They were never really popular and they aren't really anything special.
They made over 70,000 of them per year without one penny spent on advertising. They were the number one vehicle in its segment outselling the S-10, Tacoma, Frontier, and Dakota quad cabs.
I personally don't think these vehicles hold their value at all.
This is very subjective.
2002 Explorer Sport Trac 4x4 108,000 miles. Retail used price is $10,310. (leather, moonroof, etc)
2002 Toyota Tacoma 4 door 4x4 108,000 miles. Retail used price $12,075.
2002 Chevy S-10 4 door 4x4 108,000 miles. Retail used $9,355.00.
2002 Dodge Dakota 4 door 4x4 108,000 miles. Retail Used $9,495.00.
2002 Nissan Frontier 4 door (if you can call it a 4 door) 108,000 miles. Retail used $10,840.00.
I can look up MSRP's of the vehicles when new to get a percentage of value. With the number sold in 2002, this is pretty good resale value. 2nd place to a company that polishes a TuRD and can sell them.
I would say the ST holds its value pretty good. My Trac has done everything I ever wanted it to do. Hauled my family around. Towed heavy trailers. Loaded the bed with 2500 LBS of dirt and never gave me an ounce of trouble...that wasn't caused by me.
I have nothing to complain about. With only 110,000 miles on mine, I still got another 90,000 to go before I replace it.
Tom