Stupidest question of the day.

[HIPCHIP]

I have my father-in-laws old 90 Ranger XLT 4X4 with the V-6. It's starting to get a little old, and the 4X4 is not something I need, so don't want to spend a ton of $ on it to keep it running. I have a Dodge Magnum, which I love, but everything that has gone wrong with the Magnum's seems to have gone wrong with mine. I'm thinking of trading in the Magnum and the Ranger for a 2011 X-cab Ranger with the I-4 and manual trans.

With the luck I've had with my Dodge (they weren't like that in the 60's and 70's!), the problems I've heard about with Chevy, Toyota, etc, just how good are the new Fords? I mean, I don't want to get rid of one vehicle only to get another veh that is probably going to have the same type of problems. If the newer Fords are having the same kind of problems, then I might as well go out and get me something from the late 60's/early 70's and just restore it so that everything is new. Biggest problem with that is that I'm no mechanic and body man, so it would take me a LONG time to do that, and money is kind of tight, not to mention the old body doesn't bend and move like it used to back in the day when I worked on cars and motorcycles (my first car I could actually stand IN the engine compartment).

So I'm looking for an HONEST opinion, not just a FORD IS MY FAVORITE SO I'M GONNA SAY IT'S GREAT type of opinion. I mean I love the old Dodge's and Plymouth's, but todays stuff just ain't the same.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[adsm08]

Well, I work at the dealership, and most of the issues we do see with the brand new cars are fairly minor compared to what Toyota and GM and those guys have been seeing.

The Edge has had some issues with the transmissions (not an issue if you want a manual Ranger).

Escapes have been cracking trans coolers, also not an issue if you want a manual Ranger.

The newest Rangers are still pretty basic vehicles, not a lot to have go wrong with them.

 

[Mark_88]

I would say if you prefer the truck then dump the Dodge...Rangers are good trucks and if you're going to be driving something that's a bit harder on gas (unless you go standard cab with the 2.3)...or maybe easier depending on the mileage you're getting with the magnum...

I bought a new Ford Tempo in 89 and drove it for 14 years...it was a great car...and so far the track record of the newer Rangers (2000+) seems to be excellent...as long as you don't go crazy it could last you a long time...unless, of course, you change every few years anyways...

But this is the last year you can own a new Ranger...so...

 

[mp3deviant721]

But this is the last year you can own a new Ranger...so...

He has a point. Go for it. Buy a new 2011 Ranger. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Mac]

If you want a 2011, better hurry!
Dave

 

[02RangerXLT]

They haven't changed anything that noticeable in Rangers since 1998... so you're good. Buy it, you won't regret it.

 

[Ruffinit]

Well, I have a 2003 regular cab stepside with a 5 speed and the 2.3L Duratec. It's an XLT and about as basic as you can get. It has 99,000 miles on it with 89,000 in the last 30 months.
You want to talk reliability? I have done one repair to the entire truck in all those miles. The thermostat stuck open on it and had to be replaced. Took me about an hour and cost me about $100 for the part which is the temp sensor, thermostat and housing in one. It was only like this for the 2001 through 2003.
I had the front end aligned the first time at 88,000 to find that it only needed a very minor adjustment. (by monitoring the tire wear, I knew it was fine)

 

[97RangerXLT]

as for trading in the ranger.. you will not get squat for it in trade in. keep it as a second vehicle or sell it outright. trade the maggie in for a nice Taurus X. if you are having specific issues w/ the maggie right now, check out www.lxforums.com.

AJ