4x4 Ranger SuperCab with a 4 liter and a manual trans. Good gas mileage, torque, reliable, and will get you just about anywhere. Parts are cheap and aftermarket goodies are everywhere.

Save the full size for bigger jobs.

I'm actually thinking of buying another Ranger myself. No sense driving a full size 4x4 to work.

 

IIRC you're fairly young? Check insurance rates before you decide to do anything. As others have mentioned, the cost of two vehicles may be way more than what you'd be saving in fuel.

 

A 3rd for a ranger for a daily driver. Good fuel milage, 4wd, good power(more than your 6cyl), reliable, easy to work on.

I have an 04 I drive EVERYDAY, haul firewood, haul trailers, and plow snow with. It takes EVERYTHING I throw at it other than towing my deck over equipment trailer.

As for getting a diesel to drive everyday, that is just STUPID, they cost more to buy, more to maintain and more to put fuel in. UNLESS it is hook to a trailer or loaded EVERYDAY

 

X2 on the Subaru Outback or Forester. Reliable, AWD capability, good fuel economy, and dead nuts simple to work on. The engines don't sit transversely like other cars so underhood components are easy to get to.

 

I would also vote for a 4x4 ranger as a second vehicle. I have owned 4 different rangers over the years and never had any issues with any of them. Mine would average around 16-18 in town and 20 on the highway, not as a good as a jetta but you can pick a ranger up for a lot cheaper. As far as a diesel goes, the added fuel economy (most get around 16 unloaded stock from my experience) and the $0.80 more a gallon than regular (in my area at the moment) unleaded basically cancel each other out.

I would love a crew cab powerstroke but there is no way I could justify the cost of a diesel vs how much I tow and haul on average.

One more thing, if I read your first post right you are looking to save money on fuel or atleast stay the same. A 3/4 ton diesel will get less fuel mileage, cost more in maintenance (i.e. gallons of oils vs quarts of oil), and fuel is more expensive.

My best bet would be to get a ranger or Toyota 4x4 for commuting and keep an eye out for a good 3/4 ton for your towing and hauling needs and sell the f150.

 

i checked insurance, an extra 20 to 35 bucks to add another vehicle with just liability, and extra 60 bucks for liability and some more

 

no, i would not drive the diesel everyday i know its STUPID, i myself am not that STUPID, if i got a diesel it would be a ****ty weather and heavy hauler vehicle.

 

the only problem with that is my 92 f150 gets the same average fuel economy so a ranger would only give me 4wd, unless there is a ranger that gets better mpgs? isn't there a really small motor you can get in a ranger?

 

You can get the 2.3 liter four in a Ranger. As for the Jetta, I would not recommend it. I have a 2001 Jetta VR6 and that thing is the worst POS I have ever owned.

Jim

 

You have got to begetting some of the BEST milage out of the I6 I have ever heard of

 

18-20 mpg highway and 16 in town? how is that the best ever in the i6, thats what everyone is telling me they are getting in a ranger

 

That's about what I got with my ranger. 4 litre, 4wd, 5 spd. Your mpg's are probably about normal for a 2wd half ton. If you want a 4wd ranger with a 4 banger it'll have to be pre 92 if my memory is right.

 

We have two 3.0/5-speed Rangers here but they're both 1 wheel drive, and I also have a Subaru. These Rangers get really good milage.. low to mid 20's all the time, but the Sub does better and it's nearly unstoppable in the winter. It's not worth putting up with the brutally anemic 4-banger Rangers as the small 6 does as well on gas and makes a lot more power.

 

Yes, The more typical milage is 16 highway and 12-13 around town

 

I consistently get 15-18 with my truck; But taking my sweet ol' time driving...

I've gotten better on the highway, but it isn't very consistent. Then again, my truck is a 2wd and has 3.08 gears.