Opinions on a 2003 Aviator

[ricoba]

I have my eye on a 2003 Aviator with 36k for $21,000.

Have done some research and it seems to get good reviews on edmunds.com etc.

Anyone want to share a personal opinion or view on the Aviator?

Thanks:)

[pro-five-oh]

Leased one for a couple years. Great SUV in the performance, towing and handling department. Handling was very impressive and the acceleration was nuts. I wasted a souped up 1.8T Jetta on the highway once. Yes, really.

The only downside were the hard, unsupportive seats and the terrible mileage. We're talkin 13mpg (easy driving) in the city on premium fuel. Navigators with the 6-speed auto get better mileage. But its a nice rig otherwise.

[ricoba]

Gotta love being able to push it and hear the "big jet engine roar" :D

It's that 13 mpg I don't want to hear. I get that with my Chevy Trailblazer that I am replacing. I was hoping as well that the seats were better, I hate those Chevy seats, in fact I pretty much hate the Chevy! :(

[pro-five-oh]

Try the seats for yourself, but I'm guessing you'll hate them compared to the Conti.

Its a fine SUV otherwise, provided you pay to play. :)

[ricoba]

Well, I've also spotted a low mileage Town Car, in about the same price range........seats like my recliner....ahhhhhhhh:)

[pro-five-oh]

I'd rather have the Townie...but the Aviator is faster in the corners or in a straight line and carrys waaaaaaay more stuff. ;)

[74 Laguna]

Leased one for a couple years. Great SUV in the performance, towing and handling department. Handling was very impressive and the acceleration was nuts. I wasted a souped up 1.8T Jetta on the highway once. Yes, really.

The only downside were the hard, unsupportive seats and the terrible mileage. We're talkin 13mpg (easy driving) in the city on premium fuel. Navigators with the 6-speed auto get better mileage. But its a nice rig otherwise.




Can someone tell me how much better a 2005-2006 Navigator will do on fuel than a 2005 Aviator?

[pro-five-oh]

Can someone tell me how much better a 2005-2006 Navigator will do on fuel than a 2005 Aviator?

1-2 MPG better in the city, maybe 1mpg better on the highway. Been there, done that. :)

[old farmer]

This thread is bit old but maybe someone is still watching.
My Aviator gets about 15 mpg in town and 20 hiway, but I find the higher the octane of the gas I use, the better the mileage. I found 93-94 works best.
The inside of the filler cap says 91+.