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Hey guys, I'm looking to pick up a used ford ranger for the girlfriend. She would be using it as a daily driver and just as something we could use to haul a few things around if nescessary. Right now we are looking to spend a maximum of $6500.
Criteria:
- Has to be automatic
- Single cab is just fine
- 4 cyl is fine too: gas mileage is great
- clear title, good history
I was thinking about driving out and looking at this one:
Anyone have any experience with Rangers? What things should I look for or listen for if I go out and test drive this one? I am fairly confident I could get it for $6000 out the door after taxes/fees/etc. it comes with a 30 day warranty which at least gives me the piece of mind that it won't fall apart right away.
Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
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A-Ron
2005 DG G35 Coupe 6MT. Clear corners are my only mod so far....
I've looked at the frontier and tacoma....however in my price range it seems like a tie between getting a 96, 97 toyota with over 100k miles vs. a 2001, 2002 ranger with less than 100k.
I would definitely look to buy a 2001 and up, if you are getting a Ranger. You might want to double check the year and engine. I think some of the engines weren't put in until late 2001 or something.
Prior to 2001, the ATs on the 3.0L and 4-cyl. Rangers have a fairly bad history. The tranny in the 4.0L are stronger and can be found in the 95-2001 Rangers.
If you buy a 2001+ with either engine, it will have the newer 5 speed AT and I would try to find one of those if you can. I think the 3.0L is reliable enough.
The old 4 cylinder is crap, but the new 2.3L Duratec is supposed to be better. You will probably get better mpg wit either the 4 cyl or the 3.0L, as opposed to the 200 hp 4.0L.
I would definitely look to buy a 2001 and up, if you are getting a Ranger. You might want to double check the year and engine. I think some of the engines weren't put in until late 2001 or something.
Prior to 2001, the ATs on the 3.0L and 4-cyl. Rangers have a fairly bad history. The tranny in the 4.0L are stronger and can be found in the 95-2001 Rangers.
If you buy a 2001+ with either engine, it will have the newer 5 speed AT and I would try to find one of those if you can. I think the 3.0L is reliable enough.
The old 4 cylinder is crap, but the new 2.3L Duratec is supposed to be better. You will probably get better mpg wit either the 4 cyl or the 3.0L, as opposed to the 200 hp 4.0L.
wow finally, some useful information, thank you!
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A-Ron
2005 DG G35 Coupe 6MT. Clear corners are my only mod so far....
My friend has a regular cab 2WD '04 with the 3.0 liter engine mated to a 5sp manual. The truck sucks *** on bumps, if you are going around a steep bend the rear end seems to skip from side to side over bumps. Otherwise, it seems to be fairly comfortable for what it is. The 5spd is peppy and you can chirp the tires into 3rd... but i have never owned one so i can't comment from a reliability standpoint. If you can find a tacoma or frontier... i would suggest those instead.
Want my advice? Don't buy a Ranger. Unsafe, badly built, and are very weak in the engine department.
Honestly, I would take a Toyota truck over anything else. I have owned a few and I like the way they drive, but the Rangers are not bad. I have several friends with them and they have zero to minimal problems.
Ford in general does have lower quality than Toyota or Nissan and I can't argue that.
The "unsafe" and "weak engine" comments are unfounded, though. I based this on 2001, since that's about the year he is looking to buy.
The Ranger 2.3L is 135 hp, the 3.0L is 154 hp and the 4.0L is 207 hp. Compare to Toyota, which has a 142 hp 4-cyl or a 190 hp V6. The Frontier has a 143 hp 4 cyl. or a 170 hp V6.
The 2001 Ranger also scored better in crash tests than the 2001 Toyota Tacoma. I think the Frontier did equally well, but Edmonds didn't have their info.
Ford Ranger Regular Cab Pickup (2001/2002)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Driver Good (2WD)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Passenger Good (2WD)
NHTSA Side Crash Front Occupant Excellent (2WD)
NHTSA Side Crash Rear Occupant Not Applicable
NHTSA Rollover Resistance Average (2WD); Poor (4WD)
IIHS Offset Acceptable
IIHS Bumper Bash Marginal
Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Pickup (2001/2002)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Driver Average (2WD)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Passenger Good (2WD)
NHTSA Side Crash Front Occupant Average (2WD)*
NHTSA Side Crash Rear Occupant Not Applicable
NHTSA Rollover Resistance Not Tested
IIHS Offset Acceptable
IIHS Bumper Bash Poor
*High likelihood of pelvic injury.
Honestly, I would take a Toyota truck over anything else. I have owned a few and I like the way they drive, but the Rangers are not bad. I have several friends with them and they have zero to minimal problems.
Ford in general does have lower quality than Toyota or Nissan and I can't argue that.
The "unsafe" and "weak engine" comments are unfounded, though. I based this on 2001, since that's about the year he is looking to buy.
The Ranger 2.3L is 135 hp, the 3.0L is 154 hp and the 4.0L is 207 hp. Compare to Toyota, which has a 142 hp 4-cyl or a 190 hp V6. The Frontier has a 143 hp 4 cyl. or a 170 hp V6.
The 2001 Ranger also scored better in crash tests than the 2001 Toyota Tacoma. I think the Frontier did equally well, but Edmonds didn't have their info.
Ford Ranger Regular Cab Pickup (2001/2002)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Driver Good (2WD)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Passenger Good (2WD)
NHTSA Side Crash Front Occupant Excellent (2WD)
NHTSA Side Crash Rear Occupant Not Applicable
NHTSA Rollover Resistance Average (2WD); Poor (4WD)
IIHS Offset Acceptable
IIHS Bumper Bash Marginal
Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab Pickup (2001/2002)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Driver Average (2WD)
NHTSA Frontal Crash Passenger Good (2WD)
NHTSA Side Crash Front Occupant Average (2WD)*
NHTSA Side Crash Rear Occupant Not Applicable
NHTSA Rollover Resistance Not Tested
IIHS Offset Acceptable
IIHS Bumper Bash Poor
*High likelihood of pelvic injury.
I'm not basing it scoring, but rather from first hand results. Both my mother and my brother in law have been in serious accidents in Rangers, and they were both severely fuxored up (one a rear ending, the other a frontal crash/head on that lead to a roll over). The vehicles really looked like crap.
On the other hand, my Maxima ('03) protected me from a 90+ mph combined head on (offset left) hit from an idiot that was passing around a blind curve in a no passing zone. My car was toast, unfortunately...
I'm not basing it scoring, but rather from first hand results. Both my mother and my brother in law have been in serious accidents in Rangers, and they were both severely fuxored up (one a rear ending, the other a frontal crash/head on that lead to a roll over). The vehicles really looked like crap.
On the other hand, my Maxima ('03) protected me from a 90+ mph combined head on (offset left) hit from an idiot that was passing around a blind curve in a no passing zone. My car was toast, unfortunately...
Maximas are totally different from compact trucks. Every accident is different, too. MrGone wrecked his 92 Maxima going I think 80 mph and he didn't get injured at all. His airbag didn't even deploy.
Pretty much all trucks and SUVs are more susceptible to rollovers, anyway.
I used to have a 1999 Ford Ranger XLT V6. Brought it used 2 years ago for $5000, but it had high mileage (150,000). I put about 10,000 miles on it and would probably still be using it if hurricane katrina didn't mess it up =X. (But I guess it can be a good thing since I got a maxima now =). ) Only bad thing I notice was that it gets pretty bumpy if the road isn't close to 100% straight. My ac compressor broke around 155,000 miles, but I replaced it with a new one and worked perfectly afterward. Oh yea, the previous owner said he hit a deer once at 40 mph and it only made a little crack on the front grill. If you're just looking for an everyday driver and gas saver (4 cylinder), then I'm guessing having more or less horse power shouldn't matter to you. I don't know if it's the high mileage that makes the car bumpy, but if she doesn't mind feeling bumpy on certain roads, then I'd say it's a pretty nice car.
I worked for two different companies that used rangers for company vehicles. The problems we had most frequently (4cyl models)
1. Electrical, assorted. Expect a LOT of strange electrical gremlins. Welcome to Ford ownership (I've owned 7, I'm allowed to complain).
2. The company trucks always seemed to drop the automatic tranny at about 120-140k.
3. Power steering pumps.
All vehicles have their problems. Its just which ones have less of them. I would say Toyota and Nissan are your best bet in this case. Even though Rangers are based on an old platform they have come a long way in reliablity from what they were. Still they can be unpredictable and I wouldn't be comfortable with one unless it was a newer model.
Toyota on the other hand are reliable for many years. The 4cyl 88-94.5 pickup has the 22RE engine which is highly respected by mechanics and near perfect. One of these 100K+ mile engines is still a baby and I would be more secure with it than a Ranger with less than 100K.
I have a Nissan Hardbody right now. Its good too but it doesn't handle as well as my old Yota.
Other than that I just have two suggestions:
1. Whatever used truck you are going to buy check into whatever, if any, major service it may soon need. My truck for example soon needed a timing belt replacement which cost 1000+ because it wasn't something I could do myself.
And 2. Stay far away from all Chevy & GMC minis including the S10, Sonoma, Canyon, & Colorado. There has been something fundamentaly wrong with their compact trucks for years.
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"There has been too much violence, too much pain ....
Just walk away and there will be an end to the horror. "
Friend has like a 92 3.0 AT ranger... its a peice, it just now got to 100k and the trans shifts hard as hell, when you go from park to drive the whole truck jerks like it was your first time learning how to drive a stick. Its got a hole in the gas tank somewhere, electrical does suck on it, exhaust is rusted out (southern car), and somethin is messed up w/ the rear diff.
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