I feel ya. My current late model favorite is the S197 CS:Not me, I think the 24's are hideous. I like some of the new tech but I can't get past the awful look of the car. I don't even like the 18+ refresh on the S-550's.
I have one. Throw a custom tune, a bigger intercooler and an E30 mix and hold on. I did those mods to mine an my best .25 mile time is a [email protected]3 mph and a 3.75 0-60. It's quick as hell, especially for a 5K lb SUV. If you get one, come on over to https://www.explorerst.org/ and join up. I learned a lot about my ST from them.Explorer ST is what i'm looking at.