Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and 
Bill
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2007
- Messages
- 1,060
- Reaction score
- 895
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Sacramento, CA
- Vehicle Year
- 2007
- Make / Model
- Ford Ranger
- Engine Type
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 2WD
I bought a new Ranger last week
2007 XLT Standard Cab, 2.3L Duratec, Manual transmission.
The 4 cylinder's performance is damn near identical to the 3.0L V6. I've driven both engines in a Ranger. The only real difference I can feel between the two is the 3.0L is a little better with the air conditioner running, and the fuel economy of the 2.3L makes my wallet feel a little thicker.
I really wonder what is going on in the minds of the editors at Consumer's Reports and other magazines. CR has a long list of gripes about the Ranger starting with the seats being too low. The seats are fine. They compared it to the Tacoma's 2.7L I4, stating the Tacoma's 4 cylinder was peppy, but the Ranger's was only adequate. I've driven a friend's Tacoma as well. The mid-sizing of the Tacoma has resulted in a vehicle that is obviously too heavy for their engine.
Some of the reviews state the Ranger's interior is not put together well. It appears OK to me. However, I really think truck interiors peaked somewhere between 1991 and 1997. I tend to think the material in my 1995 Ranger is probably of higher quality than the 2007. I've also read several threads from other truck owners that feel the same way, and this isn't limited to Ford.
The other complaint I keep reading about is the "choppy" ride. Well, to start with, I have never driven a new truck that didn't have a rough ride. Being new the suspension is stiff. It is also a light (2910 lb) short-wheelbase truck. Yes, it is a little bumpy, but I think a lot of it has to do with the el cheapo Continental tires that come with it, one of which had to be replaced because it was visually out of round. Ford has had a TSB on this since 2005 and they still choose to put this tire on the Rangers and the Mazda trucks.
It was somewhat of a challenge to find what I wanted. which was a dark grey in a Mazda B2300 with the SE5 option package. Two of the local Mazda dealerships really made it clear that they really didn't give a damn that I wanted a truck. The third wanted full MSRP plus $500 to bring it to Sacramento. I gave up on a B2300 over the crap from the Mazda dealerships. The Ford dealerships weren't much better, with the exception of the one I purchased it from. One dealership harassed me with three sales people that wouldn't let me take the time to read the window stickers, then stood behind me when I was trying to back out. Another told me I was being cheap because I wasn't interested in their upselling (of a V6, automatic, etc). Another played up a pretend laughter thinking they would shame me into buying as F150. And yet another decided to insist I needed an F150, I wouldn't be happy with a Ranger, I would get more truck for my money, and they aren't going to talk to me any further about a Ranger because they want me to be happy, and they think happiness is an F150. I walked out of there quick. I went to a family owned dealership and told them I wanted a particular Ranger, and I bought it from them.
I only threw in the story to illustrate part of the reason so few Rangers are being sold. Anyway, I'm not going to bash the other dealerships, but if you are anywhere near driving distance to Sacramento, Harrold Ford is really good place to deal with. I highly recommend them.
Anyway, pictures of the Dark Shadow Grey Ranger. Unfortunately I didn't have a polarizing filter to get rid of the reflections, and it was a bad time of the day to take pictures under a canopy of trees.
I really hate the painted wheels on it. You used to get alloy wheels with an XLT. Not anymore. The Mazda SE5 wheels are available for about $90 each online. I may end up buying those. There are also 16" wheels available. I don't know if I want to go with 16" on this truck.
So far my only complaint is the location of the cupholders, which is under the dash. Anything taller than a 16oz cup will not fit there. Here is another bonehead award to Ford.
Anyway, the 2007 Rangers have about $2500 incentives. Mazda has $3000 off on their trucks. So if you are thinking about buying one, now would be a good time to consider before the selection is gone. Unless you want a plain white Ranger.
2007 XLT Standard Cab, 2.3L Duratec, Manual transmission.
The 4 cylinder's performance is damn near identical to the 3.0L V6. I've driven both engines in a Ranger. The only real difference I can feel between the two is the 3.0L is a little better with the air conditioner running, and the fuel economy of the 2.3L makes my wallet feel a little thicker.
I really wonder what is going on in the minds of the editors at Consumer's Reports and other magazines. CR has a long list of gripes about the Ranger starting with the seats being too low. The seats are fine. They compared it to the Tacoma's 2.7L I4, stating the Tacoma's 4 cylinder was peppy, but the Ranger's was only adequate. I've driven a friend's Tacoma as well. The mid-sizing of the Tacoma has resulted in a vehicle that is obviously too heavy for their engine.
Some of the reviews state the Ranger's interior is not put together well. It appears OK to me. However, I really think truck interiors peaked somewhere between 1991 and 1997. I tend to think the material in my 1995 Ranger is probably of higher quality than the 2007. I've also read several threads from other truck owners that feel the same way, and this isn't limited to Ford.
The other complaint I keep reading about is the "choppy" ride. Well, to start with, I have never driven a new truck that didn't have a rough ride. Being new the suspension is stiff. It is also a light (2910 lb) short-wheelbase truck. Yes, it is a little bumpy, but I think a lot of it has to do with the el cheapo Continental tires that come with it, one of which had to be replaced because it was visually out of round. Ford has had a TSB on this since 2005 and they still choose to put this tire on the Rangers and the Mazda trucks.
It was somewhat of a challenge to find what I wanted. which was a dark grey in a Mazda B2300 with the SE5 option package. Two of the local Mazda dealerships really made it clear that they really didn't give a damn that I wanted a truck. The third wanted full MSRP plus $500 to bring it to Sacramento. I gave up on a B2300 over the crap from the Mazda dealerships. The Ford dealerships weren't much better, with the exception of the one I purchased it from. One dealership harassed me with three sales people that wouldn't let me take the time to read the window stickers, then stood behind me when I was trying to back out. Another told me I was being cheap because I wasn't interested in their upselling (of a V6, automatic, etc). Another played up a pretend laughter thinking they would shame me into buying as F150. And yet another decided to insist I needed an F150, I wouldn't be happy with a Ranger, I would get more truck for my money, and they aren't going to talk to me any further about a Ranger because they want me to be happy, and they think happiness is an F150. I walked out of there quick. I went to a family owned dealership and told them I wanted a particular Ranger, and I bought it from them.
I only threw in the story to illustrate part of the reason so few Rangers are being sold. Anyway, I'm not going to bash the other dealerships, but if you are anywhere near driving distance to Sacramento, Harrold Ford is really good place to deal with. I highly recommend them.
Anyway, pictures of the Dark Shadow Grey Ranger. Unfortunately I didn't have a polarizing filter to get rid of the reflections, and it was a bad time of the day to take pictures under a canopy of trees.
I really hate the painted wheels on it. You used to get alloy wheels with an XLT. Not anymore. The Mazda SE5 wheels are available for about $90 each online. I may end up buying those. There are also 16" wheels available. I don't know if I want to go with 16" on this truck.
So far my only complaint is the location of the cupholders, which is under the dash. Anything taller than a 16oz cup will not fit there. Here is another bonehead award to Ford.
Anyway, the 2007 Rangers have about $2500 incentives. Mazda has $3000 off on their trucks. So if you are thinking about buying one, now would be a good time to consider before the selection is gone. Unless you want a plain white Ranger.
Last edited:
