I'm looking for a small truck that gets good gas mileage, can tow my trailer full of ATVs, plow my driveways, haul a yard of mulch, fit into small parking spaces in a crowded parking garage, and still act like a plush 4 door car. It looks like the Sport Trac does this but I'm wondering if the gas mileage is typical of what the sticker says or is anyone getting better/worse mileage with theirs? 14mpg city is just not good enough when the Toyota Tacoma quad cab gets 18.
I wouldn't get the Toyota, but then I'm a Ford guy. My wife's Explorer (XLT, not a SportTrac) gets 16-18 around town. But then when I'm driving it I don't flatten the skinny pedal all the time...that's how we get 18. I don't see where the SportTracs could be much worse, but I've never owned one...and don't plan on it; they just don't fit our needs. The 4.0 under the hood of our Exploder had more than enough power to drag a 7k pound 27' camper from Western Arkansas to Talladega a couple of years ago. Granted the mileage dropped to 8mpg while climbing the hills, it came back up to 11-12 when the grades flattened out...all this while doing 60-70 (depending on terrain). Of course it was that trip that we decided a diesel engine would have done better, thus the F250 was added to the stable for dragging the trailers.
I get 15-16 mpg from my 03 Sport Trac, and that's with the ExplorerExpress Eaton based supercharger on it. Towing power is acceptable, cargo carrying somewhat limited. But, 4 people sitting comfortably and being able to park in a small spot are pluses.
I added an 08 sport trac to my small fleet last August. I consistantly get 18 in mixed driving. On the freeway at 75 I regularly break 20. If I am driving in town a lot it will drop down to around 16. I have a 4wd 4.6 lariet. Last year I drove 700 miles in one trip with 5 people (not small people), over 1000 lbs of dive gear and personal stuff piled in back almost level with the roof. I averaged 19.4 (if memory serves me correctly).
The Mileage was one of the key reasons to buy the vehicle. The mid size Toy gets about the same but does not have a real back seat. I'm 6'4" and can ride in the back of the sport trac. Try that in ANY other mid size........
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CL
So, who hired Wile E. Coyote as a consultant?
1997 F-250 4WD W/460 & a manual
2008 Explorer Sport trac
2003 SVT Focus (The Go-Cart)
1967 Mustang Coupe W/351W & a 3spd. (Temporarily Retired)
Yeah go get that Toyota- get that rusted out lightweight frame, the warpping disc brake rotors, the tailgate that you can't put more than 200 pouunds on (per owners manual), the seat springs that start collapsing after 4 years- and if you are real lucky...get the V6 that blows as many head gaskets as a Taurus!
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Member: Never trust a person over 40 who drives a Chevy club
Flatheads ain't so bad!
Certified backyard mechanic I & II
They are right, the Toyotas have some problems. They have fixed most of the rust problems, but they are still not really made to American truck standards. The Sport Trac has the edge in its ruggedness and reliable design.
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