My new toy

[Z-man]

So back in February, I ordered a new vehicle.

Took 'em 16 weeks to build, but it was worth it!

It's a 2007 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 4x4 with the V8. It will serve as my daily driver and tow vehicle for pulling the 944 to the track for DE's.

Some gratuitous shots:




Though it is a truck/SUV, it rides very much like a car -- it has an independant rear suspension. With ~ 7,000 lbs towing capacity, I should have no trouble pulling my steel open trailer and car.

Gas mileage ain't so hot at 14/20 mpg. Oh well, at least I'm doing my best to keep global warming going...

I'll be towing this weekend to a local autocross, and then next week, it's off to Mid-Ohio for the first real trip!

Whatcha think?
-Z-man.

[Tim Hancock]

"Whatcha think?"

I better not answer, as the word TOYOTA keeps flashing inside my brain. Congrats anyhow.

[Nostril Cheese]

Nice Exploder!

What interior options did you get?

[kaisen]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
"Whatcha think?"

I better not answer, as the word TOYOTA keeps flashing inside my brain. Congrats anyhow.

Hmmm.. Which Toyota has IRS, a pickup box, a 7000 lb tow capacity, and gets 20mpg EPA freeway?

Tell us when you come up with the answer.

[NICKG]

what ford has that? jk...

[carnutzzz]

Very nice. Good color too!

That is pretty much the perfect SUV for various duties.

Would look extra-dope with some dark-grey 18" rims and a polished lip!

[thrown_hammer]

Nice “fake” off-road pics.

I am sure it will pull a trailer on pavement just fine, which is why you bought it. I like the color.

[Z-man]

Originally posted by Tim Hancock
"Whatcha think?"

I better not answer, as the word TOYOTA keeps flashing inside my brain. Congrats anyhow.

Hmm - you mean as in Toyota Tundra? Like the ones that are having Camshaft failures?!?

Originally posted by Nostril Cheese
Nice Exploder!

What interior options did you get?

Interior options include leather heated seats, power adjustable pedals (for Mrs. Z-man), CD/MP3 player with AUX input for iPod and like devices. Dash has black on white guages, which glow green when the lights are on.
Here's a pic of the interior - it's dark charcoal / light grey two-tone theme:

I also got the cargo cover and the cargo bed extender cage thingy, and of course, the Class III trailer hitch.

Originally posted by thrown_hammer
Nice “fake” off-road pics.

I am sure it will pull a trailer on pavement just fine, which is why you bought it. I like the color.

I just happend across a parking lot to some hiking trails that was the perfect rugged background for a photo-op!

That said, I may have to take this puppy on some roads less travelled to see what all this off-roadin' is all about!

-Z-man.

[berettafan]

Originally posted by Z-man

That said, I may have to take this puppy on some roads less travelled to see what all this off-roadin' is all about!

-Z-man.

Nice color. a 4 door pickemup is such a useful vehicle!

Oh, and if you do spend some time off road i would advise you to keep remarks about Toyotas to a minimum as you will most likely need the assistance of one before long.

[kaisen]

Originally posted by berettafan
Oh, and if you do spend some time off road i would advise you to keep remarks about Toyotas to a minimum as you will most likely need the assistance of one before long.

I'm confused. Please explain

[Z-man]

Originally posted by berettafan
Nice color. a 4 door pickemup is such a useful vehicle!

Oh, and if you do spend some time off road i would advise you to keep remarks about Toyotas to a minimum as you will most likely need the assistance of one before long.

I joke, I joke!

Except for the current camshaft failures, the Toyota Tundra is a formidable vehicle -- but it is just too big for my needs...

I've had two Toyotas (MR2 and a Corolla), and my parents drive a Toyota (Camry) as does my bro-in-law (Another MR2) my sister (A Corolla) and my niece (another Camry). So I am familiar with their quality and reliability. But I am not a big fan of their "ho-hum" styling (MR2 excluded, of course)....

-Z

[Porsche_monkey]

They call that 'the thinking mans truck'. For people who like to think they have a truck.

[berettafan]

Originally posted by kaisen
I'm confused. Please explain

Toys are supremely capable trucks and have given up very little of their off-roadability over the years in order to satisfy soccer moms who want a cadillac ride and so forth. take an explorer off road very often and you'll likely end up finding out where your tow strap pickup points are.

Z no need to apologize for linking a Toyota weakness! as i said in that thread Toyota is not above such problems. not a fan of those new tundras myself anyways. they look like tyronne got hired away from Nissan as chief tacky body panel designer.

And your new ride IS a nice looking truck! sorta

[HardDrive]

Awesome truck Z-man. I have looked at those myself. Looks great, and huge utility factor.

[berettafan]

People often poo-poo the shorter bed but the fact is you can throw a greasy motor or filthy law mower or bags of toxic fertilizers in the back of that thing and never worry about your interior getting crapped up. i currently have 4 bags of lime and 1 bag of fertilizer in the bed of my 4 door pickup and i'm glad i'm not breathing the dust from those things while i'm driving.

[911boost]

I drove a new Explorer as a rental vehicle last week (needed something a little bigger), and it wasn't bad. My only complaint is the odd shape of the side view mirrors. I just couldn't get used to them.

I have a friend with one that has the V-8 and it does just fine for towing his boat etc.

If it were me though, I'd have to buy a 4 door Silverado, or F250 with either the Duramax or Powerstroke. My camper is pretty dang heavy and just about maxes out the Tahoe, so a desiel would be better. Of course the Tahoe is all mine free and clear, so its not going anywhere for a while.

Z-man, what is the Ford name for that color? I bet its something goofy.

Bill

[dd74]

Jeez - what a wicked crowd. Sport Trac are pretty cool, serve a lot of purpose, and seem to last well.

Z-man - is yours a V8? Last I saw, they only offered a six.

[legion]

7000 lbs. towing capacity out of the Ranger/Explorer frame!?

I just bought a Silverado 1500 with the 5.3 and it has a 7800 lb. towing capacity...and I thought that was pretty good for a full-size.

[Z-man]

Originally posted by dd74
Jeez - what a wicked crowd. Sport Trac are pretty cool, serve a lot of purpose, and seem to last well.

Z-man - is yours a V8? Last I saw, they only offered a six.

Yep - it's the 4.6literV8 - same one used in the Mustangs. This is the first with the upgraded powerplant. With the V6, the max tow capacity is only ~5000lbs, so it is worth it for me to get the V8 with the extra buffer.

BSiple - the official name of the color is simply: "Dark Cherry Clearcoat," which is surprising, given Ford's tendancy to give out funky names...

-Z

[kaisen]

Well, I like it Z. Do you no longer get the DCX employee discount now that MBZ is going to be free of Chysler? Or did you just prefer the Ford?