Could you please help me identify the specs (or considerations) that I’m looking for in a new car, based on the loaner that I drove? Any recs for SUVs to check out would be appreciated too.
Posted by MavisBeacons_Sextape@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 7 comments
I’m preparing to start looking at options for a new (to me) vehicle, and I recently had a loaner for a month that I loved driving. I’m hoping that I can provide the vehicle info and what I liked about the driving experience and receive some feedback that’ll help me better articulate that in the proper car lingo lol.
The loaner was a Ford Explorer ST that Google tells me likely had this engine in it: V6 3.OL EcoBoost® Biturbo. I’ll include the only photo I have of it just in case the tires would matter at all for in the driving experience.
What I enjoyed so much about it was that it was extremely responsive, it felt effortless to be in the drivers seat. It was super responsive to even lightly tapping the gas, not much delay, and the same for turning the wheel. It accelerated to cruising speed really quickly when merging onto the interstate. Drove it mostly in the city if that matters, but changing lanes, taking sharp-ish turns, accelerating, everything felt smooth, easy, and quick.
Idk if this is helpful for perspective, but last year my mom bought a 2022 RX 350 to replace her X5 (I don’t know which trims), and I drove the Lexus the last time I went out to visit them. It felt SO sluggish and…numb? The slow and LOUD acceleration was so underwhelming in comparison to the Explorer and the X5 driving experience. I understand that that’s what Lexus is going for with the RX350, comfort and “floating on a cloud” driving experience, but it felt like a huge downgrade to drive in comparison to the other two.
I’m not well informed enough about cars to be able to pinpoint what I should be filtering for or against, so any thoughts on that would be super appreciated. I know that torque is the spec for the “get up and go” feeling, but beyond that, I don’t know if there are other specs to consider beyond just torque, for what I liked about the Explorer. Basically hoping for suggestions for phrases or specs that would help me clarify what I’m looking/not looking for here, when I’m looking for options to short list. I’m traveling a lot over the next month, so on the days that I do get to make it to dealerships, I want to walk in knowing what I’m interested in test driving.
I’m sure that my budget significantly limits how close I can even get for a vehicle with this driving experience (and maybe that’s out of my budget entirely), but open to suggestions on that front if anyone has any for SUVs that might get me closer to the amazing driving experience of the Explorer:
- Would like to keep it in the $35-$45k range, obviously the closer to $35k the better.
- I work remotely and wouldn’t be heavily using the vehicle, putting fewer than 10k miles on it annually.
- I don’t need a third row but wouldn’t mind one.
- good fuel efficiency would be nice obviously, but it’s not a deal breaker as I don’t mind filling up more frequently for a more enjoyable/effortless driving experience.
Thank you!
Individual-Fail4709@reddit
If you like the ST and aren't looking at new, get a CPO ST. Ford recently changed so that you can't get the 3.0L in a new Limited Explorer, just the 2.3L. You could search for a used/CPO Explorer Limited with the 3.0L or a used Lincoln Aviator 3.0L. Aviator has the most HP in its class. So, there are three choices here: used ST, used Limited with 3.0L and used Aviator. The Aviator is awesome and a real value if you can find a CPO. Most specs aren't going to tell you about the responsiveness. Fords and Lincolns have EPAS, electronic power assist steering, that makes the steering responsive, but also easier to drive on the highway. They also have drive modes and in sport, it changes the the pedal mapping to be more responsive.
MavisBeacons_Sextape@reddit (OP)
Thank you! This is what i was looking for in terms of helping me understand some of the specs to look for.
I’ve always driven fords and I want to buy something different this time, but even an upbadged Ford fits the bill, so I’ll check out the Aviator. When I was googling my question initially, Gemini suggested I put a 2022 (or earlier) Acura MDX SH-AWD on my list for the “get up and go” factor that I liked, and said to just look at the torque specs…but I figured that there could be more to it than just the torque #s. That’s why I posted this
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jrileyy229@reddit
What do you drive now? Why did you have a loaner for a month?
Go on the Ford website and look around at what options and packages mean and figure out what you care about so you can narrow your search down.
Also, you don't need to over complicate this... Pick to the phone and call the dealer that gave you a highly optioned loaner. Ask them what it was and have a simple discussion about it. They'll b more than happy to try to find you something similar your price range
MavisBeacons_Sextape@reddit (OP)
There’s not a filter on a dealer website for “responsiveness to the gas pedal” or “how quickly the vehicle reacts to me turning the wheel” in those terms. What I was requesting with this post was help in translating my laymen’s terms of what I liked about that car, into the correct terminology, so that I know what specs to filter by.
That dealer is one that my fiancé has loyalty to because the owner is a family friend, but they’re super aggressive (and their service is horrific), so I don’t want to engage them for this search, or buy a car from them. Regardless of where I buy, I’m not walking into a dealership without an idea of what I want to look at and test drive. Where I’m at currently in the process and trying to identify some options that fit what I’m looking for (so that I can research them, then make a shortlist for doing test drives).
jrileyy229@reddit
Okay, but you didn't note what your current car is... It's all relative to what you're used to.
Rarely does an explorer illicit thoughts of quickness and great handling, unless you're coming from some gigantic is like an excursion
Individual-Fail4709@reddit
Beg to differ, the ST is responsive and sporty, especially if you are coming from a small SUV or a basic mid-level SUV and more sporty feeling than a Camry or Accord.