steve benjamin
Member
Hi all...a couple weeks ago or so I asked for advice on a 2007 Sport trac I was looking at and giving up my (beloved) 2001 that was just turning over 234,000 miles (previous post titled "Should I?"). Based on the much appreciated responses and the fact that the 2007 didn't have the power rear window (though the dealer offered to have and after market power slider installed), I declined the truck and decided to keep my 2001 for awhile longer (no problems with it, just a lot of miles).
Well I guess I caught the "bug" becuase a few days later I checked on line to see what might be out there in the 2007/2008 range that had what I needed (4x4; power rear window; and class III hitch). Lo and behold a newly listed 2008 4x4 XLT with 35,000 miles, class III tow package, White Suede in color and a V8 to boot popped up at a dealer about 3 hrs. away. Asking price was $22,495.
So I took a trip over to take a look at it (just a "look" mind you!). Ended up buying it for $20,500. As much as I still enjoyed my 2001, driving with the V8 convinced me it was time to upgrade. WOW what a difference! Its Certified Pre-Owned plus I added their bumper to bumper premium care package to 125,000 miles (or 7/2015). It also has the convience package, the xlt appearance package, class III towing package, and the premium front power bucket seats.
I'm not wild about white but its definitely growing on me! I hate that the exhaust exits on the driver side and the gas fill is on the passenger side but just a matter of getting used to it I guess. I had to do a couple of quick mods: 1) fill the space behind the rear seats when the backs are down becuase thats where my 3 (yes, 3) labs ride. A piece of closed-cell foam cut to fit solved that one. Also I had to add the Gen1 type tie down cleats (got them at a boat store) to the tops of the Gen2 cleats becuase I use them for my dog's leashes. I was able to simply screw the cleats into the tops of the existing Gen2 tie down cleats.
I've got a topper on order for it (definitely a bummer that my 2001 A.R.E. cap won't fit) and once I get the K&N filter, mud flaps, bug shield and windor vent visors I'll have it personalized to my liking.
With extra leafs, bilstein shocks, bigger sway bar, and road active suspension, my old truck was stiff and drove/rode like...well, a TRUCK! That's all gone now...for better or worse...this one feels more like a luxury car. Hard to get used to how quiet it is inside...virtually ZERO wind/road noise when driving. If it can go another 8 years and another 200,000 on it like my old one then I'll be very pleased. We shall see! Towing my camper is really going to be a breeze with this thing.
Funny how "attached" some of us car "nuts" can get with our vehicles. I definitely miss my old truck, but I have to say its only when I'm NOT driving the new one!!!
Steve
Well I guess I caught the "bug" becuase a few days later I checked on line to see what might be out there in the 2007/2008 range that had what I needed (4x4; power rear window; and class III hitch). Lo and behold a newly listed 2008 4x4 XLT with 35,000 miles, class III tow package, White Suede in color and a V8 to boot popped up at a dealer about 3 hrs. away. Asking price was $22,495.
So I took a trip over to take a look at it (just a "look" mind you!). Ended up buying it for $20,500. As much as I still enjoyed my 2001, driving with the V8 convinced me it was time to upgrade. WOW what a difference! Its Certified Pre-Owned plus I added their bumper to bumper premium care package to 125,000 miles (or 7/2015). It also has the convience package, the xlt appearance package, class III towing package, and the premium front power bucket seats.
I'm not wild about white but its definitely growing on me! I hate that the exhaust exits on the driver side and the gas fill is on the passenger side but just a matter of getting used to it I guess. I had to do a couple of quick mods: 1) fill the space behind the rear seats when the backs are down becuase thats where my 3 (yes, 3) labs ride. A piece of closed-cell foam cut to fit solved that one. Also I had to add the Gen1 type tie down cleats (got them at a boat store) to the tops of the Gen2 cleats becuase I use them for my dog's leashes. I was able to simply screw the cleats into the tops of the existing Gen2 tie down cleats.
I've got a topper on order for it (definitely a bummer that my 2001 A.R.E. cap won't fit) and once I get the K&N filter, mud flaps, bug shield and windor vent visors I'll have it personalized to my liking.
With extra leafs, bilstein shocks, bigger sway bar, and road active suspension, my old truck was stiff and drove/rode like...well, a TRUCK! That's all gone now...for better or worse...this one feels more like a luxury car. Hard to get used to how quiet it is inside...virtually ZERO wind/road noise when driving. If it can go another 8 years and another 200,000 on it like my old one then I'll be very pleased. We shall see! Towing my camper is really going to be a breeze with this thing.
Funny how "attached" some of us car "nuts" can get with our vehicles. I definitely miss my old truck, but I have to say its only when I'm NOT driving the new one!!!
Steve
