429CJ-3X2
Elite Explorer
- Joined
- November 6, 2009
- Messages
- 1,753
- Reaction score
- 498
- City, State
- Des Moines, Iowa
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- '01,'02, '04 Sport Tracs,
I have a renewed appreciation for my ’02 Sport Trac, not that I needed it. I bought it 14 months ago with 63,850 miles. It now has 73,300. All I’ve done to it is add a trailer hitch, replace the semi-functioning aftermarket radio with a factory unit, replace the front rotors and pads, battery, and change the oil. Other than a light film of dust, the engine compartment is as clean, leak-free, and seepage-free as the day it left the factory. The underside is just as clean. It runs and drives like a new one. 15 mpg on short local trips, even in winter, 19 mpg on highway trips.
I’ve become semi-obsessed with replacing the 94 Explorer that was my daily driver before I bought the ST. We’ve kept the Ex as a spare vehicle and so my wife has 4x4 in the winter. It has numerous issues -the worst being, the trans leaks like a screen door and it gets 10-12 mpg around town in the winter.
Yesterday I went to look at another ST to replace the Ex. ’01 Job 2, 4x4, 154,000 miles. Seller bought it from a friend/co-worker a couple of months ago to help the friend out. Seller is not a car guy at all. The ST only gets 15 mpg, and he has a 60 round trip to work. He has a car that gets 35 mpg, so the Trac needs to go.
The engine runs quiet like it should. No excessive oil/grease, or signs of leaks/seeps, on the engine. Ran smooth, but could probably benefit from plugs, wires, filters. Most obvious mechanical needs are brakes and an alignment, both needed ASAP. Seller said previous owner put some new parts in the front end, but obviously didn’t get it aligned. Different shocks could be in order. Tires are Destination A/Ts with about ½ tread – just about what I want to run for the way it would get used. But my goodness, night and day difference in the way it feels compared to mine!!
Cosmetically, it’s a disaster. Seller hit a deer at 35 mph with the right front corner and cracked the front bumper cover, so that needs repaired or replaced. Both headlights and corner lights are cracked/broken. That stuff is not a huge deal. But the hood looks like it was repainted with a roller, as does the raised portion above the rear driver’s side wheelwell. The right front fender has a lot of body putty. The rear bumper cover is cracked and needs replaced. The bumper looks to be ok. Tailgate is a mess – rough putty job covered with more “roller paint”. Interior needs a lot of attention – mostly a lot of little things. I already have a nicer full length console I could swap in it. Local pick n pull has lots of 4 dr Explorers, but no STs. The lone ‘03 Sport they have has an earlier front clip on it, so parts would likely have to be new.
I should walk away, but it’s pretty well-optioned, and mine has zero options unless you count 4x4 and a/c. This one has 4.10 limited slip, moonroof, deluxe floor console, overhead console, power driver’s seat (cloth), Sport Trac carpet floor mats, Ford bug deflector, tilt wheel, and keyless entry – but no cruise control! The previous owner has the bed cover, which I said has to be part of the deal. Seller texted me after I got home to say it’s just a matter of picking it up. PO lives 15 minutes from me. Seller is about an hour away.
Seller is more motivated than I am. He was asking $4000, but called me when I was ½ way home to say he’d take $3350, recognizing the deer damage makes it worth less than he paid for it. He texted me 2 or 3 times last night and once so far today to see if I’m interested. I’d have $5000 to $6000 in it by the time I got everything fixed (without surprises) – which is about what it would be worth around here. I can turn a wrench, but the paint and body work, particularly the paint, is beyond me. I could find an Explorer that would serve our needs for half that, and the wife would probably be happier with an Ex. I’d go for another Sport Trac, and a project seems interesting (today).
I’ve become semi-obsessed with replacing the 94 Explorer that was my daily driver before I bought the ST. We’ve kept the Ex as a spare vehicle and so my wife has 4x4 in the winter. It has numerous issues -the worst being, the trans leaks like a screen door and it gets 10-12 mpg around town in the winter.
Yesterday I went to look at another ST to replace the Ex. ’01 Job 2, 4x4, 154,000 miles. Seller bought it from a friend/co-worker a couple of months ago to help the friend out. Seller is not a car guy at all. The ST only gets 15 mpg, and he has a 60 round trip to work. He has a car that gets 35 mpg, so the Trac needs to go.
The engine runs quiet like it should. No excessive oil/grease, or signs of leaks/seeps, on the engine. Ran smooth, but could probably benefit from plugs, wires, filters. Most obvious mechanical needs are brakes and an alignment, both needed ASAP. Seller said previous owner put some new parts in the front end, but obviously didn’t get it aligned. Different shocks could be in order. Tires are Destination A/Ts with about ½ tread – just about what I want to run for the way it would get used. But my goodness, night and day difference in the way it feels compared to mine!!
Cosmetically, it’s a disaster. Seller hit a deer at 35 mph with the right front corner and cracked the front bumper cover, so that needs repaired or replaced. Both headlights and corner lights are cracked/broken. That stuff is not a huge deal. But the hood looks like it was repainted with a roller, as does the raised portion above the rear driver’s side wheelwell. The right front fender has a lot of body putty. The rear bumper cover is cracked and needs replaced. The bumper looks to be ok. Tailgate is a mess – rough putty job covered with more “roller paint”. Interior needs a lot of attention – mostly a lot of little things. I already have a nicer full length console I could swap in it. Local pick n pull has lots of 4 dr Explorers, but no STs. The lone ‘03 Sport they have has an earlier front clip on it, so parts would likely have to be new.
I should walk away, but it’s pretty well-optioned, and mine has zero options unless you count 4x4 and a/c. This one has 4.10 limited slip, moonroof, deluxe floor console, overhead console, power driver’s seat (cloth), Sport Trac carpet floor mats, Ford bug deflector, tilt wheel, and keyless entry – but no cruise control! The previous owner has the bed cover, which I said has to be part of the deal. Seller texted me after I got home to say it’s just a matter of picking it up. PO lives 15 minutes from me. Seller is about an hour away.
Seller is more motivated than I am. He was asking $4000, but called me when I was ½ way home to say he’d take $3350, recognizing the deer damage makes it worth less than he paid for it. He texted me 2 or 3 times last night and once so far today to see if I’m interested. I’d have $5000 to $6000 in it by the time I got everything fixed (without surprises) – which is about what it would be worth around here. I can turn a wrench, but the paint and body work, particularly the paint, is beyond me. I could find an Explorer that would serve our needs for half that, and the wife would probably be happier with an Ex. I’d go for another Sport Trac, and a project seems interesting (today).
