The cars and bikes thread!

[Raza]

I've been on the hunt now for a new vehicle since before I retired. I almost bought a new Lincoln Navigator or Cadillac Escalade since I was seeking out more luxury. All the more off road oriented vehicles seem to have mostly black interiors. Both the Escalade and Navigator have a brown interior available. Our trip to the Keys a few weeks ago reminded me that I like room, quiet, smooth ride and power. Off road got moved back as a priority (plus we have a UTV). When we got to the Lincoln dealer we looked at the Navigator in the showroom, but the Aviator next to it was more interesting. It is a bit smaller than the standard Navigator, and can tow 6700 lbs which can handle our boat. It's more fuel efficient, quiet, smooth yet well controlled ride and has 400hp and 456ft/lbs of torque. I was able to find a certified preowned 2024 with 3500 miles which gives it double the warranty. It's only had its breakin oil change. It is the Black Label model so it has everything including AWD. They fit the certified ones with new brake pads and rotors, new battery and new tires as part of the process. This has Michelin tires that are not run flats since it has a temp spare tire. Both front seats have message and are the 30 way adjustable that are heated and cooled. It has a more comprehensive HUD than the Lexus LS. Sound system is a 29 speaker Revel, second row seats are also heated and cooled and 3rd row are only heated.. Interior is a baseball glove color leather with black piano wood, brown carpet and lower dash, and some brushed metal accents. Below are the dealer photos for another that they had. Mine is exactly like this, but much lower miles and in Ceramic White Pearl where this is Crystal White Pearl. Mine is a darker shade of white (Very slightly greyish). These photos are a 2022 since my 2024 had just came in and was certified . I bought it before the listed and took photos. Apparently these were the hot vehicle at the Lincoln dealer yesterday. They said they sold all but two that they had (both new and certified) which meant 17 vehicles.

Congratulations! Those are some seriously comfortable looking seats!

I took a look at some photos online, it’s a handsome truck. I like the looks quite a bit; some Range Roverish lines without being derivative, it had a lot of presence and class to the styling. Can’t wait to see your pics of it!

[geoffbot]

I feel like BMW was very late to the proximity key game compared to other companies. Even on my 435i, the “Comfort Access” key was an optional upgrade, I don’t believe it was the standard key for the car, and it’s a 2014.

Yeah my top of the range 2015 M4 doesn't have it

[Samanator]

Yeah my top of the range 2015 M4 doesn't have it

Wow, I find that hard to believe. Since 2000 the 2001 A4 and 2002 TT Audi, the 2002 XK8, 2007 Lexus SC430 and the Toyota FJ did not have it. Starting from 2006 the Lexus IS, 2009 Porsche Cab, two Nissan, Mercedes E class TD, the other 5 Jags including from 2006 on, Jeep, Honda, two other Lexus and now the Lincoln all have it.

Quite a few of these also have remote start on the key. The Nissan Truck, Lexus LS and ES and the new Lincoln can start/ shut down, roll windows up or down, lock/unlock and several other things via phone. The Passover to the smart key is quite transparent. All of mine you get in, Peres and hold the brake, and then push the start/stop button…Done.

[mlcor]

Very nice! The spring bar design (and captive at that) was new for this model and a huge upgrade from the old solid floating piece. It’s nice that you have the option to remove it, whereas I very much like to have it attached to my car key.

Oh, I don’t know how much use you’ll get out of it, but for me, having the Chipolo on mine feels quite nice, especially when I was running mine without a car key attached and I would often keep it in my bag instead of my pocket. Very nice to have a tracker on your keys that can give an auditory signal when I need it to. Now I just need it to respond to my whistles and Maryam d’Abo circa 1987 and I’ll be set for my childhood dreams (minus the 1985 Aston Martin V8 Vantage).

This is probably a horribly horribly wrong and dangerous thing to say, but I have never in my life lost my keys...

Still early days, but I'm liking it so far.

[Raza]

This is probably a horribly horribly wrong and dangerous thing to say, but I have never in my life lost my keys...

Still early days, but I'm liking it so far.

Neither have I. But after the pandemic, I noticed I had become more careless with my belongings, since I was no longer used to keeping them on me at all times. So I figured a little added peace of mind was worth a few bucks.

[Samanator]

This is probably a horribly horribly wrong and dangerous thing to say, but I have never in my life lost my keys...

Still early days, but I'm liking it so far.

You are the opposite of my wife. She looses keys nearly once a week. Just when I was claiming I did not have keys I got a pile for our church. I just ordered one of these for those. I got the grey white leather. Some colors are discounted on Amazon.

[Samanator]

I tried several time to take the Aviator out today for pictures, but it started to rain every time. Ordered Weather Tech mats for all the carpeted areas. Surpring they seemed reasonable for all three rows and the package area.

Raza I never looked into it but the Explorer and the Aviator may be on the same chasis as one of the Land Rovers. I can kind of see what you are talking about it having a bit of a LR look. The terain modes are fairly comprehensive including one for deep mud.

The seats are excellent. I tried these in a Continental a few years ago. They may be the best in any vehicle for comfort. It takess about a half hour or more to set them to your preferences since there are 30 adjustments. Then remember to set them in memory.

The electronic door releases take a bit to get use to. These with the soft close function avoid any slamming of the doors and the release and open is a push of the button. I've not figured out how to make the kick to open feature to work for the hatch. I need to break out the manual tomorrow. It may be shut off in one of the menus.

The self pacing cruise control lights up a set of three buttons on each side of the lower steering spoke. I tried pushing these and nothing happened. I tried several other thing and still nothing. Then I reached through the wheel and found there are two sets of buttons on each side aligned with where they are on the lighted. This worked like a charm. One of the buttons I have no clue what it does and I was afraid to press it while driving. Manual needed again to see what that does.

The car play made up for the other things. It configured by it's self and worked like a champ.

We're had Mark Levenson systems in all of our Lexus, and some of the other have had other higher end stereo systems. This Revel easily has the best sound i've heard from a factory system. It can be split front and back so back seat passengers can play their music separately.

The suspension is active and air, and is so controlled. It rides so well and I'm not detecting any head pitch. It seems ride as well or better than the LS. Getting rid of the run flats may solve that slight difference.

I have a lot to learn on this one since it has nearly every bit of tech in the industry other than the electric or hybrid systems.

[geoffbot]

Wow, I find that hard to believe. Since 2000 the 2001 A4 and 2002 TT Audi, the 2002 XK8, 2007 Lexus SC430 and the Toyota FJ did not have it. Starting from 2006 the Lexus IS, 2009 Porsche Cab, two Nissan, Mercedes E class TD, the other 5 Jags including from 2006 on, Jeep, Honda, two other Lexus and now the Lincoln all have it.

Quite a few of these also have remote start on the key. The Nissan Truck, Lexus LS and ES and the new Lincoln can start/ shut down, roll windows up or down, lock/unlock and several other things via phone. The Passover to the smart key is quite transparent. All of mine you get in, Peres and hold the brake, and then push the start/stop button…Done.

Optional extras. Bmw remember. Second only to porsche I suspect.

[Fantasio]

Saw this beaty during today’s walk.

[Raza]

Saw this beaty during today’s walk.

Now that is luxury. Don’t care for the gold hood, but the rest of it is superb.