Edmunds

[backslash18]

So I was recently looking for a new Ford Ranger of the 2008 type and I did the usual poking around for reviews on the truck. I was very suprised when I got to the edmunds site and read the review.

Here is the first paragraph of the introduction...

"The Ford Ranger went past its expiration date around the same time "Walker, Texas Ranger" went off the air. Like the Chuck Norris cheese fest of martial arts meets modern West meets cop drama, the Ford Ranger enjoyed its greatest popularity in the 1990s when it was still fairly fresh -- especially compared to GM's compact trucks. But unlike Walker, the Ford didn't have to good sense to bow out at the dawn of this decade. And also unlike Walker, the truck Ranger doesn't have the ability to drop-kick its competition, lagging behind in most areas, from driving dynamics to available passenger space."

The review goes on to say the Ranger is good for a dedicated off-roader but is otherwise basically the worst choice on the market.

Now, I'm always a fan of a Chuck Norris reference and I was glad to see him mentioned in the review... but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I've test driven some of the other trucks on the market and I don't understand why the Ranger gets such a bad review. First of all this is a compact truck. How much power do you really need in this segment? Secondly, if I am buying a truck I want it to ride like a truck. I don't want the comfy cushy ride that feels like a passenger car, if I did I'd buy a passenger car. Finally has anyone doing these reviews noticed that with the exception of the Ranger all the trucks on the market have moved up to the midsize category? They really aren't rated to carry or tow much more, but the trucks are now equal in size to the old full-size trucks. I really like the edmunds site but I don't see what makes the Ranger the worst truck on the market. I know I'm biased towards the Ranger somewhat but it seems to me that just because it hasn't had a major design change and it's smaller than other trucks on the market it gets ripped apart by reviewers.

What do you guys think?

 

[Shran]

Nothing makes the Ranger less of a truck...at least Ford actually builds it, instead of outsourcing it like GM did. Somebody at Edmunds just has a stick up their ass because they're so fond of the Buick Rendevous and everything else should look just like it.

 

[Jason]

Well. The Rangers reliability isn't great. Sure you can get a ton of miles on one, but it comes at a cost. Repairs, no matter how small, count against a reliability score. As far as how much power is needed. Who's to say? However, some other companies make more powerful trucks available for those that want it. Judging by the threads here about power mods and swaps, I would say many Ranger owners are longing for more power. I don't see what's wrong with a plush ride if you still have the same towing and payload. My Ranger rides like shit and that's why I only use it when I need a truck or the snow is flying good. Other than that, my Altima gets to take a ride.

As far as size, people want the ability to carry stuff. I would love to get a 4-door Ranger on the market. Again judging by posts here, a great many others would too. Plus it would be cool if I could fit my track bike in the back of the truck without the tailgate down.

To each their own. I bought the Ranger because it was cheap up front. I get repairs and parts dirt cheap working for the dealer so what do I care? As far as ratings, I would partially agree. There are worse trucks out there, but the Ranger is far from the best. Dollar for dollar it does just fine but no one said best for the dollar. This is all about who is the best, period.

 

[backslash18]

Fair Enough. I wasn't looking for everyone to agree with me I was just wondering what others thought. I guess when it comes to what I want in a truck I'm not in the majority of customers!

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Has anyone ever experienced an S-dime? I have... and I have absolutely NOTHING good to say about 'em. Which is probably why the Ranger is still being manufactured and the S-10 isn't. My one buddy had an 80's S-10 for a couple years and it ran ok, but it was held together with duct tape, bailing wire, and a whole lot of luck. You could stop at a light, get out, pick the bed up and spin it around before setting it back down an driving off.... and the transmission leaked worse than my A4LD in my BII. I've also had the displeasure of being in both the driver and passenger seats of a couple newer S-10s and they suck as well.... GM totally screwed the gearing on 'em to say the least. You put it in drive an it kinda sits there, you lightly touch the gas pedal an it wants to just launch, there's no such thing as creeping, even in 4-low. To me, that's not a truck, that's a car that looks like a truck and fails at both.

Would I like a lil more go for my Ranger? Heck yea I would! But is it underpowered? Not a chance... it'll pull my choptop behind it doing 60-65 on the highway without a qualm, and it'll get 15-16 mpg doing it. Actually, I haven't yet found anything to hook it to or dump in the bed that it wouldn't move. I've had over a ton in the bed multiple times.

I actually wanted a fullsize when I got my Ranger. Preferably an F-250 supercab diesel. But that wasn't in the budget, a Ranger was. I still want the F-250, but I don't think I'd give up my lil Ranger to get one, it's a great lil truck. I've heard people whine about the ride on them... perhaps some of the older ones ride rougher, but IMHO, mine rides pretty smooth.... and you have to remember, it is a TRUCK, so it's not going to ride like a car. If you want the ride of a car, buy a car.

I also love the compact size, I can fit the truck in spots that you'd never fit a fullsize, and even in places that you might be pretty hard pressed to fit a midsize. Plus I can reach dang near anything in the cab of my truck from the drivers seat... and the majority of that without taking my eyes off the road. I like that feature. The fullsize I drive for work sometimes you pretty much have to pull over to fetch something that slid onto the passenger floor, or that is sitting there (as in my waterjug when it's 90+* and I'm dying of thirst).

My thought is the person who wrote that Edmonds article had no clue what they were talking about. There is only one thing about my Ranger that I'd like to change...and might be enough to make me get rid of it for a newer Ranger...... I want a diesel under the hood.

 

[Shran]

Man, you're right about the S10s. They will take a serious beating before they're done though. You just have to deal with the interior falling apart and it rusting out from underneath you. My buddy has a 2000 that has been washed maybe two times since it was new, oil changes every 15,000, and no other maintenance. It has taken more abuse than anything that I have seen. Still going strong though.

 

[Dar70]

I wouldnt worry about the Edmunds review Backslash. There review was very biased. Mostly focusing on the age of the truck(no major updates in ten years) and comparing it to the other "small" pickups. The Ranger is the last true small pickup. It is very reliable no matter what the score Edmunds gives it. Look at all the people who have had barely any major problems after owning the vehicle for several years.

If you look at their past reviews they give the exact same Ranger good scores within the last ten years. They unfairly reviewed it based on no major updates. As far as Im concerned if it aint broke dont fix it. The Ranger IMO is the last of the true pickups. It still looks like one and drives like one. I have had mine for almost 2 months and love it so far. The drive isnt that bumpy and probably only noticed and bothered by people who have only driven super cushy cars and trucks.I have owned all Mustangs a Grand Am and a Chevy lumina over the years. Except for the Lumina they have had all pretty rough suspensions. The Ranger is actually much better than people claim IMO.

If I was you I would go take one for a spin. Also do alot of research online and see what people who drive them think. Some people do complain about little things but usually its stuff that is indigenous to a truck. I have 5 friends i work with who own Rangers, everyone of them loves them. They all have had them for several years.(one guy does complain about his HP but his 4 cyl. only has in the 120+ range. Todays 4 cyl. are much more powerful)

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Odd it is so lagging but is still second in sales?

 

[dburton07]

Secondly, if I am buying a truck I want it to ride like a truck. I don't want the comfy cushy ride that feels like a passenger car, if I did I'd buy a passenger car.

yep i agree, my dads F250 rides like a tractor, tow and plow packages. i LOVE IT

 

[bobbywalter]

updates...it could use better 4.0 mpg. and a factory offered straight axle. after that i dont know what anyone would not like about them.


or just sell the south american diesel 4 door here. i would actually most likely go right out and buy that...unless jeep puts one out first. it would have a d44 s/a within hours of purchasing it too.



i like to test drive stuff. i have to admit the pimpmobile tacos are bad ass. but compared to the ranger, i am happier with the rangers size. the colorado in 4x4 trim doesnt even come close fdor what i prefer, but its a great truck too. same with the frontier and dakotas...i like them all. of all the ride on the dak seemed the best though.

but test drives dont do much for total judgements really. so we read reviews.

best place to find shortfalls is in forums. theres more have you had this happen/how do i fix this/wtf...wheres the sparkplugs info, and the truth of vehicles in thier dedicated forums.


nobody wastes time to brag up how well thier junk runs daily..but if they have needs they go a talkin.


one thing of the ranger, and i have got this straight from the d/team members...its setup for low end buyers....

i always laugh and point out 25 g (this is reletive opine in the course of x mas table arguement, i dont think the ranger is a pos)for a piece of shit low mpg ext cab pu is not low fawkin end dude...but the retards dumb enough to buy it with partial reason being operating costs seem to be limitless...so on it goes.

 

[reginald fairfield]

So I was recently looking for a new Ford Ranger of the 2008 type and I did the usual poking around for reviews on the truck. I was very suprised when I got to the edmunds site and read the review.

Here is the first paragraph of the introduction...

"The Ford Ranger went past its expiration date around the same time "Walker, Texas Ranger" went off the air. Like the Chuck Norris cheese fest of martial arts meets modern West meets cop drama, the Ford Ranger enjoyed its greatest popularity in the 1990s when it was still fairly fresh -- especially compared to GM's compact trucks. But unlike Walker, the Ford didn't have to good sense to bow out at the dawn of this decade. And also unlike Walker, the truck Ranger doesn't have the ability to drop-kick its competition, lagging behind in most areas, from driving dynamics to available passenger space."

The review goes on to say the Ranger is good for a dedicated off-roader but is otherwise basically the worst choice on the market.

Now, I'm always a fan of a Chuck Norris reference and I was glad to see him mentioned in the review... but it wasn't quite what I was looking for. I've test driven some of the other trucks on the market and I don't understand why the Ranger gets such a bad review. First of all this is a compact truck. How much power do you really need in this segment? Secondly, if I am buying a truck I want it to ride like a truck. I don't want the comfy cushy ride that feels like a passenger car, if I did I'd buy a passenger car. Finally has anyone doing these reviews noticed that with the exception of the Ranger all the trucks on the market have moved up to the midsize category? They really aren't rated to carry or tow much more, but the trucks are now equal in size to the old full-size trucks. I really like the edmunds site but I don't see what makes the Ranger the worst truck on the market. I know I'm biased towards the Ranger somewhat but it seems to me that just because it hasn't had a major design change and it's smaller than other trucks on the market it gets ripped apart by reviewers.

What do you guys think?

It probably didn't have enough cup holders.