Is the Explorer Sport on it's way out?

[03ExplorerSPT]

Originally posted by EliteConcept
i am not sure why they would do this, whats going to take its place, the sport trac, which i'm sorry if any of you sport trac owners are reading this, but this hardly qualifies as an explorer in my book its a whole different truck, and IMO, i repeat IMO the sport trac's are not nearly as cool looking as a regular explorer

Actually what took the Sport's place was the Ford Escape. As soon as it came out sales of the Sport plumeted. Nobody wants a 2-door SUV but they would be willing to buy a 2-door car (i.e. VW Golf). So basically you can blame the Escape for the downfall of the Sport.

 

[Muskrat]

doubt it was a true thunderbolt, they are supposed to be a lightening, crammed into a Ranger

 

[Brian97V8]

Well son of a

Just looked in my 04 ford preview guide. There is no Explorer Sport listed. It goes Escape, Explorer, Explorer Sport Trac, Excursion, Expedition, Ranger. It even has a little write up on the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor.

 

[Doug]

The Thunderbolt is fawking cool. Ford basically took everything from a lightning and crammed it into a ranger. entire driveline, suspension, axle everything even some of the interior i beleive. Hell it even has lightning rims on it.

 

[DaHeinah]

Well, other than being midsized, the Sport was the closet thing they had. The Bronco and the Sport are/did go away simply because 2-doors don't sell anywhere near as much as 4-doors. Most SUVs are bought by "family types" and they simply prefer the practicality of having 4 doors.

I know, they're all beginning to the look the same now. There's only so much you can do to a four dour design that makes it stand apart, but you're absolutely right- they're practical!
Odd that you should mention that your dad just bought a 94 Bronco after selling his EB Bronco, that's exactly what my dad is trying to do. He has a lifted '88 Red/tan EB Bronco with 35 tires- absolutely mint. Personally, I think he should keep this one, but the newer rounder designs were nice.

Are you getting old when you envy EVERY vehicle that your parents own?

No. you just have good taste

I can't believe the escape has replaced the sport. Please nobody get me wrong, I like the escape, but the sport had more clearance and looked beefier. The escape just screams "street".
Greg
Greg

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

Originally posted by DaHeinah
I can't believe the escape has replaced the sport. Please nobody get me wrong, I like the escape, but the sport had more clearance and looked beefier. The escape just screams "street".
Greg
Greg

Yep I agree. My mom wanted me to have an Escape but I insisted I didn't want one. Once she rode in the Sport she changed her mind instantly. Even though my Sport is only 2WD, I know that I could take it places off-road that Escape drives with 4WD could only imaging. I think at least if the Escape is going to replace the Sport the 4WD system needs to be a real one with low-range. So I guess after this model year the only "small" SUV you can get with a true 4WD system from Ford is going to be the Explorer 4-door. It sucks but what can you do...?

 

[Soundguy01tx]

WTF, I had no idea about the Ranger Thunderbolt... I shoulda held out and bought that instead of my sport... Geez...

Spoeaking of Ford and new vehicles, there was a news report talking aboiut Ford's 65 in 5 plan... 65 new vehicles planned for production in the next 5 years... Surely SOMETHING worthy of modding will come out of that... Lets keep on hoping...
--Bryan

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

Where have you guys seen this stuff about the Ranger Thunderbolt? I haven't seen an orderguide for it anywhere. But there is an order guide for the 2004 Lightning.

 

[Soundguy01tx]

Its actually not a FoMoCo item... my undersatnding is its like Saleen... made thru a joint venture with an aftermarket company... different level packages and what not... check out Yahoo.com and search for it... you'll find some info... I did, and now that Ive seen it... ugh, im gonna stick with my Explorer Sport...
--Bryan

 

[Robb]

"The Ford Thunderbolt is a custom truck that you can order directly from your Ford dealer as a factory option. This "version" was created by SLP Engineering, the same people that added the performance kick to the Pontiac Firehawk and the Chevrolet Camaro Z28. This customization includes hood scoop, chromed oval exhausts, rear deck lid, interior package and other performance enhancements"

 

[Alec]

That's the one I saw. Wasn't fast and sounded like an Accord with an exhaust kit

 

[Doug]

that's lame. The one i saw was built by ford and was fast as hell.

 

[Muskrat]

What the hell, they got my hopes up in the catalog, well,lets see, I can get a 2wd, stripper ranger, rebuild this 460 I have laying around...

 

[Doug]

Originally posted by Muskrat
What the hell, they got my hopes up in the catalog, well,lets see, I can get a 2wd, stripper ranger, rebuild this 460 I have laying around...

Man you're just dying to put that 460 in something arent you?

 

[Flounder]

If the Sport is going, what will become of the Sport Trac? SInce they share about everything from the driver's door forward (ignoring the difference in size of front doors, of course), is the ST going to the file cabinet, too, or is it due for a resesign?

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

The Sport Trac is staying. Remember that it uses the Ranger frame so that won't be a problem. It isn't having a redesign yet either. When it does, I wonder if Ford is going to give it IRS since they consider it an SUV and all the others have IRS now.

 

[99exEB1]

Originally posted by Doug
that's lame. The one i saw was built by ford and was fast as hell.

Yeah they profiled this car on motortrend, I think. It was a blueish/purple color and it was AWESOME. They were spinning the tires like it was thier job!!! They also said that they would never prodice it... it didn't have enough of a market, and it ran about 13.09 or something like that.

The thunderbolt is nothing too big, the only performance that they add is the exhaust kit. Eveything else is like carbonfiber dash, 'thunderbolt' seats, keyring, and floormats... pure looks

 

[cutlr7]

Originally posted by Robb
"The Ford Thunderbolt is a custom truck that you can order directly from your Ford dealer as a factory option. This "version" was created by SLP Engineering, the same people that added the performance kick to the Pontiac Firehawk and the Chevrolet Camaro Z28. This customization includes hood scoop, chromed oval exhausts, rear deck lid, interior package and other performance enhancements"

This kind of reminds me of the s10 Extreme 4-banger, all show and no go

 

[Robb]

The funny thing is that you can order that SLP package from Ford with the 3.0L.

 

[chadhargis]

Seems like years ago I read an article that SVT had an Explorer based vehicle called "Thunder" or something clever like that. It featured a supercharged V8 and AWD. It was never produced, but I think it would have sold. Probably scrapped to save on Fords CAFE figures. More greenie wiennie BS.