Choosing a first vehicle, Ranger vs Samurai vs .....

[Kirbot]

I'll be turning 16 next month, and I've started saving my money for a car.
There's a number of differen't ones I've been looking at.

I used to go out with my parents four wheeling a lot, when our CJ was still roadworthy that is.

So for my first vehicle I wan't something that will be good on the road, but still decen't in the woods.

I think I've got it narrowed down to, a Ranger, a Suzuki Samurai, a Jeep Cherokee, or one or two other's.

I really like the Samurais for in the woods because there so small and maneuverable, but they seem like they would be awfully under powered on the road, once it has some better/bigger tires on it.

The Ranger's are nice because there's a lot more room in them, there cheaper, easier to find, and they seem like they would be better on the road.

Cherokees are nice, as well as some other older small suvs, but I just don't particularly like them.

So I was just hopeing to get some input, I realize being a Ranger forum, there's probably a bit of bias , but I'm really leaning towards the Ranger anyway.
A friend of mine has an 83 ranger thats just been sitting for the last year or two that he would probably sell.
I like the older ones, (I just like old stuff in general,) how do they compare to the newer Rangers?

Thanks in advance
-Mike

Also, I almost forgot,
what size tires will fit a Ranger without any lift?

 

[Mutant Pony]

Rangers are the cheapest/easiest to fix of your choices. The cherokee sport with the 4.0 is really dependable, decent on power. None of these vehicles are big on power with big tires though. A Ranger with a suspension lift will perform offroad good and cost less to own then the others. If you want a vehicle that will be more at home on the highway you might choose the cherokee sport. There is a website called "real4x4s" that is sidekicks and trackers and there is a huge aftermarket following, I would NEVER recommend one though.

 

[xnickitynickx]

My first vehicle was the one i have now. A 97 Ranger XLT supercab. The 3.0L V6 2WD. I love it so much. It's got a bit of rust from being in NY for so long, but it's a really ballzy truck. It's got plenty of power for on the street and i can fit my buddies pretty comfortably. Unfortunately, i'm not too familiar off-road, but I'm sure they guys on here can pick up the slack for me.

 

[bmonee5]

i would have to say the ranger. you will save yourself some money because you can find a decently priced used truck with low mileage. as long as you take good care of it it will take care of you.

 

[willievhook]

Ranger...trucks are pretty damn usefull.
My friend has a sami, it's a fun rig, but small, uncomfortable, and no power at all, lol.

I have 31's on my pickup, no lift and they've got plenty of room

 

[Spitfire1975]

If you want the small and maneuverable of a Samuarai, but the cheap "power" of a ranger and enough space to fit four and some gear, get a Bronco II. I have had several rangers ('86, '99, '03) a couple different BII's ('86, '89). I'll take the BII any day. It's just more versatile.

 

[Hopman]

I'll be turning 16 next month, and I've started saving my money for a car.
There's a number of differen't ones I've been looking at.

I think I've got it narrowed down to, a Ranger, a Suzuki Samurai, a Jeep Cherokee, or one or two other's.

Easy! Go with the Ranger. (duh!!!) You asked the question on The RANGER Station. We might be a tad biased.

 

[JohnnyO]

Mutant Pony is spot-on. A Ranger would be the cheapest to buy and maintain and properly built will be as good off-road as the others.

My main beef with Jeeps is that for whatever reason they cost a lot for what you get, both new and used, and the axles are kinda weak. Yes I have Jeep also.

 

[Hopman]

Mutant Pony is spot-on. A Ranger would be the cheapest to buy and maintain and properly built will be as good off-road as the others.
.

The other thing about Rangers is that there are more of them AND there's so part cross over between generations (for example, a rear sway bar will fit any Ranger from an '83 to a 2000) that getting any part is a breeze. Even if you're in a 1/2 horse town.

Rangers are kind of like the Swiss army knife of the truck world. It's small enough to fit into a compact car parking space (I know this because I've done so with mine a few times), but big & versitile enough to do damn near ANYTHING from yanking stumps to commuter duty. (Done both of those with mine too.)

Jeeps and Samuaris are kind of one-trick ponies in my book. They're great off-road, but cargo capacity and versatility is lacking.

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

I'm a firm believer that children under 19 should be limited to vehicles no more powerful than a Yugo with one spark plug pulled.

I've seen too many stupid kids doing stupid things with cars and trucks.

 

[martin]

As a first vehicle and considering your age you might want to consider insurance costs into your choice. Aside from that you have a difficult choice, the ford or jeep are definately more comfortable on the highway. Off road it comes down to the kind of trails you run.

 

[Hopman]

I'm a firm believer that children under 19 should be limited to vehicles no more powerful than a Yugo with one spark plug pulled.

I've seen too many stupid kids doing stupid things with cars and trucks.

As have I. I had a friend in HS who wrapped an Eagle Talon (aka Mitsu Eclipse) around a phone pole less than 3 moths after he got his license.

Would a 4-banger Ranger have too much power to get him into trouble?

 

[Ranger Dave (B25)]

As have I. I had a friend in HS who wrapped an Eagle Talon (aka Mitsu Eclipse) around a phone pole less than 3 moths after he got his license.

Would a 4-banger Ranger have too much power to get him into trouble?

Not if we cross-wire the plugs...

 

[JohnnyO]

I'm a firm believer that children under 19 should be limited to vehicles no more powerful than a Yugo with one spark plug pulled.

That's partly why when I got TJ Wrangler for my daughter I didn't have a problem buying a 4-banger automatic.

 

[86 slo-vo]

the rangers and cherokee's are a good choice...ive owned several of each

if your going to be lifting and going with bigger tires id probably stay with the ranger, cheeper to lift and such

as for the cherokee's if you find one with a 8.25 you would be good for 35's if you want to do all the work to fit them under

if it were me, go with an 83-97 4x4 ranger