Help me make a decision
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 560
Likes: 1
Help me make a decision
I have finally decided that I have to downsize for fuel economy reasons. I have located two trucks and I want opinions.
Truck #1:
1990 Ranger supercab base model
129,000 miles
2.9L V6
5 speed
$2000
Truck #2:
1995 Mitsubishi Mighty Max regular cab
139,000 miles
2.4L 4 cyl
5 speed
$2250
Both trucks are in very good condition. Any pluses or minuses of both trucks and comments are welcome and appreciated.
Truck #1:
1990 Ranger supercab base model
129,000 miles
2.9L V6
5 speed
$2000
Truck #2:
1995 Mitsubishi Mighty Max regular cab
139,000 miles
2.4L 4 cyl
5 speed
$2250
Both trucks are in very good condition. Any pluses or minuses of both trucks and comments are welcome and appreciated.
Carpenter Local 745
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,794
Likes: 11
From: on da beach
F150 what, 14 MPG
Ranger with a small V6 17 or so MPG
The best bet is a 4 cylinder for MPGs, plus the small six in the Ranger works a bit harder in the heavier truck. The Mitsu is 5 years newer(this might not matter though)
Keep looking for a 4 cylinder Ranger also Mazda B2200s are great too and reliable.
Ranger with a small V6 17 or so MPG
The best bet is a 4 cylinder for MPGs, plus the small six in the Ranger works a bit harder in the heavier truck. The Mitsu is 5 years newer(this might not matter though)
Keep looking for a 4 cylinder Ranger also Mazda B2200s are great too and reliable.
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
"I have finally decided that I have to downsize for fuel economy reasons."
Now let's see what happens. I assume your truck is paid for. Either way you are going to use gas so you can only figure the savings as the difference between the 2 trucks.
Will the "new" truck increase your insurance costs, property taxes, registration?
You did not post the MPG with your old truck. Let's say your old truck gets 10 MPG. The new truck gets 17 MPG. How long will it take to save $2000 for the new cheaper of the 2 trucks by getting 7 MPG more? Now if any of the others things cost more your cost increases.
Of course this is based on the new truck getting 17. Older vehicles normally don't get sticker mileage. Also will the new truck need repairs? At least with your old truck you know what you have replace and what might break soon.
Just food for thought. So many times when I talk with people they think of the savings at 17 or 25 MPG instead of the only the difference.
Now let's see what happens. I assume your truck is paid for. Either way you are going to use gas so you can only figure the savings as the difference between the 2 trucks.
Will the "new" truck increase your insurance costs, property taxes, registration?
You did not post the MPG with your old truck. Let's say your old truck gets 10 MPG. The new truck gets 17 MPG. How long will it take to save $2000 for the new cheaper of the 2 trucks by getting 7 MPG more? Now if any of the others things cost more your cost increases.
Of course this is based on the new truck getting 17. Older vehicles normally don't get sticker mileage. Also will the new truck need repairs? At least with your old truck you know what you have replace and what might break soon.
Just food for thought. So many times when I talk with people they think of the savings at 17 or 25 MPG instead of the only the difference.
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
Likes: 2
From: Salt Lake City, Utah
The mitsubishi mighty max is much more expensive to maintain, the parts cost more, and the heads have a long history of cracking. PArts are easier to come by for the ranger, both new and used parts. The ranger has a larger aftermarket following. So even if the Mighty Max is cheaper initially, the Ranger is much cheaper to keep running in the long haul.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
I have owned both a M.M. & a 90 ranger w/2.9 (auto). My ranger is running 19.5 mpg avg. the mighty mouse - I mever kept track of because I was all the time putting parts into it. Wendell is right, there are no cheap parts and junk yard parts are hard to find. Greg
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 560
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"I have finally decided that I have to downsize for fuel economy reasons."
Now let's see what happens. I assume your truck is paid for. Either way you are going to use gas so you can only figure the savings as the difference between the 2 trucks.
Will the "new" truck increase your insurance costs, property taxes, registration?
You did not post the MPG with your old truck. Let's say your old truck gets 10 MPG. The new truck gets 17 MPG. How long will it take to save $2000 for the new cheaper of the 2 trucks by getting 7 MPG more? Now if any of the others things cost more your cost increases.
Of course this is based on the new truck getting 17. Older vehicles normally don't get sticker mileage. Also will the new truck need repairs? At least with your old truck you know what you have replace and what might break soon.
Just food for thought. So many times when I talk with people they think of the savings at 17 or 25 MPG instead of the only the difference.
Now let's see what happens. I assume your truck is paid for. Either way you are going to use gas so you can only figure the savings as the difference between the 2 trucks.
Will the "new" truck increase your insurance costs, property taxes, registration?
You did not post the MPG with your old truck. Let's say your old truck gets 10 MPG. The new truck gets 17 MPG. How long will it take to save $2000 for the new cheaper of the 2 trucks by getting 7 MPG more? Now if any of the others things cost more your cost increases.
Of course this is based on the new truck getting 17. Older vehicles normally don't get sticker mileage. Also will the new truck need repairs? At least with your old truck you know what you have replace and what might break soon.
Just food for thought. So many times when I talk with people they think of the savings at 17 or 25 MPG instead of the only the difference.
I'm leaning towards the Ranger for those reasons as well as the fact that the super cab ford will probably be better for my 300 pound frame.
Could I expect to get 20 MPG on the highway with the 2.9L and 5 speed?
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: Ishpeming Mi.
My old Ranger with the 2.9 4x4 gave me 20mpg and that engine was tired, worn out mains and poor compression. I tend to lean towards the Ranger for reasons stated by the other posters. The X-cab will be a big plus comfortwise.
My '75 Ranger F-250 w/dual tanks had to stop for fuel twice for every time my little '86 Ranger did on a a trip from Houston to Marquette. 20mpg vs 7mpg. Granted that their loads were different, and the big truck was hauling a car trailer behind it, even so, the milage never improved after the big truck was emptied [7-8mpg with that 390]. And the big truck was not a 4x4.
My '75 Ranger F-250 w/dual tanks had to stop for fuel twice for every time my little '86 Ranger did on a a trip from Houston to Marquette. 20mpg vs 7mpg. Granted that their loads were different, and the big truck was hauling a car trailer behind it, even so, the milage never improved after the big truck was emptied [7-8mpg with that 390]. And the big truck was not a 4x4.