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I’m thinking of getting a used Ford Ranger. Of similar sized domestic trucks the Ranger seemed the best in reveiws but I suppose a Chevy would be similar. I don’t tow anything and really don’t carry too many tools and stuff. A few hundred pounds and not much more than would fit in a tool box behind the cab.
Do any of you have experience with this make? Consumer Reports rates even the used, 97 and newer, reliable and not too bad a make. I would prefer a stripped model with an automatic but was unable to find any information about the transmission and reliability of features.
When I return to read the replies I will wear my flame suit. The normal
“Jeez get a real truck. Leave the toys in the playground. Id rather push a Chevy than ride in a Ford.” resposes are appreciated if funny or well founded but I’m really looking for personnal experience of reliability, servicability and good/bad points. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Replies
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Forget the Ranger and get a Toyota.
My Toyota has over 200,000 miles on it, and is still going strong. It is astandard, with a/c, but no other frills.
Rangers are good little pickups, but their lifespan is pretty short. I owned one, and got rid of it.
Just an opinion ...
James DuHamel
*Ditto on the Toyota. Mine had 200k on it and was still going strong- without burning oil- before it was totaled. I'd still be driving it if not for the accident. '88 was the last year you could buy them with both a long bed and an extended cab; '89 and up you'll have to decide on one or the other. Stay away from the Chev (small) trucks; reliability is not their strong point. Dakotas suffer in this department also. Sam
*Had several friends who got sucked into buying Rangers - most of them will never buy another Ford.
*We have a 98' Tacoma with the V6 and after 63k we have had no problems whatsoever. The new rangers (2001-2002) are decent trucks with a slightly larger V6 (4.0L vs. 3.4L) than the Tacoma, however the longevity of the Toyotas make it a wiser choice for a used vehicle if that is the route you plan to take.Just my $.02SJ
*I hate to say it but if you go either Toyota or Nissan, you can't go wrong. I had one Nissan with 132k on it before I sold it (never had a problem). Had another with 164k before I sold it (never had a problem). And I know Toyota has the same rep.JohnP.S. They'll rust away before they ever quit.
*DittoI have a '91 Nissan with 140K. Plan to get at least 200K before I trade up. reliable reliable reliableLooking at Toyota next, but I'd be happy with another Nissan depending on price.Know severel people with Rangers. All have had FAR more mechanical trouble than I ever came close to with my Nissan. To be fair, these were all pre '97 models that you stipulated in you original post. Maybe they've improved leaps and bounds the last few years...but I wouldn't take that bet with my hard earned $
*Toyota will keep running until the rust flakes get in your eyes.My S-15 GMC was the least expensive truck I ever owned for maintanence. $750 for 147,000 miles before junior wrecked it. I've got a couple friends who are mechanics and they don't think much of Fords, especially the Rangers.Get your head out of Conreports. Those folks can read reams of paper to provide, interpret or manipulate figures but don't know a real automobile from a brick wall. You'll be driving a TRUCK, not a magazine!
*I'll have to chime in with a Toyota happy thought. If I didn't know better I'd swear it gets better with age.
*I have to go with the Toyota had a 1-ton, had 130k on it when i totaled it on some back ice. Great truck tough as nails. wisk they still made them.Anybody out there know of any one with a small Ford, Chevy or Dodge wit 100k that isnt ready for the junk-yard? Im currently driving a F-150 w/ 35k , it is still hold ing up but I doubt it will be seeing 100k, not as a work truck any way. JMHO T
*Maybe I missed it but are you looking for a 4x4 or 4x2? My dad had a 4x4 for a short time and he often commented that it had "no rearend". I have had two Fords, one Mazda and one Nissan. The latter was a real die hard good truck, the Mazda had a crew cab and I love that idea as a place to throw my stuff, groceries and the dog (not in that combo tho'). The Fords have been family/work trucks and my present '91 F150 XLT Lariat has 74,000 miles with its second transmission/clutch/rear end and a host of other "gotta haves". I may be a glutton for punishment as they say, but I gotta have that truck and fate has dealt me Fords for trucks. Sedans are another thing altogether. Happy holidays.
*Hmm,Hate to offer a good opinion on the Ranger, but here it goes.I owned an 88 4x4 2.9l for 10 years, put 186K miles on it, beat the snot out of it, and still only had two major problems. The first was a blown 5th gear most likely due to abuse by yours truly. The second was caused by poor service at the hands of the dealer. They installed a retaining ring backwards while repacking the wheel bearings. I now own an F350 and love it. Don't have anything bad to say about the Asian products. In the time I owned my Ranger a friend of mine went through two Chevys. He's recovered now.
*I can't recall for sure: weren't the '88 Rangers built by Mazda, or out of Mazda parts, or something like that ?
*The Mazda is built on the same assembly line as the Ranger in Edison, NJ.
*I had a 94 Mazda 4x4 extended cab and it had Motocraft written all over the engine. Don't know when Ford started making the Mazdas but my brother bought a 98 Ranger that looked just like my 94 Mazda. The Mazda was a nice truck had 104,000 on it when I sold it and was still running great. Did have to do about $1000 worth of work on the 4x4 while I had it though. Electronic switch and new hubs if I remember right.
*The hubs were a weak spot on the 4x4's ......the gear inside was made of a plastic type material ..... don't know if it's be corrected on the latest models.
*The Mazda trucks are in fact Ford Rangers, build tags in engine compartment are by Ford Motor Company, and with the exception of trim, they are identical.Not sure about the latest versions, but all previous rangers/explorers, and F-150 with autolocking hubs will have a problem with this part. I'm thinking that the latest are locked at the front diff like Chevys. The hubs are a constant problem and I've upgraded maybe 35-40 trucks with Warn's manual hub kit. The hubs cost $179.99, the required spindle nut kit $54.99, and I charge $124 to install.If you're buying a truck with these hubs or already own one, plan on this upgrade. Ford will just sell you a new crap autohub or two for roughly $400 each every year, or have the upgrade done once.Other than that, they're pretty good light duty trucks. IMO.Mike
*I hate to say this as I am a Ford fan all the way..well not quite...forget the Ranger...nice trucks but life, resale value, cost of repairs, etc are issue where it does not shine.
*Buy American.......I'm not even gonna read the rest of the propaganda! I prefer the Chevy......but take a ford over some jap crap any day. toyota my ass. nissan....get real.....the guy's asking about a pick-up! Jeff
*No he's not. He's asking about a Ford Ranger.
*I own a '96 Ranger, bought new, with 110,000 miles on it now. So far, I've replaced the battery, tires twice, and had the front brakes done. That's it. It has never acted like it didn't want to crank, except when the battery was going. I'm taking it in next week for it's first tune-up. Only because it's supposed to have one at 100,000 miles. I've been driving Fords for 30 years, and see no reason to change.
*Absolutely the best truck I've ever owned was a small Toyota pickup. Best car was Toyota Camry. Both were 4 cylinder and at 200,000+ miles I did not have to add oil between changes. Twice I went against the recommendations of Consumer Reports - once when I bought a full size Chev Blazer and when I bought a GMC Yukon. Consumers was right about both vehicles and I paid the price during life of vehicles. I've still got the Yukon and lost track of number of times during warranty and off that dealer put in a "New improved part". Wish they had used those parts during original construction. Have varied from original question - sorry. Good friend of mine has had 2 - 2 wheel drive Rangers and loved them both - drove them both into the ground.
*I had a '72 GMC Jimmy for about 7 years; bought it new and loaded (including an LT1 4-bolt): the man who bought it from me, to use as a parts-chaser for an autobody business, is still driving it. Those things were bullet-proof.
*For the dude who says "but take a ford over some jap crap any day", all those "jap crap" are mostly built here by folks who probably don't share the same sentiment.And many of those folks probably drive a Ford truck, which is ok.
*I had one of the first rangers bought it in the first 6 weeks they were availible. Bought the 2cnd in 88. The guy i sold it to blew it up at over 200,000 miles by not keeping up on the oil. Both took a beating.
*The FIRST Rangers were sold in the late 60's, and were FULL size Ford trucks. Ford later changed the name to the F150 thru 350 series. I had one (1970 model) and it is STILL on the road to this day. I sold it to a farmer who is still using it. That sucker had over 200,000 miles on it when I sold it in 1996. Maybe you were talking about the first MINI Ranger. James DuHamel
*James, Those old FE engines were pretty tough..... Although the valve seals tended to end up in the oil pan. Had a '71 F100 that I'd transplanted a stock, high compression, 4V 428 in place of the original 360. That thing would pull a trailer like mad. Sam
*I just sold my 79 Ranger 300 cid 6 cyl still running good. Probably had 500,000 or more miles. I bought a 97 ranger with the 2.3 l 4 cyl. Engine was ruined with 65,000 miles due to loss of coolant through a hole in the heater hose where it rubbed on the frame. The bench seat is uncomfortable, cab is too small, handles bad on rough roads, but is cheap to run. I put a engine in it from the boneyard that had 4100 miles on it. Total cost of truck and parts was $2200. But I still liked my F100 better.
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I'm thinking of getting a used Ford Ranger. Of similar sized domestic trucks the Ranger seemed the best in reveiws but I suppose a Chevy would be similar. I don't tow anything and really don't carry too many tools and stuff. A few hundred pounds and not much more than would fit in a tool box behind the cab.
Do any of you have experience with this make? Consumer Reports rates even the used, 97 and newer, reliable and not too bad a make. I would prefer a stripped model with an automatic but was unable to find any information about the transmission and reliability of features.
When I return to read the replies I will wear my flame suit. The normal
"Jeez get a real truck. Leave the toys in the playground. Id rather push a Chevy than ride in a Ford." resposes are appreciated if funny or well founded but I'm really looking for personnal experience of reliability, servicability and good/bad points. Thank you in advance for your consideration.