Finally got a new car for SWMBO, A V8 !!!

[flango]

Well 3 months after selling the Puma we have finally got SWMBO a new car and we have ventured into V8 territory As a few of you know I've been trying to find a full size 4x4 full of kit and was really looking for a Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 V8 but finding a good one was proving difficult, anyway long story short I have quite a few contacts and do a bit of work for Ford Motorsport. I was talking to one of the directors who just happened to drop out his wifes 4x4 was for sale, so not thinking I was expecting something like a Maverick but oh no what was for sale was a Limited Edition Ford Explorer full size Yank Tank 5.0 V8. Fully loaded, air suspension the works. Only 50 of these V8 cars were ever brought into the UK in RHD, it is in stunning Emerald Green it's one owner and as you would expect Full Ford service history. Ford Motorsport have had their hands on it and it goes like an absolute rocket and that American V8 soundtrack is awesome.

Not to everyones taste I admit but we are well pleased with it, will post some photo's when we get it and I have had it detailed.

Just thought I'd share the news with you.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Wow that sounds interesting. I have a soft spot for American vehicles, that sounds nice. What year is the Explorer?

By the way full size would be an Expedition or Excursion Although I think the Explorer is big enough Quite different to a Puma...

 

[robert.saunders]

I think Cambs police used to run one (or more) as traffic cars (have since acquired Range Rovers) not sure on their specified engine however; they were quite imposing when seen on the A1(M)

 

[corned]

An interesting choice Ian! As stated above, the Explorer is only the baby Ford SUV. Try the Excursion for size!!!

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Wasn't the Explorer infamous in the US - for 2 reasons - namely: the throttle jamming full open problem, and the tyre debacle which brought down Firestone?
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[BTB 500]

Yup ... commonly called the Ford 'Exploder'

But I don't think UK models were affected.

Never knew they did a V8.

 

[LTD]

Get a fuel card !

 

[flango]

Wow that sounds interesting. I have a soft spot for American vehicles, that sounds nice. What year is the Explorer?

By the way full size would be an Expedition or Excursion Although I think the Explorer is big enough Quite different to a Puma...

Explorer is registered in September 2001 but looks much newer suspect its never been off road in its life, it's got the 5.0 litre V8 Mustang Engine which makes it very tuneable, as I say its had work done already and the Ford tech's reckon its running just shy of 290 bhp and propels a 2000kg vehicle to 60 mph in a touch over 8 seconds will get it on the Dyno when I have it sorted. Car is mint not one pin head of the dreaded tin worm :bannana:

You are right although full size for us its only mid size the other side of the pond where the Expedition or Excursion rule.

 

[flango]

Yup ... commonly called the Ford 'Exploder'

But I don't think UK models were affected.

Never knew they did a V8.

UK Models wern't affected and it was only on the 4.0 litre engine, they only did 50 vehicles as V8's in the UK in its short 4 year run.

Major problem on 4 litre was the timing chain tensionrs were plastic and used to self destruct with 3 chains this was a major issue and the engine did indeed explode!

 

[flango]

Get a fuel card !

SWMBO only does 3000 miles per year so not a real problem

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Mustang V8 hmmmmm, 2001 Explorer, sounds nice. Great find I think, especially considering how well looked after it sounds.

 

[flango]

I think Cambs police used to run one (or more) as traffic cars (have since acquired Range Rovers) not sure on their specified engine however; they were quite imposing when seen on the A1(M)

Probably similar to this?

 

[smillion]

You're going to love the V8 soundtrack ..... I ended up with 2 V8's ......

Even at 15 mph they both sound fantastic .

 

[JumboBeef]

I love my V8! (and I love it even more 'cos it's LPG).

 

[BTB 500]

Ford tech's reckon its running just shy of 290 bhp and propels a 2000kg vehicle to 60 mph in a touch over 8 seconds

Sounds similar to our Vito (kerbweight 2040 kg, and 0-60 given as 8.0 secs)

 

[Stratman]

Every time she starts it a baby seal pup dies

 

[Rory]

Parking it in a Sainsbury's parking space must be interesting!

 

[flango]

Every time she starts it a baby seal pup dies

Confused but I keep telling her to leave the baseball bat at home

 

[wemorgan]

Parking it in a Sainsbury's parking space must be interesting!

with a little practice I'm sure she'll be able to slide it on to a parking bay

[YOUTUBE]sFdHe-7dr20[/YOUTUBE]

 

[BTB 500]

We take the Vito (probably bigger?) to Sainsburys. It is much easier if there's a parent/child space free!

 

[flango]

Parking it in a Sainsbury's parking space must be interesting!

We only use Tesco

No seriously, I bet she wont be parking it in one of those spaces near the doors, this is a definite other end of the car park job so it will keep her fit as well