Ford Explorer Sport Trac

[Mark_in_IN]

I'm thinking about buying one of these. I looked at the one at the dealer & fell in love with it (fist time tractor, now the second). They are the perfect mix between SUV & truck. Does anyone have one of these? Maybe just an opinion.

mark

 

[Bird]

I don't know anything about them, Mark, except the first time my wife saw one she thought she wanted it./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif So I looked at the specs on Ford's web site (and the price/w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif). As many as I've seen on the streets, it must be popular.

Bird

 

[RobS]

Mark, if that had been out five years ago I probably would have bought one. Instead, I got an F250 crew cab and have loved the snot out of it. I'm so glad I got a serious truck. Originally got it only for the four "real" doors but since we've picked up a fifth wheel camper, our property, the tractor and a trailer to haul the tractor on. My truck gets used pretty hard, but it suits me just fine. I got my truck after having an Explorer. I really liked the people moving part of the Explorer but it was difficult hauling "serious" stuff.

I guess my point is, had I gotten a lighter duty truck I probably would be regretting it by now. The SportTrack and even the F150 Supercrew don't have much towing/cargo capacity. Think long and hard about your future needs before plunking down the cash /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[gws]

Well what do you want and truck or an SUV? The Sport Trac doesnt do either well. The beds to small to haul anything but groceries, The bed also takes away usable storage space from the SUV.

If you want a truck get a truck, if you want an SUV then get a truck -

Gary.

 

[RJohnson]

Mark.
I did just like RobS, bought an F250 crew cab. I am 6-2 and when I sat in the back seat of the sports track I knew it was not for me and the wife. Would have bought the F150 crew cab but they didn't have all of the options we wanted. The wife is real good at spending my money/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I think you might want to try out the F150 crew cab, best of both worlds.

Randy

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by RJohnson on 10/15/01 12:10 PM (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[TerryinMD]

One of the other things to consider is that the cost difference between a full size truck and one of the SUV/Truck combos is not all that much when pricing one out.

As pointed out, you need examine your needs and make the proper decision. How many SUV's are being used to tow a 16ft trailer with a compact tractor or a nice sized travel trailer?

Terry

 

[Rodneyd]

My daughter rolled her '91 Jeep Cheroke about 2 months ago. Having driven that thing before, I'm surprised it took this long for it to end up in a ditch. It rolled and pitched on a country road and very unsteady. When she looked at the Sport-Trac she asked dear old dad for some advice. I took one for a test drive out in the country on a rainy morning. Did some panic stops, a few swerves and other maneuvers. No sports car handling but I felt had adequate handling as long as you keep in mind, it is still has many of the SUV handling tendacies, but not quite as noticable. If you are under 6 foot you probably will not have a problem fitting into one. Also as mentioned, they are limited haulers. My daughter has a horse and two-horse trailer with brakes. We put a frame hitch on the back. I think this set-up will be OK for short trips. The bed will allow room for feed, saddle, etc. She's single now but maybe not for ever so this fits her needs now and hopefully in the future. Forgot to mention, she got the Sport package which included larger tires, etc. I think that helps the handling. She did not get the 4 wheel drive. At this point, she has been real pleased with it. One other note, it's not an economy vehicle. Even with the small V6 she only gets 20 MPG.

 

[MikePA]

When we first bought our house, I owned a Toyota Celica hatchback and my wife owned an MGB. I grew tired of paying to have things delivered so I began looking for a pickup truck. I didn't want to get a full size truck, thinking they were too big. So, I got an S10. Nice truck, but too small, particularly with the extended cab and six foot bed that I had.

Fast forward to ten years ago. Traded the S10 in for a full size, extended cab, 6 foot bed K1500. The previous owner had added one additional leaf spring on each side and I am glad they did. We now have a gooseneck stock trailer for hauling the horses around and the 350 V8 in the truck does OK. If I had to do it all over again, I would get at least a 3/4 ton diesel powered truck with a full sized bed.

Much like the advice I give to people when they ask what kind of PC/laptop they should buy, and the same information I received here concerning tractors, you seldom see someone complaining they bought a PC that was too fast or a tractor that was too big. Like a PC, once you get a pick up truck, you will find all kinds of ways to use it and find out what you should have bought.

 

[Mark_in_IN]

I currrently have a 1994 F-150 Short bed. & have only used it as a truck once or twice. On the Sport Trac you can fold out a cargo cage to make it a 6 foot bed. (see picture) I need to sit in & test one of these, I might find out I don't even like the way it rides.

mark

 

[MReeter]

Mark,I think these units are the vehicle of the future.The family car and the truck rolled up into one.I would also like to own one,but for myself, I would go with the F150.My last two pickups have been Chevy,but I'm having a hard time with the looks of that Avalanch.I mean that thing is UGLY!!! And at almost 40 grand,I can't imagine people breaking down the doors to get one.

 

[Gatorboy]

I sat next to a Sport Trac this evening at a red light. My Chevy K3500 Crew Cab looked like a monster next to that pee wee.

At $28500 (what I paid for it), I think my crew cab truck is an excellent buy. Seats 6, plenty of room in the 8' bed and can tow almost anything. The only problem I have is at slightly over 21' it is sometimes tough to find a parking place. My next vehicle will be either another Chevy Crew Cab or a Ford. I may go with the short bed though next time -- for the around town driving.

If you are anything like me, I think you may find that Sport Trac alittle small after a while.


Regards,
Dave "Gatorboy" Hoffmann
Fallston, Maryland

 

[glennmac]

I've looked at and driven the Sport Trac. I like it.

I dont think it is a good option for someone who needs a lot of payload capacity a lot of the time or for someone who is going to tow more than 5000 lbs. However, for someone who only need occaisonal pickup capability it is a neat idea. Around here, I would guess that 90% of people who drive around in pickups have nothing in their beds 95% of the time, and I would probably fall into that catetory if (when) I have a truck.

I like the Sport Trac's flip over bed extender, composite bed, multiple interior and exterior bed tie-towns, the power outlet in the bed, the power rear window, the hard, lockable bed cover, the ability to have a sunroof, the roof rack that can take Yakima or Thule canoe/kayak/bike attachments, and the comfortable seating. It came in first in Consumer Reports review 2 months ago of four-door short bed trucks.

The Chevy Avalanche is a clever technological idea, but to me is ugly and way over-priced.

 

[MarkV]

The Chevy Avalanche sure isn't the best looking thing I have seen. On the other side, you get a 8' bed (sort of) and the 2500 4x4 with 4.10 gears has a tow rate of 12k lbs. With a price near 40k though, I think I would go with a truck.

MarkV