My wife had a 2004 Eclipse RS with 91k on it and with our first child inbound it was time to upgrade. She had been driving it for the last 8 years with no problems but it was well beyond time to move on.

We test drove a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport 2.0T, 2016 Santa Fe Limited, 2013 Ford Edge Sport and 2016 Nissan Murano SL. We were looking at $37k+ MSRP, $38k+ MSRP, $30k and $41k+ for the vehicles above. Also on the list but not test driven were the Escape Titanium, Explorer, Acadia SLT/Denali and Mazda SUVs. Basically, if it was a crossover/SUV, I was considering it. Our budget was around $30k so for the more expensive examples we would obviously get something used.

We ended up getting a 2013 Ford Explorer Limited FWD V6 in Sterling Grey Metallic w/ black leather. Bought it from an Acura dealer w/ 31k on the clock. Was originally bought at a Ford dealer locally that is owned by the same ownership as the Acura dealer we bought from and was regularly serviced there. Original MSRP was over $48k and we picked it up for around $28.5 OTD. Only found a few similar examples within 100 miles and they all had 5-7k more miles and prices were $2-4k more.

Traded in the Eclipse for $2k which was fair. Had an exhaust leak, rust on radiator support and passenger rocker panel. Some body damage, door dings, scratches, etc.

This thing is freakin' loaded and, frankly, I'm jealous. HIDs, Adaptive cruise, blind spot mirrors, lane assist, active park assist, collision warning, blind spot mirrors with cross traffic alert and inflatable rear seat belts. Heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, NAV, voice commands, 20 inch wheels, pano roof, push button start, tow package, backup cam, power liftgate, power 3rd row seats, ETC. 5 star crash rating which is probably the most important thing for her and the little one.

We drive these at work as cruisers but in a stripper version. They have been bulletproof for the most part. If it can survive as a cruiser with the way we thrash them, the wifey shouldn't kill it.

2013FordExplorer Standard & Optional Equipment
http://www.ford.com/services/assets/...stalCode=90210

 

Congrats! Ford did an awesome job with this Explorer.

 

Beings your in NE Ohio - surprised you didn't go with AWD

 

Growing up, my parents had a 1995 Ford Explorer XLT with the selectable 2WD/4WD nob. I think we used 4WD Hi maybe 3 times in the span of 6 years and 4WD low never. The cruisers I drive are AWD, but, again, I think AWD came in handy maybe once or twice last winter.

Plus, AWD is at a disadvantage, albeit slightly, in the MPG category as compared to FWD.

To me and with the amount she/we will drive this vehicle, it didn't make sense to take the constant hit in MPG to gain AWD for what will likely be used to its full potential maybe 2 times a season.

 

Congrats!, my sis-in-law got a 2013 Explorer and it's been great for her. Alot of cool features and functions (2nd row captains chairs).

 

Hell yes! You will love it, I bought a 2015 back in June don't really like the 2016 look. Ended up buying an explorer after driving my wife's best friends 2013 limited. Great truck, I love mine probably best car I've owned..
<br />
<br />Explorer
<br />Accord
<br />TL

 

<p>Very nice. &nbsp;The Explorers are really a sweet&nbsp;vehicle. &nbsp;I do hate how since 2014 they offer the blacked-out grille to everyone though. &nbsp;Makes them all look like cops now <img alt="" src="https://acurazine.com/forums/images/smilies/chuckle.gif" title="Chuckle" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

 

Congrats! Love the new Exploders, only reason I didn't get one was it was too big for a family of two.

This one isn't the EcoBoost is it? Also, I'm sure you got a steal because it's FWD and not AWD. Most people in the north want the AWD (including me). Even if it does benefit you only a handful of days...those are the days you wish you would have done it.

Looks awesome none the less and great features to boot!

 

Thanks everyone.

This is the 3.5L V6, non Ecoboost. I've been following the Ecoboost stuff loosely since they came out, but, really didn't have a need for one. For her, it's got more than enough power.

 

They look awesome. Congrats.

 

Very nice! Congrats! The first time in the history of Ford Explorers I'd actually consider buying one. Great looking vehicle and lots of room.

 

The police cruisers come with the 3.5 V6 right?

 

Congrats on the new chariot / family hauler, but I too was surprised when you opted for the FWD vs AWD. Obviously you know better, but I would have though NE Ohio got a fair amount of snow.

I used to work with a guy who relocated from Franklin, KY to Watertown, NY. He, too drove an explorer, but it was FWD and he didn't last a single winter driving that. You also have to remember he was from KY, so they practically never saw snow (not an experienced snow driver) and moved to Watertown where it pretty much snows everyday. I believe he traded that in on a newer AWD one.

 

Looks great.

 

Nice SUV! We considered these for my wife, but the reliability scared me.

 

Bam, there you go. I grew up in New England so I learned how to drive in snow. You get a dusting here in the TN/KY area and people lose their freaking minds. People that know how to drive in snow typically can do so just fine with FWD.

 

I believe you can spec them with one of the 3 motors but don't quote me on that. Ours are the regular V6.

We're Ohio winter veterans so FWD will do just fine. Remember, she's coming from a FWD, 11 year old Mitsubishi Eclipse to this. This is a much more capable vehicle in nasty weather than the Eclipse ever was/could be.

I've seen plenty of AWD/4WD vehicles in ditches over the years to know that AWD/4WD can only compensate for so much. False confidence in the drivetrain without knowing how to actually drive can be disastrous.

 

I think this was true and still is to an extent but it is becoming less true every year. ABS and electronic stability controls have changed the way people are taught to drive.

Turning into a skid and pumping brakes are things of the past now it all push the brake to the floor and steer as normal.

 

Fantastic looking SUV! Congrats!

 

Agreed - I have been in GA when they have had a bit more than a dusting and schools were canceled, folks were driving off the roads and into each other.............the world was coming to an end. Was hilarious and sad at the same time.



Sad but true. Not sure with the masses if this is a help or a continued dumbing down of today's drivers..............

 

Just look for the cheesy chrome half moon center cap covers-dead giveaway it's really a cop.

 

^ We've got a lot more Tahoe PPVs around here than Explorers. And they almost always have the ghost lettering on the sides (unless state troopers), so it's really tough to call from a distance.
The fact that they sit a bit lower & have the smaller black wheels helps, from the side. No roof rack too.

 

Nice looking new ride

 

Love the Explorer! Congratulations.

Is that a new home as well? How do you not have a single thing in the garage?! (Besides the hose.)

 

Thanks!

We actually moved in this past January so it's still new-ish to us. I have a drive-thru, 3rd stall that will fit 2 compact cars end to end so my cleaning supplies, jack, etc. is against the wall next to the back garage door. Basically, when you look in our garage from the street you see nothing but 2 vehicles.

I also have a shed so all my lawn tools, equipment and other crap that would clutter the garage is stored in that.

 

2013 was a total shift with Ford. Reliability scared me at first but the more research I did I was ok with it.

 

Agreed here, at least on passenger cars.
I was travelling a lot for work & usually ended up in a Fusion/Focus/Fiesta. For being thrashed rentals, some with near/over 35-40k on them; they were still holding up pretty well.

 

I'll keep my Explorer until some new SUV comes out that I like.

Currently right now, nothing makes me go, "Hmmmmm, I need to go and get that."

 

Great looking car and I love the pano roof. Ford has stepped it up and you should have years of trouble free miles.

Oh, random but did they put a ton of orange in those headlights?

Edit - just read the whole thread and the comments on reliability; I've had fusions and escapes for company cars and my 2012 Fusion was terrible, along with the rest of the company fusions during those years. I've had a 2014 Eco Boost Escape and getting a 2016 Fusion in the next month, with nothing but great comments from my coworkers. Wife has a 2013 Edge Limited that she drives a lot and takes to ride her horse, where she beats the hell out of it, pretty solid though.

 

Oh, if the dealer didn't do it, make sure you update Sync via thumb drive. Wife used to loose all of her screens on the cluster and console a few times a week but since the most recent update, she said it only blacks out once every few weeks; not ideal but better than before.

Be sure you hit up Sirius for the free 3 months via their website under used cars or whatever they name it.

 

Congrats, man...but don't be jealous...yours is still much nicer fit and finish, albeit with less bling and new whistles.

Ecoboost has less power than the V6, right? I think the fact that it's a turbo 4 and gets better gas mileage is it's claim to fame.

My boss' wife had a 2012...they had to lemon law it due to water intrusion in the rear...when it would rain, the spare well would fill to the brim with water. I wouldn't be afraid of Ford quality...fleet generally doesn't do well because they are mistreated and the mechanics that care for them do the bare minimum to keep them nice. I drive a Ford Transit for work. I know...

 

Nope - the 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 makes 290 hp and 255 lb-ft tq.

The 3.5L EcoBoost V6 makes 365 hp and 350 lb-ft tq.

And the 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cyl makes 280 hp and 310 lb-ft tq (now an optional engine on base, XLT, and Limited trims) in the Explorer application.

 

That's what I get for using my asshole as a mouth when I talk!

 

Fixed.

 

at least it's not going to waste!

 

Any plans for mods?