Hybrids are Welcome
Written: Sep 09 '00
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Pros: Tons of room in cab. Whisper-quiet ride. Great features. Turns plenty of heads.
Cons: Expensive car. Expensive accessories. Unproven (though not doubted) reliability.
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| garrett791's Full Review: 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac |
To start off, I'd like to state that I'm the proud owner of a brand-new Sport Trac. I spent a long time researching the available cars, and this turned out to be the right one for me. I found that almost all my initial concerns were incorrect, and a couple innovative features took me by surprise.
EXTERIOR: 9.5
This is one of the biggest head-turners I've ever seen. And it isn't just the strange hybrid that causes it. This car has character. It has the aggressive front-end style that Ford is putting on the 2002 Explorer. It's got a sturdy, rugged roof rack. It has exterior tie-down hooks running the length of the bed. Even the tailgate is different from anything else, with the Ford logo embossed proudly in the center. Prepare for plenty of questions from onlookers in parking lots and at intersections. :)
INTERIOR: 10
The interior is the part I love. When people get in this car, they expect a simple, trucklike look. While the Sport Trac has rubber floors and water-resistant seats, it's no truck. A great CD stereo system, white-faced speedometer, comfortable bucket seats, power rear window, and more leg room than a regular Explorer. If the stereo is on too loud when you turn it off, it automatically sets it to a reasonable volume when you start the car up again. Keyless entry, remote entry, illuminated entry... the list goes on. The plastic texture on the dash isn't great, but other than that it's a beauty. Since there's no huge empty cargo area in the back, the air conditioner and stereo work very well. The only feature I don't like on my Sport Trac is the rear floor console. It allows people in the back to choose what music to listen to. The problem is that there's no way for the driver to override it.
ENGINE: 7
The Sport Trac engine can tow up to 5000 lbs. However, it suffers from very poor acceleration. If you want this car to move, you have to hit the pedal to the floor. This will come as a shock even to those who frequently drive other SUVs.
RIDE: 9
Very quiet, comfortable ride. The engine is almost silent, and road noise is kept to an absolute minimum at most speeds. Ford did a great job in stiffening the Explorer frame. It makes the ride very enjoyable, and a far cry from other trucks you might encounter.
HANDLING: 10
Incredible handling. Very tight turning, with wheels planted at all speeds I tested. Emergency maneuvers are able to be completed with no problem. For instance, an idiot car pulled out of a parking lot right in front me, and I was able to swerve and avoid it easily.
RELIABILITY: N/A
Ford claims that no maintenance will be required, but I'm not absolutely sure. Unfortunately, the car is too new for me to give an accurate review. However, I will say that Ford has done a good job by marking the engine spots you would most likely need to access with bright yellow paint. They also have a roadside assistance warranty for any unexpected problems you might encounter.
VALUE: 8
Very cool car in almost every respect. Unfortunately, it is also very pricey. My model ran $27000 and I didn't bother with leather, 6cd changer, tonneau cover, or many of the other available features. However, I am very pleased with it so far and would definitely recommend it.
Initial concerns: Not enough space for groceries or other common items, Poor acceleration, Simple interior, Cramped seats, Huge size, Bad ride.
New realizations: Plenty of room when seats are down; Poor acceleration :( ;Wonderful gadget-filled interior; Comfortable seats; A little bit long, but not too wide; Carlike ride.
CONCLUSION
If you don't need to use an enclosed cargo area every day and occasionally carry something dirty or wet, this is definitely the car for you. It's great for scuba diving, and I'm sure many other sports would benefit from it as well. The back is sturdy but light, the cabin is rugged but elegant... this is truly a hybrid.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 27000
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: Convenience, Cloth Comfort, and Sport groups, Cargo Cage
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Epinions.com ID:
garrett791
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Location: South Carolina, USA
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Garrett is a web developer from South Carolina. He loves computers and technology.
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