Hi there,

I'm in the market for a new truck, and have narrowed it down to the Ranger or the Toyota Tacoma. They are both very good on gas as far as trucks go, and both are appropriate for my uses, although the Tacoma costs significantly more. I know this is a Ford Forum, so opinions will be biased, but I'm looking for your thoughts on the Ranger... Quality? Value? Reliability? Any thoughts or experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,

 

The ranger is a compact, the taco is a mid size. The 4 cylinder 5-speed rangers gets the best mpg of all small trucks at a round 30 mpg highway. It's tough as nails and very reliable, I've owned 6 of them. My first one was an 84 and never looked back, just an awesome truck. They have done everything that I've ask of them and more, there built ford tough. Toyota is on a quest to destroy the american car companies and there doing well at it, but the rice stops here. This is one american truck that has become an icon and is loved by millions. One of our members has an 84 ranger, 4 banger, 5-speed and he put 350,000 miles on it without touching the engine. He say's it doesn't climb the hills as good as it use to, but other than that, it runs great. Alot of our rangers have had over 100,000 miles on them when we bought them, there just getting broke in. The tacoma is a good truck, but the ranger is the best value for your dollar, you get alot of truck for your money. Alot of compaies use rangers for thier fleet trucks because of there dependability, ruggedness and low maint-cost and good mpg. The new taco's are a mid size, so they are a bit bigger than the ranger, but if a compact p/u will work for you, you won't go wrong with a ford ranger. They are truely one of fords sucess stories.

 

I've had numerous Toyota vehicles but when it came to trucks the Ranger was the best choice. Size, mileage, parts availability, repairability, price. You say you are in the market for a "new" truck, but I don't know for sure if that means just new to you or brand new. But, if you are considering used, bear in mind that there is a issue with rotting frames on some models. I believe it mostly pertains to 95-00 Tacomas and don't know all the details, but understand Toyota is buying back some of the affected trucks.
http://www.showstop.org/images/truck...nty-policy.pdf

 

Here is a copy of a earlier post that I did,
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87,2.9 5 speed, 365000 miles before I sold it to neighbor a year ago, he is still driving it.
89,2.3 5 speed 310000 before knucklehead nephew totaled it.
84 had a 2.3, auto over 300000 on it before it went street rod style with 347 stroker, C-4 and a 9"
88 2.9, 5 speed 290000 and I still drive it to work every day
............and I know it's not a Ranger but 91 Bronco 302,ADO 250000 Plus
These have been the best trucks that I have ever owned.

Kenny

Lost your job yet?
Keep buying foreign.

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Try working on a Ranger and then try working on a Toyota. Your answer will come soon.

 

I love it, I love it,i love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Kenny

Lost your job yet?
Keep buying foreign.

 

Toyota has also had a lot of recalls in recent years. The truck does not get as good of fuel economy, parts cost much more, and they are not as reliable as they used to be. The Ranger is tried and true, and is available inexpensively as a work truck as well.

 

This is a very valid point. There are a whole lot more things a lay mechanic can work on with a Ranger compared to the Tacoma. Parts availability is just icing on that cake, especially if you need it on a Sunday. NAPA and the auto parts stores will be open it is much more likely they'll have what you need for a Ranger than a Taco.

 

Hey People,
I used to be a Chevy guy, I have had over 20 Chevrolet 2wd/4wd trucks from 1976 to 2002. During this time I always had at least one Toyota truck (sometimes two, and no, not for a parts truck!) for parts running, etc; these were 1979 through 2003. The Toyota's were all great trucks. In 2003 I bought my Super Duty because I needed a straight axle and leaf springs for towing hard, and ditched the GM with the IFS. About a year ago I ditched my commuter Corolla when my friend (who happens to own a Ford dealer) had me test drive a 4-door Focus ST with the 2.3 Duratec, and I have been loving this car ever since. Ok so now the kicker: I just sold the '03 Tacoma 4wd SR5 Double Cab and was going to buy just a $5000 parts runner Toyota (I got $19,250 for the Tacoma!!!) when my brother convinced me to buy his '02 Ranger standard cab 2.3 Duratec work truck, which I paid $2375 for. The truck is clean, drives great, is way more comfortable than the same year stripper Toyota's, doesn't smoke or burn oil, the A/C kicks A$$, and the engine is quiet, smooth, and runs hard with 178,000 on the clock. I must admit I have never been a fan of high mileage vehicles, but this Ranger is already turning out to be the best investment for a parts running truck ever. One thing that was always cool about the Toyota's is they always sell for more than blue book, but the initial cash outlay makes that a moot point. We do still have an '07 Tacoma Prerunner, but I am already looking at other Ranger trucks, I am sure I will buy another one.

 

"Toyotas bring the suck of the ****"


I hate rice.
Toyota is gay.
Bald old men drive Tacomas.
Dont even get me started on the "Turdra".
What a piece.


Im done.

 

Don't hold back now. Tell us how you really feel.

 

Maybe later.

Im serious thou I have seen many Rangers, F-150s etc tear up some serious trails. Usually I see the trails tear up the toyotas. It is really all matters of personal opinion and observation. I have had a couple of chebbies, nothing to an f-150. Had a 84 toyota, it was ok. had a 84 ranger, much better. The only thing that toyota used to have better was a solid axle until 85 after that I hate them.

 

I'm the owner of a 2008 FX4 ranger. Was also choosing between the Tacoma and the Ranger. If I went with the Tacoma I would have gotten the TRD package. After comparing the trucks specs and options, the ranger was by far the biggest bang for the buck. The test drive sold me on the Ranger. No leg room... Handled like a full size truck. 400km in and couldn't be happier with the Ranger.

 

Hey Guys, thanks for all the input. It's good to see you are every bit as enthusiastic about your trucks as the guys on the Toyota forums.


One of the first things I noticed when test driving was that the Ranger seems to be a very solid ride, much more truck-like than the Tacoma, which was almost like driving a big car. It kinda brought back memories of learning to drive in my Dads 1980 Chevy (sorry guys, but they are good memories). I'm not entirely sure if I llike the "car-like" feeling, but it seems to be the way alot of trucks are going these days.

One thing I've also noticed over the past couple days is that although there are alot of new Tacoma's on the road, there is definitely alot more OLD rangers on the road than there are old Toyota's.

Anyway, I'm still very undecided and should probably get to bed instead of thinking about trucks, but your input has certainly been helpful.

 

Yeah, thats what I mean, the ranger is all truck, and tough as nails. It drives and feels like a mini version of an F-150, the ranger is all truck.