Tacoma or Ford Ranger? Decisions decisions...

Whats up everyone, I am new to this forum as recently my 160k mile wrx met its maker. I am not sure if this is the right place to post this topic (feel free to move/delete if not), but I am now in the market for a mid sized truck. I test drove the ford ranger in XL trim and loved how it drove. A few concerning factors for me were the four banger turbo engine (after my wrx I have trust issues with turbocharged motors) and the high price point relative to the number of features you get.

I have a ranger XL lined up with my name on it, however a piece of me keeps hinting at my lifelong dream car (tacoma) as it can be optioned with a manual transmission and offers a v6. Oddly enough, the thing holding me back from the tacoma is reliability. I have read through several vibration and transmission issue threads on this forum as well as others. Hearing things like "the steering wheel shakes violently, consistently at highway speeds" is not a comforting thing to hear when looking into a brand-new truck. The model I am looking at is a TRD-off road 5 ft box MT. Are a lot of the transmission and vibration issues nonexistent with a manual? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

Get the Tacoma 6MT, you’ll love it. I’ve had mine 2.5yrs now and haven’t had a single issue with it.

Well worth the test drive

 

Welcome to TW. As with any other make/model on their respective forums you will hear of any and all issues with them. Test drive both and get what you like best. I have a brand new Tacoma after comparing to every other mid size available and am thrilled with my purchase. I have no regrets or issues with my truck. Good luck.

 

Those "issues" you're referring to are the exceptions versus the rule. Forums have a tendency to be the soapbox for bitches and gripes...for every 1 person complaining, there's hundreds and hundreds of folks with no issues.

 

Bingo!

 

The problem with forums is that usually people only chime in/post about the issues, while the vast majority of owners never have problems

Over the years my family has had 4 fords and 4 Toyotas

3 of the 4 fords were sold/bought back by the dealer due to issues and problems, including one being a lemon (4th one was totalled)

We still have 2 of the Toyotas and the other two were sold to by the new ones and had no issues even at 150k+ miles

Overall toyota has a way better track record than ford

 

Tacoma vs Ranger? Hmmmmmmmmm! wait give a me second to think about it. TACOMA!!!!!!!

 

Haha, good to see some positive responses. I will hopefully test drive one this weekend. My two main concerns as you kay have guessed are reliability and value.

The Tacoma TRD-OR MT I found had an MSRP of $37796, dealer was willing to come down to $35,995 as his "lowest offer if I bought it today". I am convinced there are better deals to be haggled off MSRP given that this is an already established platform. Any input here?

 

Asking Tacoma vs ranger on a Tacoma forum..... hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

 

OP, pretty much that your going to pick the Tacoma..
Why because you signed up to this thread already and those issues are fixable next thing you know your already posting your 100k with the truck.

So get the Tacoma

 

If you aren't good at negotiating and are a Costco member you can go through their auto program which in my area (might differ by region) yielded $750 below dealer invoice which was a considerable amount below MSRP.

 

This isnt ranger world bub. What do you think people are going to say here on TACOMA WORLD.

 

Ranger

There, happy?

 

I saw a new Ranger in my parking structure this morning, and my first thought was it was hideous. The disproportionate tail lights alone ruin it. But hey, whatever...you do you.

 

Welcome to TW! I had a F-250 that I traded in for my Tacoma. I have no regrets and love the Taco. I as well considered the Ranger but have a fear of the Turbo and the start stop crap. Why does Ford and Chevy use the start stop to get better EPA ratings. I have owned Tacoma's, and Tundra's in the past and never had any issue's. My 2005 Tundra had 130,000 miles on it when I traded it in for a Frontier. The oil was as clean as a brand new truck. Good luck on your search!

 

I just joined the Tacoma world Sunday. I owned 3 Rangers and 2 F150's I was elated when Ford announced they were re-releasing the Ranger, and quite disappointed with the result. That brought me to Tacoma, which has all the things I loved about the old Rangers and a bunch of neat things Ford missed. What was the final nail in the Ford coffin for me was resale. My 2005 F150 was worth between $2500 and $3500 depending on which salesman was BSing me. A similar age and millage Tacoma was 3 time that. By my math, I will no longer be "upside down" in my loan within a year on the Tacoma. It takes about half the loan term for any other pick-up. (by my math, and I did fail calculus....twice) I would go with the Tacoma.

 

Frontier is not a bad choice as well. Solid truck for the price if you don't mind a classic. It's like getting a 2005 in 2019.

If you're seriously considering a Tacoma, by a 4x4 and a manual.

 

I’d take the complaints here with a grain of salt but definitely make note. While people who gripe represent a small portion of Tacoma owners, there is something to be said or at least considered when gripes are mentioned time and time again by many members.

I doubt you’ll find much at all about the Ranger. You’d have better luck reading about the global ranger and inferring from there for comparison.

 

Get the 6MT

the issues people complain about are usually not present on a stock truck, its from shitty modifications.

 

Tacoma hands down. Resale value will be much higher down the road too.