I can remain quiet no longer. I bought an Explorer Sport Trac last summer
to tow my Saab to New York for that photo shoot and a car show. We could've
used more power going over the mountains in TN. But when I say more power,
let me advise you all things are relative. This was the only point we
dropped below 65! It motored along at 80 with the Saab on a full trailer
for the 2000 mile (roughly) round trip except when we hit those "not Rocky
Mountain-sized" mountains. I don't think I'd like to have something this
small towing up the mountains in the West. I-40 into ABQ and Flagstaff and
outside of Kingman would've killed the little 205hp, 275ft lb V6. Fully
loaded, leather, 6 disc in-dash CD, 16"alloys, 4WD, hard tonneau cover,
rollout-cage, running boards (step, I call 'em), 6 way power seats, leather
wrapped wheel, four speed Auto, all power windows, Rear heat and A/C, Rear
audio controls - just under $30k. And that was the price before the car
industry was dealt this latest blow by the economy and when this 2001 model
was less than one month old.
Unlike Phil, however..... I hate it! A vehicle is only as good as the
dealer who supports it. My dealer sucks!!!!! My advice to every new car
buyer is to talk to people who have had their car serviced by the dealer
you'll be using. I should've followed my own advice. The Sport Trac is the
roomiest of the four-door small bed trucks, which was the reason for my
decision. But the dealer and Ford have turned me off from ever buying
another Ford vehicle. (Did I mention that my wife works for GM and the
company I work for is owned by GM?) Ooops! The GM truck just wasn't
attractive. But there IS something about the new Avalanche! Unfortunately
it's based on the Suburban platform so you're back in the full-sized
category again.
James
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ronnie Day" <ronday@home.com>
To: <Fred_Katz@ci.sf.ca.us>; "Roadsters (E-mail)"
<Datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>; "Hall; Phillip"
<Phillip.Hall@msfc.nasa.gov>
Sent: Monday, March 26, 2001 5:27 PM
Subject: Re: OT Nissan Frontier followed me home
> >Congrats! You're gonna love it. I bought my Frontier almost 3 months ago,
> >and mentioned to the wife this weekend that I really really like the Crew
> >Cab. Nissan's got a winner with this truck. Let me know if you need a
> >trailer hitch, I saved hundreds by going non-Nissan for the hitch. Also,
if
> >you're getting a bed extender they go for $159 all over the internet,
don't
> >let them talk you into paying more. The extender is great for holding
> >groceries in the bed.
>
> Okay guys. Sounds like you've probably not played with it too much yet,
> Phil, so Fred, have you done any towing? Like a car on a trailer (3500
> lbs, give or take)? We're gonna start looking for another truck ourselves
> soon and the prime criteria is to be able to pull a car/trailer combo
> cross country (D/FW to either coast) very safely and in comfort. Not
> necessarily absolute luxury, but I think you'll know what I'm talking
> about.
>
> Wouldn't mind better mileage than the fullsize '97 Chevy we had would get
> either. Although we never made the trip in the truck and towing, there's
> a big difference in the cost of a round trip from here to Shasta when/if
> you get 18 to 20 mpg versus 13 to 15. However, if there's a compromise to
> be made I'd probably lean toward a bigger, more powerful tow vehicle.
>
> Now I guess I'll have to start shopping the lots, too. Spring is here,
> after all.
>
> Congratulations to you both,
> Ron
>
> Ronnie Day
> ronday@home.com
> Dallas/Ft. Worth
> '71 510 2-dr (Prepared Class Autocrosser)
> '73 510 2-dr (Street Toy)
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