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Cars? What do you drive?


19Walt93

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Ford Technician
V8 Engine Swap
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Location
Canaan,NH
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
351
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Drop
3"
Tire Size
235/55R16
My credo
If you don't have time to do it right will you have time to do it over?
They never built an ugly Fusion. I'd avoid a 1.5 or 1.6 EcoBoost but highly recommend a 2.0 EcoBoost, that's what's in my AWD 2016 Escape, it has good power and averaged 27.3 round trip to Falls Church, Va in October going 75-80+ on the highway and dealing with worse traffic than I've ever seen. My son has a 17 Fusion Sport AWD with the 2.7 EcoBoost V6, a 325 HP rocket that still gets good mileage. We sold a few base 2.5 NA cars with 5 speeds that were reliable but most people don't seem to want a clutch pedal. That Jaguar has some Taurus in it but the English parts would chase me away. I think 28 mpg for a Camry is lousy compared to my AWD Escape. An Escape is a tall station wagon if you're honest and it works good for us. Same deal as a Fusion though, avoid the 1.5 and 1.6. because they are interference engines with timing belts. At 2016 prices, it would cost $981 to replace an Escape belt. Ford says it's good for 150k but warranty coverage ends at 50k.
 


James Morse

1997 XLT 4.0L 4x4 1999 Mazda B3000 2wd
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Location
Roanoke VA
Vehicle Year
1997 and 1999
Make / Model
XLT 4x4 & B3000
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L in XLT, 3.0L in B3000
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31x10.5-15 K02's on the Ranger, 235/75R15 on Mazda
My credo
The perfect is the enemy of the good.
09 Rabbit (2.5L) very peppy and sporty. I don't have one, but I've driven it, lots of room, has the hatch, tight handling, plenty of get up and go, decent seats.

all used cars way overpriced right now it seems. Rabbit is good alternative to the, imo, even more way overpriced GTI.

I don't know common problems, except that wires that flex at the hatch will break then you lose rear wiper, gas filler door, etc. but that's fixable.
 
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alwaysFlOoReD

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Location
Calgary, Canada
Vehicle Year
'91, '80, '06
Make / Model
Ford, GMC,Dodge
Engine Size
4.0,4.0,5.7
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Im driving a 96 pontiac sunfire that i picked up for $350. Replaced two tires and a leaking fuel injector. Over 400,000 km and going strong. Problems left are wiring for the high beams, a known problem on the net, and what i think is a bad bushing on the back strut. Gets about 8L/100km. 35mpg highway.
 

sgtsandman

Aircraft Fuel Tank Diver
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Location
Aliquippa, PA
Vehicle Year
2011/2019
Make / Model
Ranger XLT/FX4
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC/2.3 Ecoboost
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
Pre-2008 lift/Stock
Tire Size
31X10.5R15/265/65R17
Since I'm on the way to work before the snow plows are on the road most times, I need something with AWD or 4X4. So, since 2003, I haven't had a car and haven't looked back. Since that probably isn't a thing you need to worry about much, a car might make sense. Mazda would be a good choice. Since you are considering used, Honda and Toyota might be on the table as well. I don't know enough about the domestic brands to say what is a good choice and what isn't anymore. Too many disappointments since the 1990s with Chevy and Dodge. I would stay away from anything British, French, or Italian. German seems to be a crap shoot. Some people have had good luck with the various brands and others not so much. Usually, if there is a problem, it's electrical with VWs.
 

Eddo Rogue

Well-Known Member
Joined
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2,505
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Location
Burbank,CA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ranger 4x4
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
OHV
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
skyjacker front leveling kit
Tire Size
31-10.50R15
My credo
Crossed threads are tight threads.
I actually like the look of the fusion. I just want a sporty sedan.
It looks dorky but is quite sporty...I test drove a Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu, the Nissan one and this fusion, which was the most inspiring...I slapped good rubber and pretty much drive it like it's stolen. Other than quite a bit of sway, it's sporty...
 

bobbywalter

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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
I like Buicks.

I love pintos.

Mid 90,s escorts


Fusion. Hard to go wrong.....study what you want a bit...more gizmos is more gremlins after 5 years....but the reg 4cyl in any variation...dumb and reliable. These and the 150 we have owned the most of in my immediate family.


05 up focus.



Older 99 to 96 or whenever they quit making 3.0 Vulcan taurus....simpler the better....stone reliable and is just a smaller crown Vic in that manner. The later model with the cyclone is a beast.



Really though...there is much to look at. Vw...bmw...and Benz have neat stuff.


I love the CTS V Cadillac....price was good for awhile.....I missed my chance for sure....they are waaaaaaay out of line now..
 

snoranger

Professional money waster
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Location
Jackson, NJ
Vehicle Year
'79,'94,'02,'23
Make / Model
All Fords
Engine Type
2.3 EcoBoost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
I didn't ask for your life story, just answer the question!
Honestly... this is the only car you should be driving if you live in Texas:

70544
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
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23,470
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Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
I am good with that.
 

Jim Oaks

Just some guy with a website
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Location
Nocona, Texas
Vehicle Year
1996 / 2021
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0 / 2.3 Ecoboost
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6-inches
Tire Size
33x12.50x15

ozzy85

Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
305
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Age
57
Location
Kendall, WA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
None
Total Drop
None
Tire Size
225/75/15
My credo
Yeah... still here.
I guess I'm gonna be driving the wife's Patriot for a bit. I think Critter's trans took a shit. Give been wanting to park it anyway to do a bunch of work to it. There's been a few 2nd gen Explorers for sale here for about 2500 bucks. Might pick one up.
 

1990RangerinSK

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Oct 5, 2016
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Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Regarding the Taurus - Vulcan engine was available until 2007. Take a look at the SHO - '96-99 have a small Yamaha V8. 2008 and up I've heard good things about, SHO came back in 2010. I forget what it has under the hood. My current car is a 1995 Taurus.
 

fastpakr

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Location
Roanoke, VA
Vehicle Year
1999
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
285/75-16
The V8 SHO's had cam issues as I recall.
 

1990RangerinSK

Well-Known Member
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Location
Saskatchewan, Canada
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
The V8 SHO's had cam issues as I recall.
Yes, sir, they did. However, there was a TSB that recommended welding the cam. Once they've been welded, they're fine.
 

rxinhed

New Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Apr 20, 2008
Messages
7
Reaction score
3
Points
3
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
97 Mountaineer
Engine Type
V8
Transmission
Automatic
Tire Size
33x10.5 on Wrangler rims
70561


I'm still using my '97 Mountaineer as my daily. With the AWD transfer-case renewed, I'm no longer at the whim of 2wd traction loss. Freddie is a blast with lock-to-lock snow brodies in parking lots. Bumper is off while I add some tow hooks sourced from an Expedition. Stereo upgrades are pending, also.
 

scotts90ranger

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Feb 28, 2001
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8,133
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Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
I loved daily driving my V8 explorer, but at 16mpg on my commute with gas prices going up it was expensive, my '97 Ranger gets 30% better fuel economy... with the true 4x4 transfer case setup and a shift kit it is fairly sporty for a 5000lb pig :)
 

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