Ford Explorer as Daily Driver

[speeder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I can buy a lot of extra gas for what it costs to buy/insure/maintain an additional car. And most rental trucks don't have a hitch so it kills any dream of using one for towing. I bet if you actually did the math it would take a LONG time for the money saved in extra gas equal the additional vehicle expense.

I think that the suggestion was to drive a fuel efficient vehicle and rent a truck when you need one. Also, it's not just fuel but all of the other expenses associated with a truck, bigger tires, parking hassles, etc.

The other upside to this is flexibility; you could rent a panel van for one task, a large SUV for a ski trip, a PU for another, etc. I've rented a lot of full sized PU trucks from Enterprise and they always have class 3 or 4 hitch receivers. I just put in my draw bar and hitch ball and away I tow.

I know that it's everyone's choice what to drive but don't think for a minute that the choice actually makes sense.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by jyl

You can't park your car on the street or driveway?

Driveway is full, and cars parked in the street long term are frowned upon by HOA.

[jyl]

Ick, HOA, ick.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I've rented plenty of full sized trucks around the country for work purposes, no trailer hitch. When a friend's Durango broke down on his way out of town towing a boat to Lake of the Ozark's, he called every major rental company. They all told him that it was company policy that their trucks were not allowed for towing, and none of them had hitches. I would not be able to rent the truck that I need and use on a regular basis.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I've rented plenty of full sized trucks around the country for work purposes, no trailer hitch. When a friend's Durango broke down on his way out of town towing a boat to Lake of the Ozark's, he called every major rental company. They all told him that it was company policy that their trucks were not allowed for towing, and none of them had hitches. I would not be able to rent the truck that I need and use on a regular basis.

Not doubting your experience but mine is the opposite here in L.A. Enterprise has a lot of trucks and most have receivers. None have hitches included, if that's what you're referring to. You have to supply the draw bar and ball, just like with your own truck. All of the branches rent full sized half ton trucks, (every brand as well), and then they have a commercial division that rents large box trucks where you can rent a 3/4 or one ton diesel PU for $80 a day plus fuel that definitely has a tow package w receiver. You'd have to rent it every day to get near the expense of owning that truck.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by jyl

Ick, HOA, ick.

Yeah, that would suck worse than the flu.

[vash]

my boss drives the EDGE with ecoboost. that thing gets up and goes. very peppy for a SUV. he loves it. he wanted the Explorer, but living in SF..you really cherish the smaller vehicles. even if it is just a tiny bit.

[daepp]

It's just so interesting to me how a request for knowledge or experience about a subject can turn into a boatload of negativity.
Everybody has an opinion – and of course, they're entitled to it – but if I lived my life entirely as suggested by some here, I would never have purchased an old 911. It was a most irrational purchase.
My lifestyle is such that I drop in on a few jobsites a couple of times a week, mostly to see how my guys are doing and to see if they need anything. We also frequently go into Los Angeles or down to San Diego with 2 to 3 other couples - a bit of legroom is nice to have at this stage in life. I also tow a 911 or 356 fairly often - sometimes without a lot of planning ahead of time. Ito be nice just to hook up and go.
I also haven't financed a car since I was 30; I wonder how extra mpg compare to not paying interest for 22 years. Instead, I scrimp and save until I can purchase for cash.
So since I got an invitation earlier this week, in a couple of hours I'm gonna load up my new Explorer, and my wife and I will meet up with some folks in Malibu who are camping on the edge of the sand. With twin turbo's and a tiny motor, I'll be able to bring all my gear and spend an extra 5 gallons of gas ($12.50) to get there and back. And sometime late this afternoon I'll enjoy the serenity of a west coast sunset.

I hope you find some serenity too.

ps To the Brain Trust - thanks for all the help!

[daepp]

[porsche4life]

Good looking rig. Hope it serves you well!

[speeder]

Back in the '80s, some comic said, "I just drove all the way home from Mammoth going 55mph because some ******** in a Chysler with ski racks was behind me..."

Now it would be an Explorer with ski racks.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Nice Explorer, congrats!

[jwhcars]

Congrats on the new Explorer, enjoy your new ride.

[rockfan4]

Five year bump.
Still have the Explorer? Would you buy one again?

The only trim levels with the 3.5 ecoboost are the Sport, ST and Platinum, right?

It's been over a year since I've gone in to work every day, and I've been offered the opportunity to work from home permanently. So rather than having a truck sitting and rarely driven, I'll have two vehicles that just sit (three if you count the P-car). I'm thinking of selling the pickup and the Jetta, and buying one vehicle, large enough to pull a trailer, and comfortable enough take a trip to visit the granddaughter every 4-6 weeks, about a 3 1/2 hour drive each way.

[fastfredracing]

I really like the ecoboost. They are a powerouse. Even in the big transit vans, they pull like a big diesel.
I think they have proven to be pretty robust overall . I have heard of a few turbo failures , I have not done one myself

[daepp]

Originally Posted by rockfan4

Five year bump.
Still have the Explorer? Would you buy one again?

The only trim levels with the 3.5 ecoboost are the Sport, ST and Platinum, right?

It's been over a year since I've gone in to work every day, and I've been offered the opportunity to work from home permanently. So rather than having a truck sitting and rarely driven, I'll have two vehicles that just sit (three if you count the P-car). I'm thinking of selling the pickup and the Jetta, and buying one vehicle, large enough to pull a trailer, and comfortable enough take a trip to visit the granddaughter every 4-6 weeks, about a 3 1/2 hour drive each way.

Still got it. Still just breaking it in - 89,600 on the odo now.
Better car than either Lexus I've owned as well as the ML. It's quieter, more comfortable and faster.
It has great utility with the rear seat setup: We've taken 6 in it many times; short ladies have never complained about the third row.
I've had it on the sand at Pismo, on the rocky fire roads in the Angeles Nat'l Forest, and have driven it a long way thru the snow. I really cannot complain.
And two cross country trips out I40, as well skiing up in Mt Crested Butte, CO. About the biggest decision you need to make is to use the heater or the heated seats.
Bottom line: I am rather taken with it.

Ps It hasn't been to the shop yet.

[daepp]

In retrospect I guess the one thing I haven't done is trailer with it. An F150 got freed up at work that I've used for that on occasion so I can't help you there.

[Z-man]

Originally Posted by Z-man

I have a 2007 Explorer Sport Trac (the Explorer with the 4 foot pickup bed out back) with the 4.6 V8. It is my daily driver / tow vehicle. Had it since new, and it now has 130k miles on it without any major issues. Biggest issue I had was a warped exhaust manifold. Some other smaller issues, but at 130k miles on the clock, I expect my maintenance costs to start rising...

Gas mileage is dismal @ 17mpg highway. But it hauled my 944 to the track many times. I like the pickup bed for utility.

My truck did have the IRS - which makes the highway ride less choppy and more car-like. The newer Explorers are unibody (vs. my body-on-frame) so the ride quality should be even better.

Of the US Trucks, I'd say the Ford SUV's and pickups are tops.

My $0.42,
-Z-man.

I also still have my Sport Trac, now with 180K miles on the clock. Still running strong. I trailered my Cayman S to the track for the first time a couple of weeks ago. No issues at all.

Who would have thought a Ford would go 180K miles???

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by daepp

I miss camping there. Is there still any freedom around that area or is it all high fees and reservations?

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by daepp

Still got it. Still just breaking it in - 89,600 on the odo now.
Better car than either Lexus I've owned as well as the ML. It's quieter, more comfortable and faster.
It has great utility with the rear seat setup: We've taken 6 in it many times; short ladies have never complained about the third row.
I've had it on the sand at Pismo, on the rocky fire roads in the Angeles Nat'l Forest, and have driven it a long way thru the snow. I really cannot complain.
And two cross country trips out I40, as well skiing up in Mt Crested Butte, CO. About the biggest decision you need to make is to use the heater or the heated seats.
Bottom line: I am rather taken with it.

Ps It hasn't been to the shop yet.

Thanks for the info.
There's only one for sale in town with the 3.5 ecoboost, and it's a 2013. There's three more in Winona MN, a 2016, 17, and a 21. After that's it's a long drive to find one. Anyone drive a non-turbo one? Back in the day I pulled the race car on a trailer with a S-10 with the 2.8L V6. It wasn't fast but it got me to the track.