The Saleen XP8 Is the Coolest Sport SUV You Don't Know About
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
CHECK OUT THIS SALEEN XP8 ON CARS & BIDS!
crsnbds.com/xp8
This is the Saleen Ford Explorer XP8, the coolest sport SUV you probably never knew about. Today I'm reviewing this Saleen XP8, and I'll show you all the many quirks and features. I'm also going to get behind the wheel of the Saleen XP8 and show you what it's like to drive.
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CHAPTERS:
00:00 THIS...
00:47 It Could Be Yours on CARS & BIDS!!!
01:27 What Is This Thing??
03:28 Questionable Production Numbers
04:19 Powertrain
05:00 Supercharged V8
05:28 The Bizarre XP6
06:21 Rear-Wheel Drive
06:46 Special Saleen Plaque
07:07 Mechanical Upgrades
07:19 Yes, It Is Lowered
07:29 Racecraft Suspension
07:51 Magnesium Wheels??
08:26 Vroom Vroom
08:53 Lots of Cosmetic Upgrades
09:02 #27
09:45 More Aggressive Front & Rear End
10:14 Flared Rocker Panels
10:48 Nonfunctional Hood & Spoiler
11:17 Saleen Badging
11:38 Even More Costmetic Upgrades
12:04 Body-Colored Wheels
12:32 Oh So 1990s
13:03 Interior Upgrades
13:42 Fake Carbon Fiber
14:15 Interior Saleen Plaque
14:51 Gauge Cluster
15:11 Quirkiest Brochure
16:27 Very Expensive
17:33 Still a 90s Ford Explorer
18:42 Rear Seats
19:17 No Headrests
19:51 Cargo Area
21:59 Driving Experience
22:46 PROS
23:22 Steering & Handling
24:34 Acceleration
24:59 CONS
25:04 4-Speed Auto Transmission
25:30 Some Additional Old Explorer Flaws
26:00 The Interior
26:12 More Pros: Styling
26:28 More Fun to Drive Than You Think
27:03 Final Thoughts
27:33 DougScore
#dougdemuro #cars #ford #fordexplorer
Пікірлер: 2 400
Doug the kind of guy who makes racing car sounds when pushing a shopping cart.
@TheLiamster
10 ай бұрын
*vroom vroom*
@baggedlunch9242
10 ай бұрын
@@TheLiamsternice pfp man
@chrissellers9091
10 ай бұрын
Lol I'm not gonna lie I be letting the back swing out and doin clutch kicks
@Rhameolution1
10 ай бұрын
Aren't we all though
@paulie-Gualtieri.
10 ай бұрын
And tries to do a burnout in the parking lot
Normally when Doug says “…. Is a cool car you never heard of” it’s almost always something I heard of. This time it wasn’t. Well played sir.
@TheQuirkyGarage1999
10 ай бұрын
for me it is ALWAYS , this time was no exception but to be honest I always know that it exist and that's pretty much it so I always enjoy Doug video
@paulcarmi8130
10 ай бұрын
@@TheQuirkyGarage1999yeah cause you’re from 99 ya zoomer trash 😂
@ImadHadjersi
10 ай бұрын
Especially when you're not from the US when it comes to this one
@80PercentAshamedOfU
10 ай бұрын
Yup. I did NOT know this was a thing.
@mikehagquist5198
10 ай бұрын
Carbon on the center info looks real. Yea it’s just stuck over the plastic but it’s real carbon.
21:19 Being able to separately open the rear glass is a feature I miss in modern SUV's. The utility isn't for throwing small stuff in, it's so you can fill the ENTIRE TRUNK with crap and then open the glass and continue to fill it up to the roof without all your stuff falling out of the back of the car. It also works in reverse, when all your stuff in the trunk has shifted around during the trip you can open just the glass and take out the stuff that was going to fall out if you opened the whole hatch. Without this feature you have to open the hatch and try to catch the avalanche of groceries, luggage etc. that then falls out or try to reach over from the back seats to get these items first.
@kraenk12
10 ай бұрын
BMW has it
@randy1469
10 ай бұрын
I like it too. My highlander has that
@Maroco918
10 ай бұрын
The new Denali has it
@davidg9401
10 ай бұрын
4 runner has the roll down window, I like that better. But it’s definitely a nice feature to be able to reach in through the window
@cmonaghan68
10 ай бұрын
My first car was a 97 Tahoe with the tailgate style rear hatch and not the standard barn doors most had, i loved the back, it worked like a truck to sit on too on top of the better cargo access
I love that you mentioned the Typhoon.. Along with the Syclone, Lightning, and this Explorer, they make up a really unique subset of vehicles for the time. I still want a Syclone, in particular. Probably as much nostalgia as anything, but I love 'em. A turbo V6 AWD compact truck is awesome to me!
@purwantiallan5089
3 ай бұрын
Syclone and F-150 Harley Davidson are considered to be highly sought after cars for sure.
Wow, the Saleen Explorer! Aka the only way I was able to beat Test Drive Off-Road 2 back in the day, ha. Haven't thought about this thing in ages.
@TufteMotorsport
10 ай бұрын
I didn't know you were into cars that was odd or absolete 😂
@tylercouture216
10 ай бұрын
that's funny and the fact this was the meta
@tylercouture216
10 ай бұрын
I have to watch a review on that game now
@acerfaser
10 ай бұрын
LGR in the wild!!!
@H.P._Lovecrafts_Cat
10 ай бұрын
Please do a collab with Doug!
This is EXACT why I love this channel. Doug presents some real hidden gems of the automotive world. Keep 'em coming...PLEASE 🙏
@NFSBeast2365
10 ай бұрын
Amen
@PaulAllen786
10 ай бұрын
I’d rather have this ‘98 XP8 than any suv made after 2020
@ziggamon
10 ай бұрын
Yes, I need a break from all these EV crossovers and Porsches.
@Jens_Roadster
10 ай бұрын
@@ziggamonWhy Porsche's though? 🙁
@VanBurenOfficial
10 ай бұрын
@@PaulAllen786even a Quad Turbo Fastergini???
It's so so cool to see this. I did NOT know this existed and I'm very glad to know it does. It just seems like a polished, 90's SUV experience.
Great review! A few notes: it's pronounced "Suh-leen" not "Saline", at least when I met Steve and his daughter Molly, they pronounced it that way (btw, I think Molly's signature is on the passenger airbag cover in the video, Steve signed mine!) the supercharger was a dealer installed option and not a Roots style like the X-Charger of this truck but a centrifugal Powerdyne unit, so no whine but a subtle whistle at idle. I believe the Speedlines were recalled due to cracking under the Explorer's much heavier weight versus the Mustangs and really only on the 98's. The lugnuts have an aluminum sleeve that cracked on mine. I was able to find new versions from a Ferrari aftermarket company as the F355 had similar factory Speedline wheels during this era. The hood is made of carbon fiber and very rare since it was an expensive option. I found mine on a clone years ago, along with the brake/gas pedals that many XP8's don't have. The steering wheel is also very rare, on only the 98's I believe. The interior pieces on this XP8 isn't on all examples, some might be aftermarket in this truck. In the tan interiors, Saleen had a faux wood grain instead of the carbon fiber. Yes, the Recaros are super rare as well, the last piece I've been searching for! As to be expected, XP8 specific parts are insanely rare. Along with the challenges of maintaining a 25 year old grocery-getter, there are headaches but it's so worth it. I was 12 when I saw my first one at my neighbor's Ford/Saleen dealer here in Minnesota. They sold the XP6 pictured in this video, 98-0060. I knew I had to have one so I purchased my 1998 XP8 10 years later from the original owner with 162k miles. Now at 194k, I have no plans to ever sell. Increasingly I've noticed it gets more attention than my '02 Saleen S281E ever has. My first car was a 1995 Explorer Sport (I still own at 312k miles) and like Doug said, the XP8's handling is a huge contrast!
@maintayne
10 ай бұрын
I was glad to find to this post! I've always said it this way too. Like Celine Dion, which is also extremely 90's. 😅
@mrdave777
10 ай бұрын
Bingo!!!! After Doug said Saline 5x, I just can’t watch. Call me what you will. But the person who comments probably says Porsche incorrectly.
@section8usmc53
10 ай бұрын
I had to mention the same thing. Nails on a chalkboard every time. I just couldn't take it anymore. 🥴
@05Saleen0705
10 ай бұрын
I came here just for this. It was very painful to watch between his excessive use of the word "say-leen" and all of his incorrect commentary. His buddy must not be very knowledgeable either. Oh, and my XP8 has over 200k on it. Still kicking. AWD SC.
@Creen64
10 ай бұрын
I've owned both a first gen Sport Trac and a first gen Eddie Bauer. Explorers don't really scream "Enthusiast car" to most, but to those understand, it certainly is.
I worked at a Ford dealership changing oil and tires in the late 90's and a guy had a Saleen Mustang and it had nitrous on it. The bottle was located in the center console but the switch was located under the gas pedal so that when the bottle was opened, all he had to do was mash the gas pedal to get a shot of nitrous. I was maybe 18 and thought that was the coolest thing I had ever seen!
@NFSBeast2365
10 ай бұрын
Wow!
@fcguy2778
10 ай бұрын
All nitrous systems use a WOT switch.
@DMort22
10 ай бұрын
@@fcguy2778no they don't. You can run it off a button which is how people used to always do it.
@romevang
10 ай бұрын
@@baronvonslambertnot everyone was that smart. I personally knew people that didn’t wire a redundant pedal switch.
@DMort22
10 ай бұрын
@@baronvonslambert no, it won't necessarily. It's up to you whether you want to install a WOT switch with nitrous. You guys don't have any idea what you're talking about. Tell me you've never turned a wrench in your life without telling me you've never turned a wrench in your life
Reviews with cars that are not usually talked about is why I subbed to doug❤
@nobodysfavourite6953
10 ай бұрын
Likewise
@bobhill3941
10 ай бұрын
@@nobodysfavourite6953I did too, it also gave me something to do in December of '13 when we had a huge ice storm.
@AnitaHanjaaab
10 ай бұрын
Same
@roddydykes7053
10 ай бұрын
Yeah fuck the brand new SUV reviews no one will ever want, these oddities are where it’s at
I was obsessed with Saleen as a kid. a Saleen s7 was my dream car ever since i saw it on the movie Bruce Almighty. I loved every car they made including the xp8 and the focus N20. Had always planned on owning a Saleen mustang, but then i got heavy into the import scene. A Saleen is still on the bucketlist of cars though!
Doug, I just watched this and am a HUGE Saleen fan and once owner of many Saleens. The picture you showed of the 89 SSC was once mine. I sold it through that car dealership out of Scottsdale, AZ. What a small world! and I am crying HUGE tears...😥
One note about the headrests - they do lift up. They have a HUGE gap between the headrest and the main seatback, with the two spindly little poles holding it up, but they do raise to "headrest" height. They also rotate/tilt forward, so the largest face faces forward to the back of the seat occupant's head. In this video, they are shown in the "almost fully lowered" state to improve rear visibility. The mechanisms are stiff, though. It takes quite a bit of force to lift/lower or to tilt up/down. That was unique to the leather seats. The cloth seats of that era Explorer had no headrests at all in back. (I've had both types at various times.)
@mbommari
10 ай бұрын
Thank you, came here to comment this
@purwantiallan5089
3 ай бұрын
Massive gap between headrest and the seatback actually.
YOU GOT A SALEEN EXPLORER!!!! I have never clicked so fast
Wow, you stumped me on this one, Doug. Can’t believe I never heard of this one. What a find.
Always great to learn about a car I didn't know existed. Thanks Doug!
@Tele-gram_at_RealDougDemuro
10 ай бұрын
You won a package 🎁🔝
I had a 1999 Mercury Mountainer V-8 AWD that I really enjoyed. I put dual exhausts with Thrush glasspack mufflers on it, and it sounded only a little meaner than this Saleen model. One thing I noticed was that the 8-Inch gap for the cargo cover was because the back seats (at least in my Mountaineer) reclined. In the reclined position, there was only about an inch and a half gap.
@Wextopher
10 ай бұрын
Re Gap; Was what I was thinking. Have a cargo cover, which is positioned in the same manner to the back seat.
@rickjames6737
10 ай бұрын
You are correct the mercury mountaineer was fully equipped. Leather seats sunroof cd player and powerful engine 💪💪💪
@CAMELFLAM
10 ай бұрын
This guy missed a lot of obvious thinhs and also attributed standard stuff, like the rear lock button/seperate back glass, to it being a Saleen
@purpurahaze9179
10 ай бұрын
Same engine just with a blower
@paxhumana2015
10 ай бұрын
@tenpoundburrito, wow, first of all, how do you ever eat a burrito that is that large? Second, did you give all of the performance upgrades that you could to the engine and transmission of that SUV of yours? Third, if the engine and transmission both could not be upgraded, then did you ever consider a Coyote swap on it, out of curiosity?
This just shows how nuts Saleen were
Doug, your content is second to none. I never used to find it very enjoyable when I was younger, always wondering why you didn't create the same type of content as Top Gear of the day (the OG presenters). Oh how naive I was... The new found appreciation I have for your channel is a blessing, now I have almost a decade of your content to binge on 😍 Thanks for existing and keep up the awesome work 😁
Doug, I’ve owned an AWD Pontiac 6000 and an Achieva SCX W41. I’ve driven a Dodge Spirit R/T and a Pontiac Tempest Sprint. I’ve seen both the 1990 Fiero prototype and 1 of the 8 Marlboro GMC Syclones in person. I’ve been in the IMS museum basement and in the back office and shop of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. I’m a walking encyclopedia of weird and unusual cars, especially from the 80s and 90s. But my friend, you’ve finally done it. You’ve reviewed something that I’ve never frackin’ heard of. And that is an accomplishment. 👏
@purwantiallan5089
3 ай бұрын
Achieva SCX W41? Seems like that car was also ever rivalling Saleen XP8.
@zlinedavid
3 ай бұрын
@@purwantiallan5089 Rivaling it in terms of what? Obscurity maybe. A straight line performance SUV vs a limited production coupe that was made for SCCA eligibility. Not really much to compare.
I miss these kinds of reviews. I forgot all about this era of Ford and of course I want this one 😍
@kevincollins8620
10 ай бұрын
I'm still high off this era
@jaypioh
10 ай бұрын
me too especially since i own two 1998 Explorers!
Just when I thought I’ve heard of every vehicle from the 90’s?! This thing came out 3 years after I graduated high school! I actually owned a 93 Ford Probe GT in 98 that I thought was so bad ass 😂 Thank you Doug🤜🏼
@purwantiallan5089
3 ай бұрын
Can the 1993 Ford Probe GT done an engine swap?
As a nephew of a former 2nd gen explorer owner, I had no clue that the clunking was a common problem, although hers would also make a funny metallic squeaking sound when you slammed the doors (which I get the feeling came from the suspension)
Remember being obsessed with this thing when it came out, but completely forgot about for the last 20+ years. Very satisfying video!
Tuning in the 90s was just awesome! But it's weird that they got only about 60hp and 50nm after adding the supercharger.
@mistersecret88
10 ай бұрын
Yes a tune and filter will make that.
@sdlausen1
10 ай бұрын
You probably didn't want more power in that boat. They were top heavy and would probably flip.
@mistersecret88
10 ай бұрын
@@sdlausen1 firestones...
@sdlausen1
10 ай бұрын
@@mistersecret88 HAHA! I totally remember that Firestone debacle as a kid!
@jlangford7422
10 ай бұрын
You mean the Ford Exploder tire issue….
As the former owner of XP8 #27 in 1999 I’ll tell you it was amazing handling wise. Massive sway bars and Bilstein “tuned by Saleen”shocks… it’s an absolute riot to drive. Mine didn’t have the cheesy stick on carbon stuff. It was, from Saleen hydro dipped carbon. None of those stick on carbon pieces were Saleen parts. Mine was AWD, V8 no recaros, no carbon hood, no SC and no sunroof. The current owner has completely restored it and I can’t say enough good things about it.
Doug has helped to revive interest about so many great vehicles that do deserve much more attention and love from enthusiasts! thank you for hard work and amazing wholesome content! P.S: There are so many more vehicles made by Saleen that ought to be talked about :)
@Tele-gram_at_RealDougDemuro
10 ай бұрын
Lucky winner 🎁🔝
@2.warper-master.523
7 ай бұрын
for real
I'm glad that Doug is reviewing cars I've never heard of
Saleen is one of the coolest companies of all time. And the XP8, along with the SR, the S7 and a lot of other cars are a huge proof of that
@NinerEmpire5x
10 ай бұрын
Yes! The SR is so bad ass. Would love to see a review on one
@williamcruse2646
10 ай бұрын
They also did a XP6 version explorer which was a supercharged V6
@m4rvinmartian
10 ай бұрын
*Saleen is a person, he made a company named after himself, and it is pronounced SUH-LEAN.*
@gfgranja
10 ай бұрын
Are they still around ?
@sharpiefatah3657
10 ай бұрын
@@gfgranjayes
This video really brought out the inner child in me and really threw me for a throwback moment. My Grandfather had a 94 XLT, 98 XLT and a 99 EB which I loved to drive. So much so that I bought a 98 Sport as my first car back in 2010. I currently drive a 16 XLT that I love. Cars were so much simpler back in the day that is for sure.
This makes me want to get another second gen explorer as a daily to keep miles off my '16 F-150. Lots of good memories in my 2nd gens driving to our local ski resort with my friends. Seeing the interior again was a blast from the past. Thank you, Doug!
The ball joints on those (non Saleen) were the death trap. I mechanic-ed for a Lincoln Mercury dealer 97-04. Practically every ball joint on those was broken. The only reason they didn't completely fall apart was the pinch bolt.
@paxhumana2015
10 ай бұрын
People usually bought superior custom/aftermarket ball joints to replace the factory ones that Ford made.
@zlinedavid
3 ай бұрын
Nobody in the 90s could make a small truck ball joint. GM’s S10 platform was the same way. They were basically a 30K mile maintenance item.
This is the ultimate quirky sporty suv I would want!
THIS… is the kind of video I love with Doug. As a French suscriber, this is a complete discovery for me, never heard about this SUV. Thank you Doug
Thank you! I was hoping to see you review this one day.
Imagine if the hidden gem was that the XP6 was available with a supercharged 6 with a proper manual. That’d be the desirable package. Thanks for the video.
@beastabuelos6421
10 ай бұрын
If you're buying something like this, just manual swap it at that point
@kellingtonlink956
10 ай бұрын
Great idea! Cheers.
@yungrichnbroke5199
10 ай бұрын
Why would you desire V6 over V8 when the supercharged V8 doesn’t even break 300hp
@kellingtonlink956
10 ай бұрын
One word…. Manual. Cheers.
@yungrichnbroke5199
10 ай бұрын
@@kellingtonlink956 oh. Sure I guess? Would be pretty slow though.
Back in 2000 I used to play Test Drive: Off Road 3 on PC a lot. I would always choose the white Saleen XP8 as my vehicle of choice. It just looked so cool and I suppose it didn't hurt that my parents drove a base XLT Explorer at the time.
@pkmachinegun
10 ай бұрын
I played with it on TDOR2. Along with the T-Rex
If I took a drink every time Doug said SAY-leen, I'd put a bullet in my head. So much for being detail oriented. Way to go De(m)uro.
I’ve got the 98 5.0 explorer. That Saleen one is CLEAN
Dough finally found and reviewing my dream suv my top 10 dream car list
The exploder worth having... I miss my 06' Exploder with a manual transmission. It was what I learn to drive manual with and it was very fun in the winter.
I was born into a ford family in 1992. The white 1998 explorer was my dream car. I loved collecting magazines and photos showcasing modified explorers. There were a couple conversion van companies that even did high top versions!
@garden0fstone736
6 ай бұрын
Yeah my friends dad had one. It was raised like 10 inches and had all kinds of climate controls and I think a tv in the extended roof area. That thing prob flipped from a turn on a slanted road
@purwantiallan5089
3 ай бұрын
For me back then, my dream car was obviously the ford Ka.
Keep up the good work doug
My wife had a 98 mountaineer with the 5.0,awd,4r70w. Used it as a mail truck. I installed a transgo shift kit and cooler. That thing was great. Being a 5.0 guy I really wanted to take some of My leftover mustang stuff and install in on it. Unfortunately it was a work truck sold it with 150,000k. Had 100k in hard rural mail route driving. Never left her down. It also never got stuck. Always loved these. Great review.
Can you review the fx35? It was the coolest and futuristic suv of the 2000’s. Even came with a V8 too
I know about basically every vehicle make especially in the 80s/90s but have never seen this one before. That’s why I love this channel.
wow Doug, I do not remember that suv. Very cool, thank you for documenting and sharing
Love it. My dad had a 99 ford Explorer for basically my whole childhood and it’s cool to see this. Never knew they did this.
a very enjoyable video. this is what it's all about: Doug reviewing hidden gems!
They were 20 years to early, this thing would sell like crazy now with people so fixated on SUVs and performance numbers.
Another excellent video from the king!
@Tele-gram_at_RealDougDemuro
10 ай бұрын
You won a package 🎁🔝
excellent review
I'm convinced that Doug created a website just so he can review the most obscure cars ever
@servissop151
10 ай бұрын
90% of the reason is so he can take a percentage of money on every car sold, and since the site specializes in mostly expensive and cool cars, the cuts he gets are bigger
@bmw3-er
10 ай бұрын
doug's smart move
Saleen is lowkey underrated
@papa_pt
10 ай бұрын
The s7 specifically
I remember these... my parents bought a Limited V8 AWD in 96.. drove from NYC to Florida that summer... so many memories
I love main photo on C&B it looks like this press photos from 90'! Love it!
1998 I was working for a Law Firm doing customer service I answered calls and did filing, one of the Attorneys was looking at one of these and was figuring out the costs and wait time, Saleen was only about 20 or so miles away so he went down there every weekend, he ended up buying a new 1998 Porsche Boxster Cabriolet.
I ALWAYS wanted one of these. Had a Mercury mountaineer 5.0 in highschool and was obsessed with these weird XP8s
I enjoy watching Dougs videos of older vehicles. Ones that I grew up wanting and dreaming about
@Tele-gram_at_RealDougDemuro
10 ай бұрын
You won a package 🎁🔝
There was a black one with white emblems in my town for years. But it was and NA model. The fact that I played Test Drive Off Road 2 and could see this almost weekly in my town was such a joy as a kid. I didn't realize they were so rare. The SyTy will always be the originals to me. But this is right up there with them and even more rare.
This is why Doug is the king of car reviews. Everyone else reviews new or popular cars. Doug reviews, new, popular and cars nobody even knew existed.
@paulie-Gualtieri.
10 ай бұрын
Bill from Curious Cars is better and funnier than Doug.
@zone1hearing
10 ай бұрын
@@paulie-Gualtieri. Who?
@paulie-Gualtieri.
10 ай бұрын
@@zone1hearing Look it up
@ziggamon
10 ай бұрын
@@paulie-Gualtieri.lol I love his long cynical rants about the car company for 20 mins before he gets to reviewing the car.
@paulie-Gualtieri.
10 ай бұрын
@@ziggamon Bill is a cool cat
THIS is why I love this channel-never heard of this SUV before, and loved every minute of learning about it.
Really neat! I didn’t remember that car being offered at all. Good stuff!
My neighbour had one in 06, an ontario truck. I never could understand it then why an explorer was so crazy sounding and looking until now. Makes all the sense and brought back a memory I forgot I had lol
Makes me think about my 92 thunderbird SC. My second car and one of my favorites. If you could review one of those I’d find that super neat
@Tool0GT92
10 ай бұрын
Yes a very cool car, I had an 87 turbo coupe they are both great
@foxwithtubesox1075
10 ай бұрын
I had a 95, pearl white, 5-speed. It was totaled in an accident. RIP.
@philtripi9937
10 ай бұрын
Those were super cool, real sleeper. Not talked about enough at all
For what it's worth, the rear headrests could indeed be adjusted
@maxmike181
10 ай бұрын
Yup, they're in the stowed position for visibility
@Briggleton
10 ай бұрын
I feel like doug really should have known that one. You can tell exactly what's up with them just by looking at it
@smwsmwsmw
10 ай бұрын
@@Briggleton Doug claims to do research on the cars before he makes a video, but he makes an awful lot of mistakes like this. Admittedly, this is not the sort of thing that would be mentioned in a news article or review, but it's not an uncommon type of error for him.
@jamie7664
10 ай бұрын
Lol I’m glad someone else noticed. It has to be intentional….
Doug is the kind of guy who is enthusiastic when talking about bread.
Excellent video. Until today, I had no idea this model even existed!
Fun fact. Because of the wing, the original gas struts for the rear glass had to be replaced by shorter ones so the glass wouldn't hit it. Thus, the glass became a nice head knocker when left open.
@ThorMaxx
10 ай бұрын
I actually wondered about that …. Back in the days when glass window openings were popular…i was thinking the addition of the spoiler would cause issues to the function of the rear glass.
@05Saleen0705
10 ай бұрын
yes, and good luck finding the correct replacements because no one made notes as to what they used originally. Ugh!
@mikecina6385
5 ай бұрын
This is true, I have an xp8 wing. Just looking for the rest of the parts. Mostly wanting to get the rear bumper cause I already have a custom front bumper side skirts fenders and hood. Just need a nice rear bumper and I love the way the xp8 one looks. Not trying to make a clone btw. But I may make a mold to have a wing for my other explorer
I saw one of these at a car show about a decade ago, and I had no idea what this was. And now I do. Thanks, Doug.
Legit had no idea this ever existed...how cool. Thanks Doug!
Amazing find!!!! I remember seeing one
loved these when they came out. nice to see a well preserved one
@LuisUrbieta
10 ай бұрын
While this wasn't theost modern SUV that was built today I love It Even though it's not stock and standard.
@kevincollins8620
10 ай бұрын
I've never seen one in person
@LuisUrbieta
10 ай бұрын
@@kevincollins8620 I know they don't make these abymore.
@kevincollins8620
10 ай бұрын
@@LuisUrbieta Bruh I still see Buick GNX and Old GTO and they don't make them. The Saleen SUV is rare.
@LuisUrbieta
10 ай бұрын
@@kevincollins8620 True, It was not "mass produced" or sold in the millions But love it.
Not to mention, that generation explorer had a crazy high rollover rate. I was actually a passenger in one that my friend rolled.
@malibuconv1968
10 ай бұрын
They only rolled over when you drove them like an idiot.
@MTNorville
10 ай бұрын
That was due to the tires, not the chassis. Which was resolved.
@austingee238
10 ай бұрын
@@malibuconv1968yeah I owned a 97. I lived in the Ozarks. Very curvy hilly roads. Regularly drove 70-80 down those roads. Never rolled it. Just gotta know how to drive and how to control them.
@megachonk9440
10 ай бұрын
@@MTNorville It was both. The reason the tires failed is because they were underinflated, which was done to prevent rollovers. Firestone had said this was fine for the tires, but it turned out to lead to overheating and sudden catastrophic delamination. Since the Explorer was already so marginal for rollovers, the loss of control from a blowout could easily end in a violent high speed rollover crash. 90s vehicles didn't have good rollover protection, so this would be very bad for the occupants of the vehicle. Both Ford and Firestone were complicit in making that generation of Explorer particularly dangerous, even for its era. It very badly damaged the Explorer brand, and it's surprising that it was able to survive and remain successful. That said, the Saleen XP8 probably solved the rollover issues (albeit probably not intentionally) with its Racecraft Suspension setup, lowered ride height, and larger wheels with lower profile performance tires.
@CortMarshal
10 ай бұрын
It was not due to the tyres. People only think that because Ford's fix was just to raise the tyre pressures so high it didn't have enough grip to rollover anymore.
I saw one of these now and then in Michigan (I lived in Dearborn) and it stuck with me. Saleen was the pinnacle of names in the Ford aftermarket world as a teen and this thing was and still is a unicorn.
Had a 2000 Explorer V8. Went to the Orange County Saleen Open House in 2002 and was able to pick up the Explorer Saleen parts on super discount. Picked up the Saleen fiberglass hood, 18" speedline wheels (silver), Carbon fiber mirrors (they were real CF), sway bars and rear spoiler for 90% off (it was dead by then). Changed the XLT rear emblem to say XLR. I was set. Was still a pig though. .
I honestly didn't remember Saleen ever doing anything with the explorer. Back then the S281 and S351 Mustangs were the only Saleen models that got any pub. This was a really cool car for its time and a great review as always. Hoping there will be a S351 review in the near future.
It's always sad to see these without their big brake kits that Ford recalled because the caliper brackets were aluminum and they were getting broken. I ended up with a Baer kit that was put out to replace them. It's incredible the difference they make. I don't think there are many of those around either though since I've never heard of anyone else having them, even on the explorer forums.
@05Saleen0705
10 ай бұрын
The Alcon brake upgrade did have bracket failures, but Ford didn't recall them because that was put on by Saleen and was an option at that. Not many came with them to begin with and they are definitly rare to find today. Plus you can't get rotors for them anymore.
@paxhumana2015
10 ай бұрын
@@05Saleen0705 , how about you build better ones with a more modern manufacturer?
@05Saleen0705
10 ай бұрын
@@paxhumana2015 actually working on that.
I’ll never see a 98 explorer this clean again lol
One of these with a 3rg gen Coyote swap and a 10 speed auto..it would be cooking. I've always like Saleens, I think the coolest looking cars ever made were the Calypso green 92-93 Saleen Mustangs. These are pretty good looking vehicles.
I am proud to say that I absolutely remember this bad boy. Awesome vehicle.
Screw the Cobra R, the Typhoon, and the srt 8, I WANT THIS!!!
If only Ford made an SVT Explorer, I might be telling You a story how we used to take my friends dad's SVT on Saturday nights and go smoke mustangs. But they didn't- so I won't Doug, the kinda guy that makes me think of things that never happened!
I didn't even know this existed. This is so cool . 🖤
Thank you for making a video with this absolute GEM! These have been on my list of dream cars for 15 years. I’ll keep an eye on this auction… maybe one day!
Doug was indeed right. This would RULE Cars and Coffee. I saw Tyler Hoovie’s old Typhoon at my local Cars and Coffee and it pretty much stole the shoe for me.
@TzadikTheManic
10 ай бұрын
Left or right shoe? 🤓
@jordanseay216
10 ай бұрын
@@TzadikTheManic haha! I meant show!
Very good looking suv! Those white magnesium wheels are 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Doug is the best, he puts ads right after we hear the exhaust so we can hear it again!
I remember MotorWeek did a review on this back in 1998. And Steve Saleen builded a prototype version in 1994 with the upgrade V6.
I know Doug must be excited about this one lol let's go!
@paulie-Gualtieri.
10 ай бұрын
Never of guessed, I mean, he's jumping around like an excited kid who's had too much candy.
Anyone else catch those contagious giggles whenever Doug seemed like he was trying to keep his shit together and fight the urge to laugh hysterically at some of the goofiness of this thing?
I used to live across the the freeway in laguna hills about 2 miles from their shop in Lake Forrest next to the freeway. I would get a look at their cars whenever I had a few minutes. It was cool to see the mustangs they were making.
Thank you for keeping the reviews solo. All is right in the world.
my buddy in highschool had this generation of explorer and we, very appropriately dubbed it the "lead fridge", because that is EXACTLY how a 1998 ford explorer drives with the 4L.
Very cool. You are right - I had no idea these existed
I had a 96 Explorer for my first car and stumbled upon these on accident while looking for parts. I have wanted one so bad ever since and will die happy when I can get one in my garage
I never knew this existed. This is awesome! Thanks, Doug!
I've only seen these Saleen Explorers in magazines back in the 90s. Saleen, imo, makes the best looking body kits for mustangs and other Ford products, but it takes some skill to make those body kits fit correctly. Not what you expect for the money you pay for those kits and Saleen won't give you any support to get your kit fitting correctly (ask me how i know). Doug, can you find and review a Ford GT90?
@gsmegaphone
10 ай бұрын
Oh my GOD I forgot about the GT90! Talk about some deep cuts lol
@PANTYEATR1
10 ай бұрын
@@gsmegaphone the GT90 is still dope and i still want one since it came out
My mother bought a eddie bauer edition and the best memories the stock radio had a eq and reverb man that shit was cool to hear studio experience in the 90s
No idea this existed. Thanks Doug!