Toying with the idea of getting a Ford ranger

I have 29k on my 09 Taco 4x4 V6 that I bought brand new. The 6 speed is bugging me every day and I have been toying with the idea of trading in. I have been browsing a 2012 Taco auto, Frontier auto, Ford Ranger auto. Right off the bat, let me say that I know the Taco is probably the best built truck of all 3. No doubt. I highly doubt any of the contenders will run to 300k or whatever and hold their value. Having said that, there are some things about the Taco that I never got used to - the bigness of it (its not a small truck anymore), 2nd gen oversized looks, 6 speed, TSB nightmares I went through, etc. I have also never owned a car more than 1.5-2 years, so the running to 300k doesn't really have any value to me.

The Ranger is appealing because they let you configure it exactly how you want. e.g., bench seat in front with column shifter, rear axle ratios etc. I am also assuming they will throw insane deals at you to sell you one, especially if you are trading in a Taco. What do you guys think of this config:

• 2012 Ranger Sport 4x4 4.0 V6, "4 door Supercab"
• 5 Spd. Auto, with 3.73
• Payload package 2 (increased spring rates and beefed up shocks I think)
• Bedliner, black step bars
• 60/40 bench seat, sliding window
• Remote start

I am just exploring options, please hold the partisan comments I love my Taco, and I love TW, but try and give me some useful advice instead of the "Taco forever, Ford is shit" stuff.

 

Not a bad config.

 

Every manufacturer has their problem. Personally I have no experience with nissian, but with ford I just find their customer service isn't the greatest compared to toyota (exspeacially when it comes to fixing problems such as tsb's or other early arised manufactueral problems). Also, I don't know if I just know/see a lot of ford owners who don't take care of their trucks/vehicles, but I always find they are rusted, very prematurely to boot. And rust that they won't cover like toyota did with their frames.

With that being said I wouldn't go ford, even though some of their heavier duty trucks are awsome, but it just bugs me when a practically brand new vehicle is sprayed every year and it still gets rust on it, or how the company doesn't take care of their cutomers (my personal experience though- there have been some people on here that can say the same for toyota)

Anyways with what ever you choose you got to be happy and enjoy what you drive. For me that's the yota, if its something else for yeah get'er done I guess.

Oh yeah the resale value is really good like you said, that was a bonus for me, and the gas milage. My buddy has a v6 single cab reanger edge and I do way better than him on gas and I have a dble cab long bed. Could just be my driving

 

I love the first response.

 

Have you driven the Ford or the Nissan? I drove the frontier and the Tacoma, and chose toyota. The comfort of the seats, the interior quality, and ultimately the ride. I own the sport access cab and had driven the same thing in Nismo packaging. As for the ford, I don't have experience with the FX2 or whatever their super offroad pkg is, but I've driven a few rangers a my dealership and I just found them kind've blah. Interior was cheap, almost too small, and just not my cup of tea. I'd assume you're going new, I looked at 06-09 when I got mine. If you were thinking used, I'd look for an 04 Tacoma. It'll be the right size and killer dependability. My .02...

 

lol FORD RANJAH XLT BRAH!

http://youtu.be/2UjY_27HlXw

on the real tho. if you buy a ranger, your an idiot.

 

Are you sure you can get a 2012 4door? I have always had a Ford.........and wanted a new one last Feb.2011. Was told by the dealer that they discontinued the ranger. It is offered oversea,including the 4 door. That was the impression I also got from the internet last year. I still have my 93 ranger ....152487 miles on it. I ended up getting a Tacoma. Wish I had years ago....more Truck then my ranger ever was. I LOVE my Tacoma!!

 

umm yeah... have fun with that. Maybe Ford willl give you a free set of steak knives to sweeten the deal.

 

Same here - I heard they were dropping it. And that they have a larger model for other countries but it likely wasn't coming here.

 

The issue I see is that if you keep your truck only 2 yrs your tacoma will be worth more than the Ranger in resale value. Plus I thought they were discontinuing the Ranger anyways. You should be able to get it cheap.

 

You are right, it has been officially discontinued. But Ford still lets you build it on their Website, which means there must be some leftover inventory?

 

I had, my last ranger was a 1998 I did love it however it's the same truck as a 2012. Which is why it was time to move on, my friend had a 2009 and hated it, many issues like the clam door seal lets the road noise drive along with you. If ford had brought to market a new ranger, I would be driving one but not this one.

 

why not just buy a used 1st gen then..

 

Don't go with the ranger. I had one and it was the biggest POS I have ever spent money on. I'm not just sayin this because we are on a Tacoma forum. Seriously that ranger was a waste of my money and time. That was my first ford and I cannot trust them again. So I came back to Toyota.

 

+17809123017243891049850198475

 

My family has always been into Fords and I was the 'different one' who would never drop a dollar on a Ford. The cars have always had issues with them in regards to durability as well as manufacturing issues. My mom's T bird had paint and rust issues, my sister's car always was in the dealership due to it always dying out, and my nieces brand new Escort caught on fire...

Needless to say, the Ford TRUCKS in my family have always been strong and held out. My brother had over 275k on his Ranger when he sold it to a guy who wanted to use it as a landscaping truck. He bought another one. He still sees his old truck running around town with a lawn mower in it!

 

No thanks on first gens. They are outrageously priced and not enough value. I looked for them before i bought my 2nd gen and ended up paying 5-6 grand more for a brand new truck compared to what 1st gens were going for. Rusted frames and a 90s interior? No thanks. Ill stick with the second gen problems.

 

Lol that is pretty funnay!