Hey, I've never owned a truck and never planned on it but my new location requires a truck to have as much fun as my colleagues.

I will be using the truck to hunt, fish, lug furniture or something heavy once a month. Under 7k.

Theres 2 Ford Rangers in my area.

One is a 2008, 108k kms, 5 speed Manual, 2.3L, regular cab with new tires. I went to test drive and there was a bit of rust on the front and back bumper, small dent in the gate, reverse light didn't work which he didn't know but assured me he could fix. Also had a leaky axle seal however the guy had the part and seemed very genuine, told me upfront the whole history of the car and seemed like he takes care of his vehicles.

The other is a 2007, 128k kms, Automatic, 3.0L, extended cab, 3 sets of tires on 2 sets of rims. Test driving it tomorrow however he tells me there is no rust, mechanical or electrical problems.


I have heard bad things about 3.0L but usually about older years, dunno about 2007. I'd like the extended cab of the 2007, however I'd like a manual for winter driving. The 3 sets of tires is a big plus for me. I need it to be reliable over towing capacity or speed.

If you were in my shoes, which would you choose?
V6, automatic with extended cab and tires or
l4, manual regular cab.

 

Manuals are kind of sucky in winter unless you have LS and/or 500 pounds of sand in the bed. Automatics are better in winter. This is coming from a guy who drove nothing but manuals because he was too cheap to buy the automatic tranny option.
I no longer buy anything with manual tranny other than my motorcycles.
Also Automatic are more capable of higher towing weights.
I'd go with the 3.0

 

it sounds like you have some pondering to do. with you quoting kph it take your up here with me in the great white north. i had a 2wd f150 for 2 winters here in sk, and it was a nightmare, it got stuck all the time, even trying to get it off the driveway, but that being said it had goodyear wranglers on with 80% tread, but it was loaded down with 200kg of traction sand, and it was still bad. please don't think its the driver, as i drove semi's for 20 years. myself, i would prefer a manual box over the flaky auto 5r55e, and i have just put one in my b3000 for 2300 bucks, but the 3.0l engine is nothing to write home about. if this is going to be your main vehicle i would want 4wd and 4.0l and manual, good luck with your search.

 

Hello, its an interesting choice, I have a 94 ranger with the 2.3l 4 cylinder and the 5 speed manual transmission that I have been driving since I picked it up on the lot, and a 2005 ranger ext. cab 4X4 with the 4.0 liter and an automatic trans I also bought new.


Some thoughts:
If gas mileage is a concern My 94 is my daily driver and still gets 28 miles to the gallon. I have 225,000 on it and I expect 300-350K its a rock solid little engine. Remember its not rated for towing or anything, yes it will haul stuff but that's about it, and my husky has a hard time with the small seats.


If you are going to contend with snow you have a problem. I grew up in the high country of Colorado with lots of snow and inclines, and I recently moved away from Marquette Michigan where it snows daily for 5 -6 months of the year. I cant think of a worse vehicle for the snow regardless of engine/tranny combo. The truck is way to light on the back end. You will learn new driving skills even on wet pavement in the summer. You can never relax with this truck on a wet/snowy road. I strongly suggest a parking lot with the first snow and get a good feel for the slide.The extended cab is better ride overall and more stable in the snow. Whichever you buy Plan on 3-4 sandbags and a good set of winter rated tires like Blizzaks or similar to keep it on the road.


My dad only owned fords his entire life. he bought a 2002? with the 3.0 for 4 wheeling in Colorado and 2 months later traded it for an S-10, he hated the 3.0 liter and its lack of power.


Not an easy choice, but I think after all this I am leaning to the 2.3l truck

 

After the replies and talking to some people, I realize a 2wd ranger would be horrible in the snow and I chose not to get them. Thanks guys.