Ford Ranger sales fall over 30% in June - Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal:

I read this about Ranger sales being down by about 30 % in June 2008.
I know all the manufacturers are way down for June, I think these are the percentages, saw them listed on CNN, but I may have forgotten the exact percentages:

• Toyota down 21 %
• Ford down 28 %
• Mopar down 33 or 35 %
• GM down 18 %...but I think they had a big sales push on in June

So they're all down .

I checked out a 2008 new Ranger 4 WD, extended cab, 4 liter V6 in May and I liked what I saw. Rancho shocks from the factory, Torsen limited slip at the rear, 5 speed std. now available with the 4 liter....tough little truck. I also like the styling, kind of has the pre-97 look, that I favour.

I have heard that the Ranger, older design, notwithstanding has been a strong sales vehicle lately, because of the fuel prices and because it's a nice basic truck, that can tow up to 6000 lbs (tow rating by Ford, depending on equipment)...so I'm surprised it's taken this much of a sales hit in June.

I have heard that the 2.3 four is a powerful little engine -for it's size and get great mileage, the 3 liter isn't much more powerful than the 2.3 and the mileage isn't too hot and the 4 liter is quite powerful, but not an econo-miser, about 2 mpg better than an F150-4.6 or 1500 Chevy, 4.8 V8.

My neighbour has an older Ranger with the four cylinder and 5 speed std. He really likes it, very useful truck, with tremendous gas mileage.

My wife doesn't care for trucks, so for the time being, cars it will be.

I'm hoping the Ranger continues in production, but wish Ford would add a small turbo 4 cylinder at a fair price. Apparently the Ranger has a diesel option in other parts of the world, why not here?

Well, that's my ramble today.

 

My friend just got rid of his Ranger. It was a fully loaded little FX4 and he always complained that the mileage was no hell - another friend of ours has a newer Chevy 4x4 with the smaller v8 and his mileage was only about 1 mpg less than the ranger and its a half ton.

 

Yeah they should really change that truck up offer a small V8 and crewcab

 

the ranger is long overdue for an update. i've heard lots of guys complaining about the fuel mileage of the 4.0... much better off with the 4.6 in a 1/2 ton...

 

Sherm, what difference in mileage do you think there would be in the two? I know that little 4.0 has good longevity but the mileage just isnt there. Ranger cabs are very small too.

 

I really like our 84 Ranger/V6 auto, we got really great service out of it and I still miss it somewhat. Our 98 Super Cab doesn`t seem as quite as well built as the 84 though it has alot more bells and whistles. The cab does is on the small side.
I have no complaint with the 4.0 V6 for mileage, while I`ve never really tested it out Nancy says it`s pretty much on parr with the 84 which was in the 28 highway mpg range. Running around town and home it seems to be ok.

 

from what i've heard about the 4.0L, (no experience with it at all!!) the average mileage is 20-22. i've gotten that daily in my s'crew, and as much as 25.6 on the highway. i do know a guy with a plain jane single cab ranger, 2wd/4cyl/5sp and he claims 34-40 mpg. sounds pretty high, but maybe its possible...

 

Well Sherm dont mean to burst your bubble but most people with 4.6l dont get that good mpgs city or highway

 

better check your facts Dustin... the 4.6 gets really decent mileage for a small v8 until its loaded down.

 

The same holds true for the smaller Chevy 4.8 V8 - its capable of maybe 2, 3, even 4 mpg better than the 5.3 in some situations. When I had my 2000 Chevy 4x4 we bought a 2000 4x4 reg cab w/4.8 as a farm run about and it was phenomenal

 

Back on topic - the Ranger is looking so dated that if it hangs in for just a bit longer it may be caught up in the retro styling craze without ever leaving!

 

I didn`t see anything I liked better in the looks department and compared to what`s out our pick was another Ranger.

 

i've got to agree there. my mother had a '00 and it was a really decent truck. no BS, it got 26mpg with the 4.8L... then she had an '03 and what a piece of **** that was!! now she got a jeep liberty, and thats a turd and hard on fuel so she's thinking of getting another pickup... Ford is out of the question because the local dealer is a real pig to deal with...

 

Sherm, tell her to look into the Colorado/Canyon. My Mom and Dad have a GMC Envoy on the same platform and my sister in law has a trailblazer. They are actually nice vehicles. A friend's son has a 2wd with a standard transmission and it does over 30 mpg on the highway. Mom and Dad get around the 27, maybe 28 mark but they drive slower. My sister in law gets 25 or so but she flies. Both the suv's are 4x4.

I know Honda isnt your bag but the Ridgeline is a good solid choice too - very roomy and very good mileage.
My friend Rob likes his Tacoma but the new smell hasnt worn off so its too soon to give a credible evaluation - he says his Ranger was not in the same league.

 

Why even consider a Ranger? For the price of a reasonably equipped Ranger you can buy an F-150.