Oh goodness...here's another classic question for you guys. I'm about to buy a compact pickup. I'm going to get an extended cab model, 4x4 (preferably with the off-road package), and V6 engine with auto. trans. I need to drive this truck for years and years when I buy it. I looked at Toyota...but they are way too expensive to own, maintain, and insure.

I'm a die hard Ford fan, but the Chevy S10 has bigger tires, 4-wheel disc brakes, more powerful engine, etc. I drove a ZR2, and it WAS tempting. But deep inside, I'm thinking "No, stick with Ford". What I want to know is, which truck would YOU recommend for longevity? Have you heard anything about how long the Rangers are holding up or the S10s are holding up? Any major engine issues or tranny issues with either? Is the new S10 build quality low as has been typical with GM trucks over the last...75 years?

Oh, and I'm not buying a brand new one. I'm looking at 1998-2001 models. Thanks in advance guys...

 

Go with the Ford. I'm 6'6" tall and my father had an s10. It was too small for me. We rented a Ranger one day and it was a lot roomier.

 

My brother-in-law has a 97 Ranger that he's been very happy with. Consumer Reports, for what it's worth, has always rated the S-10 very poorly for reliability while the Ranger has been rated average and is recommended (last I checked). I'd go with the Ford.

 

I know you wouldn't plan to but if you got the S10 I would pray you never got into an accident. Take a look at this link and let me know if it sways your decision in any way?

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/2001Pkup.html

 

I would suggest the Ranger with a 3.0 V6. The 97&98 models were the better ones. The 99 and newer, Ford was busy finding ways to "reduce content". Stay away from the 4.0 except for the new one. The old 4.0 had major issues especially with pinging and knocking. Most folks are getting over 200,000 miles out of the 3.0 ,properly maintained. The S-10 does not fare well in a wreck and the bodies have a tendency to fall apart. Might want to check with alldata for recalls.

 

Sounds like some really good info. Thanks a lot guys. Unfortuneatly, I already bought a '99 Supercab 4x4 with the 4.0 and automatic over the weekend. I've already noticed that the engine uses a plastic intake. What the heck? Did GM lend a hand in that idea? Anyhow, as soon as I got it home I had a problem with the "door ajar" light on the dash...got that resolved. Everything else is going great so far. Truck has 68,500 miles on it. I hope I don't have any problems with the truck for years to come. I did decide against the S10 for the reasons you guys listed....poor build quality, cheap interior material, bad safety ratings, etc. I hope I made a good choice.

I've had zero trouble out of Ford trucks over the last 8 years (which I cannot say about the GM truck I had)...I'll be loyal to Ford until I do. Thanks to all for your advice.

 

Just read the truck 4x4 of the year site - probably got the name wrong by the way.

Winner was Toyota {Ford was not in the contest so no rating} and the others were all Chevy. Lots of good thinsg to say , some bad too.

HOWEVER. In particular to the Chevy S10 - they HATED that one.

Even if you go with Chevy do NOT get the S10 - it's not a truck and like I say these folks gave awards to other Chevy trucks and hated the S10.

For lasting vehicles I think Ford does a good job these days. I am banking on that since I order a Super Duty Diesel myself.

Chevy when I was looking was a close 2nd and Dodge did not make my list.

 

I think you made a good decision. But I would immediately change the transmission fluid. There is a tendency to neglect this very important maintenance item. My owners manuals on all my Fords with automatics recommend a 30K mile change. And I would do the complete job, not just the pan.


Winford

 

Had the truck for a month now. Windows bind going up/down, door ajar light keeps coming on. Other than that I absolutely love it. I'm very happy I stuck with Ford. I've been hearing lots of negative things about the S10 and Tacoma.

When you say do the whole tranny job, are you talking about having the cooler flushed and everything? That costs about 60 bucks doesn't it?

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Nov-02 AT 01:25 PM (EST)]What I meant was do the converter too, if possible. Nowadays, some of the converters don't have drain plugs, so you have to do a flush by dumping new fluid in until it starts to come out. A good manual will describe the procedure. And there are aftermarket devices to make it even easier, like pulling the old fluid out through the fill tube.

But I like to do mine myself, changeing the filter while I'm in there, and if there is a drain plug on the converter, utilize it also.



Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Winford

 

Converter?

 

torque converter, it transfers the power from the engine to the tranny. to drain it you can drop the pan and let it sit overnigh witha drain pan under it, it can take a lot of time for most transmissions to drain completely. keep n mind that unless you take it to a shop to get flushed you will never get all of the old fluid out.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 30-Nov-02 AT 09:55 PM (EST)]my ranger has lasted almost 20 years and 105,xxx miles and only things iv does is a tranny,front hubs,transfer case,and oil changes and thats it its a very well put together truck so go with the ford!! it will hold up longer



p.s.my 1995 s-10 blazer 4x4 (god rest her soul) did very well in the accient i had it in!! i hit a expy at 50mph head on!!!!! and i dident get hurt at all not one scrach it was totaled in the crash but it saved me ( snif! snif! i miss the blazer im going to cry now)


01 sport trac 4x4 black
97 explorer xlt AWD v8 blue
91 f-250 xlt lariat 4x4 blue/gray
84 ranger xlt 4x4 black
94 explorer xlt 4x4 purple/gray
96 explorer limited 4x4 green

 

i almost hate to say it but buy a toyota.spend a bit extra if you can and have one that lasts a long time.buddy had a bronco for several years with all kinds of repairs done.neverending.he knew i had a corolla with next to no problems.he bought himself a t-100 truck and loves it.he'll never go back.bought it used from his friend.parts may be more but you'll hardly have to worry about it for many years...joe