Talk me out of getting a Ranger!

Depends on what your criteria for "best truck" is.

If you want a powerful engine with modern tech features...sure get the Ranger.
If you want a very proven design that will last longer than you care to own it, the Tacoma still reigns supreme. And I say that with full acknowledgement that the auto transmission and engine is not that great....still reliable though.

The Ranger platform is proven overseas, though the US version is somewhat neutered in terms of offroad performance. The Ecoboost engines are great...when they work. There have been reliability issues with the F-150 ecoboosts. And the average mpg is not what the EPA rates them at.

That aside its a decent addition to the midsized market.

 

Wife wants one. Tbh I like it too. But can’t justify the price. Rather a 4R. You guys know it lets you adjust the outside temperature to your liking? Yup. Best feature it has. Yup.

 

I wouldn't mind a tarp pickup hot tub.

 

I've been following the "upcoming" Bronco for YEARS. Who knows when they are really going to release it. I mean they are so proud of it that they've teased absolution nothing that we don't know already from the Ranger base. They are as bad as releasing the Bronco as Toyota is at updating their interiors.

 

My wife likes it a lot as well and we briefly considered one. Once I sat in one at the auto show it had one little flaw that was a dealbreaker for me. The dead pedal sits SO high relative to the brake pedal. It's actually uncomfortable to sit in it like that. The Ridgeline and Passport have the same issue since they're basically identical from the B-pillar forward.

 

That's kinda the problem I have with the Ranger. All the aftermarket stuff I like are from an Australian shop called autocraze and would be autoCRAZY expensive to get in the US .

 

Have you seen the current test Bronco? It's a ext cab ranger cab with a three foot box bolted on the rear of the frame. Looks like a south american ice cream truck. If the Bronco looks like a Ranger SUV, or the old body on frame Explorer I think it will be a flop. Ford said the may rebrand the Ford Escape, as a compact Bronco. Question is, will it be sold as a Bronco II-II?

 

Its kinda funny —or sad— to see Honda spray dirt on the side of its “trucks” to make them look off-road ready...but insists on putting those street wheels and low profile tires.

 

From what I've seen much of the forum joins me in my anxiety around what to own after the truck is dead. This is the only vehicle I've owned that I would replace the engine, trans, diffs, etc before getting rid of it.

 

Gotta get those mpgs...

 

I suppose.

But it’s more than that. Honda engineers have shown a patronizing streak over the years. They just “know” what’s best for their own customers.

 

The last Honda commercial I saw called the Ridgeline, a car that looks like a truck.

 

I can recall when Honda dropped the double wishbone suspension on the Civic. I thought that double wishbone was why people like modifying Civics.

 

Honestly I’ve been driving a taco since I was 18, now 30, and the Ranger is a superior truck... if you’re a tree hugging bisexual. Now here is what you need to. Buy a TRD off-road and throw a long travel with 35s on that bad Johnny.

 

Yup. And how for years Honda engineers resisted putting a V6 on Accord because “it is not needed.”

It wasn’t until Camry ate Accord’s lunch that Honda engineers finally had to relent.

 

Ugh

 

I think you should go for it.

 

I test drove a Ranger last night. It's a better vehicle than the Tacoma in nearly every way. I have questions about reliability though just because it's turbo 4.

The ride quality was superior, the engine performance was superior, and seating position was superior, and It had better in-dash features.

It was also far cheaper with rebates.

I was test drove a 4x4 XLT that was 33K with rebates. There were other models that were 29K with rebates. Not sure why anyone would buy a Tacoma over a Ranger other than reliability. I don't think the Tacoma's or Toyota's reliability is such a sure-shot anymore either after the 3rd gen.

The only thing keeping me in my Tacoma is the manual transmission at this point.

 

You just gave another reason, lol. So many contradictions in your post.