Pick up truck, worth another jab at it?

[Rick_Head]

I have an 07 Ranger with about 70K miles. My only problem was rough shifting at really cold temperatures (like -40F and below). A warranty paid computer flash fixed it.

Other than it's fuel consumption, which I knew about when I bought, I have no complaints.

 

[splitwdw]

It is so funny about car dealers. I've been going to the same Ford dealer for years and they are great. If I see a truck/car on their web site, I can call and it will be waiting for me. Even though they had a Platinum in stock it wasn't the color that I wanted. They tracked down the one I wanted at another dealer and had it trailered in. Plus I can go there with my check in hand and have all the paperwork done and be out of there in about 30-40 minutes. The Chevy dealer on the other hand is so slow. I can pick the corvette I want from their stock. Wire them the deposit and fax all the paperwork. I show up when they first open at 9am and can't get out of there until noon. I've bought more than one corvette from them and this is the same routine every time. Drives me crazy!!

 

[Car-Guy]

I'm having a bad experience with our local Toyota dealer too. (Strictly anecdotal and not trying to paint all Toyota dealers this way.)

Clearly depends on the dealer, IMO. My local Toyota dealer has been outstanding, both before the sale and after sales follow up. (I've bought several vehicles from them in the past 5+ years) OTOH, my local Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge dealer I just bought from was "okay" before the sale and has been "zero" help after the sale.

 

[bld999]

Interesting to read about a truck that can withstand being submerged, burned, dropped, etc. But I'd think reliability, serviceability, cost, etc., under normal driving conditions would be more important for me. What can I buy that's cheap, reliable and will last a really long time?

I've had good luck with rangers, but they are out of production, so used is all that's left. A good vehicle as long as it isn't necessary for self esteem
I just gave one to a young friend who needed a car, it had 225k on it and needed a clutch. I have no doubt it will go at least 50k more before becoming uneconomic for him.

 

[Big_Hitter]

I've had good luck with rangers, but they are out of production, so used is all that's left. A good vehicle as long as it isn't necessary for self esteem
I just gave one to a young friend who needed a car, it had 225k on it and needed a clutch. I have no doubt it will go at least 50k more before becoming uneconomic for him.

I thought Ford was going to bring them back for 2016?

2016 Ford Ranger - Review, Price, Release date, Engine


I'm going to keep mine anyway (LBYM!) heck it only has 7K miles on it and it's a 2011. I got a killer deal on it - 29K sticker and I got it for 18999 (plus ttl) they were practically giving them away at the end of 2011.

 

[bld999]

I hadn't noticed plans for a return of the ranger, I hope Ford decides to do it.
They are great in city, too. Better than trying to park a two story Baldwin locomotive. [ a little jab at the coal rolling crowd]

 

[pb4uski]

I hadn't noticed plans for a return of the ranger, I hope Ford decides to do it.
They are great in city, too. Better than trying to park a two story Baldwin locomotive. [ a little jab at the coal rolling crowd]

+1 I would welcome another competitor to the small/midsized truck market.

I'm guessing that there are a boatload of people like me who want the versatility of a truck to haul stuff and want 4WD but not necessarily for off-roading and don't need to to a gazillion pound RV or boat. I love the versatility of my mid-sized truck and it gets decent mileage. A full sized truck is more than what I need and probably would barely fit in my garage.

 

[Big_Hitter]

plus rangers can tow quite a bit

 

[RE2Boys]

But does OP even need a truck?

I owned small pickups from 1988 to 2004 when a move resulted in selling the third vehicle which was my truck. Really enjoyed the truck but it was 2WD and I moved to snow country and would probably be cussing it out and parking it in side yard most of winter.
But, I've found that a utility trailer much better served my needs than a compact pickup. Just had to make sure one of my other vehicles was a suitable tow vehicle. In my case, my minivan does a great job. But 3500# is the limit.

That said, I miss the pick-up and once kids gone, may get a compact truck for myself. Sadly, choices have become more limited. No interest or need in a full size one, wouldn't fit my simplicity lifestyle.

 

[pb4uski]

I have sometimes wondered if we could make do with a SUV and a utility trailer instead of a small pickup. If DW was better at backing up trailers I might just try it.

I do find the pickup handy though.

 

[Andre1969]

My Granddad's old '85 Silverado got passed down to me about 13 years ago, and it has definitely come in handy. Once you get used to having a truck, it's easy to get accustomed to and think that you "need" one, whether you really do or not.

 

[Hermit]

Yes, cheap sourcing--by Ford. Shocks and a battery may not be big-ticket items, but buying crummy parts is a major reason that some brands are less reliable. Starters, fan motors, electronic sensors, etc, etc--they are each minor items, but when an auto manufacturer just considers them commodities and buys the cheapest ones, then the owner will eventually pay the price. Toyota and Honda aren't perfect, but they are famous for establishing long-term relationships with suppliers, with holding them accountable for parts that crump out early, and for getting into the details of how the parts function (i.e. they might specify roller bearings rather than bronze bushings, etc), and paying suppliers slightly more to get a part in which they have confidence.

Not a big fan of Honda. Had an Odessey that the transmission went out at 140k. That was on the long side. A friend had the same vehicle only a year newer. His went out before it hit 80k. What really upset me was that they continued to make this transmission for several years when they knew they had problems. So much for their vaunted reliability and making things right the first time. They are just another manufacturer in my book.

 

[Andre1969]

Not a big fan of Honda. Had an Odessey that the transmission went out at 140k. That was on the long side. A friend had the same vehicle only a year newer. His went out before it hit 80k. What really upset me was that they continued to make this transmission for several years when they knew they had problems. So much for their vaunted reliability and making things right the first time. They are just another manufacturer in my book.

What timeframe was that? I seem to remember a problem where Honda was using a 5-speed automatic transmission in the V-6 models that was the same unit as what the 4-cyl models used. In the 4-cyl models, it was just fine. But, in a V-6, with the increased power and torque, it was troubleprone. And in a minivan, with the added weight, even worse.

I was under the impression though, that Honda fixed that problem pretty quickly? For a car maker, that is. GM, Ford, and Chrysler would occasionally get away with peddling a bum transmission for decades!

 

[rodi]

youbet - my dad had a heck of a time getting his short bed, standard cab toyota pickup a decade ago. He did have to special order it - but none of the local dealers would work with him... he eventually was given a regional guy's name, and worked him before he got the guy in charge of western US sales. It took him 4 months of asking/pressuring/pushing before they would finally accept his order. I believe he had to pay a serious chunk (half) up front before they'd order it because they didn't think anyone else would want this specific configuration.

His goal was to have it short enough for 4wd'ing in narrow canyons and short enough to fit in the garage. Most of the long bed or extended cab trucks are too big to fit in a standard garage.

 

[Birchwood]

As original OP, I decided to stay with my Ford F150, despite the unusual early repair.
It has only 22,000 miles and I figure I can take a risk and drive it another 50,000 before major trouble comes. I spoke with my wife, and we planned for a $500/year allowance for any breakdown repair. Trading for a same model Ford truck will cost me about $20,000 even with a trade. I think a younger guy will buy my old Ford truck, drive it 100,000 miles and say what a great truck it is, even if he has to change transmission, engine or any major parts. It's all expectation.

 

[Hermit]

What timeframe was that? I seem to remember a problem where Honda was using a 5-speed automatic transmission in the V-6 models that was the same unit as what the 4-cyl models used. In the 4-cyl models, it was just fine. But, in a V-6, with the increased power and torque, it was troubleprone. And in a minivan, with the added weight, even worse.

I was under the impression though, that Honda fixed that problem pretty quickly? For a car maker, that is. GM, Ford, and Chrysler would occasionally get away with peddling a bum transmission for decades!

I think it was a 2000 model. Had several other problems along the way. Traded it in on my 2013 Jeep. Didn't get much for it, but vans are not popular and the tranny was just barely hanging in there.

 

[samclem]

Not a big fan of Honda. Had an Odessey that the transmission went out at 140k. . . . They are just another manufacturer in my book.

Different folks have different experiences. I have 240k miles on my 96 Odyssey I bought used in '99, the only spendy trouble was an AC compressor a couple of years ago. It still runs great. Anecdotes aside, the large surveys of owners indicate all manufacturers are not the same with regard to reliability.

 

[youbet]

youbet - my dad had a heck of a time getting his short bed, standard cab toyota pickup a decade ago. He did have to special order it - but none of the local dealers would work with him... he eventually was given a regional guy's name, and worked him before he got the guy in charge of western US sales. It took him 4 months of asking/pressuring/pushing before they would finally accept his order. I believe he had to pay a serious chunk (half) up front before they'd order it because they didn't think anyone else would want this specific configuration.

His goal was to have it short enough for 4wd'ing in narrow canyons and short enough to fit in the garage. Most of the long bed or extended cab trucks are too big to fit in a standard garage.

Yep length is an issue for me too. It's got to be a full size with a short bed or a mid-size. The local Toyota dealer isn't interested (so far) in ordering or searching for a frugally equipped, std cab, short bed Tundra but I'll talk to them again. Ford will order me an XL to my specs except manual tranny is no longer available.

 

[RAE]

My last two trucks have been an '04 Chev. Silverado, and a '12 Toyota Tundra (which I have now). No comparison in terms of quality and reliability - the Silverado was a piece of junk, while the Toyota has been great (so far, anyway). It is kind of misleading to talk about foreign vs. USA-made vehicles these days. The Tundra's are made in San Antonio, Texas. Not sure where the Silverado was made, but I know it had a LOT of cheap foreign-made components. All I know is that I will not be buying another Chevy truck.

 

[Senator]

I drive a f350 diesel. I think the F150s are meant for commuters and are built as such. Get a toyota or similar for these small 'trucks'.

If you want/need a real truck, you need one from the big 3.