First vehicle
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 364
Likes: 1
First vehicle
I wanted to know what you thought about a Ranger for my first vehicle. I have wanted one for probably about 2 years, and I am about to get my license. My parent on the other hand, are trying to convince me of something else. Everytime I mention a Ranger to my mom she says "Whats wrong with a car." and when I ask my dad he says "Whats wrong with a cough S-10 cough" That just makes me sick everytime he shows me one. I don't want that crap LOL!! Anyway, any ideas on how to convince them on a Ranger?
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 73
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You are in my spot about a year ago. I've had my license for a while now but we've had our Ranger for about a year. The thing I did to convince my dad was to get out and test drive them. My dad and I must have test drove 10 vehicles very seriously and closely. Most of them we took on some good trips around town. We compaired f-150 regular and extended cabs (extended were too big for what we needed), Dodge dakota's (v6 and v8), Chevy s-10 and gmc sonoma (no difference), toyota tacoma and tundra, then finally two rangers, one with the 3.0 and one with the 4.0.
After all the tests the Ranger was the best vehicle of the bunch. Had the best price too. 2001 extended cab with ~50 k miles for only 9000 bucks and that's before we traded in our old conversion van, had to get rid of the family hauler as we are getting too big for road trips.
And for your mom, it's hopeless. My mom didn't lighten up to my having a truck until she saw how much i truly love the thing. She even caught me sitting in it for hours at a time before getting my license.
For some final advice, don't set your mind fully on a Ranger. If it's your first vehicle make sure you really do like it. Maybe after test driving a few and sitting in them and feeling how they handle you won't want one. And of course, have fun shopping for a truck.
After all the tests the Ranger was the best vehicle of the bunch. Had the best price too. 2001 extended cab with ~50 k miles for only 9000 bucks and that's before we traded in our old conversion van, had to get rid of the family hauler as we are getting too big for road trips.
And for your mom, it's hopeless. My mom didn't lighten up to my having a truck until she saw how much i truly love the thing. She even caught me sitting in it for hours at a time before getting my license.
For some final advice, don't set your mind fully on a Ranger. If it's your first vehicle make sure you really do like it. Maybe after test driving a few and sitting in them and feeling how they handle you won't want one. And of course, have fun shopping for a truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,980
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
my first car was a '79 amc concord 232 I-6 but my first truck was a '88 ranger s/c 2.3 2wd 5spd. had 99,000 miles when i bought it and 7 years later when i reluctantly traded up to a 3/4 ton it had 203,000. absolutely loved it. and after 5 years driving a empty 3/4 ton back and forth to work getting 13 mpg im back in a ranger again. and its great to be back. convincing parents? well, sometimes you just have to do whats right for you, and maybe sometime they'll need to borrow it an realize what a capable, versatile,reliable,effecient machine the ranger is. and as a a final note, truck accesories make great christmass gift ideas to give parents.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 878
From: Foothills of NC
I got both of my sons 4 cyl. Rangers as their first long term vehicles. (92 & 96 models) They were the only things that could stand up to their punishmet.
My youngest still has his. It's been totaled once. I bought it from the insurance company and rebuilt it. He dogs it, the oil never gets changed unless I do it. (I tried to teach him better, he's hardheaded) Suprisingly, it still runs and drives good.
My oldest rear ended a pickup and knocked the engine forward and bent the oil filter on his. I was out of town, and he didn't know it was bent. The filter let go while he was driving down the road. He drove it till it quit. I put new oil in it, put in restore, and he drove it another year before we finally put a crank kit in it. He put almost 200,000 on it before he sold it. He wishes now he had kept it.
So, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with the reliability of the 4 cyl. ranger.
My youngest still has his. It's been totaled once. I bought it from the insurance company and rebuilt it. He dogs it, the oil never gets changed unless I do it. (I tried to teach him better, he's hardheaded) Suprisingly, it still runs and drives good.
My oldest rear ended a pickup and knocked the engine forward and bent the oil filter on his. I was out of town, and he didn't know it was bent. The filter let go while he was driving down the road. He drove it till it quit. I put new oil in it, put in restore, and he drove it another year before we finally put a crank kit in it. He put almost 200,000 on it before he sold it. He wishes now he had kept it.
So, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with the reliability of the 4 cyl. ranger.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 5,228
Likes: 5
From: Running Springs CA
For a first vehicle, the KISS principle applies: "Keep It Simple, Stupid". A 4 cylinder, MANUAL transmission Ranger, preferably without power windows, etc. is ideal. There are no entry-level rear wheel drive, manual transmission cars anymore. My first car was a 1967 VW, very basic and extremely easy and cheap to fix. We got my daughter a used, automatic Saturn. What a disaster.
Jim
Jim
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Middlebury, CT
ive had my b3000 for about 6 months now. my parents were absolutly agains me getting in debt right out of college and told me i should drive my car until my other bills were paid down.
Before this i had a 94 crown vic PI that had 98k on it and was reliable. but it wasnt fun to drive. I was always brorrowing their cars and they got annoyed at that.
once I got my truck I havent used their cars once. my dad has a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee POS. and my mom had to force me to borrow her car once sicne I got my truck. that is the only time i ever drove it after getting my mazda. She has a 2003 SVT Focus that is a blast to drive. But I still like my truck better.
Before this i had a 94 crown vic PI that had 98k on it and was reliable. but it wasnt fun to drive. I was always brorrowing their cars and they got annoyed at that.
once I got my truck I havent used their cars once. my dad has a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee POS. and my mom had to force me to borrow her car once sicne I got my truck. that is the only time i ever drove it after getting my mazda. She has a 2003 SVT Focus that is a blast to drive. But I still like my truck better.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,223
Likes: 2
From: Billings Montana
My first car was a 1975 Ford Maverick. 
Anyway, my mom isin the insurance biz and she was saying that Ford's are by far the cheapest to insure because of parts availibilty. You could try that route when you talk to them about the truck. Good Luck!
Anyway, my mom isin the insurance biz and she was saying that Ford's are by far the cheapest to insure because of parts availibilty. You could try that route when you talk to them about the truck. Good Luck!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: Los Angeles, California
My first car was a 67 Dodge Dart, bought from a little old lady.. It was a great car..
After that I have only driven Fords..
67 Mustang, 67 Galaxy 500 7 litre (loved that one and it is still in the family near perfect), Escort wagon, 2 Contours, ZX2, Explorer, and now a Expedition
I have been a loyal Ford girl!
After that I have only driven Fords..
67 Mustang, 67 Galaxy 500 7 litre (loved that one and it is still in the family near perfect), Escort wagon, 2 Contours, ZX2, Explorer, and now a Expedition
I have been a loyal Ford girl!
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,209
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From: Nowhere, SE OK
Originally Posted by yardbird
They were the only things that could stand up to their punishmet.
So, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with the reliability of the 4 cyl. ranger.
So, in my opinion, you can't go wrong with the reliability of the 4 cyl. ranger.
Gone but not forgotten.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 2
My first car was a '37 Ford coupe. It had an 85hp V8 and had mechanical brakes. My dad said it had twin pipes because you couldn't get that much smoke out of one pipe. While driving wide open (about 65) a tie rod came loose and I hit a ditch. I hit the wheel with my face and broke my nose and lost three teeth (it's hard to believe I'm still so incredibly handsome) ... the Ford was total.
Dono
Dono
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte, NC
my first car......well truck, was my 1994 ford ranger 3.0L ext cab 5spd. bought it with 151K on it and now its up to 191K and i've had it for almost 2.5 years. Best vehicle i've ever driven(out of a 00 Monte Carlo, 98 and 00 Camry, 96 Voyager, 91 Aerostar, 97 Neon, 91 Talon, 00 Elantra, and 88 Buick Century 
(what a piece, lol)) But i'm the happiest with my ranger, sure it has its problems(wrecked it once already ), but its so reliable. I LOVE IT, and my girlfriend jumps on me everytime i start talking about what i need to do to it when i'm around her, lol, but hey, its an awesome truck, what can i say 
(what a piece, lol)) But i'm the happiest with my ranger, sure it has its problems(wrecked it once already ), but its so reliable. I LOVE IT, and my girlfriend jumps on me everytime i start talking about what i need to do to it when i'm around her, lol, but hey, its an awesome truck, what can i say
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: Peoria
My first car was a 73 Mach 1 that i bought when i was 12. I rebuilt it all it had a 351 cleveland. I rode that car hard and it kept goin. After a while i bought an old 429 and supercharged it. It was damn fast. After getting caught doing 178 my parents made me sell it. They said it was too fast for my lead foot. I hope the guy in California is enjoying it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 14,413
Likes: 3
From: Sarnia, Ontario, CANADA!
My first vehicle was actually my dad's 83 4 banger Ranger. It was a work truck but when I first moved out he let me use it. Then I got a 85 Plymouth Horizon! It was crap but got me from point A to point B (sometimes). Then I got a 84 Caprice Classic (Chevy) but it was a big boat and slow. Then got my 89 Aerostar. Used it for a year until I saw my current ride which is a 85 F150 flareside. 
Ranger's are nice though!
-Matt
It was crap but got me from point A to point B (sometimes). Then I got a 84 Caprice Classic (Chevy) but it was a big boat and slow. Then got my 89 Aerostar. Used it for a year until I saw my current ride which is a 85 F150 flareside. Ranger's are nice though! -Matt
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: Central Kansas
My first auto was a 1986 reg. cab, long bed, Ranger. It had a 1.9L motor with a auto trans, shift on the floor. It was a good truck, until my younger brother got hold of it. Anyway, when I bought my first new truck, I ordered a 1994 Ranger STX. I loved that truck! It lasted 10 years. I would recommend a Ranger for a first auto. 
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Lancaster
When my '95 Monte dies, I'd like to move in to a used compact truck. I really like Rangers, but after renting a Dakota once, I could enjoy that too.
The Ranger should be an excellent truck for you, but do look at the other trucks on the market.
Alvie.
The Ranger should be an excellent truck for you, but do look at the other trucks on the market.
Alvie.