Sport Tracking along (and why we are not Frontier-ing or Tacoma-ing): 2 year update
Written: Mar 19 '01 (Updated Sep 25 '02)
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Pros: roomy backseat, easy-clean rubber floor, composite truck bed, great interior and exterior
Cons: not as maneuverable as some of the competition, more expensive
The Bottom Line: I unequivocally recommend the Sport Trac to people who need this type of vehicle! It has innovative and useful features and offers the best passenger comfort.
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| pipet's Full Review: 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac |
Time for something new
My old car just had to go. Since it needed so many repairs, that was all the rationalization we needed to get a new vehicle, especially since we were already longing for something new:)
What to get? What to get?
What would we get? Well, since we've been in our home, we've longed for the hauling capabilities of a truck. My husband and I, though, really aren't classic truck people; it's just that every trip to Home Depot called out for one. We have even had to rent a truck on occasion. You just can't fit that much in a Mazda Protege or Honda Civic trunk! We talked about a truck, but we just wished there was more passenger room. During the life of our next vehicle there is a good possibility that we may have an addition to our family, and we certainly want whatever car/truck we buy now to be able to accommodate that. Additionally, we like having room to tote around visiting family and friends (we are in So Cal so we can always count on visitors). You may be wondering, why weren't we considering a SUV? Well, neither of us really would want to haul around bags of dirt, pine bark, and manure in the back of our nice, expensive SUV. Then, one day last summer, we spotted a 2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab! Cool! The automakers were hearing our call! Perhaps there were some other similar vehicles out there. So, after looking at our finances (we had errors on our credit report) and making sure we were ready to make a big purchase, we got online and started to do some research.
It was Fall 2000, and we found that the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab had competition. In the smaller 4-door truck category, Ford Explorer Sport Trac and Dodge Dakota Quad Cab were already out, and Toyota was about to come out with the Tacoma Double Cab. Additionally, there were full-sized versions available like the Ford F-150 Crew Cab. There were also innovative designs in the works like the Chevy Avalanche. We looked at the specs/prices on each of the cars, and we also looked at the manufacturers repair history for other trucks. The GMC/Chevy truck repair history was at the bottom of the pile, and Dodge was just above them. Ford had an average repair history (using the Explorer as a comparison since the Sport Trac is a modified Explorer), and both Toyota and Nissan were above average. Therefore, we decided to really check out the Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, and Ford Explorer Sport Trac. Although we didn't really feel we had an overwhelming need for a full-sized truck, we also wanted to look at the F-150 SuperCrew. The F-150 is arguably on of Ford's best vehicles out there (with an above average repair history).
Quick Impressions from Test Drives
I've included some information about other vehicles we were considering. Skip those sections if you're not interested, although if you're thinking about spending more than 20K, it may be helpful!
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
The first dealer we happened to go to was a Ford dealer. Right away, my husband and I really liked the appearance of the 2001 Sport Trac. I had read a review that criticized the design, but my husband and I thought it looked really sharp. One unique feature of the Sport Trac is that the bed is made of a new, super tough, composite material eliminating the need to buy a bed liner, and the bed also has tie-down handles along the side so you can secure items easily. Additionally, the 50" long x 19.7" deep bed can be extended if you purchase the cargo cage option; you can lower the tailgate and gain 22.6 inches (for a total of 72.6"). The bed also has a 12V powerpoint.
The interior feels like a mid-priced car interior with a sporty dash (the bright white background and titanium accents give it a glow in the dark look), and it is nice and roomy with a reasonably sized backseat. The backseat also has headrests for its occupants. I think this is an important safety feature (in a wreck without a headrest your head will hit the back window). An average-sized adult should find it very comfortable. A new feature that the Sport Trac has is a power back window. That's much more convenient than having to reach back to open the window - especially since you'd have to have really long arms since the backseat is fairly roomy. Additionally, the Sport Trac features a rubber floor with removable carpeted mats. What a nice & useful feature! We live close to the beach so you can imagine how this would simplify sand clean up!
During the test drive, we found that the 4.0L V6 (205 hp; 240@3000 rpm torque) had good take-off/acceleration; however, it is not a sports car and therefore does not behave like one. The ride/suspension felt better than we had expected - it felt car-like to us. Driving it was actually fun - even though it's much bigger than anything else we have owned and the turning diameter isn't that great (43.1"). Overall, we were very impressed with the Sport Trac and we wanted to take one home (the sales rep would have loved that)! However, we are not very impetuous when it comes to large money decisions, so even though we felt we had looked at exactly what we wanted, we wanted to check out the competition.
2001 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab
Next, we checked out the Frontier Crew Cab. The dealer had both 2000 and 2001 models available, although we only gave the 2001 model a test drive. The 2001 model has a tough, riveted look, and the 2000 model has a more "classic" truck look. We liked the looks of the Sport Trac a little better than either model, but not enough to choose the Sport Trac over the Nissan. The Frontier's bed is 56.3" and 17.1" deep, so it's of reasonable dimensions.
Then, we checked out the interior. It has a much less luxurious feel that the Sport Trac - this really isn't surprising because the Sport Trac is modeled from the Explorer (a SUV), while the Frontier Crew Cab is, well, a Frontier (a truck)! We were willing to possibly overlook luxury for functionality, but the backseat was lacking in both. I would not feel comfortable sitting in it for any length of time - and I'm an average-sized female. I would feel bad having any adult sit there (there's no way I could ask my mom to sit back there!). The backseat doesn't have enough of an angle to be comfortable for your back, and there is not enough legroom. I even wondered if our 2-door Honda Civic might have more legroom (I didn't measure but that is the impression it gave me)! Ouch!
We then drove it, and the 3.3L V6 engine had poor pick-up/acceleration--wimpy, wimpy, wimpy. On the bright side, the ride was nice and it handled well. It can take sharper turns than the Sport Trac (it has a 38.7" turning diameter). Unfortunately, the dealer did not have a super-charged engine (available only on the 2001 model) for us to test drive. Although the Nissan is a less expensive truck, we clearly would end up wanting a Frontier with super-charged engine, which does reduce (although definitely not eliminate) the savings over the Sport Trac. The lack of a comfortable backseat left us longing for the Sport Trac.
2001 Toyota Tacome PreRunner Double Cab
We had to wait a couple of weeks to test drive the 2001 Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab because they were not available yet, but finally we were able to have a look. The Tacoma is a handsome truck, and we liked the overall looks just as well as the Sport Trac. We then looked at the bed, and even to my husband and I (truck novices that we are), the bed, although 61.5" long, was noticeably shallow (15.9") compared to the Sport Trac and the Frontier, and we wondered how that would affect hauling (it certainly seems like you would have to spend more time securing items so they don't tip over and out of the bed).
The interior of the Toyota was very nice, and reminded us of a typical Japanese car interior, but the Sport Trac had a sportier and more luxurious feeling. The backseat was roomy enough for an adult and it was comfortable; however, it did not have headrests (I don't understand why this simple safety feature was missing).
The sales rep made sure to show off the Toyota 3.4 L V6 DOHC engine (there also is a cheaper 4 cylinder option, but we weren't considering that as an option), and we definitely considered the engine the top feature of the Tacoma. During the test drive we found that the engine had good acceleration, but out of the 3 vehicles tested so far, this seemed the most truck-like in ride to us (which was opposite of the reviews we read - maybe we're just weird). It was a little easier to maneuver than the Sport Trac as it has a 40" turning diameter.
2001 Ford F-150 SuperCrew
We made another trip back to the Ford dealer, and this time our goal was to check out the F-150 (as well as get in a few more glances of the Sport Trac - which we were still in love with). The 2001 F-150 SuperCrew is big, imposing, and impressive in appearance. The interior is no different. It had the roomiest backseat of anything we had looked at, and the feel of the interior was more like a luxury car than a truck. Some of the options available reinforce this - you can get the rear entertainment system that allows your backseat occupants to watch VHS movies!
The 4.6L V8 engine offers good acceleration for such a large truck (there is also a V6 option), but the F-150 SuperCrew definitely drove like a truck. It was not that ride was bad - it just had an occasional bounce to it that said, "you're in a big, bad, truck now." Additionally, it is very long and has a larger turning diameter so maneuverability is reduced compared to all the smaller trucks.
The F-150 SuperCrew is impressive, and for many, it may be the King of non-commercial 4-door trucks. If you're a truck person, I would definitely recommend checking out the F-150! However, it just was a bit overwhelming for us. Additionally, a F-150 will not fit in our small garage, and since many parking lots around our area of town have illegally small parking spaces, parking would be a challenge.
Deciding on the Sport Trac
Although we didn't get a chance to drive one, we fully expected to be more satisfied with a Nissan super-charged engine. However, we didn't even bother to look at one since it would not change the uncomfortable back seats. The Nissan's biggest advantage over the Toyota and the Sport Trac was pricing, so the Nissan may be a more economical option for those who would rarely have adults in the back seat. It just didn't fit our needs.
So we were down to 2 choices: the Tacoma Double Cab and the Sport Trac. The Toyota Tacoma has a better reputation for reliability than the Ford Explorer, and it also has a DOHC engine. On the other hand, we really liked many of the unique features of the Sport Trac. Although the base price of the Toyota was less expensive, many features that we really wanted (and would end up getting) were standard on the Sport Trac such as anti-lock brakes, air-conditioning, and power locks and windows. Although this was a minor issue in the deciding process, we were also considering a moonroof on the Sport Trac, and that wasn't an option available at all on the Toyota. We really liked the sporty, SUV-like interior and the overall feel of the Sport Trac. In the end, we felt that the Sport Trac perfectly fit our needs and lifestyle, even if it was a little more expensive than the Tacoma.
Options we selected
Convenience Group
Comfort Group
Premium Sport Group
Tonneau Cover
Power Moonroof
Cargo Cage
Thoughts on the Sport Trac options
The cargo cage is a wonderful option; don't get a Sport Trac without it! With it you get a 6 ft bed! In addition to extending the bed length, the cargo cage offers an advantage in hauling smaller items because it helps keep items contained in a small area of the bed. We also purchased the removable, hard, lockable tonneau cover. When you aren't hauling large items, this basically turns the bed into a large trunk (and improves aerodynamics). It's also an option we love. Just make sure that if you do want one, you Sport Trac comes equipped with it because it is very expensive aftermarket.
The Convenience Group added such features as cruise control, tilt steering, and remote entry with keypad, and the Comfort Group added a power-adjustable driver's seat, a larger console with rear climate and audio controls, and an overhead console with compass and temperature displays. I think the comfort group was a requirement to get the moonroof, but the larger console gives the Sport Trac a more luxury feel. Without this option, you get a sporty console with a removable bag that could be useful. The Sport Group adds fog lamps (without the Sport Group you are left with holes where the fog lamps go - I think it looks better without these holes), side step bars (useful as long as you don't have large feet), and front tow hooks.
We did end up getting the moonroof, and we don't have any problems with leakage (although some leakage problems have been reported). I should mention that the moonroof is awkward to close. The closed position for the moonroof is in between the open sunroof position and the open moonroof position, so you really have to look at it to make sure that it hasn't started moving from the closed position into an open position when you are trying to close it (if it stopped for just a second on the closed position before opening it would eliminate this). The moonroof is such fun to have, especially here in sunny SoCal, that this is easy to overlook.
An available option we didn't select is the Leather Comfort Group. It adds leather seats and manual lumbar support to the driver's seat in addition to the items added by the Cloth Comfort Group. Although the manual lumbar support might be nice, leather seats just aren't very important to us.
Of course, the Sport Trac comes in 4x2 and 4x4 options. Early on, manual transmissions were not available, but now you can choose between manual and automatic. Many options are only available if you choose an automatic transmission, however.
2001 issues: Job 1 vs. Job 2
The first batch of Sport Tracs (Job 1) experienced some common problems such as vibration in the steering, defective fuel pump, defective fuel door, and moonroof leaks. There are several service bulletins about these and other minor but annoying issues.
Ford fixed most, if not all, of these issues for Job 2 Sport Tracs. I am not exactly sure when Job 2 production began (I think around July-August 2000), but I am sure it would be rare to find a Job 1 on a dealer's lot now. Our Sport Trac is Job 2. If you see low consumer ratings of the Sport Trac, you will almost always find that the complaints are about known Job 1 issues.
Recalls
Unfortunately, there has already been a recall on the 2001 Sport Trac. It is possible for the hood to latch to sustain a fracture and release the hood while the Sport Trac is being driven. To fix this you must make an appt with your service dept.
Update 6/19/01
Ford has voluntarily decided to replace all Firestone Wilderness AT tires. According to Ford, they are concerned about the long-term performance of the tires. All Sport Tracs pretty much came with the Wilderness AT tires except for those who negotiated with their dealers to switch them. You can get free replacement tires from your dealer (there may be a wait to set up an appt because Ford wants to replace all older tires first), or you can go ahead and buy replacement tires and Ford will reimburse $110-130 per tire (depending on tire size).
Still lovin' it for almost 2 years!
So, how do we feel about our decision after almost 2 years of ownership? Wonderful! We really love our Sport Trac. It has fit our needs and lived up to our expectations. Snowboard/ski trips have been wonderful; there's plenty of room for people and gear, and we can just remove the mats so we don't have to worry about dirtying up our truck. It has continued to handle well on the road, and both my husband and I love to drive it. We don't have any annoying squeaks. There is a little wind noise at high speeds, but we're either listening to the radio or the MP3 player (we replaced the factory radio with the Aiwa CDC-MP3 player) so it doesn't really bother us. We didn't expect this to have the low road noise of a Lexus or Mercedes, anyway. The only real complaint that either my husband or I have is that the "titanium" handles on the doors scratch easily. We find that to be a minor flaw that we can live with. I suppose another downside is the gas mileage. We have a 2WD, and it is rated 16-20, but our actual gas mileage is closer to 16 mpg than 20 mpg (the 4WD version is rated 15-19 mpg). It's hard to be overly critical of this since the competition doesn't do any better: the supercharged Nissan is rated 15-18 mpg and the V6 Toyota is rated 17-20 mpg. Unfortunately, until better technology comes to market for trucks, poor gas mileage is standard.
Both my husband and I heartily recommend the Sport Trac to anyone who may have cargo that is too dirty for the inside of a SUV, but wants passenger comfort without getting the larger F-150 SuperCrew. It's a great vehicle, and we love it.
Sport Trac Community
One of the coolest aspects to owning a Sport Trac is the sense of community with other Sport Trac owners. Whenever we spot another Sport Trac on the road, they are usually waving back at us! Sport Trac owners are always smiling at each other! Additionally, there is a website, http://www.mysporttrac.com, where members and non-members alike can discuss maintenance, specifications, aftermarket accessories, etc. If you are considering a Sport Trac it is a great place to get information. There is a message board that you can post to whether you are a member or not, and usually, another Sport Trac owner will have an answer for you.
Maintenance & Repairs
Other than the recall, we've had to have 1 repair other than maintenance oil changes. The oil pressure gauge would rapidly move up & down on occasion. I checked out the www.mysporttrac.com website, and I found that this was a common problem. The oil pressure sending unit needed to be replaced. This was an easy fix, and we had our Sport Trac back in no time from our local dealership.
Related links:
My epinion on how we managed to get a super deal on our Sport Trac:
http://www.epinions.com/auto-review-7212-461B1D8C-3A4D862C-prod3
My husband's epinion on our Aiwa CDC-MP3:
http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-29A-218F13B9-3A2F12A1-prod2
Ford Explorer Sport Trac Page:
http://www.fordvehicles.com/suvs/explorersporttrac/
Get the complete specs there.
Toyota Tacoma Page:
http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/tacoma/index.html
Nissan Frontier Page:
http://www.nissandriven.com/frontier2001/
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 24K + tax
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: Automatic 2WD
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Epinions.com ID:
pipet
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Location: San Diego, CA
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 35 members
About Me:
A baby, school, and a new house; lots to write about but no time.
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