What I miss about my Explorer

[waynerd]

Hey, this is a VERY short list folks. After just returning from a 2700 mile round trip in the new Pilot, I had time for a few observations.

1.Keyless Entry=can't lock keys in Pilot ignition, so not so worried.
2.Rear Lift Glass=use cargo nets to keep stuff from falling out.
3.Underseat storage=for golf umbrella, snowbrush, and hardhat under the second row seat. I'll figure it out.
4.6 disc CD changer= usually listened to the same disc 3 times before I HAD to change it..will fix this problem before next trip!

What I DON'T like about the Pilot. This is a very short list, too!

1.Front grill needs chrome trim...others have addressed this, too.
2.Trip odometers only go to 999 miles!
3.Cargo cover rattles.
4. SEAT SAG already!

What I LOVE about the Pilot.
1. The Engine!- smaller displacement, more horsepower, better economy, and quieter...what's not to love!
2. The Dash= I thought it was goofy a first, but really grew to like the layout. Would like an oil pressure gauge, though.
3. The Console= TONS of storage, and the sliding lid not only covers all my junk, it doubles as a fast food tray as well! The outlet and cell phone holder inside came in handy when my phone battery died along the way.
4. Back Seat=way more room than old Explorer..Jr's Britax Marathon was behind MY seat for the trip so the wife could sit in back with him and still see the road.
5. Cargo area=LOTS more room...the same load of stuff was above the seat back in the Explorer...it fit below the cargo cover in the Pilot! And love the rear storage compartment....it swallowed my "emergency" box, as well as car wash supplies.

We are VERY pleased with the Pilot in every way. Even the one 700 mile day, we weren't as sore from riding for so long as we though we would be. My mother-in-law was really impressed with it as well, and she just traded her '97 Explorer for an '03 Explorer 'cause it was giving her so much trouble.

[krygny]

All four Firestone tires blowing out, the vehicle rolling over 17 times, falling 6,000 ft. down the side of a cliff into a dry gultch and busrting into flames.

Oh, wait - that wasn't me. That was some movie I saw. Still, I'd rather have a Pinto.

[riddy727]

Speaking of rollovers, It's seem hard to find information on rollover statistics and history for the pilot. The pilot looks like it has a nice wide stance, but I was just curious how stable it is.

[robrecht]

Originally posted by riddy727
Speaking of rollovers, It's seem hard to find information on rollover statistics and history for the pilot. The pilot looks like it has a nice wide stance, but I was just curious how stable it is.

4 stars. Average on CR's emergency avoidance maneuver test, which is pretty good for an SUV. May be better in '05 models, assuming they have VSA (as rumored).

Welcome to the board!

[dgs]

Try www.safercar.gov for latest rollover stats. Its worth drilling down in the tests to check whether the vehicle tipped in the dynamic test - the Pilot did not.

[riddy727]

Thanks for the info....Looking foward to getting a Pilot.

[Stevie B]

My sister in law has a relatively new Explorer and it just doesn't feel sturdy or make me think that Ford had quality in mind when they built it. I suppose they did something right, since they're so many of them on the road.

[osteome]

Originally posted by Stevie B
I suppose they did something right, since they're so many of them on the road.

Probably the massive rebates.... price still makes the deal for some people rather than value.

[Scoobs]

Originally posted by riddy727
Speaking of rollovers, It's seem hard to find information on rollover statistics and history for the pilot. The pilot looks like it has a nice wide stance, but I was just curious how stable it is.

The usefulness of these rollover test statistics is somewhat questionable. Car and Driver had a very useful article several years ago questioning these stats. As they pointed out the person driving the vehicle has a much greater influence on real world accident rollovers than does the vehicle itself. Two door versions of a car have a higher rollover rate than 4 door versions of the same car. Obviously the only real difference there is the type of personality who drives a 2 door as opposed to a 4 door. Corvettes score very well in rollover tests but in the real world they are involved in a disproportionately large number of rollovers.

[waynerd]

The rebates just bring the vehicles into the price range they should be in the first place. Before wheelin' & dealin', the price for an Eddie Bauer Explorer, with rebates,discounts, etc. was within a few bucks of my Pilot, comparably equiped.

As for the rollover, the Pilot feels much more stable than my Explorer did, even with it's Michelins.. the much wider track of the Pilot, as well as it's independent rear suspension, helps.

[Stevie B]

Originally posted by osteome


Probably the massive rebates.... price still makes the deal for some people rather than value.

That sounds about right. In any event, I'll keep the Pilot.

[jdeanski]

Originally posted by osteome


Probably the massive rebates.... price still makes the deal for some people rather than value.

Several months before I bought my Pilot I met a gentleman who had just purchased a condo in our area. He mentioned in passing that the condo was to be used as a premium for his sales people if they could meet or exceed their sales goals. I asked him what he did and he explained he owned several automobile dealerships a Honda, a Toyota and a Ford dealership. I told him I was considering buying a Pilot and of course he said I couldn't go wrong. He talked about quality and total cost of ownership. Then he said that the domestic manufactures were not interested in bringing their quality up to Toyota or Honda levels. They seemed to be happy to use rebates as a major sales tool.

[bubbafett]

Just a point of note on the Oil pressure gauge in the Explorer. It is not a real pressure gauge it is a pressure switch indicator, if the oil pressure is good it reads in the good range and if the pressure is low it reads low. It is nothing more than a fancy idiot light.

[johnabrown]

While I am generally happy with my Pilot, my 1997 Explorer was far more comfortable to spend extended periods of time in. The Pilot leather seats look great but, for me, they become uncomfortable after about 20 minutes or so - I feel like I am being pinched by the side bolster supports and I feel like I'm perched on the seats rather than being supported by them. In the Explorer, I could drive for 5 to 6 hours (with breaks) without undue discomfort. In just about every other aspect the Pilot is clearly superior, but I wish I could get more comfortable.

[waynerd]

Uncomfortable seats? Really?! Maybe your's have some firmer foam to prevent seat sag!

My Explorer had the "sport" cloth buckets, and they were plenty comfortable, and quite adjustable, too. Once I figured out the proper adjustment on my Pilot seats, they were very comfortable for long stretches, even though I couldn't get it to an optimal comfortable position due to Jr's car seat directly behind me (his seat left dents in my headreast!).

Oh, and the oil pressure gauge not real huh? Interesting!