[Shotimes] Interesting...porting the intake

[Ron Fleshman]

I don't post much, but this subject intrigues me.  I lease a 4WD for my
business and put about 20K miles on it a year.  I usually get a 2-year
lease, so I'm shopping every two years.

I owned 92, 94, 96, 98, and 2000 Explorers until I got sick of them.  I
decided I wanted a change in 2002, so I went shopping.  I think I drove
50 SUV's.  I liked the Honda a lot, but the lack of a box frame and true
4WD turned me off.  I did like the car like feel and the quality.  I
tried the Toyota and the Lexus and all the others.  I was sold on the
Honda until Ford came through with the offer of an early turn in with
payments forgiven and a rebate.  I picked up my 2002 in July of 2001.
The 2002-2003 Explorers are the finest SUV's I've ever had the pleasure
of riding in ( and that includes the Lexus).  My 2002 model was the 4.0
V-6.  It was quiet, handled like a sports sedan (IRS), and had great
utility for about $2000 less than the Honda and $6000 less than the
Lexus.  

Last month, I did the same shopping.  I finally decided on a 03
Explorer, but with some difference.  I got the 4.6 V-8 with AWD.  I
always like the fact that the other Explorers had AWD normally, but you
could go to full time 4WD or low range even though I didn't use
it...ever.  I finally figured out that the AWD was best for me.  And
with the rebates, there was nothing that could touch it on price.  BTW,
having owned 6 prior Explorers, I have never had a major problem.  In
fact, I've only changed the oil in them.

I took a trip to Cincinnati in the 03 last week.  To my amazement, I
averaged 21.3 mpg.  The same trip last year in the V-6 02, I got 19.7
mpg.  And the power is strong and immediate with the 4.6.  I would
recommend it highly.

Ron
92 OW
98 TR