I tried to buy a Ranger today. And I failed.

[PetroleumJunkie412]

This is a rant.






So, no secret that I've been looking for a newer Ranger to drive in the winter. Got approved to buy the one in Portland that I posted to the forum, but logistics simply are not working out in my favor.

So, I found this today:

1FTZR45E74PA29856 2004 Ford Ranger for sale in Westlake, OH 44145 - 4PA29856

Get the details on your next car, truck or SUV. Browse the extensive AutoNation inventory in Westlake of new and used vehicles.

www.autonation.com

Called them, confirmed the details, filled out a credit application, and got approved.

Drove the 2.5 hours to Ohio to pick up my new 2004.

Got to the dealership, and looked over the interior. Automatic transmission. Not manual as their website states.

Needless to say, I didn't buy it.



So, now I'm f***ing p*ssed.

2.5 hours out there, and another 2.5 hours back for me and my business partner on New Year's Eve.

300 miles round trip at the F350's 13 mpg, and $20.70 in tolls.

Oh, and because I was planning on taking it home, a hard inquiry on my credit score.



So, to all you current and former Ford employees, who do I complain to to have my credit report amended? @adsm08 @19Walt93 @deathbypsi (only naming you because IIRC you are all current/former Ford employees)

I know that I wont be able to get any sort of recourse on my fuel, time (yes, it was a work day for us today), or tolls.

However, this is absolutely unacceptable to me. Not only did their website say that it was a manual, but the sales rep confirmed that it was a manual via phone and email as well.

Now I'm strutting around with a negative mark on my credit score from a truck I NEVER would have applied for credit to purchase if they would have been honest about it.



Oh, and in case the website changes:

At this point, I'm so frustrated with trying to find a Ranger that has a manual trans that I'm considering buying a new Tacoma or Frontier because they both come in manual. Gladiator does as well, but it does not come in two door or hard top, so it's immediately out of the running. Plus, $40k for a base model? Yeah, nah broh, FCA can keep it.





In all sincerity, my recent experience with the TorqShift in my SD and now several Pittsburgh dealer's unwillingness to update the flash on the PCM/TCM, and West Lake's "oh, sorry, but we dgaf" attitude about this 2004 is REALLY pushing me away from the Blue Oval.

Sorta at a loss here, gents.

 

[racsan]

Ive seen that many times, and with pictures that clearly show a automatic when the ad says manual (sometimes in two separate places in the ad) Not only can most not drive a standard anymore, they cant even identify one

 

[adsm08]

I doubt Ford can do anything about the hit from the credit check, maybe if it was being processed through Ford Credit, but even that is iffy. The dealership likely processed it through their own finance department and tried their own local lenders first since it is a used vehicle.

Probably your best bet with that is to challenged the record on your credit history with the reporting bureau. I'm not sure if "I filled out an app for a vehicle loan and then found out the dealer lied about the equipment" is going to constitute enough fraud for them to strike it, but you can try.

As far as hits on your credit score/history, it would probably be better for you to go to your own bank and get a pre-approval for an amount about $2000 more than you want to spend so you have wiggle room. Then you will have a single inquiry that will have you approved for almost anything and be good for a few months.


You can also PM me or Sno any VINs you are interested in, we can get accurate build sheets and equipment lists through Ford's system. Or at least we can tell you what Ford built it with. I could have saved you that entire trip and told you it had an auto despite what the dealer listing claimed.

 

[adsm08]

Not only can most not drive a standard anymore, they cant even identify one

One of these days I want to take my truck down to Aamco and tell them when I put it in drive and let the clutch out it just stalls.

 

[adsm08]

You probably dodged a bullet with that truck anyway. I looked through it's warranty history just because and it has a history of rotting out the rear doors. It was sent to the body shop multiple times while still under bumper to bumper warranty for the rear doors bubbling the paint from the inside out.

 

[Shran]

That's frustrating. I'm convinced that dealers just do not care anymore... a warm body will walk in and buy their junk sooner or later so they have no incentive to put effort into doing their job.

May have to expand your search area a lot wider and really nag them for details... my buddy has bought two pickups that he had to fly across the country for, and he was on the phone with them constantly confirming details before the plane tickets were bought and the loan paperwork was done.

My dad has a newer Frontier with a 6 speed manual... I think it's a '14, '15 maybe? Nice truck, I hate the manual part though and I like driving manuals. It feels like there's not enough space between the first couple gears and reverse is hard to find. I'd like to drive a comparable Tacoma with a manual to see if I like it better.

 

[adsm08]

I'd like to drive a comparable Tacoma with a manual to see if I like it better.

My grandfather has a 15 Tacoma with a 3.7 auto, SCREW. Roughly the same curb weight, size, and aerodynamic suckyness as my Ranger with a 4.0 stick.

The Taco feels woefully underpowered compared to my truck. Gas mileage isn't any better either.

 

[Shran]

Not a good comparison but his Frontier will blow my Explorer out of the water in terms of power... I hauled a load of crap back from Denver on my little utility trailer, couldn't even tell it was behind his truck. I hooked onto it with the Explorer when I got to their house and pulled it another 50 miles to my place. Huge difference but I'm not shocked, considering the ~25 year difference.

I think I'd be a lot happier driving it if there was one less gear and if they were spaced out a little further... maybe I am just used to my M5ODs but it almost feels like you can skip 1st gear most of the time. It's just a hair too low. I think that's why my dad burned through a clutch in 30k, starting off in 2nd gear all the time and riding the clutch.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Bummer about the Oregon truck, that was a nice truck.

 

[Josh B]

However, this is absolutely unacceptable to me. Not only did their website say that it was a manual, but the sales rep confirmed that it was a manual via phone and email as well.

Now I'm strutting around with a negative mark on my credit score from a truck I NEVER would have applied for credit to purchase if they would have been honest about it.



Oh, and in case the website changes:

View attachment 35160



At this point, I'm so frustrated with trying to find a Ranger that has a manual trans that I'm considering buying a new Tacoma or Frontier because they both come in manual. Gladiator does as well, but it does not come in two door or hard top, so it's immediately out of the running. Plus, $40k for a base model? Yeah, nah broh, FCA can keep it.





In all sincerity, my recent experience with the TorqShift in my SD and now several Pittsburgh dealer's unwillingness to update the flash on the PCM/TCM, and West Lake's "oh, sorry, but we dgaf" attitude about this 2004 is REALLY pushing me away from the Blue Oval.

Sorta at a loss here, gents.

The reason he told you it was manual is because he sat there on his but looking at the same page you were looking at, instead of getting up off his lazy ass and walking out there to properly confirm it

You would likely win that in any respectable court but the price you would pay in anxieties and scorn would cost you more than winning it could ever be worth.

Sorry you had such a time there man

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Honestly, at this point, I'm willing to pay a cash bounty to whomever finds me one.



**** it. Cash bounty for whomever finds me the following:

FX4 or Level II
Manual transmission
Less than 100k mi, lower the better.
NO RUST
Seriously, NO RUST
Dark Grey preferred, but not too picky.
Prefer manual transfer case if possible.

 

[sgtsandman]

Never trust a salesman unless they are a personal friend. Period.

Sorry to hear about your trouble.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

When can I expect my reward?

Not an FX4 but not to worry, you can subtract the cost of stickers from my reward.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

Oh, within 200 miles of Pittsburgh.

Level II is preferred.

Newer the better as well.

 

[fastpakr]

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