Ford 2009 Sport Trac
Reader’s Question:
I’d like a Ford that has the versatility of a pick-up and something I can use for a daily drive around Texas. What can you recommend?
Norman
Houston, TX
Howdy, Norman! So you, Norman, wants something not of the normal variety. Looking at the Ford line-up, I’m inclined to recommend that you test drive the 2009 Ford Sport Trac. Ford made this to have the functional features of a pick-up but having the style and comfort of an SUV. Nice, isn’t it? Now, that should be other than the normal cars, SUVs, and pick-ups you see daily on the roads of Texas.
The Ford motor company built this thing on the Explorer platform so you can expect some SUV-like qualities to the interiors that meet Ford SUV standards. That should take care of your daily driving comfort. In terms of powering this truck/ SUV, there’s a standard 4.0 V6 with 5 speed automatic transmission, powerful enough to crank out 210 horsepower. If you want more from the Sport Trac, you can try the available V8 engine trim that churns 292 horses with about 300 lbs-ft of torque. This will come in handy if you decide to bring a lot of stuff with you. If you’re more of a “drive anywhere” person, there’s four wheel drive available for the Sport Trac as an option for the rear-wheel drive base model. So there, the Sport Trac is that versatile vehicle for you, Norman.
Ford Escape Hybrid
Reader’s Question:
I heard from a friend here in Texas about the Ford Escape Hybrid. I’d like some more information about it, and maybe I can check out a local dealer. I’m concerned whether it’ll be underpowered or not.
Christine
Houston, TX
Hello there, Christine! Yes, there is a Ford Escape Hybrid. And based on observations, it rides like a real SUV. I, personally, thought that it would not be a good idea to fuse hybrid technology with something that can handle variable road conditions since it is very demanding. I had that misconception that, being a hybrid, it won’t be able to perform at par with “real” SUVs.
There are some nice points that you should know about the Escape Hybrid. With the technology of the 95 hp electric motor and 154 hp gasoline engine working hand in hand, the vehicle can even make its acceleration feel like a full V6 when needed. The Ford Escape Hybrid also has intelligent 4-wheel drive that enables it to tackle even tough terrain. Regenerative braking is also incorporated into the car to recharge the Nickel Metal Hydride batteries of the Electric motor. Much to my amusement, even in terms of amount of “greenness” in the car, it even has seat foam made from seed oils and cloth fabric covers derived from materials that should’ve ended up in a landfill. I also noticed the capless gas filler that’s supposed to save on evaporative losses of fuel. I can say that it’s unique, but I don’t know how to appreciate the claims for this innovation right away.
As a hybrid, this Ford Escape performs well in terms of saving fuel and going 34 miles per gallon on the highway. As an SUV, it still carries enough punch to carry 5 passengers safely from point to point.
2008 Ford Edge Packages
Reader’s Question:
I was really fascinated with the 2008 Ford Edge when I saw one on display on a Ford Dealer here in Houston, Texas. I am already working my finances to get this SUV. Are there any kinds of packages that you can recommend?
Adam
Houston, TX
You definitely made a good choice by planning to buy a Ford Edge unit. If you are mad about SUVs like me, you will greatly appreciate the way this SUV was packaged. I can share some of the packages that the 2008 Ford Edge comes with. My best friend works with a Ford dealer in Houston, Texas and he provided me the following information.
The 2008 Ford Edge is offered in three trims like SE, SEL, and Limited. All three models are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine which produces 265 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque, matched with six-speed automatic transmission.
It is also offered on a 4-wheel drive as a standard. AWD is also available for all models. Prices for each of the models start at $25,565 for the Standard SE and $27,315 for SE All -Wheel Drive. These prices may always subject to change. As for the Edge SE standard, price starts at $25,565 whereas the AWD runs for $27,315. The Limited Edition which I consider the most expensive one has a running price of $30,555 for the standard and $32,305 for the all wheel drive. There are available premium packages that you can purchase to have some upgrades on the sound system, upholstery and even climate controls. I suggest you also start looking for low priced auto insurance. It would be one of the most practical upgrade that you can get.
Buying a New Ford Vehicle in Houston Texas
Reader’s Question:
I do not know what model I am going to obtain yet for my new car, but I do know that it is going to be from a Ford dealer in Houston. Is there anything concerning cost that I ought to have a look out for while I am shopping for cars at a Ford dealer in Houston?
Sharon
Houston TX
Sharon, if you are planning on going to a Ford dealer in Houston, you absolutely should know what type of car you are going to get ahead of time. First of all, they regularly sell all types of cars even with the given name of Ford dealer in Houston, so the great selection can be confusing, more so if you are a first time buyer. My little sister go to a Ford dealer in Houston with not having researched what she liked the first time, and albeit she asked to see Fords, she ended up with a Chrysler.
But you should also know prior to purchasing a car which one you like, and a good means to settle on that is to think out what the expenses will be after you purchase the car. If your credit is not so good, then you should perhaps get a less expensive car, because or else your monthly payments will be vast and so on. Some cars value more than others to keep. No-one costs more for an oil change for one car over another, however if you acquire a certain type of car then the parts can be quite expensive. I had a BMW on one occasion and the costs of the parts, even the black market ones, were a killer. Think about that ahead of purchasing any European car.
Trucks and SUVs seem great and drive great and have good performance and all that, but they also cost several hundred dollars per month to keep filled up. Unless you are prepared to make that type of commitment or initiate riding your bike a lot, you need to keep away. Anytime you purchase a new car, its price goes down really quickly as soon as you drive it off the lot. The first two years are the nastiest. But there are cars decreases in value more quickly than others, so you can get a car that decrease in value slowly and if you ever need to sell it, you might in fact make a little money off of it.
Insurance is an immense cost. For us it is about a thousand dollars a year and it might probably be less if we possess more insurable cars. If you get a secure, not so expensive car that is not on the mainly stolen list, then you are probably good to go.
Ford Dealer in Houston
Q: I don’t know what model I’m going to get yet for my new car, but I do know that it’s going to come from a Ford dealer in Houston (I live in Katy…and, no, it’s not the same thing). Is there anything regarding cost that I should have an eye out for while I’m shopping for cars at a Ford dealer in Houston?
A: If you’re going to go to a Ford dealer in Houston, you definitely should know what kind of car you’re going to get ahead of time. First of all, they usually sell all kinds of cars even with the name of Ford dealer in Houston, so the vast selection can be disorienting, especially if you’re a first time buyer. My little sister went to a Ford dealer in Houston without having researched what she wanted first, and even though she asked to see Fords, she ended up coming a way with a Chrysler…
But you should now before you buy a car which one you want, and a good way to decide on that is to figure out what the costs will be after you buy the car. If you’re credit isn’t so great, then you should probably get a cheaper car, because otherwise your monthly payments will be huge, and so on.
- Cost of maintaining your car.
This is a huge deal. Some cars cost more than others to maintain. Nobody charges more for an oil change for one car over another, but if you get a certain kind of car then the parts can be pretty expensive. I had a BMW once and the prices of the parts, even the aftermarket ones, were killer. Think about that before you buy any European car, really.
- Gas, miles per gallon, etc.
Trucks and SUVs look great and drive well and have great performance and all that, but they also cost several hundred dollar a month to keep filled up. Unless you’re ready to make that kind of commitment or start riding your bike a lot, you need to stay away.
- Depreciation.
Anytime you buy a new car, it depreciates really quickly as soon as you drive it off the lot. The first couple of years are the worst. But some cars depreciate more quickly than others, so you can get a car that depreciates slowly and if you ever need to sell it, you might actually make some money off of it.
- Car insurance.
Insurance is a big expense. For us it’s around a thousand dollars a year, and would probably be less if we owned more insurable cars. If you get a safe, not so expensive car that isn’t on the most stolen list, then you’re probably good to go.
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