Ranger/B, Tacoma, Colorado

[SaltyDog]

Please, get at least the smallest V6.  I use my old man's 4 cyl Ranger a lot, and it really isn't bad except for one thing: LACK OF POWER!   Honestly, towing an empty trailer, I have found myself pedal-to-the-metal just to maintain a steady 90 km/h (55mph).  The fuel economy on highway jaunts sucks, too.  Get the V6!

Yeah, I hear you.  I have a feeling I can live with it, but I'll make sure to get a test drive and see for sure.

[SaltyDog]

I think you can get a Nissan Frontier with a 4cyl, and a six speed. 

If I got a Frontier it would have to be used.  New Frontiers start much higher in price for some reason, and it's "AccesCab" is standard.

[ifcar]

I think you can get a Nissan Frontier with a 4cyl, and a six speed. 

Forgot that one, but my point stands.

[Nebtek2002]

My 9 1/2 year old ,97 Ranger is probably good for another 9 1/2.

I have the "old" 2.3 4-cyl., basically the '72 Pinto motor with all the bugs worked out, including the oil leaks. This is the only Ford I've had that's gone 110K+ miles without burning or leaking any oil between changes.I've had good luck with previous Fords on the oil BURNING front, but OMG what oil LEAKS? some of them had!!

Fully loaded down with about a half-ton of magazines and running AC, the old 2.3 does need to be nearly floored to get it going from a dead stop, but once underway, it will maintain speed.

The "new" 2.3 is rated at about 30 more hp. It should be more than adequate.

In 1998, Ford stretched the wheelbase 4", giving the cab some much-needed storage room. The frame was also beefed-up some.

My only 2 repairs under the warranty were an O2 sensor and a battery--both of which were promptly takencare of by the dealers nearest me when the problems arose, neither of which sold me the vehicle. No dealer complaints here!

The starter went out in 2003.

Otherwise, it's just buy gas every 300 miles, change oil/lube chassis every 4000 miles (splitting the difference between "normal" and "severe"), flush the radiator and replace serpentine belt every 3 years and timing belt every 6 years. This has been an extremely cheap vehicle to maintain.

Every other week, when the vehicle is used nearly exclusively for commuting, I get 22-24 mpg. all-time high 25.6.
When I'm doing the part-time gig with the magazines, 20-22. Subtract 10% for 10% ethanol blend.
I don't know if newer Ford engine computers like ethanol better than mine does, but for me ethanol blend at just 7-10 cents less than real gas makes no sense.

[MidnightDave]

I bought one truck to keep it the rest of my life. I wanted V6 = 220hp, 5spd, 4x4, xtracab, tow package, black. Saw this Taco on a stand at the dealership as my '99 SAAB Viggen had just returned from the shop. Drove in and traded straight up. Put some 31" MTRs on it and it's been a GREAT truck so far, wheeling, hauling, commuting for a while, (when the 'stang was getting the engine built). I vote used Taco.

[CMan]

Wouldn't have anything to do with a Colorado. The Ranger is old, but it'll go forever and ever. The Tacoma is one of only two Toyota's I don't hate.

[TheIntrepid]

Wouldn't have anything to do with a Colorado. The Ranger is old, but it'll go forever and ever. The Tacoma is one of only two Toyota's I don't hate.

What's the other one? Camry? :P

[ro51092]

I'm guessing the MR2?

[CMan]

Wrong. And I'm not going to tell you what the other one is. :P

[Raghavan]

Wrong. And I'm not going to tell you what the other one is. :P

It's obviously the Corolla SE-R.

[CMan]

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha! Hahaha....





No.

[280Z Turbo]

My '86 was always super cheap to keep running too, even in its old age.

[SaltyDog]

Thanks for the help.

Now I'm really thinking about a Ranger.  When do '08s start appearing on lots?  I suppose the best thing to do is to grab an '07 right before.

[ifcar]

Thanks for the help.

Now I'm really thinking about a Ranger.  When do '08s start appearing on lots?  I suppose the best thing to do is to grab an '07 right before.

Have you checked you local inventory? When you buy may have to depend on when they have what you want. If they only have one or two base trucks right now, you can't count on them having one when you're ready to buy.

[The Pirate]

Wrong. And I'm not going to tell you what the other one is. :P

4Runner?

[CMan]

Hehe, actually, it's the FJ Cruiser. And I don't hate the Yaris Hatch either. But the rest...

[The Pirate]

Hehe, actually, it's the FJ Cruiser. And I don't hate the Yaris Hatch either. But the rest...

That was my second guess, but I like 'em both.  The 4Runner would probably be a bit better of a daily driver though.

[CMan]

OMG. OMG.

I did an image search for an FJ Cruiser, and this turned up.



Who's the idiot that did this? They completely ruined it!

[FordSVT]

I've never understood putting rims and tires like that on a truck like this.

The only redeeming value a vehicle like the FJ or Hummer has is it's off-road capability. Smaller interiors, lack of cargo room, bad road manners, etc. etc. etc. compared to most other SUVs. Putting tires like that on an FJ is like cutting the nuts off a bull. What is it good at now besides looking awkward? I cry for the inanimate object.... 
-FordSVT-

[TheIntrepid]

It's obviously the Corolla SE-R.

That's XRS.

[SaltyDog]

If they only have one or two base trucks right now, you can't count on them having one when you're ready to buy.

And that's basically the situation, so I better start now.

[Raghavan]

That's XRS.

I was being sarcastic.

[280Z Turbo]

Yeah, I hear you. I have a feeling I can live with it, but I'll make sure to get a test drive and see for sure.

If you do get the 2.3L DOHC Duratec, I wonder if you could bolt on performance parts for the Focus/Mazda 3.

[SaltyDog]

I've never understood putting rims and tires like that on a truck like this.

The only redeeming value a vehicle like the FJ or Hummer has is it's off-road capability. Smaller interiors, lack of cargo room, bad road manners, etc. etc. etc. compared to most other SUVs. Putting tires like that on an FJ is like cutting the nuts off a bull. What is it good at now besides looking awkward? I cry for the inanimate object.... 
-FordSVT-

But most buyers never intend to take a Hummer or FJ offroad.

[SaltyDog]

If you do get the 2.3L DOHC Duratec, I wonder if you could bolt on performance parts for the Focus/Mazda 3.

With their engine's layed out in different directions I don't think bolt-ons are interchangable.  Cams and internals will fit, but that's a whole different price range.

[280Z Turbo]

But most buyers never intend to take a Hummer or FJ offroad.

Most people don't even know where they can go off-road, and they wouldn't know what to do when they got there.

[SaltyDog]

Most people don't even know where they can go off-road, and they wouldn't know what to do when they got there.

Not saying I agree with them.  I don't like that style at all.

[TheIntrepid]

I was being sarcastic.

That's what they all say.

[FordSVT]

But most buyers never intend to take a Hummer or FJ offroad.

Yes, and that's the problem: they're idiots.   
-FordSVT-

[S204STi]

Forgot that one, but my point stands.

I wasn't even arguing with you.