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Finer Things
Big and Bad Drivers
By Rita Cook
Ford Lariat
Can you say F-150 Harley Davidson AWD Supercrew Lariat? The F-150 offers several body styles, trims and choices from the 2WD or 4WD to the regular cab, super cab and supercrew cab. Choose a bed length in short, standard or long and trims are either XL, STX, XLT, FX4 (4WD
models).
What to Know: There are engine choices with the 4.2L V6 engine, a 4.6L Triton V8 and 5.4L Triton V8 that will give you 300 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. If you go with the 4.2L V6 the horsepower comes in from 231 to 248 and the 5.4L Triton V8 can be had in an E-85, which offers a flexible fuel version using up to 85 percent ethanol. The 2007 also offers a front grille on the XLT and Lariat models, and, depending if you want the DVD-based navigation system and radio in the dash.
Miles Per Gallon: 14 miles in the city and 18 miles on the highway.
Price Tag: $37,500.
Ford Explorer
Top two Explorers come in the Sport Trac and the XLT 4WD. The Sport Trac is an SUV with a cargo box truck. Amenities are leather seats, heated windshield and an excellent safety requirement list. This vehicle is for the driver who wants the SUV feel with a tough attitude good for hauling. In the XLT model simple is the key word.
What to Know: Engine choices on the XLT are simple - either a 210 horsepower 4.0L V6 engine or the 4.6L V8 engine that offers 292 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. The 4.0L V6 has a five-speed automatic and the 4.6L V8 offers a six-speed automatic transmission. Standards are the auxiliary air conditioning, reverse sensing system and 18-inch aluminum wheels. The Sport Trac has the three-valve V-8 engine choice with 292 horsepower delivery and a V-6 that offers less smog-forming emissions. The V-6 model also comes equipped with a five-speed automatic that gives amounts to 5,310 pounds of towing capacity and 1,450 pounds of payload. The cargo box is made from corrosion-proof sheet molded composite and it's scratch and dent-proof.
Miles Per Gallon: 14 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on the highway.
Price Tag: The Sport Trac is priced at $29,540. The XLT 4X4 came in at $28,795.
Nissan Titan
This one is all power all the time. You will find great choices. On the low-end the King XE offers 168-degree wide open rear doors, a four-wheel anti-lock braking system and a locking tailgate. In the SE model you can add 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels, an in-dash six-CD changer with MP3 CD capability, power heated outside mirrors and remote keyless entry. On the King LE add the utili-track bed channel system with four tie-down cleats, factory-applied spray-on bedliner, an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with six-way passenger's seats and heated and leather front seats. The wide open rear doors or a great feature as you can swing them open and forget about the problems that come with tight parking. The front captain seating is offered in the SE and LE models and means a bigger, more comfortable ride. Take that with the floor-mounted gate automatic shifter, the oversize center console with two large cup-holders and a lockable storage that will even hold your laptop and you're set.
What to Know: It's a 317 horsepower, 5.6-liter, V8 engine offering up to 385 lb-ft of torque. You can easily tow up to 9,500 pounds. There is the standard four-wheel limited slip offering traction.
The Rancho shock absorbers, P285/70R17 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail tires with 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, skid plates and fog lights all make for a good time. An advanced air bag system, side curtain airbags, side impact air bags, zone body construction, three-point seat belts and child safety locks make sure everyone is always safe.
Miles per Gallon: 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 miles per gallon on the highway.
Price Tag: $23,700 for the King XE to $30,650 for the King LE.