals with them more than a consumer like me and you.
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He USED to work for Ford and I have owned several Fords with no complaints but I guess a bunch of hacks like Consumer Reports don't know anything either.
 
Scott DeBrun said:
He USED to work for Ford and I have owned several Fords with no complaints but I guess a bunch of hacks like Consumer Reports don't know anything either.
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To be fair, Scott, Consumer Reports ARE a bunch of hacks when it comes to automotive reviews, and Toyota has them in their pocket... but that doesn't change the fact that some of Ford's products are fairly decent.
 
Trouble is, I need it soon. While I love the new explorer I just can't wait till next year. Recalls on it are engine ticking, seat release, rattle in sun roof, wind noise in A-pillar and my ford touch just frying out.

I looked at other ones like the Murano, Edge, MDX and pilot. Just don't really like them too much. Good thing about toyota now is the 2 year maintence free service.
 
Have you test driven a mazda cx-7 or cx-9 yet? Everyone I know that has bought one loves it. Both are AWD and handle fantastic considering their size and practicality.

I agree that buying a first year vehicle isn't very wise, no matter how much testing they do they're still going to be finding bugs and quirks once the vehicles get on the real road for a good amount of time.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
To be fair, Scott, Consumer Reports ARE a bunch of hacks when it comes to automotive reviews, and Toyota has them in their pocket... but that doesn't change the fact that some of Ford's products are fairly decent.
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I'm not trying to be a jerk but like I've said I have owned several Fords and they have been very good vehicles. I get a little touchy when I'm told I don't know what I'm talking about when I have first hand experience. I would say that it's very wise to be careful when buying a first year edition of a vehicle, no matter what the make.
 
Guys come on... let's stop bashing brands, every make has their lemons.











......Toyota just has more of them :laughing:
 
I would say either Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee (the new ones are amazing), or Honda Pilot.
 
aerogt01 said:
I would say either Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee (the new ones are amazing), or Honda Pilot.
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I had new grand cherokee in '96. Had nothing but problems with it. I think it was in the dealer 12 times in 2 years. I finally left the dealer one day and went right to nissan and traded it in.
 
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