Part of my student job involves delivering mail and confidential documents around campus and to some off campus locations. We usually use a Ford Windstar, but due to rust issues it was recently taken off the road. We've been borrowing vehicles from another department for the time being.
Today I drove a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport-Trac 4x4 with the 4.0 SOHC V6. I have to say I was very impressed with it. Here are some pics I snapped of it:
Even though this vehicle is 12 years old, due to its low usage it only has a little over 28,000 miles!
I will admit that this vehicle is a little odd looking with the tiny pickup bed, but it drove wonderfully. I can see why Explorers were so popular back around 2000. The truck was high off the ground with great visibility. It had a smooth ride. Firm, but comfortable and controlled. I've been in a few much newer trucks and they seem to ride much stiffer in comparison. The 3/4 tons ride like a school bus. The steering was nice and tight, the engine was quiet and had good power. It certainly was no race car, but it had plenty of low end grunt and was nice to drive. I could barely feel the transmission shift, and the throttle was responsive. I believe these have a cable driven throttle.
The cab was also very quiet inside, even with its aggressive A/T tires. The interior didn't seem cheap and plastic-like, and the doors had a nice heavy feeling when they closed.
I only drove it for about 2 hours both around campus and off campus on 50 mph roads, so I can't comment on fuel economy. It has the same drivetrain as my friend's 2001 Ranger, which he sold with 200k in great running condition.
I don't see many of these Sport-Tracs around, but I must say I was impressed with it. I've been in/driven a lot of newer cars, and I must say it was refreshing to drive an older vehicle that was in "like new" condition.
Just wanted to share my experience with what seems like a rare find. I almost never see 10-12 year old vehicles with such low mileage.
Today I drove a 2001 Ford Explorer Sport-Trac 4x4 with the 4.0 SOHC V6. I have to say I was very impressed with it. Here are some pics I snapped of it:
Even though this vehicle is 12 years old, due to its low usage it only has a little over 28,000 miles!
I will admit that this vehicle is a little odd looking with the tiny pickup bed, but it drove wonderfully. I can see why Explorers were so popular back around 2000. The truck was high off the ground with great visibility. It had a smooth ride. Firm, but comfortable and controlled. I've been in a few much newer trucks and they seem to ride much stiffer in comparison. The 3/4 tons ride like a school bus. The steering was nice and tight, the engine was quiet and had good power. It certainly was no race car, but it had plenty of low end grunt and was nice to drive. I could barely feel the transmission shift, and the throttle was responsive. I believe these have a cable driven throttle.
The cab was also very quiet inside, even with its aggressive A/T tires. The interior didn't seem cheap and plastic-like, and the doors had a nice heavy feeling when they closed.
I only drove it for about 2 hours both around campus and off campus on 50 mph roads, so I can't comment on fuel economy. It has the same drivetrain as my friend's 2001 Ranger, which he sold with 200k in great running condition.
I don't see many of these Sport-Tracs around, but I must say I was impressed with it. I've been in/driven a lot of newer cars, and I must say it was refreshing to drive an older vehicle that was in "like new" condition.
Just wanted to share my experience with what seems like a rare find. I almost never see 10-12 year old vehicles with such low mileage.
