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Ford Explorer Mercury Mountaineer 2006 and newer

859 messages,  Last post on Feb 28, 2012 at 4:00 PM

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What is this discussion about? Mercury Mountaineer, Ford Explorer, SUV

Messages Page 27 of 87

#252 of 859 Re: went to the local auto show today... [explorerx4] by ilmor

Nov 20, 2005 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Nov 20, 2005 5:28 pm)
Just today we decided that we are going to purchase a 2006 Mountaineer, after closely examining and reading about every single SUV sold in the US in our price range. The overall package and price, expecially considering the current Ford Smart Pricing, we just don't see how it can be beat. We are looking at the Premiere model, in black. We had narrowed our choices down to a Nissan Pathfinder and a Mitsubishi Endeavor, until we looked over the Mountaineer and Explorer. The Endeavor would have been less costly of course, but then one gives up a lot for that too. And, neither has that beautiful Mustang GT V8 under the hood!! The quality of fit and finish of the Mercury was better than the Nissan. I was surprised to see that, as in years past the Japanese makes seemed so much better. We looked at Toyota and Honda SUV's too, but they simply didnt impress as much. The Jeeps are seriously lacking legroom; the Commander legroom is a joke - they should have thrown away the 3rd row idea in that one and just provided decent front and rear legroom. And, in case your curious, I am not a "Ford" guy or anything, I have owned several US and foreign makes and currently drive a Honda Accord, which has been a great car. My other car is a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (I love that thing).

#253 of 859 Re: 06 Mountaineer 6 cyl [coman] by gearjammer62

Nov 21, 2005 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: coman (Nov 17, 2005 8:51 am)
Also add the $1,200 or so increase in price for the V8 (invoice increase is around $1k). The V-6 should be fine for normal driving as well as passing and power for uphill driving. Base HP is up 30% over the first '92 Explorer V-6 I owned, which I felt was weak in those areas - back then.

#254 of 859 Re: 06 Mountaineer 6 cyl [gearjammer62] by lateralg

Nov 21, 2005 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: gearjammer62 (Nov 21, 2005 12:12 pm)
The 8 cyl brings A LOT more to the party than added HP. The 6R transmission is a huge improvement over the 5R55, which is a 3-speed transmission with two overdrives.

#255 of 859 Re: went to the local auto show today... [ilmor] by explorerx4

Nov 21, 2005 (5:24 pm)

Replying to: ilmor (Nov 20, 2005 6:45 pm)
i just posted on the commander thread about the lack of legroom in the second and third rows. it will be interesting to see what kind of constructive response i get.

#256 of 859 Re: 06 Mountaineer 6 cyl [coman] by garfeinchar

Nov 22, 2005 (10:28 am)

Replying to: coman (Nov 17, 2005 8:51 am)
I've got the '06 Limited 4x4 with the V8 and about 4500 miles so far. I tow quite a bit and need the added power. MPG is terrible - about 12 city, best highway was 19. Mixed is about 13-15. But that is what I expected - I expense all my gas to my company.
 
Unless you tow or really NEED the extra power, there is no point in paying more and getting lower MPG. Power is ok if that's a primary concern, but unless you've got money to burn, and don't need the oomph, the 6 should be fine.

#257 of 859 Re: 06 Mountaineer 6 cyl [garfeinchar] by explorerx4

Nov 22, 2005 (6:35 pm)

Replying to: garfeinchar (Nov 22, 2005 10:28 am)
i think the explorer packed on a few pounds for '06. the 6 may not get the mileage it got in the prior year versions. many thought the 'old' v8 did as well or better on gas because it did not have to work as hard. my '02 v8 w/towing is rated at 14-19. i usually get 16-17. have hit the highs and lows, too.

#258 of 859 I stopped by my local Jeep by marsha7

Nov 23, 2005 (8:52 pm)

dealer to pick up a Commander brochure, with the intent of driving one after T-day...reading the catalog, I see 3 types of drive trains, Quadra-Trac I, Quadra Drive I and II...reading the catalog descriptions, they are all basically AWD, with some having the choice of a low range...I remember my Dad's CJ5 (yes, I know this is not a CJ5) with a 4WD chassis, but it ran in 2WD until you wanted to engage the 4WD, and then you had the choice of hi or lo range...later, my friend's GM Blazer had a "4WD switch on the fly", meaning you could just engage 4WD with a dashboard switch, rather than jumping out and engaging the Warn hubs...
  
I want a vehicle with 4WD on the fly, but designed to ride normally in 2WD...I just do not want an AWD vehicle, and the Commander and JGC only offer AWD with their Quadra-whatevers...
  
Can anybody list for me some of the SUVs that have the type of 4WD I want???...this is frustrating...even the Mountaineer has AWD, not 2/4WD...what gives???...if I wanted AWD I would get an Audi A6...
 
Does the Explorer offer anything like what I want???anything else???

#259 of 859 Re: I stopped by my local Jeep [marsha7] by jcat707

Nov 23, 2005 (9:02 pm)

Replying to: marsha7 (Nov 23, 2005 8:52 pm)
I believe the 4 wheel drive Explorers fit your requirements.On the 4WD Explorers you have 3 buttons to choose from. 4x4 Auto, 4x4 Hi, aned 4x4 Lo. The default mode is 4x4 Auto and in that mode the truck is in 2WD until the sensors detect slippage. Once a tire slips, the truck shifts power to the wheels with the most traction.

#260 of 859 Re: 06 Mountaineer 6 cyl by gearjammer62

Nov 24, 2005 (8:12 am)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Nov 22, 2005 6:35 pm)
The '95 V6 had 160 hp and a 4-speed automatic, the '06 V6 is rated at 210 and has a 5-speed. I got about 15 in the '95 and about 19 in the '06 (XLT 4x4).

#261 of 859 Re: I stopped by my local Jeep [marsha7] by gearjammer62

Nov 24, 2005 (8:17 am)

Replying to: marsha7 (Nov 23, 2005 8:52 pm)
The Explorer 4x4 utilizes the rear wheels only until the AdvanceTrac system adjusts the power distribution to other wheels depending on road conditions and speed/braking.
 
So,no, it is not full-time AWD.

Messages Page 27 of 87

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