So I went and used 2000 model year. This was before the Domestic crash and before Toyota was selling for more brand new. The ranger and Tacoma that year sold for roughly the same price if similarly equipped. The Ranger could have been the more expensive of the two due to less standard equipment leading to more options.
Step 5 Review Edmunds.com Pricing Report
2000 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr Limited 4WD Extended Cab SB Shown2000 Toyota Tacoma 2 Dr STD 4WD Extended Cab SB True Market Value Pricing
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $6,426 $7,644 $8,838
Optional Equipment $1,375 $1,644 $2,122
Tilt Steering Wheel $56 $67 $86
Air Conditioning $225 $269 $347
Chrome Bumpers $91 $109 $141
Alloy Wheels $84 $101 $130
Manual Horizontal Sliding Rear Window $34 $41 $53
Cruise Control $57 $68 $88
Bucket Seats $15 $18 $23
Keyless Entry System $34 $41 $53
Power Windows $60 $72 $93
AM/FM/CD Audio System $156 $186 $240
Automatic Locking Hubs $55 $66 $85
Running Boards $65 $78 $101
4-Wheel ABS $156 $186 $240
Bed Liner $68 $81 $105
Power Door Locks $53 $63 $81
4-Speed Automatic Transmission $166 $198 $256
Color Adjustment
Black $-8 $-10 $-12
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 14220 $-33 $-39 $-45
Mileage Adjustment
75,000 miles $754 $754 $754
Condition Adjustment
Average $-1,775 $-2,071 $-2,325
Total $6,739 $7,922 $9,332
Step 5 Review Edmunds.com Pricing Report
2001 Ford Ranger 2dr SuperCab Edge 2WD Styleside SB Shown2000 Ford Ranger 2 Dr XLT Extended Cab SB True Market Value Pricing
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $3,304 $4,261 $5,199
Optional Equipment $1,182 $1,484 $1,971
Power Door Locks $39 $49 $65
4.0L V6 OHV 12V FI Engine $210 $263 $350
Cruise Control $30 $38 $50
5-Speed Automatic Transmission $186 $233 $310
AM/FM/Cassette/CD Audio System $47 $59 $78
Center Console $18 $23 $30
Keyless Entry System $26 $32 $43
Power Windows $44 $56 $74
4-Speed Automatic Transmission $178 $222 $296
Manual Horizontal Sliding Rear Window $20 $26 $34
Air Conditioning $131 $164 $218
Bucket Seats $58 $73 $97
Power Exterior Mirrors $25 $32 $42
Tilt Steering Wheel $30 $38 $50
Fog Lights $30 $38 $50
4-Wheel ABS $110 $138 $184
Color Adjustment
Black $-4 $-6 $-7
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 14220 $-17 $-22 $-27
Mileage Adjustment
75,000 miles $754 $754 $754
Condition Adjustment
Average $-913 $-1,155 $-1,368
Total $4,306 $5,316 $6,522
Certified Used Vehicle N/A
That's nearly 3 grand difference AND I gave the Ranger the advantage of 4.0 vs 3.3 and five speed auto vs. 4 speed auto. I also gave the Ranger a second auto trans option to jack it up a little extra. I have done this before when I MYSELF was trying to convince someone the Ranger would hold residual just as good as the Tacoma.
Once again, I prefer the Ranger. However, why can't some people admit that the big Japanese manufacturers are building vehicles better right now. I LOVE Ford trucks but you cannot argue with facts. THE TOYOTA TRUCKS DO NOT COST MORE TO OWN OVER THE LONG RUN. If you think only short term with your finances then the domestics win hands down. Otherwise, not the case.
Prices quoted from edmunds.com using zip 14220.