Sunday, February 05, 2012

It's so lovely!

Is my new Ford Explorer Limited perfect? No. But what's wrong is minor in the grand scheme. The Sync system is powered by Microsoft. So there are moments where I'll push the button on the steering wheel so I can talk to the system, and the system is off doing other things. I don't know if it's rearranging its stamp collection or it saw a squirrel, but it does get distracted. As the Ford salesman commented, "it's like six different computers, and sometimes they have trouble talking to each other."

Yeah, another win for Microsoft. *sigh* But while that sounds like a pain, it's actually minor. Most of the time it works fine, and it's a lovely convenience (you can tell it to do a TON of things) when it's working.

As for everything else that drives the purchase of a particular vehicle, this one is a home run! Marc took the Explorer to work on Friday to show her off, and one of his people described the ride as "silky." That's the best adjective I've heard, and it's quite accurate. It's not mushy--she handles very well for an SUV (and I'm just coming out of a sports sedan)--but the ride is silky smooth. She has nice power and is an all-around pleasure to drive. Add to that things like the dual-panel sunroof (so backseat passengers can get sunshine, too), the powered shade, the... oh, never mind. The list of comforts, conveniences and features could go on for pages. This is the kind of vehicle that makes us want to take long road trips.

Today, we took her for a quick jaunt down to Robert Moses State Park, where we saw the deer and parked briefly for a couple of photos:


Click on the photo to see a larger version and enjoy all her beauty!




When we got back near the house, I finally (okay, I've only had her 6 days, but still) tried the feature that makes her park herself. With the push of a button, she found a space and whipped that steering wheel back and forth, maneuvering perfectly to the curb. Amazing!

8 comments:

Pua; Bakin' and Tendin' Bar said...

I think it's pretty funny that the very first comment you make about your beautiful new car is to bash her Microsoft connection ::rolling eyes:: Oh, Jess.

So, this is what is meant by "all the bells and whistles"?

She is indeed, beautiful. I hope we get to see her in person soon. Congrats!

Jess said...

I wouldn't mind that connection at all, if it weren't creating headaches!

When you see it in person, you can see (hear?) all the bells & whistles! Come on over!

Rick said...

It's a good looking car. I've been seeing this up on pedestals at the dealerships driving into the office. They look quite similar to their sister/cousin Range Rover Evogue. Which I've been admiring. Did you say you have a sunroof? I hope it's good ride for you.

Jess said...

It's a wonderful ride. I'm loving it. And yes, it has a sunroof. It actually has a two-part: first, the type prior cars of mine have had (tilt-up or slide open above the front seats), and then there's a second, larger glass panel over the back seats. Both panels, front and back, have a powered shade that covers them and retracts at the push of a button.

Will said...

First time I've heard from someone who has a self-parking vehicle. I'm always scared to give over power of machinery to computers, but you make it sound as if it really works.

Jess said...

Amazingly, it does work, Will. Kinda freaky to experience, but it works.

A DC said...

The self-parking feature fascinates and freaks me out. Nice ride!

Jess said...

Kinda freaks me out, too, Angie. I rarely use it!