I usually can be found in the '48-56 Forum so new here!

I am going to ask a bit of a heretical question.

My Brother needs a new work truck as his current one got totaled. It was a 2015 Toyota Tacoma. He shoots to get 200k out of a vehicle and lives in the Oakland/Berkely area in CA.

He is looking at the 2025 Ranger vs, the Toyota Tacoma. Putting aside looks and comfort features for the moment and focusing on utility and and durability how well do these 2.3L Ecoboosts and the transmissions hold up? Are these 200k mile vehicles with proper maintenance? I am personally a bit biased against domestic vehicles for long term ownership. my historical experience and non scientific observations are that you are good to around 120k miles before expensive stuff starts to go wrong and then you get pecked to death with the cost of repairs until it is just too painful and you have to buy a new truck. Dodge is the worst, maybe 80k if you are lucky and after that count on a new transmission and many major repairs. Ford and Chevy tend to have similar reliability issues over 120k...but perhaps my views are old and dated.

Short question, and probably not the best place to ask, but is a Ranger a smart long term reliability buy or stick with the Toyota? I am also suggesting he look at the 2023 Gen 3 Tacoma as the Gen 4's have transmission issues...

Thanks!

 

IMHO, the drive train will be the least of the issues on any 2.3L equipped Ford. It's impossible to predict starter or alternator failure and a sensor needing replacement, that can happen to any car maker.

You must keep in mind that Ford has deep European roots and the Euro cars typically recommend longer service intervals. These extended intervals are a death blow to turbos and VCT components. A 10K oil change may work on an old 2004 Ford 4.6L V-8 but not cool on an ecoboost. I'll probably get flamed pretty hard for stating that but that's the hill that I'll die on.

I think reliability is questionable across the entire industry right and it's affected the likes of Honda, Toyota and their upscale brands. Instead of addressing the issues, the industry still blames supply chain issues and COVID.

I do believe that overall, Ford's dealership experience has dropped to an underwhelming level leaving one wanting better service. Not sure about the others.

 

If you're determined to buy a Ranger, buy it off the lot DO NOT order one. I ordered a 2025 on December 3 2024. Still waiting for it to be built. Biggest and last Ford mistake I've ever made.

 

Sorry to hear that. Big bummer. Too late to cancel your order? Hopefully they are passing on the latest "employee discounts for all" to you. They are good fur around $2k or more depending on the model and options.

 

Although I didn't sign a contract at the time I ordered I gave the dealer a $500 deposit. They've been giving me a hard time about getting it back and saying I can't cancel the order.

The "employee discounts for all" promotion ends on June second. Somehow I doubt that I'll get the truck by then. Isn't that convenient!

Also interesting is the fact that my dealer doesn't have a single 2025 Ranger in stock, doesn't know when or if they'll get any and have been sitting on a half dozen 2024's that they can't sell. Seems like almost none of the local Ford dealerships near me has any 2025's.

 

FWIW go play hardball. Tell them you want the EE discount or you want your deposit back. Unless you just want your deposit back. If the refuse go to the regional office or Ford Corporate and complain and ask for whichever you want. Given how long you have been waiting for the truck they will either give you what you want or find a truck for you somewhere in the US. It is absolutely NO ISSUE to cancel an order on a truck that has yet to be built. The dealership gets incentives and additional discounts for volume as does the sales person. They just don't want to give up the sale and hurt their numbers.

You can also threaten them, and then follow through if necessary, with a better business bureau complaint. They don't like having those. The State Attorney General Consumer Division is also a point of complaint. Bottom line, they have to allow you to cancel the order and give you your money back.

You just need to apply pressure and you will get whatever outcome you want. You have a lot more leverage as well as the law in your side than you realize. Just be really firm about it.

Good luck! Whatever happens post an update.

 

At this point I no longer care. I'll play their game and just wait. If and when it finally shows up at the dealership I'll ask for their "employee" pricing no matter what the date. If they won't deal then I get my deposit back, they can try to sell it to someone else since it will probably be the only 2025 they ever get and then I'll take my money and go GMC / Toyota / Nissan shopping.

Ford no longer cares about their customers. Their CEO drives a Chinese EV. Even he won't drive a Ford.

 

Employee pricing isn't that impressive, it's A-plan pricing and has a $275 plan fee up front. by the time you add in the $699-$999 dealer doc fees, you're absolutely screwed anyway. IMHO, if you qualify for X-plan pricing AND you are a savvy negotiator, you'll come out better than A-plan. X-plan caps doc fees to $300.

Employee pricing has increased dealership foot traffic and that's all they care about. They no longer care about or appreciate the repeat loyal buyer who comes back every 5-6 years, as far as they are concerned, they have you dangling on a hook.

I will downsize to a Ranger or Maverick but not until I can physically touch at least 10 of them at the same dealership. Great little trucks and the dealers ain't dealing.

 

2.3L EB is great. I would buy it over the Taco every day of the week, and I say that as someone who owns a 23 4Runner.

I refuse to pay the Toyota tax when the truck is assembled in Mexico buy some poor Jose Schmoe getting paid 20 dollars a day when every other midsize truck is built state side even Nissans.

 

In my experience the cost of new vehicle payments virtually always outweighs the cost of repairs. You kind of have to make that determination as you run into the repairs.

 

The Toyota is junk. Transmission failures, electrical issues, front diff issues, etc. The rear hitch is welded to the frame, so there have been multiple reports of MINOR fender benders causing new Tacomas to be totaled by insurance. If you need to tow, it's very difficult or impossible to add a traditional brake controller, so guys are using Bluetooth or remote mount controllers in a pinch. The interior looks like it was designed and built by Rubbermaid. Just a horribly bad truck. The ONLY thing Toyota has going for it is that they will allow you to get a 6' bed.