Doug the kind of guy who makes racing car sounds when pushing a shopping cart.

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.

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.

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!

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.

This is EXACT why I love this channel. Doug presents some real hidden gems of the automotive world. Keep 'em coming...PLEASE 🙏

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!

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!

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.)

I’ll never see a 98 explorer this clean again lol

I’ve got the 98 5.0 explorer. That Saleen one is CLEAN

Reviews with cars that are not usually talked about is why I subbed to doug❤

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.

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)

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🤜🏼

Tuning in the 90s was just awesome! But it's weird that they got only about 60hp and 50nm after adding the supercharger.

Remember being obsessed with this thing when it came out, but completely forgot about for the last 20+ years. Very satisfying video!

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...😥

Always great to learn about a car I didn't know existed. Thanks Doug!

I'm glad that Doug is reviewing cars I've never heard of

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.

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!

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

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 😁

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!

I miss these kinds of reviews. I forgot all about this era of Ford and of course I want this one 😍

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.

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 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.

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.

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. 👏

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

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 :)

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.

This is the ultimate quirky sporty suv I would want!

I enjoy watching Dougs videos of older vehicles. Ones that I grew up wanting and dreaming about

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.

I know Doug must be excited about this one lol let's go!

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!

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

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.

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.

Can you review the fx35? It was the coolest and futuristic suv of the 2000’s. Even came with a V8 too

wow Doug, I do not remember that suv. Very cool, thank you for documenting and sharing

Ok after that supercharged Lincoln Towncar, I thought Doug out did himself looking for a car that had been on the market for years, BUT THIS?! I met a guy at a Dairy Queen in 2000-2001 that did all of the XP8 mods to a Mercury Mountaineer. True sleeper, very stylish, the idle and acceleration was not expected. That "car" is the only reason why I consider any Performance SUV today. Thank you Doug.

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.

They were 20 years to early, this thing would sell like crazy now with people so fixated on SUVs and performance numbers.

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!

Not to mention, that generation explorer had a crazy high rollover rate. I was actually a passenger in one that my friend rolled.

a very enjoyable video. this is what it's all about: Doug reviewing hidden gems!

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.

There used to be a black and gold one that sat for years at a local transmission shop. I always wanted to know more about it but then it disappeared one day.

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.

I ALWAYS wanted one of these. Had a Mercury mountaineer 5.0 in highschool and was obsessed with these weird XP8s

I remember these... my parents bought a Limited V8 AWD in 96.. drove from NYC to Florida that summer... so many memories

Always loved this body style explorer. My dad had a 2001 eddie bauer 4.0 in 2010 we found used for $500. It was a workhorse and very reliable for us! Sold it with 300k kms for $1200 2 yrs later

THIS is why I love this channel-never heard of this SUV before, and loved every minute of learning about it.

For what it's worth, the rear headrests could indeed be adjusted

The production number on the front bumper is so damn cool, simple but amazing. Manufactures definitely need to do this again !!

Another excellent video from the king!

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.

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 love main photo on C&B it looks like this press photos from 90'! Love it!

Dough finally found and reviewing my dream suv my top 10 dream car list

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.

Saleen is lowkey underrated

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.

A 1996 XLT explorer was my first car. This is a treat! I kept it going until it crossed 240,000 miles.

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

Thank you for keeping the reviews solo. All is right in the world.

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.

Really neat! I didn’t remember that car being offered at all. Good stuff!

I'm convinced that Doug created a website just so he can review the most obscure cars ever

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.

Doug is the best, he puts ads right after we hear the exhaust so we can hear it again!

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.

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!

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.

Keep up the good work doug

Excellent video. Until today, I had no idea this model even existed!

loved these when they came out. nice to see a well preserved one

I am proud to say that I absolutely remember this bad boy. Awesome vehicle.

Legit had no idea this ever existed...how cool. Thanks Doug!

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 never knew this existed. This is awesome! Thanks, Doug!

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

Saw one in Vancouver years ago, it sounded nice

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?

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.

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

excellent review

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.

Screw the Cobra R, the Typhoon, and the srt 8, I WANT THIS!!!

Thinking about it..that awd had to be a beast in 98…and probably came with the seats…those explorers were always light and quick-and they lowered it..very cool suv to own..

I remember these when new. Our dealership was also Saleen, Roush, and svt. Got to do someone "gentle " pre delivery inspections 😈

These are my favorite Doug videos, so cool to see this type of stuff! I would totally live to have something like this is 1. I had the extra money and 2. My wife wouldn't be like WTF! lol

Wow 161,000 miles. Kinda surprised they hadn’t switched over to the 4.6 modular by ‘98. The coolest explorer I remember were the 2 door sport models, I remember seeing a few with 5 speed manuals on the lot