Looking at new Sport Tracs

[MrTeeThyme]

I'm heading out to start looking at new Sport Tracs and was wondering if there is anything in particular I should be weary of or ask for. I currently have an '03 XLT with 150K on it and starting to hear some noises that scare me.

Anyway, what advice can you newer Sport Trac owners give me when shopping for a new one?

Thanks.

 

[GreenMando]

When they offer, and they will. Decline the gap insurance!
They sell the gap for big dollars. Cheaper from your auto insurance co.
Gap insurance covers the difference between worth and whats left of the principle if totaled in a accident.

CostCo has a buyers program that gets you $2000 off their cost, much cheaper than the sticker.

The V8 gets the same mileage as a V6. The V8 can tow up to 7600 pounds where the V6 tows 5000.
All the trucks have 6 speed trannies.
Hard to get a 4x4 with a V8, there was only 4 in the state when I was shopping.
Almost all the Sport tracs have tan interiors, stains a bit easy. I Scotchguarded mine first day home.
With a tonneu cover the truck is registered as a SUV instead of as a truck = cheaper registration in some states.

Not really much in options other than the radio. Mine has the 6 disc player with Sirius. If you get the on board guidance the music info is not available.
Leather upholstery, heated seats and all wheel drive is available in the limited.

 

[AndyInFlorida]

Wrong. The V6 has a 5 speed. The V8 has a 6 speed.
Roughly 2/3 of the trucks have a tan interior (camel), but you can get the black/charcoal/putty, as well.
The nav radio does indeed show the song info.

 

[GreenMando]

I thought the V6 had the 6 speed, looking at the Ford site I am indeed wrong.
I had read here in this forum that the nav radio was limited in use. I'll have to check one out now.

 

[AndyInFlorida]

 

[GreenMando]

Is there a additional charge for the GPS hook up? I like the look of the screen layout. The multi disc only gives artist or title, not at the same time.

 

[AndyInFlorida]

That is the GPS.

 

[MrTeeThyme]

Is there a additional charge for the GPS hook up? I like the look of the screen layout. The multi disc only gives artist or title, not at the same time.

The GPS unit costs $2,195 but I believe the follow on service is free.

 

[GreenMando]

I have a hand held GPS, so I knew about them, just was not sure if Ford had a lock out on them requiring a suscription.

 

[xero2099]

i thought the nav system was dvd based so here shouldnt be a subscription you just have to buy updated discs once in a while from ford

 

[JohnnyO]

I went from a 2005 Trac to a 2008.
Ride and handling is VASTLY better on the '08.
T'was easy to mount my XM and cell phone holder to the short console on my '05. On the '08 there is nowhere to put them so I have a windshield suction cup mount and a cell phone holder that goes in the cupholder and I dislike both of them.
IF you need a Class III hitch then get a Trac with a Class III hitch. A Class II is standard on the Gen 2 but it is not easy or cheap to change them. A Class II is good for 3500 lb. and okay for my jetski but my towing stuff was all Class III and so I had to get new stuff.

 

[psycareyo]

The V6 w/ 5 speed would be my pick if I didn't want the sound of a v8. They have a lot of issues with the 6 speed tran.

Get Gap insurance Period. We charge what the bank tells us to charge. I don't have a single lender that charges over $95 one time fee for gap.

The Nav is DVD based.

Get the class 3 hitch because having it installed after the fact looks fugly mounted under the class 2 and it will cost more after the fact.

Get the Audiophile sound system. It sounds excellent and the value exceeds the cost imo.

The touch screen nav is cool but honestly...I'd save the $$$ and buy a Garmin.

 

[GreenMando]

I bought the gap.
Just much cheaper from Allstate when we bought the wifes truck.

I wish gap ins was available years ago, kind of upsetting to write that check when you total one.

 

[JohnnyO]

My wife's car was very nearly totaled last week, the damage doesn't look that bad (front bumper, grille, hood, rad support, rear bumper, in a chain reaction not her fault) and it's driveable. Downside is that it's a Taurus which you can depreciate with a stopwatch and we still owe more than it's worth. Luckily the damages are less than book retail (but more than book wholesale) and the airbags didn't go off. You especially need gap insurance on a lease but the thing is to make sure you're not paying for gap twice, once on the lease and again on your insurance.

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

do u got pics of ur wifes car that got damaged

 

[JohnnyO]

I'll try to take some and put them up later.

[/OT]