to buy or not to buy

shop deals on amazon
Shop deals on ebay
Advertise with us
Ford SportTrac Forum

Help Support Ford SportTrac Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
B

Brandon Hughes

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2005
Messages
46
Reaction score
0
Location
Pleasant View, TN
Was looking at the 'Toyota vs GM' posts from earlier. I know many people are fond of their STs and I am looking at buying a 2004 when I get home from Iraq in December. I drive 37 miles to Ft Campbell (one-way) when I am home. I know that Toyota probably gets better gas mileage, but I really like the STs look. I know, I know; it's a ST website, just want to get some opinions. I see a lot of people posting problems and saying they will never go Ford again because of the mechanical problems or quality. I've never had a Ford and don't want my total 24 months over here in the past 3 years to be regretful for my choice of vehicle (combat $$ down the drain). I've asked a couple of people questions and do appreciate the responses. Got a couple of weeks till we head home and just puttin the feelers out one more time. Happy Thanksgiving to all.
 
Unless you go for the 4 cylinder Toyota, the gas mileage will not be better.



If gas mileage is a concern, buy a car.





Tom
 
I bought a 2002 Nissan Frontier this yr and love it (so much better than the ST :blink: even tho i love the trac) its super charged so the gas mileage isnt the best (better than the ST by 3mpg) and i have driven it about 2500+miles (bought used with some milage already on it) and have had no problems (can't say that with the ST tho) so its just one opition to look at. Just go to dealers and drive every truck you have the time to than make a decision based on what YOU think rather than people that got lemons or mis-used there trucks or whatever cause no matter what there will always be pissed off people at anything and nothing is gonna be "perfect".
 
I'm trying to to jinx myself here but my ST has been great to me as far as quality, has never been in the shop except to have the ball joints replaced, which they tell me would have lasted quite longer if i hadn't lowered it and added the bigger wheels/tires. You will be very happy with the ST go ahead and get one.
 
If you have an interest in a 2003 Black Trac with Pebble Leather interior loaded with every option (XLT Premium with power roof) for something in the area of 15K I am sure I will be selling mine soon. It is my third Trac and I am due for a change....



04 will not have the rear audio controls by the way...
 
I bought my first Ford 3 weeks ago an 04 S/T 4x4 with 21k on it and so far so good.It looks great and seems to do well for its size off road. And a 1911A1 .45 cal fits perfect in the drivers side door pocket

 
my 2001 was a great vehicle, but my 2004 had major problems at 24k miles and had to be purchased back by the dealer. I like the ST, so you never know which one is a lemon and which one is 'quality #1'... If you like it, buy it :)
 
I have owned many vehicles, and in the past ten years have needed to have 4WD, most recently I was driving a '94 GMC Yukon, this vehicle had a completely new everything, suspension, alternator, rad, exhaust (Flowmaster), complete A/C replacement, wiring harness, body bushings, 350 Crate motor, auto tranny also brand new, and a custom animal will climb trees if necessary rear dif.



I blew up my front axels a month ago, and had it, went into the Ford dealer, I wanted the 150 with the crew cab, but I have a mental block with regards to 50 G's on a pick up.

So I settled on the "goofy, cheese-ball) Explorer pickup, Boy was I ever wrong, this truck gets great gas milage (for a 4WD), and I have relentlessly beat the crap out of it for the past month, and it keeps on going, a true animal.



I got a 2004 (trade in) in like new condition with 13,000 miles on it, the clock says 17,600 as of today, and I have had it in deep water (over the running boards) and all kinds of terrain, and it just keeps taking the beating.



I cant say enough good things about my truck, but it is the first vehicle that I have owned that I have no complaints about, I even stopped beating her up the past few days (were still talking the Sport Trac)



I have owned over 100 vehicles, and I love this one, it grows on you like an agressive mold!



Hope this was helpfull,

-Matt
 
I wanted the 150 with the crew cab, but I have a mental block with regards to 50 G's on a pick up.
Click to expand...



Where were you seeing an F150 for $50K???:huh:



I've never seen an F150 priced that high, even a fully decked-out 4x4 King Ranch. A Super Duty maybe, but not an F150.
 
Here is a list of issues I have with my ST:



- Tranny additive recall

- Heated seat indicator in hard to see location

- Fuel gauge is non-linear (first quarter will last ~120 miles but second one will last only ~80, etc...under same conditions).

- Moisture in corner and headlamps after heavy rain

- Front needs at least one more cupholder

- Dimples on tailgate panel

- Rear passengers have no grab handles (deleted for side curtain airbags)

- Large turning radius

- Front seat headrests useless unless lying down with seats laid back (04 has non-tilting ones)

- Kinked weather strip on driver's side; Replaced under warranty

- Steering wheel shudder during tight parking manuevers; fluid lines bled, leaking seal fixed, under warranty

- Rear differential leak at ~15K miles(?); Tightened, resealed, and refilled under warranty

- Tranny flare 2-3(?) at ~19K miles; Solenoid replaced, EPC adjusted, under warranty...flare disappeared only after I paid for a flush



Here is a list of what I like about my ST:



- Size not too large, not too small

- Carries rear passengers comfortably

- Power rear window

- Power side-mirrors with folding housing

- Comfortable seats

- Option not to use DRL

- In-dash 6 CD player (Audiophile option)

- Cruise controls on steering wheel

- Composite bed

- Rear seats fold down flat

- Rear compartments

- Bed extender

- Console with temp and compass read-out

- Decent power

- Good looks inside and out



Some upgrades:



- Volant cold-air intake

- Flowmaster DeltaFlow 50 exhaust

- Monroe Reflex shock-absorbers

- EE swaybar

- XCal2 tuner

- A.R.E. LS2 tonneau to convert bed into huge trunk (perfect for duffle and ruck sack), but removable if I want to haul tall cargo or bikes.



For $30K I didn't expect any problems before 100K miles, so the issues I listed above has left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. Fortunately repairs were under warranty. Things like a non-linear fuel gauge, poor location of heated seat indicators, and kinked weather strip do not affect driveablitiy, but still are signs of half-hearted design and workmanship. Lack of auto close for moonroof, auto close/open for front passenger window and other niceties (readily found in other makes) further hurts the value of the ST IMO.



Despite my complaints, I still have faith that my Ford will be rugged enough to last me well over 100K miles (I've been driving her pretty hard lately). I think the ST is built with more and better materials than the imports. It's still a joy to drive her and fills all my needs. She'll always look great too. I just feel I have to keep an eye on the tranny though.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
About the complaints you see here...

I suspect that if you went to a toyota forum, you'd see a ton of complaints and the absolute WORST picture would be painted. Not many people come to the forums when they have no trouble and they're just out havin' fun. It's whenever those problems hit, and they don't want to pay their local dealer's rate of $80/hour that they go to a forum and see if it's something that they can diagnose/fix themselves.

The sport trac is an EXCELLENT vehicle. For every one problem you see here, there are HUNDREDS of people (probably THOUSANDS) who haven't had a single problem at all and/or haven't heard of the forums. These trucks can take a ton of abuse and keep on going, trust me, I know for a fact. As long as you don't get crazy and supercharge it, the trac will last as long as you want it to if you do the proper maintenance.

Good Luck with your decision and thanks for what you're doing over there in Iraq. Come home safe.

-Scott
 
Mine is an '02, no problems so far, regular maintenance, synthetic oil, tranny flush @ 34k miles.

Currently 17mpg average, mixed city/hwy driving. 36500 mi on the odometer.



I would buy another no doubt, but I don't like the '07 that much. I'll wait for the job 2s
 
Thanks to all for your replies. I want to say that baron probably hit the nail on the head about a toyota forum. I just kinda balk when I see some of the complaints. Much appreciated to all!!!
 
there are no 2006 ST's only 2005 and 2007. There is a 2006 Explorer tho.

In my 85,000mi's I've had to fix



Alternator

Idle Tensioner bad

Spark Plug Wires / Coil Pack

Shocks (stocks are crap)

AC Compressor

Fuel Pump

Transmission (2-3 flare under warrenty before I bought it)

Paint chipping on roof (fixed under warrenty before I bought it)

Stock 6-disc Stereo (fried)

Rear Audio Controls stopped working

Bad Ball Joints / Control Arm at 2,000mi's (fixed under warrenty)

All dash lights burnt out (fixed under warrenty before I bought it had a short somewhere behind dash)

Power Steering Shot (fixed under warrenty no clue about this one)

Battery terminals where bad (replaced under warrenty before I bought)

Rear window controls fell into door handle

Rear handles "broke off" had to buy new handles

Radio Bezeal paint chipping. Repainted myself

Rear window motor fired had to buy new motor and still doesnt work all the time (when its wet it will sometimes not go back up unless I have someone help push it back up)



And I could go on and on but I will spare you all and AFTER all this I still love the truck but I would not buy another and I know alot of people will say there are TONS of stuff that go wrong with another vechicle and I know that.
 
and heres a list of my 04 issues



tranny fluid additive *ford recall* no biggie

fan motor switch *warranty*

fuel level sensor *warranty*



I LOVE MY 04! :)
 
Toyota's are not as comfortable as the ST. My sister has a Tacoma and the armrests are tiny. Very uncomfortable truck to sit in. Toyota's are designed and built by Asians for Asian-sized people. Sit in a ST and then sit in a Toyota. Buy whichever one is more comfortable for you - after all it is 37 miles each way for you! I drive 30 miles each way to work, and I notice a big difference in comfort from the Ranger I used to own. I am on my 3rd Ford, Escort for 7 years, no problems. Ranger for 3 years, very few problems. Used 2004 ST for 4 months now - no problems so far!
 
I currently own a 2005 NISMO Frontier Crew Cab and traded in my 2001 Sport Trac to get the Frontier. I was one of those that had problems with the Trac. It was an intermittent starting issue that Ford "could not replicate". It was bad enough when it didn't want to start for me, but when it left my wife sitting when I was TDY... it had to go. There are MANY here that have never had any problems and I was one of the few that did. I don't know what kind of mileage you will get in the Tacoma, but my mileage is nearly identical between the Sport Trac and the Frontier. But for that identical gas mileage I get 60 more horsepower and 43 more lb/ft of torque (normally aspirated... the Super Chargers are a thing of the past). Of course you could get the manual tranny and get even better mileage than I currently do. If you were to lay down your money when you get home... IMHO... you'd be happier with an 05 Taco or Frontier than with an 04 or 05 Trac. The imports raised the bar in 05. The handling and power are far superior to the 01-05 Trac . Now all bets are off once the 07 Trac comes out.
 
I have a 2001 Sport trac, she has 90,201 miles on her. Only problem I have actually had was a bad IAC(sensor) and a DPFE(sensor) Other then that I have done the regular maintenence and she has been great!!. I would buy another in a heartbeat:wub:



 
I own a 05 ST and 01 Dodge Ram, I love both of them. I was going to trade the Ram in on the ST but could not bring myself to trade it in(too many good memories). Anyways I test drove Toyotas, the new Honda Wanna-Be truck, and the ST, I purchased the ST for the price, comfort, power, and the sales person was awesome( he told me his name and said he would be inside if I needed anything, I love the fact that he did not bug me. When I asked to drive it he tossed me the keys and that was it.), I purchased the ST 30min later. I am currently in the Middle East and I got mine when I was home for a couple of weeks. I put 1000miles on it in that time, I love driving it. If I need pure power I still have the 360/5.9L Ram, but the ST can handle just about anything.
 

Latest posts

Top