Ask the Car People.SM


Compact Pickup Comparison: Frontier, Ranger, Tacoma, S10, Dakota, B-Series, & Hombre - READ ONLY

579 messages,  Last post on Apr 15, 2002 at 5:02 AM

You are in the Pickups - Archived Discussions Forum.

This discussion is ARCHIVED. To reactivate the discussion, post a request in the Javascript runtime error--TypeError: obj has no properties-- no stack trace file was written discussion.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota, Mazda B-Series Pickup

Messages Page 29 of 58

#281 of 579 Yes, I have to admit by scape2

Feb 09, 2001 (2:13 pm)

the new S-10 for 2002 will be a monster with that new I-6 of GM's. The S-10 will also get a whole new look/style and size. This is going to send Toyota/Ford/Nissan running back to the drawing board for sure. I think the new S-10 will make some inroads into the Rangers dominance in this segment also. The days of the S-10/Sonoma being at the bottom of the barrel are numbered in my opinion.
I don't know how true this is but rumors are the Ranger also will get a huge make-over in the 2003 time frame. I just hope they put an engine in that will rival the new I-6 from GM. I have read about an I-5 and even a diesel for the Ranger.

#282 of 579 by cthompson21

Feb 09, 2001 (4:38 pm)

Hopefully, the Ranger will follow the ways of the Explorer and offer the SOHC 4.6L V8. With a torquey 260hp V8 and a HD 5-speed manual, that would be one fun truck to drive.
 
But, I think that Ford will be late to the party as usual.
 
That I5 does sound interesting, though. It would be a great engine for commuting, like the I4, but still able to do some light towing/hauling, like the Vulcan 3L. It sounds like it may be Ford's volume money-maker.

#283 of 579 Just bought a new truck by valance

Feb 10, 2001 (3:05 pm)

I looked at each of the compacts: ranger, s10, tacoma, frontier. I ruled out the s10 right away because I didn't really like the way it looked. Drove each of the others. Nissan had no power(major reason for dumping it), and the roof rack (crew cab version) rattled. The x-cab didn't offer 4 doors. I was left with the ranger and the toyota:
 
Ranger: 4.0L xlt x-cab 4x4: 5 sp-auto, air/ cruise/ limited-slip/ remote/ keyless/ 4drs/ pw/ pd/ passive anti-theft/ abs/ am-fm-cd. Negotiated price: 20,000 (after 1500 cash-back)
 
Tacoma: similar equip sr5-TRD ac etc. (no-4drs, no ABS)
Negotiated price: 22,500
 
Looks: Exterior, ranger wins. Hate the toyota grill. Interior, toyota wins. Much nicer location for everything.
 
Ride: Toyota was a little bit more smooth, but both were distinctly truck.
 
Power: Ranger wins hands down. Toyota had hard time getting up to speed by the time I hit the freeway (short up-hill onramp). In the ranger I had to coast back down to highway speed.
 
Perceived value: I think the toyota is probably a little better here, but I've always been very careful to follow all maint. suggestions, and never had any major problems with ANY vehicle, so I didn't add any points to the toyota here.
 
Doors: I like the ability to open the spare door and throw my crap in the back without having to adjust the seat again. Ranger wins here.
 
At this point, I was leaning toward buying the toyota for the interior appointments.
 
Final category: Safety
 
The ranger blew the toyota away. The only test where the toyota did better than ranger was the insurance institute offset test, and it BARELY did better there. Front impacts were similar, but the SIDE impact convinced me to NEVER purchase the toyota until it fixes its "Very Poor" rating. The lack of available ABS (talking stock & orders, not manufacturer) on the toyota cinched the decision.
 
I saved $2,500 over the toyota, and I got a safer vehicle, which performs similarly. Give and take for each, but I won't compromise my safety on a vehicle that receives a "Very poor" rating.

#284 of 579 Congrats on your new by scape2

Feb 10, 2001 (3:47 pm)

Ranger. What color did you get? Is the new SOHC 4.0 with a 5spd pretty responsive?
Take the 2,500 dollar savings and go on a nice vactaion!

#285 of 579 valance by barlitz

Feb 10, 2001 (4:21 pm)

You got a great deal,I wanted the new ranger but they weren't around when I shopped, plus chevy was offering 0% financing.I've got a 00 ZR2 which I paid about $20800.The chevy's crash ratings aren't that good either but they are better than the Toyota's. How is the acceleration with the new 4.0 ?

#286 of 579 by cncman

Feb 13, 2001 (6:46 am)

Hey guys,
Vinny & Mahi, check out freshalloy.com for the latest news on the FS truck and Vinny there is also pictures there of the new SC Xterra, especially look at the interior, it is fantastic! I started up with school again, so I may not be in here often, also in case you have not heard, Nissan is offering another first in the 2002 Frontier, an optional 6' bed! now it will have the longest bed of the compact CC's later!

#287 of 579 Ranger 4.0 w/ 5 spd Auto by valance

Feb 13, 2001 (4:03 pm)

has been pretty nice. I don't have to worry if I can beat the guy next to me off the line so I can move into his lane for the turn a block away
 
The downshifts made themselves known at first, but have been getting more smooth. I guess this is a part of the "adaptive" transmission, and is normal.
 
My only complaint (which is minor) is that the fuel guage is not balanced. It drops to half a tank after only 100 miles, and then the next 100 miles only moves it from half to 1/4. (BTW, observed milage for me has been 14-16 city, and is ALWAYS 18 HWY)

#288 of 579 Mazda B4000? by dw94

Feb 14, 2001 (8:25 pm)

I am needing to get a new vehicle before I go off to grad school. As I am poor, I am looking for a decent price, but especially low maintenance costs and a vehicle I can rely on for the next 4-8 years. As a Caver, hiker, camper, etc. I am looking for a compact truck.
 
I was originally sold on the Toyota Tacoma 4x4, until I found that living in the Rocky Mountains, these things just won't depreciate enough to buy a used one. (i.e., they cost about $3000 more then what I have found online in other areas of the country).
 
I am now looking at a 1998 Mazda B4000 extended cab 4x4 with 21,000 miles. It is pretty basic with just A/C, Alloy wheels, automatic transmission. The asking price is $13,700.(In contrast a similair Toyota Tacoma 1997 with 60,000 cost $16,000)
 
Does anyone have any experience with this vehicle? Have you found it to be reliable? How is it off-road? Does it accelerate OK with an automatic transmission? While all trucks out here cost more, does this sound like a reasonable price? With limited funds and a need for reliability, off-road transportation, and occasional towing, would you buy this truck?
Thanks.

#289 of 579 The Mazda B4000 is a good by scape2

Feb 14, 2001 (8:47 pm)

truck. As far as offroad, it may be better than you think when comparing it to the Toyota. The Mazda may have a Limited slip rearend, Toyota doesn't offer this. What level of offroading do you do? Take the truck to a reputable shop and have it looked over really well.
I own a 1998 4.0 4x4 5spd RAnger XLT with about 37K on it now and it has been a great truck. I live in the NW and visit the Cascades of Oregon often. It has never let me down. I have however put on some better than factory all terrain tires which makes a world of difference.
Good luck...

#290 of 579 dw94 by cthompson21

Feb 14, 2001 (9:12 pm)

With your current and future limited funds, you might want to consider some alternatives.
 
The 4L 4x4 auto is not a good vehicle on gas. You'll be lucky to eek out 20mpg at 100% highway doing 65mph. The rest of the time you'll be getting 14-17mpg (or worse in the winter with oxygenated gas and warm-up periods).
 
I'd suggest a 3L 5-speed 4x4 Ranger/B-Series (same truck, different sheet metal). You should always do better than 20mpg, and the 3L is more than adequate with the 5-speed (it doesn't do too well with the auto-tranny due to its gear ratios). It should save you thousands too and be very capable of everything you mentioned.
 
As for the truck you're considering, the 4L engines made those couple of years are noisy and have had a "marbling" noise attributed to them. I haven't heard of any actual problems other than just being noisy. It is a good vehicle off-road and accelerates quite well with the 4L. The price doesn't sound too bad either.
 
BTW, I've got a 98 4L 4x4 auto Ranger. It's been a great truck.

Messages Page 29 of 58

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement