I've settled on the 2008 2.3L Regular Cab

[One Sick Puppy]

I just couldn't justify the extra cost of gas ($700-$1000/year) AND $5000-7000 more for the 4L V6 Ranger, and HOLY CRAP - the manual 2.3L is a zippy little creature compared to the utterly sluggish automatic 2.3L. All I need is a simple little truck to buz around town and carry my mountainbike and kayaks a bit further out of town.

So, I'm now sold on the 2.3L. The biggest drawback is it doesn't come in a Supercab (WTF?!). So, now I need to upgrade the stock radio (no cd player? wtf?)

Anyhoo... at least now that I'm set on the smaller of the Rangers, I can spend the money I *save* on a canopy and roof racks... and maybe a nice aftermarket stereo system.

 

[Southern3.0]

I'm glad you like you new truck, it should last you a loooooooooong time too.

 

[4x4RangerGuy]

Grats on the truck! Get some pics up when you can.

 

[milje]

So, I'm now sold on the 2.3L. The biggest drawback is it doesn't come in a Supercab (WTF?!). So, now I need to upgrade the stock radio (no cd player? wtf?)

I thought they had supercabs now with a 4-banger? Look for an XLT, I think CD player is standard on those.

 

[WhiteBroncoII2WD]

I just couldn't justify the extra cost of gas ($700-$1000/year) AND $5000-7000 more for the 4L V6 Ranger, and HOLY CRAP - the manual 2.3L is a zippy little creature compared to the utterly sluggish automatic 2.3L. All I need is a simple little truck to buz around town and carry my mountainbike and kayaks a bit further out of town.

So, I'm now sold on the 2.3L. The biggest drawback is it doesn't come in a Supercab (WTF?!). So, now I need to upgrade the stock radio (no cd player? wtf?)

Anyhoo... at least now that I'm set on the smaller of the Rangers, I can spend the money I *save* on a canopy and roof racks... and maybe a nice aftermarket stereo system.

Ford won't give you a SuperCab for the 2.3 Liter?

 

[LearjetMinako]

Theres 2.3L in a SuperCab, just gotta find them. Most have 3.0l installed in them. My 1996 is the old Lima 2.3L and its a SuperCab.

 

[One Sick Puppy]

Here in British Columbia, there are very few 2.3L Rangers to choose from, and the vast majority of those are auto trans. I'm considering myself pretty lucky to have even found the color I wanted (white) in a manual. None of the 4-5 dealers I talked to had any knowledge of a 2.3L Supercab. If they are possible, nobody was even willing to entertain the idea of finding one.

I think I'll be happy with the smaller truck. It will be more nimble in the city which is 90% of my driving and I'm getting the sliding window to make it less claustrophobic.

 

[LearjetMinako]

You'll love the sliding rear window. Its like a super blower fan when going down the interstate. Just open the rear window all the way and use your driver side window to control the flow. But be warned, debris has a tendence to fly in the cab if left in the bed.

As for a manual transmission 2.3L vs auto. No guess there, take the manual. A buddy in high school had the std cab 2.3l auto, that was truely unbearable to drive.

Probably the best thing about the small 4-banger Ranger is good MPG while still be able to hual gear in the bed. I average around 22city/27highway, 25mix.