Should I Keep My Ranger?

[CanuckRanger]

I've had my 2011 Sport for about 3 months now, bought it brand new. While yes, I do like my truck, and has yet to give me any problems, the gas mileage is less than stellar, and I travel roughly 60-70 kms everyday, so its costing me roughly 90 bucks a week in gas. I like having a 4x4 truck, but this is what im intrigued in getting.

2012 Ford Fusion SE
2.5L 4 cyl, 6 speed auto trans
Fully Loaded, Power Everything
Moonroof
Sync
and rated for 47 MPG highway.

Versus my Ranger, which has a cd and sirius, and thats it for options.

I can get a sales demo one for roughly what I paid for my Ranger, right around 17,000. I know that I am going to take a loss in this deal, and that posting this in a Ranger site is not exactly the best idea, but I am looking for some opinions on what I should do.

 

[Ozwynn]

short answer ...... yes.....

 

[Rose2300]

Short answer... No. Sure the ranger gets less mileage, but will you have the fusion long enough to make up the loss you took on the deal? In other words will the fusion save you enough on gas to outweight the loss?

 

[straycat]

If you wanted a gas siper you should have bought a small car. You bought a truck, what do you expect? Add a bed cover and you will get a bit more gas milage but that is about it. You bought a truck, Eh?

 

[CanuckRanger]

Don't get me wrong here, I knew the Ranger wouldnt be good on gas. But I guess it was more or less, I have a truck, I won't care all that much about gas mileage. I had a 4.0 Explorer for 3 years, so I am no stranger to how much gas these things burn. I just got the chance to try the Fusion out, and I was so impressed with the equipment and options, that it got me thinking. and yes, if I get it, Ill be keeping it for the next 5-8 years.

 

[Psychopete]

go for it if that's what you want

 

[doorgunner]

well.....you talked us into it!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you don't really need a truck then it wouldn't be smart to have one compared to a car. The car will save you coming and going with gas and insurance compared to a truck on top of being much nicer to drive with more seating.

If you do need a truck it wouldn't be all that smart to ditch it for a car.

 

[exbass94]

If you don't really need a truck then it wouldn't be smart to have one compared to a car. The car will save you coming and going with gas and insurance compared to a truck on top of being much nicer to drive with more seating.

If you do need a truck it wouldn't be all that smart to ditch it for a car.

+1. A truck is meant to be used to haul stuff. Do you need a vehicle that can do "truck things?" If you need a truck, keep it. If not, sell it and get a car.

 

[hoosier1104]

You also have to remember that the Ranger has the aerodynamics of a brick. With that being said, throw a cover over the bed like Straycat said (shutters) and drive the damn thing. It is better to have the option of hauling and not need it then need it and not have it.

 

[armadillon]

It seems absurd to go out and buy another vehicle like the Focus if you're taking a hit. You're saving slightly on fuel but you're paying more in the long run? Don't bother arguing fuel economy, that won't make a difference in the long run.

It sounds like you've made up your mind and you want the options. Why buy a 2012 and take a hit when you can get a slightly older Focus for cheaper and still get the economy?

Face it, you just want a new car. If you were really concerned about saving pennies you wouldn't be buying a new car.


Sent from my iPhone while clubbing baby seals. There's an app for that!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It seems absurd to go out and buy another vehicle like the Focus if you're taking a hit. You're saving slightly on fuel but you're paying more in the long run? Don't bother arguing fuel economy, that won't make a difference in the long run.

Just doing rough math, considering the Ranger gets 20mpg (generous IMO) and the Fusion gets 40mpg (less than it is rated) and he is burning $100 a week it would be an extra $50 per week or $200 per four week month by doubling his fuel economy. That is a difference and to me it is not small.

And I bet selling private party he could make it close to a wash expenswise.

I do agree about the used part though, I would find one a year or two old... but for that matter I would wait for the neater looking '13s to get to that point.

 

[CanuckRanger]

Thanks for the opinions guys, I just want to also add that my truck is not just a grocery getter, New Brunswick is like 90% woods, so my truck sees lots of rough roads and I do use it for truck stuff when I need it, I started weighing the pros and cons of the situation, and I think that while its somewhat hard on fuel, and excellently unequipped, I'm probably gonna stick with the Ranger, mainly for all the perks of being a truck owner. Plus ive been driving a RBV for nearly 4 years, so I don't know how well i would adjust to owning a car.

 

[straycat]

By the way....my mom has a new Fusion 2011. My niece has a 2010 and neither of them are getting 30 mpg. I know a few other people with Fusions and they tell me that are not getting any where 47 mpg. Where is this great Ford Fusion gas milage supposed to be? My 2010 Rouge AWD is getting just over 35 mpg at 75 mph with a Yakima roof rack, basketcase and fairing. use the same set up on my Ranger with a roof rack / basketcase and fairing. My Ranger gets 24 mpg on the highway with 33x12.5 AT KO tires.

Where do you get the info for 47 mpg? Here are the specs for 2010/2011/2012 as per Fords/Edmund's websites:

Fuel Economy Ford Fusion EPA MPG

Ford Fusion FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic (S6), Regular Gasoline
22 City 25 Combined 30 Highway


Ford Fusion FWD 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Automatic 6-spd, Regular Gasoline
23 City 26 Combined 33 Highway

 

[nitrofan1]

Well, good points all. I would keep it. Even if it wasn't a Ranger a truck is easier to maintain, much more durable and over the life of the vehicle cheaper to own. I do like the fusions and would own one but for virtually any situation I drive my Rangers 3 to 1 over my 04 Forester. Even when gas prices kick me in the ass.