I finally did it....

Started by HersheyGirl, Dec 11, 2007, 05:39 PM

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HersheyGirl

Yes, I finally did it.  I finally retired the dear old tired Moose and got a new to me 1999 Ford Explorer XLT with AWD and tow package, V8!  It is green and has the dark gray interior...has leather seats, running boards, power sun roof, upgraded sound system.  It only had 69000 miles on it.  So far I am loving driving it, but the thing does like to guzzle the gas...running about 15 mpg intown...vs my Beamer which gets about 28 intown.  This thing is prewired for the brake controller and can tow 65K...should tow the popup without problems.  I am going to donate the dear old Moose to the Salvation Army car donation program and take the tax deduction.  I will miss the Moose, but not the repair bills that I had to pay after each camping trip.  Now I just need to come up with a name for the new car......

dthurk

Congratulations on the new buggy.  Hope to see it (and you) sometime this next season.

DiW

Congrats Beckie. Have fun with your new wheels. Should be a relief, not having to worry if you'll make it there and back... Miss you. Hope to camp with you this year.

SheBantam

I hope it tows 6.5K (6500 lbs as opposed to 65,000lbs),

Congrats! Hope you love it.  AND prewired!! that saves a Few$$$ ask me I have had several Fords wired for brakes in the last few years.

Probably the same engine I have in the Ford Extended cab, so yes it will deinitley pull the popup, fully loaded with all your gadets.

dthurk

Noticed the 65,000 lb. thing myself.  Figured she didn't get something with 10 wheels and a sleeper cab.  Wow, that would put the rest of us to shame on those rallys.  Better yet, imagine one of those towing a Pup!  

Actually, 15 mpg intown sounds pretty good.  We get about that with our Durango, 6500 lbs. tow capacity.  We'll get about 20 mpg on the highway and about 10 mpg towing.  We do have a bit more air resistance and weight to haul, though.  Filling the tank every 200 miles at today's gas prices certainly makes you budget for gas before making a trip.  Becky, I'd expect you'd get about 15 mpg towing.

HersheyGirl

Silly me! I guess I got a Super Explorer with the enhanced tow package. :D
We are to get sleet and snow today, so Dr.DH took the Explorer to work so that he could get back home tonight....he is the one who said that we don't really need it. I do feel better that he is driving it today as the roads are suppose to be a nightmare later on with all the ice and snow. Looks like I got it just in time for winter. Diana loves driving the Explorer, but has a real problem with it being an evil SUV. She is so tiny and loves being elevated enough to see around what is happening on the road. I filled up with gas last night and am getting 15.5 mpg intown. I also added air to the tires so maybe that will help increase the milege too. We will see. The Salvation Army will be here on Tuesday to pick up the Moose.

SheBantam

Remember 4 wheel drive does not do anybetter on ice than a 2 wheel drive, as there is nothing to get traction on.  We tossed that around when we bought the new to us truck, and decided that if it came with it great, but where we live, we really do not need it.  

15 MPG is not too bad.  We get about that with the windstar in stop and go traffic.  I think that is about what the F150 gets. Raymond was bragging on the gas milage when he went to Owensboro with his son and filled the truck AND a u-haul trailer with son's stuff.

HersheyGirl

Yes, I know that AWD won't do so much on ice....but we are having a combo or ice, rain and snow.  Last Friday, we had ice and snow and I was able to get up the driveway with the Explorer without a bit of problems, but Andy was unable to get 1/4 of the way up before he was backwards....and the Caravan has that traction control.  I still feel better that he is driving the Explorer today than the Caravan.  The roads will be treated, but I still feel better.  We are suppose to get a big snow storm this weekend and he is on-call and has to go into the hospital both days.  I know what he will be driving. :frosty:

DiW

Sounds like a smart move just with being able to get up/down your steep drive. Maybe you can tow DH's car up  ;)  Even if it isn't actually helping DH in some of this weather, just having him think it is will make him glad you bought it   :D  Glad Diana enjoys driving it. I also like being able to see, though I usually can't see anything when I'm behind one of those darn Explorers... We were supposed to get lots of snow but mostly got ice. Luckily there's some snow underneath.

tlhdoc

Congratulations on the new vehicle.:)

HersheyGirl

Well guess who drove the Explorer to work today and it wasn't even bad weather?  Guess who took it out today to pick up the Christmas tree....yep....DH.  I think he kind of likes driving it...so macho you know.

tlhdoc

I guess you made a good choice on the new TV.:)

HersheyGirl

I said goodbye to the Moose yesterday.  The Salvation Army tow truck came and took him away to auction.  I have to admit that I loved that old thing, but am so relieved that I am no longer sinking money into that BIG money pit.Yes, we had some good times, waiting for the tow truck, meeting alot of nice people at the repair shops across the country, meeting local policemen and riding in their cars to repair shops, but most of all, meeting all the very nice tow truck drivers on the east coast....what fun times to remember!  Yes, that old van taught my children the reason we have AAAplus at all times.
The new Explorer is doing well, altho, it is a money pit in terms of gas....yeek!
Oh well,  whats a girl to do?