months of study: deciding on 'budget' Ranger 1994? 1998? Or?

[rangeflex]

Hi, read tons. And basically Wikipedia is a good distillation of what's i'm struggling on.

UPDATE COMMENT:

just found this and did some more reading and a 1986 and on up could be be great as well. Won't update the text below as it's still relevant. thanks!

http://www.therangerstation.com/resources/RangerHistory.htm

--- initial post below ---

Find a 2WD 5sp 4cyl Extended Cab: simple as possible mechanically and best mileage
and parts availability while choosing a year that's got the rightest mix.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger_%28North_America%29

i've ruled out 'possibly' 1983–1988 and 1989–1992 though as one of my top goals is to have
a 4cyl 5speed that's not glutted with electronics and more than the basics the oldies do have some appeal.

I figure the 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 is the trans I have to have unless they're interchangable
which for sure ain't right i'd bet.

So 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 on my for sure list if possible. And, the 2.3L 4cyl as I drive real conservatively
and really am all about getting good gas mileage. 2WD as well, can't do 4 wheel drive for now for sure.

So... there's a bunch of changes that wikipedia notes within 1993–1997 and say 1998- 2002. after that
it's gonna be that I can't afford unless I buy a later ranger (2002/3 to 2005) that's got some big problem
and it comes in around 2 grand initial price and is still legally driveable prior to fixing. yeah right!?!

ASKING:

1) is 1994 a sweet spot as it's before the changes for 1995?

2) I've been told that the 2.3 4cyl may not be much more economical cause of hill climbing though
I just wanna get it right for level street driving as far as gas mileage goes.

3) a biggie is that I'd love to avoid extra electronics and all so maybe go with 1993 - 1997.

4) There's lots to like about the pre-1993 Rangers. I'm way into old cause of simple design,
though the more modern look from 1993 onward is kinda compelling.

That said, maybe there's some way cool mods to make older Rangers rock. uh, duh.
(obligatory dumber comment)
The old Rangers would likely fit my great interest in a simple drivetrain.
though that 5-speed Mazda M5OD-R1 seem kinda important. right?

Ok, rather than go on about what i've read and thought hoping it might be possible to get
some idea of what stuff electronically and how dense it gets under the hood with later models.
plus if there's any year that's best, generally of course as there's no telling on reliability.
Gas mileage, that Mazda trans etc.

1993-1997
1998-2002

EDIT: and now the earlier years back to 1986-87 i think.

I am really looking forward to my first Ranger. Pretty much ready to start the hunt full-on though
gotta know and decide what's what.

Simple mechanically is a big plus though if the 1998-2002 is just gonna be way better in some
way that I haven't realized the importance of (I have no real experience) it would be great to find out generally.

really appreciate the reading. thanks.

 

[gribly]

I'd get the nicest one I could afford. 2wd regular cab Rangers are pretty cheap in general, and very reliable in general. I wouldn't be too concerned with what year has OBD2 or EEC-IV. I recently found a '95 4wd with the 5-speed and a 2.3 4-cyl for $1400 that a friend bought, it's in pretty good shape. Has a quarter of a million miles but drives like it's got less than half that.

 

[rangeflex]

yeah, thanks gribly.
I can go with that mindset.
was looking at whether the complexity under the hood went way up in '95
with electronic stuff and whether I should go pre-1993 maybe even.

and if one year was more flexible for swap-out replacements and then
there's that mazda 5 speed that's became the only model available which
kinda suggests it's the one to have. that kinda thing.

though for sure the most for the money is the best outcome overall.

 

[mp3deviant721]

IMO, 93-94 was the best years. There wasn't too much electronics yet, but the body styling didn't look like it was over 20 years old. But I guess in general the third gens (93-97) were the best generation. I probably sound biased as I own a third gen. LOL.