If Ford kills Ranger, what will your next vehicle be?

[The Luigiian]

Ford has said several times that it sees the Ranger as a "lifestyle vehicle". It believes that if it kills the Ranger, those buyers will either upgrade to an F-150 or downgrade to a Focus (or presumably to the Focus' platform cousins, such as the upcoming Focus-based Escape.)

I'm interested in finding out exactly how much truth Ford's strategy holds. So, RBV fans: If Ford kills the Ranger, would you buy another Ford?

(I'm assuming here that Ford does not replace the Ranger with a vehicle of equal or greater awesomeness, such as a Ranger-based Bronco, which would be so incredibly badass that I, personally, would have to rush over to the Ford dealership within seconds of the unveiling to put a down payment on one.)

Edit: Does anybody know how to move a thread? I guess this should be in General Chat, I didn't even think about it because Ford Truck News is where all the other "Ford kills Ranger" threads are going.

[mattpresley]

I used to say tacoma but now I see toyotas integrity so screw them. I wanna say f150 but I wanna tell ford they can go to hell for killing my truck of choice. I would upsize but, to a Nissan Titan which IMO is tied for best looking truck with the new F150 and has that awesome high output 5.6

I always said, buy American until I rented this 2010 Silverado. I looked through all the paperwork in the glovebox(WHICH THIS TRUCK HAS 2 OF!!!) and learned she was made in MEXICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This truck is nice withs its 9 cupholders(I actually counted) and 2 center consoles the 2nd of which is the middle seat flipping up to reveal the ultimate in truck hiding place. I know from living in Mississippi that toyota has a huge assembly plant there and employs thousand of americans at just that location. Im sure nissan is similar

[Original_Ranger84]

Personally I don't see myself going and buying a brand new ranger... probably ever unless they brought the diesel engine here... Or any new car for that matter. I can deal with throwing a few parts here and there for an older vehicle especially since they are hopefully going to be common parts then. My dad bought the old 84' Ranger Brand new and since had only gotten used vehicles that we fixed up a bit and all worked great. Then he got tired of fixing the vehicles after getting them so we got my mom a brand new subaru that was like 25,000$ it was a nice car for about 10,000 miles then parts needed replacing on it. and at like 30,000 miles the engine blew 4,000 for a new one, then again at 60,000 that engine blew 2,000 for a used one and at 90,000 miles the engine almost blew but the car wrecked instead. 31,000 for a car. then he got a saturn Ion for himself 2 years ago 12,000$ then about 10,000 miles the steering came loose (warrenty repair) and now 2 of the doors refuse to close if you open them.

I'll stick with my used vehicles. Their plan may sound... sound... but I think if people wanted an F150 thats what they would have bought in the first place seing as both cost about the same and if someone needed a car they would have gotten a car...

[lethal-threat-b288]

i agree. i would rather put a little time and money to keep my ranger runnin till it wont anymore, wich by the way i dont see happening any time soon. that 2.3 will never stop. no matter if i run it at 7,000 rpms. so i wont worry ill just buy an older one. i like the ttb suspention better than the ifs anyhow. :-)

[Hawker]

I don't want a fullsize truck, so I'd look at the Toyota or Nissan vehicles. Ford going back to the old days of thinking they can force the public into buying what they want them to. Since my Ranger is an 08 I'm not looking at facing this issue any too soon.

[01_ranger_4x4]

i probably wont buy another ranger anyways and i already have a fullsize too. its sad to see the ranger being discontinued though.

[Buckeyeman]

If Ford kills the Ranger, I would seriously consider a Nissan Frontier. Since I do not know anyone personally who owns a Nissan product, I don't really have any feedback on their reliability so I would take out an extended warranty. Toyota doesn't offer a stick with their 2WD Tacoma Xtracab 4 cyl. so I would have to go with Nissan.

[85_Ranger4x4]

i probably wont buy another ranger anyways and i already have a fullsize too. its sad to see the ranger being discontinued though.

+1

Ford hasn't made a dime off of me owning my Ranger so I doubt they care what I think anyway.

[Irokranger93]

I bought a Suzuki Equator,Chevrolet Colorado,GMC Canyon,Toyota Tacoma X-runner ...

[Chance]

Why would you buy a new ranger?

They haven't changed in ten years... It's basically a waste to buy anything newer than an 04 IMO. Get a fx4 level two as a dd and call it good. They never got better than that.

If I was to get another ranger, it would never be a sla ranger. It would be pre-98. Preferably a 97 4.0 manual 4x4 with a 1354m.

[BDAB]

I would buy a Mahindra ........ providing that they ever get it here..... if thats not avail I would buy a Crew cab regular bed Frontier with a 6spd. Of course a 4 Door Wrangler is readily availible with a 6spd too.

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

im gonna replace parts on mine until the engine dies, then im gonna look for an engine or another used ranger.
maybe a frontier would do, but i really doubt it

[84stealthranger]

i think id buy used stuff and fix it no need for something new. keep fixing it till they dont make parts for it anymore

[AKleif]

I agree with lots of posts. Need to replace 1993 Ranger 4.0L 4X4 which is used mostly in winter (4-5 months of ice & packed snow). Consumer Reports disparages repair record of Ranger 4x4 and i agree, but i prize it for nimble-ness and sure-footed-ness, & being able to put in 2-wheel when dry pavement occurs. Have excellent mechanic, thank goodness. Good-to-excellent trailer towing, too. Okay, it doesn't match the quality ride of F150, Subaru Forrester, etc., but it is great on winter roads, gravel or paved, and long driveways poorly plowed.
If Ford drops Ranger, no way will i go up or down at Ford, especially not F150 since i have a '97 but 2-wheel. Will look at Toyota, Nissan, or even give up on small pick-up and go for, say, Subaru Forrester. What ever i get has to be as moose-proof as possible, but better mileage, too.
Maybe get replacement winter vehicle and keep Ranger 'till it dies. But Ranger resale value here is high.

[02RangerXLT]

I'd go full size... next vehicle I get is going to be a Chevy or Dodge diesel... unless ford comes out with something phenomenal....

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i would look for a small frontier(the previous model) supercharged v6 ext cab manual and 4x4.
but mostly if my ranger dies i would go for another used ranger.

[Mac]

I'd go full size... next vehicle I get is going to be a Chevy or Dodge diesel... unless ford comes out with something phenomenal....
My little brother bought a brand new '04' quad cab Dodge. He just uses it as a Winter DD. Already had to replace the rearend on warrenty. Three months ago he took it in for some simple work, oil leak. Told him his oil pan was almost rusted thru. Sure hope something comes out Ford that is good!
Dave

[Scotty J.]

I figure I'll cave to the greenies and buy a SMART, I mean after all, we ARE destroying the planet *SIGH*

I don't think I'll ever buy another new vehicle. I'll be that old man that has the "cool" old car or truck that everybody wants.

Unless there is some kind of epiphany in either the states or in Washington, vehicles are going to be so regulated that there won't be anything worth buying in 5 years.

[2000ranger17]

living in michigan and having a grandpa that retired from ford, i have always been a ford man myself. im too damn broke to buy anything new anyway. if i could buy something new it would be an f-150 or 250. no doubt hands down

[Original_Ranger84]

I agree with lots of posts. Need to replace 1993 Ranger 4.0L 4X4 which is used mostly in winter (4-5 months of ice & packed snow). Consumer Reports disparages repair record of Ranger 4x4 and i agree, but i prize it for nimble-ness and sure-footed-ness, & being able to put in 2-wheel when dry pavement occurs. Have excellent mechanic, thank goodness. Good-to-excellent trailer towing, too. Okay, it doesn't match the quality ride of F150, Subaru Forrester, etc., but it is great on winter roads, gravel or paved, and long driveways poorly plowed.
If Ford drops Ranger, no way will i go up or down at Ford, especially not F150 since i have a '97 but 2-wheel. Will look at Toyota, Nissan, or even give up on small pick-up and go for, say, Subaru Forrester. What ever i get has to be as moose-proof as possible, but better mileage, too.
Maybe get replacement winter vehicle and keep Ranger 'till it dies. But Ranger resale value here is high.


Holy your in Kasilof? No way! I live in homer! :icon_thumby:
maybe I've seen you around

[Mudhound]

Well,I've been collecting 2.8 cores, M5OD's, 1350 AND 1354 Xcases (manual ones, I don't even bother to consider the Eshift junk), sheetmetal, axle parts, etc, lately while I can still find them free/cheap and before other people start doing the same. We also now have 2 VW rails under construction, so f@$& the "my Hybrid gets better milage than your ride" crap. I am looking at 48-55 MPG, plus the satisfaction of knowing that I can let that stupid Priazz driver take off, get ahead of me and THEN I go and stomp his piece of crap in the dirt so hard that his granny feels it. I wanna see one of those things bust 60 MPH in less than 4 seconds. 3.4 seconds to be exact. All old stuff for THIS family.

[triumphrider-1]

If/When I purchase another vehicle it won't be new (atleast its highly unlikely). If its a car it'll probably be an '83 AMC Eagle SX/4. If a van is needed it'll be a '50s panel truck converted over. I'll always have my current ranger, so another truck will be unnecessary.

[ozziemo27]

A ranger, they'll be around for many many years to come so theres no reason to freak out about it, who buys new anyways?

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

A ranger, they'll be around for many many years to come so theres no reason to freak out about it, who buys new anyways?

yeah true, the toyota tercel died in 98-99 and there is plenty tercels.

i think it may pass some 20-25 years for all Rangers to disappear.
besides parts will still be availabe for many years too.

[ozziemo27]

yeah true, the toyota tercel died in 98-99 and there is plenty tercels.

i think it may pass some 20-25 years for all Rangers to disappear.
besides parts will still be availabe for many years too.

shoot, longer than that, you can still find lots of old fords, shoot spend money on a restored old one with a similar price to a new one! :yahoo:

[vroomvroom]

good posts yes

me myself, i dont see the ranger dieing out:(, that makes me wanna get parts even more those scammmers lol true tho buy another ford? would I? uhhh mustang is nice ok price, but they wouldnt get me there, and i dont think they would get many others , u kill the ranger u gonna looose!!!! muwhahahha =) we'll my next car, i think id have to agree with nissan those cars and suvs look pretty nice

i like that brand i think for some reason i think they do a good job, i wouldnt mind a new chevy or cadi there always looking good hehe... but i havnt bought a new car before so i dont know... i tell u my ranger has to much km for yall lol...

i had to come back and edit that ending , the ranger might have a bunchhhhhhhhhh of k on it , but it has been fixed up quite a few times, but dont get me wrong it has almost a 3 at the front lol of the dial ...

[john112deere]

I just bought a brand-new Ranger. (And, in response to the "why buy new" comments, it was mostly to not have five years of rust on the thing when I got it. I'm going to run it until it's too rusty to keep fixing, and I'd like that to be as many years as possible.)

Test drove a Tacoma and a GMC Canyon before I bought it (both extended cab 4-cylinder, 5-speed, 4x4s), and also a Subaru Impreza.

If I was doing it over and a Ranger wasn't an option, I'd probably have gone with either the Subaru or the GMC. (I don't really need a truck, but I do need four or all-wheel drive. Subie was thousands cheaper than any of the pickups, and less thirsty, too...)

[Scotty J.]

Imprezas are nice, especially the wrx sti..

[john112deere]

Imprezas are nice, especially the wrx sti..

The one I drove was the base-model...I'd rather have a pickup, so the only reason I even thought about them was to save a few bucks. Even that was well-equipped (about the same as my '09 XLT, I'd say).

5-speed hatchback stickered for either $18 or $19k (can't remember now); never got far enough to see what it would have cost me out the door.

[Rangerman87]

Do you all know the Ranger has been around for 27 years and it's still kickin',1983-2010!How many vehicle models have lasted that long?Hell,there are so many rangers where I live,they kickass in the winter and dominate in desert racing!:headbang:

[ozziemo27]

I just bought a brand-new Ranger. (And, in response to the "why buy new" comments, it was mostly to not have five years of rust on the thing when I got it. I'm going to run it until it's too rusty to keep fixing, and I'd like that to be as many years as possible.)

Aha, 5 years of rust?! wow, I live in michigan and 5 year old vehicles don't have a whole lot of rust generally.

[BDAB]

Aha, 5 years of rust?! wow, I live in michigan and 5 year old vehicles don't have a whole lot of rust generally.


what part of Michigan do you live in .... i want to move there....

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

basically there is nothing to worry then lol

[Kingoverace]

my answer is for initial thread post..nothing to do with rust or any off topic subject.

--Well, If your talking new(as if I could ever afford one) it would be the f150. but i'll be set for a while, theres are plenty of Ranger roaming around....looking for a 01 next, trying to get out of the 98-00 mess. But I'm still insterested in the sport trac someday....though thats ended too, the only Ford you can buy as a super cab 4 door, 4x4 with a 6cyl auto.... since Ford insist you need a triton v8 in the 150's now.. but i'm guessing even they get better mpg then my 3.0 by todays standards.

[ozziemo27]

what part of Michigan do you live in .... i want to move there....

Body rust, not frame and the other crap, but i think working on a 5 year old would be admittedly better than a 10 or 26 year old vehicle I think that have spent their whole lives in michigan weather.

[ozziemo27]

trying to get out of the 98-00 mess.

an 01 is virtually identical, just a different engine (4.0) and a live axle setup, what mess are you talking about?

edit: whoops double post...

[Mudhound]

an 01 is virtually identical, just a different engine (4.0) and a live axle setup, what mess are you talking about?

edit: whoops double post...

Wait a second. The 01 has a LIVE AXLE, other than the REAR one????:shok:

[dixie_boysles]

Id go full size as well. Probably 2004-2006 F150

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

Wait a second. The 01 has a LIVE AXLE, other than the REAR one????:shok:

live axle shafts, instead of the locking/unlocking hubs on 98-00.

[4.0 forever]

If ford kills the ranger... ill just keep fixing mine:headbang:

[WTF]

If ford kills the ranger... ill just keep fixing mine:headbang:

X2 :icon_cheers:

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

X2 :icon_cheers:

X3 :icon_cheers:

[craveman85]

i would build my own 4x4 with square tubing for a frame, a hydraulic ram type steering setup with a v8 and solid axles with 4 links front and rear. with junkyard parts and everything else i would want i could probably build one for around 2k if i had the garage to do it in lol. i would probably just buy older rangers since i would never buy anything newer than a 96 anyways. 96 and up cant have the check engine light on to get inspected. good thing i dont mind driving to pa to buy rust free trucks. maybe someday ill keep one instead of selling them before i put them on the road.

[pcollins]

I own a ranger right now because thats all i can afford being a senior in HS...once i get out of the service in 4 years i'm going strait to an F250. preferably used with a diesel 5 speed. i love my ranger but its just not ballsy enough for what i need...

[ohiocowboy1277]

I have the only ford i would ever own a 86 4wd ext cab ranger i would buy another ranger but would not buy any other ford . I have 2 full size trucks already and both are more truck than a new f150 could ever dream of being . I also own a car so dont need a focus . I buy everything used anyhow I refuse to pay $25,000 for something that i drive off the lot and it loses $3000 let someone else do it if they want then when they are tired of it ill buy it for less than its worth fix a few simple things and sell it for a profit .

[john112deere]

If I was doing it over and a Ranger wasn't an option, I'd probably have gone with either the Subaru or the GMC. (I don't really need a truck, but I do need four or all-wheel drive. Subie was thousands cheaper than any of the pickups, and less thirsty, too...)

To add to this, as I happened to think of it driving home last night...

I need 4x4 living where I do, but if it was just a little bit flatter, or just a little bit less snowy I could get by with 2wd, in which case I'd buy either a Mustang or a Focus, depending on how much I could comfortably afford.

[dbp]

I don't think the Ranger will go anywhere...where is this talk?

Maybe it will be replaced with a more "mid-size" truck to stay in competition with the Nissan, Toyota, Dakota, and to a lesser extend the Canyon/Colorado...which all seem a bit bigger than the Ranger anyway.

[OMFG nick]

i dont know guys those new colorado 4-door z71's are looking damn good. Or maybe a 4 door nismo v6 frontier. The nismo's are factory supercharged 4wd! i know im a traitor =)

[kimcrwbr1]

Hummm maybe I will step up to a 2.9 FI ranger maybe 87 88 ext cab you know keep it simple.

[TheOne]

my only gripe is the ranger doesnt have a bench seat...hence why i drive a bronco 2...i dont want to put all this hard work into my rig only to sell it 4 years down the road because i have kids....thus my love and affinity for bronco 2's :D

[mini274]

hell ill just keep putting motors in my 91 and the f150 if it come down to it... or rebuilding them 3 times then going with a used motor... it worthless buying a new truck or car the emissions are crap and hey in 1 more year my ranger is a classic...

Plus i went to 3 or 4 different dealers talking to salesman and asking questions when my wife was wanting a new car, 3 out of 4 showed me a 2010 crown vic and said these were suppose to get shit canned in 2004 or 5 and their still making them... dont believe it unless you actually see it... as ive stated before the ranger sells to much for them to get rid of it they would loose their mid size truck and ford is not that stupid..

[cody93]

crown vics are used as police cars everywere, so thats probly why, if it aint broke why redesign it. i dont see my self buying a new car ever, as i feel that there not worth it and i dont wana waste money on one, i'll probly just keep fixing the ranger i got till i cant find anything to fix it with(such as a duct tape rationing)

[coryg]

id rock a crown vic.

[94ranger#22]

an 02 dodge cummins or 7.3 powerstroke lol

[85_Ranger4x4]

crown vics are used as police cars everywere, so thats probly why, if it aint broke why redesign it. i dont see my self buying a new car ever, as i feel that there not worth it and i dont wana waste money on one, i'll probly just keep fixing the ranger i got till i cant find anything to fix it with(such as a duct tape rationing)

The CV will be discontinued now that they have announced their replacement. The only way you could buy one for the past couple years was as a taxi or cop car.

[Oranger]

I have a 03 fx4 level II, its newer than any Ranger I would ever buy,I inherited this one. With all the electronic crap its more like a car anyway,solid locked front axles, traction control and ABS are not what I want on a 4x4, I will run my 87 2.3 diesel on the highway and bush bash my gen 1 trucks till I can't get parts.
With the lousy service that Ford here have I wouldn't even think of buying a new Ford, I been serviced by Ford lately!!

[JunkYardDog]

if ford kills the ranger im gonna be so pissed off im gonna go buy an s-10 and keep my probe

[vvlance2007]

i would go to the next closest thing and get the explorer sport trac its basicly the same thing. but i still would go with a ford no matter WHAT!!!

[88_Eddie]

i'll NEVER buy a new car......but i'd take an escape, then set it on some dana 60's, throw some 40's under it and maybe cram a 302 in there.

[pfrye2007]

i would go to the next closest thing and get the explorer sport trac its basicly the same thing. but i still would go with a ford no matter WHAT!!!

That is exactly what I would get, I can't belive more of us didn't say this one.

[vvlance2007]

i got a 2wd sport trac and its pretty good on trails but i would love to invest in a 4wd sport trac and lift it with some 38" super swampers and 4.88 gears unstopable:)

[85_Ranger4x4]

i would go to the next closest thing and get the explorer sport trac its basicly the same thing. but i still would go with a ford no matter WHAT!!!

No, the current one is based on the same platform as the newer Explorers, not much in common with a Ranger.

[rusty ol ranger]

Why get jap crap?

I bought a Colorado, mainly because finding a stripped down 4banger/5sp ranger new is impossible. I like it, its a good truck, is it as tough as rusty? No, but nothing built in 08 is as tough as something built in 87. Just like nothing built in 87 is a tough as 77.

Personally, id go with the nice resto route, find me a Total restored 77 F250 4x4 with a 400M or a 460 and a 4sp. Let these new trucks eat their hearts out. If i had to buy new though it would be a new Challenger.

later,
Dustin

[jaymegriffiths]

I have the only ford i would ever own a 86 4wd ext cab ranger i would buy another ranger but would not buy any other ford . I have 2 full size trucks already and both are more truck than a new f150 could ever dream of being . I also own a car so dont need a focus . I buy everything used anyhow I refuse to pay $25,000 for something that i drive off the lot and it loses $3000 let someone else do it if they want then when they are tired of it ill buy it for less than its worth fix a few simple things and sell it for a profit .

your gonna have a hard time buying a ranger without buying a ford :icon_rofl:
but as far as as de-valueing, its a lot more than 3000.
my parents paid 42000 for our 05 freestar in 05, and 6 months after we got it i saw one used for 14,999.
thats 27,000 less in 6 months, and it had the identicle options, besides the vent windows.
soooo....
expect minimum 7 or 8 grand

[85_Ranger4x4]

your gonna have a hard time buying a ranger without buying a ford :icon_rofl:

I hear Polaris makes a Ranger, not to mention the boats. :icon_thumby:

[highmileranger]

I have enough trucks to last me the rest of my life so I probably will not be buying anything new. But if I were looking fro a new truck and no Ranger is availabe I probably would look at Nissan. My son has a 96 Hardbody and that is a sweet little truck.

[Aareen]

if its got a 4-banger, ur gonna kill the mileage.... there under powered from the showroom

[gman]

my dad once told me he had a friend who bought 2 brand new trucks one year. they were exacaly the same. then he drove one for 10 years, after 10 years he pulled the other one out of the barn. when his secoud truck started to get on the frtis (about 15 years later) he would just pull parts off the other one. if ford got rid of the ranger i would by 2 newer ones and just keep fixin um!

[LittleBigFoot]

I bleed Ford Red all over my 00 Ranger and 72 F250, but I almost wish I would have held out for the new Jap trucks.

Ford will never come around to putting lockers and superchargers in at the factory. Now I'd take a Nissan or Yota over a Ranger, as sorry as I am to say. And come on, 4.10 gears at the deepest? Weak.


You can brag about your 4.0 but it ain't got shit on a 4.3 (Except maybe the cost of a fuel pump)

You can brag about your off road abilities, but factory lockers, gearing, and power are what does the trick off the high way.

My next small truck will be a 67-79 F100/150, a J10, or an old Burma Jeep.

[SnC RangeR]

full size or early bronco for shure.

[straycat]

I will still keep my Ranger, but I will get a compact 4 door truck.... Toyota, GMC, Nissan. I always have room for three rides in the garage.



Straycat

[Quartermile]

A new vehicle I would go Jeep just due to variety of parts available for offroad, but otherwise I would go get 2 or 3 older rangers for parts to keep mine going

[MMazdaman]

well since i was looking for a new vehicle i can treasure for years to come and i loved the ranger so much. I couldn't stand buying a 2008 ranger that was basically the same as my 98 mazda b2500. Since no improvements have been made to the ranger (and none that can be forseen other than its death), no new body, no added features, no crew cab (except the mexican versions that i've seen around my area that look shitty), i went with an 09 3.7L I-5 Z71 Chevy Colorado crew cab. All i can say is that the colorado seems to be in the same boat though. not much has changed since it's birth. However, i gave it a few years to see how well they age before i made the decision to buy one and in 7 years, i've seen seen many still out there since 2004. so i think i got a dependable truck in the colorado.

The market is there. If Ford would have made something compareable to the colorado, frontier, and tacoma..... it would sell. the sport track is a joke for a truck... might as well get a honda ridgeline. Honestly, chevy got away with this "midsized" truck. my toolbox from my Mazda b2500 fits the colorado perfectly. The true midsizes are the tacoma and frontiers that are slightly wider. so ford has no excuse for not beefing up the ranger for modern times.

[straycat]

I hear Ford will continue the 4 door export only Ranger...THAT WE WILL NEVER SEE HERE IN THE USA!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


Straycat

[superds]

I hear Ford will continue the 4 door export only Ranger...THAT WE WILL NEVER SEE HERE IN THE USA!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH


Straycat

Do you mean that they make them in the United States but ship them outside the country? Or that they are produced in foreign markets for foreign market use?

[98RedRanger]

One day if I ever have the money Im buying a 4 door 4x4 ranger and importing it to be the only one in the United States that has one ;) atleast one of the few

[Clay Lorance]

I aint gettin rid of mine, it's paid for, has nearly 210,000 miles on it, does everything I need it to do and then some, and still gets about 22 miles to the gallon. LONG LIVE THE RANGER!

[trader007]

whats wrong with the 99 rangers? i love mine, 191k on it and its still runs/rides like new. ill just keep fixing it. a $2k paintjob and $200 carpet is cheaper then a new truck anyway.....

[darkspork]

Does it have to be new? If so it depends on what I want/need

If it has to be new:
If I need another pickup it would be a Nissan Frontier
If I need 4x4 and the ability to tow 5,000 lbs (but can do without a pickup) it would be a Toyota 4Runner
If I don't need those things (95% of the time I don't) I'll probably get a Mazdaspeed 3, or VW Golf TDI (2 very different cars, but both are hatchbacks so I still have room for things)

If it doesn't have to be new:
If I need another pickup it would be a 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma (v6, manual, 4x4)
If I want a used car I'd get a 1st gen Acura TSX

[master hec0]

from what i hear gm is looking at coming back in to the compact truck market.
mahindra has a compact truck coming eventually also.
and possibly a smaller ford F-100 i have also heard

[mad hatter]

would consider the sport-trac. like the idea of 4 doors

[kenvb]

I will only buy the 2.3 Rangers, the 3 litre not too bad on gas.but have had a few 4 litre trucks and they suck gas worse than my 99 Chevy w a 5.3 auto,( 30MPG )
few friends have new 4 litre rangers, they both say 18 mpg tops.

[p38fln]

If I could afford it, I would get the F-150 with the Eco-Boost engine when it comes out. Keep hoping they put one of those in a new Ranger.

[Mike Tonon]

I'll find a 1987 or 86 ranger supercab 4x4 manual 2.9l and rebuild it to last a very long time!

[jackoholic]

prolly the smallest F-series with a diesel. So if that f-150 diesel ever happens they can put my name down.

[kemo]

I wouldn't buy a new one (ranger). I bought the one I have now simply due to the economy being in the tank, that and the way business is going right now... the ranger can haul what I need it to with loads to spare. I prefer full-size, but right now it just isn't feasible, nor financially responsible to go all out for what I ultimately want.

I skipped out on the S10 because of... well, yeah the problems with it.

So to answer the question, I'd get a... well it isn't a ford :D

If Ford kept the ranger and threw in the 3.7... I might consider it.

Maybe there is hope for you diehards???

http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2013483a31b43970c-800wi
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/06/nextgen-ford-ranger-spied-one-more-time.html

But... unfortunately back in January... an article popped up with a pic that spoke loud:
http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e2012876eb1e35970c-800wi
http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2010/01/ford-f150-is-likely-ranger-replacement.html

Here is what the original article had to show of T6:
http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e201156f8ae7c7970c-800wi

Personally I think the way it looks right now (in the above pic), is ugly as sin.

[xentris02]

the day they quit selling rangers here im going to mexico and buying one of their extreemly sexy 2.8L Power Stroke turbo diesel with quad cab and 4x4 ford ranger. if i cant have one of those well ford you can kiss this coustmer good bye. i need a truck wich means i cant move to a car. and the f150 is to big and not as affordable with more crapy gas millage. so if there are no more rangers i will just have to buy used small trucks.

[Sevensecondsuv]

2003+ Crown Vic with the police package and 350 HP / 400 Ft-lbs 5.4L 2V engine swap for me.

[kemo]

and the f150 is to big and not as affordable with more crapy gas millage.

F150 with 5.4, 6 speed auto and 4x4 gets about 14/18 mpg. More power, more torque, and darn near the same gas mileage as your 4.0.

[rangerguy1996]

I'm not planning on buying anything newer than 90s anyway to much crap in new trucks. I don't like being reminded every 20seconds that my seetbelt is not on. if I had to buy new would be a raptor or mustang depends if I have to pull my toys around.

[BlackSTX]

I don't know, I've had 4 Rangers, and every time I get rid of one, for one stupid reason or another, I eventually wish I had a Ranger and go out and buy another no matter how bad I end up taking it in the shorts on my trade.
If they don't bring us a new one, then I'll probably be leaving Ford as a customer. I have an F150 now, and while I love it, to get it to run nearly as good as my last ranger did, I had to dump over a grand into mods, and it still could use a set of gears to close the gap. It doesn't fit in my garage either which sucks in winter and when the trees are dropping sap.

Perhaps I should save the old S10 I bought this winter to be my next DD, at least I know it fits in the garage (as it's in there now) and after I rebuild it, it will be good as new.
Ford better wake up and look into the sales they could be losing by not bringing it to our market. Not everyone wants a full-sized truck. Besides, if they can boost the economy of the F150 so well, imagine what they could do with a Ranger.

[rangercrawler]

One life, one ranger. Goodbye.

[rockin86ranger]

Well i was wanting a new ranger but since i cant get a v6 regular cab with a stick, i decided i would get a crown vic if i got a new car cause they are amazingly tough good gas mileage and very comfortable, well i cant get a crown vic now. The f150 is nice but i dont think i would want one, the 2009 i drove towed nice and the 6speed is nice for mileage and acceleration but i dont like the lack of a manual and its very bulky feeling truck,i dont really have a need for a focus or fusion and i dont like the interior of the new taurus, i would end up getting a mustang v6 if i decided to get a car because of the gas mileage and its got plenty of power to have fun with. i would get a new ram with a cummins for a truck though.

But i have a lead on a second gen for $250 and my old first gen for $600 and a another 1st gen for $200 so i would porbably just drive the older trucks. and fix them when things go wrong. plus the newer trucks feel to plasticky for me i hate it.

[Ranger Kip]

A Ford F150 or a classic Ford F100.

In terms of new vehicles, lets the F250.
Might switch over to the Dodge Dakota, but throw a ranger engine in for extra reliability.

[master hec0]

A Ford F150 or a classic Ford F100.

In terms of new vehicles, lets the F250.
Might switch over to the Dodge Dakota, but throw a ranger engine in for extra reliability.

dont you mean throw a ford transmission in? i had 3 dakotas 95 99 00 all died from transmissions

[Ranger Kip]

if the engine goes in, so does the tranny

[kemo]

Lol, have fun with the Dakota. Dodge was plagued with transmission issues. At least the good news is that they have strong intentions to build a Dakota replacement (according to pickuptrucks.com)

[MatthewT]

Wow what a terrible question to ask!! But it depends on when i would need a new vehicle. As of now i dont need a full size truck, and Ford is the only US company that did not sell out like the rest....as of now i would look at a Chevy or Toyota(no brand loyalty at this point). BUT if i had to go full size it would be an F-150. To the most extreme i would buy a Ranger from Australia....those are what i want anyway!! Diesel all the way!!!