They also don’t really want people in line. People in line aren’t in gift shops or restaurants, spending money.

Not only that, it’s not especially practical.

Buys $6000 S600, Spends $6000 more just trying and failing to make suspension work.

The 5R55 transmission will get pissed to the point of grenading itself

The technical term is "Needle Dick".

Current 2004 Aviator and former 2003 Explorer (v8) owner here, so let me weigh in a bit.

They are both very similar and quite different from the Explorers of that generation. The interior is reworked quite extensively from the Explorer with a lot of features different than what you’d get if you went for the Ford.

First…

A true bargain is one that stays that way after you buy it.

A car that made toast would be luxurious.

Ill be honest since its been since the late 2000s I have seen this gen Aviator look this clean. Most are beaten up, suspension blown out, or on dubs with faded to hell paint

1. Bargain

When cars reach a certain age, I would just consider the luxe version as expanding my pool of choices if I’m looking for a certain vehicle. Looking for an older Explorer? Add this to the search, depreciation has probably brought it within reach. Older Camry? Also consider an ES350. All of this assuming that the luxe…

It doesn’t really hold up as a luxury car. It’s more that it’s just a good price for a serviceable AWD SUV, in this market. And the “InTech” version of the 4.6-liter Mod V8 makes a huge difference, versus the Explorer.

Obviously this is a NP because it’s clean, has low miles, the market is bonkers, yadda yadda.

Call me cynical, but in this market and with relatively low mileage for its age, it’s under-priced for a dealership offering. I’d want to do a really thorough inspection, CarFax, etc. Nice Price if it passes scrutiny, but I bet it doesn’t.

A car that made toast would be luxurious. 

“Cool blue Explorer dude.” - everyone that talks to you about your car.

NP, but oof, those plastics inside. Not quite Fisher-Price, but Hewlett-Packard at best.

My only advice on this is to remember which dealers marked stuff up like this and never give them your business.

Only for crappy American malaise cars. Mass market cars like the Camry had a 4 speed in the early 80s.