Thinking about buying a used Sport track

[John Padgett]

My wifes 96 Explorer is getting tired at 185,000 miles and we are thinking of getting a Sport track or Mercury Mariner to replace it. What is your favorite year and why ? We are looking at 2002 up to 2007 models with no more than 75,ooo miles and have a cash budget of around $10,000 and want a 2 wd . What do you think we can find in that range ,any thing we should be aware of certain years ? Also what kind of gas mileage should we expect to get with a v6 engine ?By the way Im new here so if Im posting in the wrong spot flame away ,Im still trying to figure out how to navigate this site.

 

[Jerry Gerner 2]

Depends on what you plan on doing with it, lifting offroading = 1st Gen '01-05. Car like manors and always on road = 2nd Gen '06-10. Here's pictures of mine stock and lifted.

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[John Padgett]

This will be a daily driver for my wife and will be left stock .I drive a beater 72 chevy truck daily that Im happy with.She needs something with more comfort and very dependable and will be street driven only .We have a few Classic cars we drive on nice weekends but are clueless when it comes to the Sport Tracks .We both like them as far as looks and what we have read about them but dont know anyone who personally owns one.

 

[Carlos Chio]

And now you do.....Welcome to the site! You've already met Jerry. This site is extremely informative and I am sure you will find your answer by simply searching previous posts and by the personal accounts soon to post. Whatever generationof Trac you decide on I guarantee you will not be displeased. Good luck:supercool:

 

[Kevin Lang]

2003 or higher if in the first generation.



While I love my 2002 ST, there are some features implemented in 2003+ that would be nice to have.



Rear disc brakes

A-Pillar handles, both sides.

Bigger map pockets in the front doors.

Large cup-holder in the doors. (W/O this, all you have are 4 cupholders, and the 2 rear ones aren't worth 2 dead flies)



Throw on some good shocks, and you have a great all-purpose truck. Mine's been everywhere. I don't know much at all about 2007-2010.



--A proud 2002 ST owner :banana:

 

[Robert Caffyn]

:welcome: to our group. You'll find this to be a very mature, well mannered website. I think you should figure out how much you can spend, then look at whats available. Jerry(above) is right, the early model was more "truck-like" and the current one is wholly based on the Ford Explorer. I own a 2nd generation model(2008) and am very pleased with it(no major problems). My wife can easily drive it, knows how to work the 4WD system in bad weather. She would rather drive this during the winter and leave the Mustang for the summertime. I would definately buy another if it were still being made. You might want to consider a 4WD model down there as your winters have been a little rough in the past couple years! Keep us posted on what you do, we're here to help. Bob

 

[John Padgett]

My budget is $10,000 cash but I want the lowest mileage vehicle I can find for that .I prefer a 2 wd as it will only be driven on the street and during snow/ice we stay home . Im looking at several different ones but am in no hurry to buy ,just looking at whats out there until I find the one.

 

[WILL E]

I just bought a used one as well but I went the other route and found a loaded one. (V8,4x4,leather, nav)



For your price range look for a xlt. You already have the v6 and 2wd figured out.



I went for the gen 2 model because they were available with the v8 and I wanted the towing capacity the v8 provides.



The gen 2 also has independent rear suspension which is a plus for on road manners but debatable for off road (but you are not going off road with it)



Lots of people seemed to hate the door handle/pull situation on the 2007 model year.



Obviously the older the harder it will be to find low milage but there is a girl at work who has a 2004 (or around that year) with just 41000 miles. Hers isn't for sale but they are out there! If I was you I would hold out for a gen1 model with low miles. You will get the best deal on it and as long as you don't get too concerned about color/options one should come along.

 

[EddieS'04]

With $10k, you will have to look at '01 to '05. First gen body style.



:welcome: to the site. BTW it is Trac not Track...LOL

 

[scott degroot]

Not to offend anyone here but if I were looking for an ST for the wifey to drive around in it would be a GEN II hands down but for 10K you aren't going to find one. WIth that in mind I would pick up a Mariner/Escape but make sure that it has the 3.0 L engine and if you don't need it make sure it's the 2wd model. You are going to get ALOT better mpg and it's easier to manuever around in...JMHO

 

[Steve McKellop]

I agree with L1. My Mom has one ('05 4x4) and my Sis has 2 ('01 & '06 4x2) and they love them. If I could get my wife out of that *^&*$% Mustang there would be an Escape in MY driveway !

 

[John Padgett]

I thought I had found a deal in one today ,was going with cash to look at it tomorrow .It was an 05 loaded ,even had the hard fiberglass cover out back ,power sliding window ,etc .The dealer called me on my way home from work and said it just sold .It had 80,000 miles and we were at $10,200 drive out. Still looking for now ,one will turn up eventually . The only reason Im trying to stay away from the Mariner or Escape is we may need to pull my 6x12 utility trailer from time to time and Im not sure just how well they would handle it . My wifes explorer pulls it without a problem so I know the Sport Track would too .Wish me luck in the search ,as I have til October to find it. Thanks for all the replys so far.Any of ya'll have classic cars as well as the sport track? I have several ,mostly Chevelle and El Camino.

 

[H D]

:welcome: to the site. I bought my 2001 4x4 last year with less than 55k miles in mint condition for under $10k. Since time is on your side, if you want a Sport Trac that meets the requirements you posted, don't settle for less. They're out there, but you'll have to search. I spent a couple months finding what I wanted.



Not to run you off, but I agree with the Escape/Mountaineer suggestions. You have a truck already and most likely don't need another four feet of bed space. If your wife likes the driving characteristics of the Explorer and the ride height, consider the Sport Trac. If she would be comfortable sitting a little lower and driving the less predictable front wheel drive, give more consideration to the Escape/Mountaineer. In other words, get her into both vehicles and let her decide which one is more comfortable and makes her feel safer.



For the money, I bet you can find a better equipped, better maintained, and lower mileage Escape than you can a Sport Trac. Escapes are also much more plentiful and will be easier to find. An Escape will most likely be my soon to be wife and I's next vehicle to add to the Sport Trac, Tahoe, and '69 Cougar (I'm working on converting her from a Chevy family).



If you do get a Sport Trac, don't be a stranger.

 

[H D]

Well, the towing does change my recommendation a bit. Sport Trac for that.



And as I mentioned...'69 Mercury Cougar XR7 hardtop with a 351W 4bbl

 

[Steve McKellop]

An Escape will most likely be my soon to be wife and I's next vehicle to add to the Sport Trac, Tahoe, and '69 Cougar (I'm working on converting her from a Chevy family).

LOL, first thing I did when we got married in 1993 was to rid her of that Chevy. Wasn't too difficult though since her ex had left her with a ......................'Vette..........................Chevette :throwup::throwup::bwahaha:



BTW, the rest of the "converting" will be on YOU ! !:grin:

The only reason Im trying to stay away from the Mariner or Escape is we may need to pull my 6x12 utility trailer from time to time and Im not sure just how well they would handle it .

Yeah, if you put much on that 6x12 you will need the Trac.

 

[WILL E]

Hugh, you sure that Cougar has a W? Some came with Clevelands.

 

[H D]

I am 100% sure. Also, my dad's convertible and the donor car we bought both have Windsors. The Clevelands are pretty rare.

 

[TrainTrac]

+1 for the Escape/Mariner suggestion. Back in November, we bought a 2008 Mariner for my wife as a daily driver. She loves it. Perfect size, easy to maneuver, and great in the snow!



How much weight do you plan to pull on the 6x12 trailer? An Escape/Mariner with the 3.0L V6 is rated to tow 3500lbs.

 

[WILL E]

Windsors are good motors, much better aftermarket support. I have a 351C in my 73 mustang convritble. 4v heads, 4 bolt block and tripower setup.

 

[H D]

I have aftermarket support, but you have an easier engine to build up. I get asked all the time, "Windsor or Cleveland?" Sometimes I wish I had a Cleveland, but then I go try to find an odd part that is impossible to find even for mine and I'm glad I have a Windsor. 95% of the parts between the Cougar and Mustang are the same. Its always the ones that are hard to get to and are really expensive that are different.



Mustangs Unlimited has been my saving grace when working on the Cougar. Have you used them?