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Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford Ranger, Part XII - READ ONLY

1840 messages,  Last post on Oct 02, 2002 at 4:10 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger

Messages Page 169 of 185

#1675 of 1840 My Ford by nra1871

Sep 22, 2002 (7:20 am)

I've finally had it with my ranger. I open the door the other morning and my key becomes stuck in the lock. Finally wiggle it out and the door makes a nice extra clunk when I shut it. Now the manual window doesnt roll down properly. Back to the dealer again. While this is getting fixed I'm getting my front suspension checked, getting a nice loud groan and shudder when I go over big bumps. So that's 33,500 miles...so far Ive had to go back for a tranny leak, wiper malfunction, new PCM, new ignition coils, sensor replacement, rear window seal replacement, passenger door weatherstripping replacement, new belt tensioner...and I think that's it. Oh, only the first two items were fixed on the first try. Every single other one took at least two trips.
My warrantee expires in december, can't imagine the fun that will be in store for me after that's gone. This gets paid off in december 2003, then its immediately being sold and im trying my luck with a tacoma.

#1676 of 1840 nra by sc0rpi0

Sep 22, 2002 (8:03 am)

If you pay it off and sell it sooner (like in the fall), you'll catch old 2nd generation Tacomas being sold off at dealers and new 3rd gen Tacomas (redesigned with bigger engines) coming into the lots. In December, I think you'll be stuck with 2004 Tacos only.
As for my Taco: bought it 10 month ago, 20K miles, no problemos.

#1677 of 1840 scorpio by nra1871

Sep 22, 2002 (8:25 am)

Yeah I was thinking of that, I was also considering a used tacoma, one or two years old, to eat some of the initial cost. Any opinions on that 4cyl 2.7? Ive been seeing those with 4wd for very reasonable prices, and the HP and torque seem comparable to my 3L 6.

#1678 of 1840 nra by sc0rpi0

Sep 22, 2002 (10:02 am)

Guys with reg cab 2.7L 4x4s swear by their trucks.
You have to get a manual one, though...I4 is not that fast with automatic, and you probably want to get an RC, it's 500 lbs lighter than Xtracab.
But 2.7 is a bulletprof engine, can't go wrong with it.

#1679 of 1840 2.7 by nra1871

Sep 22, 2002 (10:08 am)

Thats pretty much what I was looking for, I want a manual just for the sake of durability, and a regular cab for cost reasona and bed length. Ive found I can stick just about anything I need to behind the seat in a regular cab.

#1680 of 1840 nra1871 by eagle63

Sep 22, 2002 (2:53 pm)

good luck finding a good deal on a used tacoma. I've looked quite a bit and they hold their value so damn well that you don't save much at all by buying used - unless you get a really old one.

#1681 of 1840 Solid vehicles by saddaddy

Sep 23, 2002 (5:42 am)

I was thinking the exact same thing about my truck this weekend, tbunder. I was driving a little too fast down some paved farm roads (called hiways in MS) with 2ft woops, and potholes everywhere - not the first squeak or rattle. Then in downtown, brick streets where I was also driving too fast, and the thing felt more solid than a tank. Jus MO.

#1682 of 1840 2 ft whoops...... by tbunder1

Sep 23, 2002 (12:37 pm)

exaggerating a little bit? you might as well moto-cross it if it can take 2 ft. whoops daily.
 
and what's with the "2nd gen. tacoma" im hearing about? is something in the works or is it just hearsay?

#1683 of 1840 tbunder by sc0rpi0

Sep 23, 2002 (1:05 pm)

2nd gen Tacoma is what is there right now.
Actually, it's probably 3rd generation already (1995.5 to 1998, 1999-2000, 2001-2003), I just call them 2nd gen because of the 2nd generation supercharger that fits 1999+ Tacomas.

#1684 of 1840 Test drove a 2002 Ford Ranger by plutonious

Sep 23, 2002 (5:57 pm)

4x4 X-Cab with the 4.0 V6 and auto-tranny today. Here are my impressions:
 
1. Good power, but didn't feel any more powerful than my 3.4 Tacoma. 'Course, that's a difficult comparison because my truck is a manual transmission.
 
2. Ranger willingly revved up to 5500 RPMs for upshifting when pushed. In comparison, seems like I'm really pushing my Tacoma's engine when I go past 4000 RPMs.
 
3. Ranger's interior was comfortable but the seats really need a headrest. I wouldn't want to get rear-ended and have my head wrap around the back of those short seats in the Ranger.
 
4. Despite people's claims the Ranger has a better, more civilized ride on real-world roads, I couldn't feel it and I drove over the same roads I drive on with my Tacoma.
 
5. Ranger stickered for about $23,800 and was not loaded. No PW, PL, off-road package, bedliner, fancy alloy wheels, 31" tires, etc. I bought my Tacoma TRD with these features (and more) for $22,500 drive-out. Still wondering if the Ranger's price advantage is "real."
 
6. For as much talk I've heard about the Tacoma's thin doors, the Ranger's seemed very lightweight and the sound/feel of the door handle was cheap. Seemed like you had to turn the crank more than necessary to lower the windows.
 
7. Styling - I don't care for it. I don't like the tall, plastic bed caps or the hood bulges. It looks gimmicky and juvenile.
 
8. My biggest complaint - the brakes. Absolutely horrible. Though the brakes began to grab immediatly after pressing pedal, the truck kept coasting, no doubt the ABS being the culprit. Hard braking in my truck is a violent, head-jerking experience, even without lock-up and proper braking techniques. I hate ABS and am glad I didn't pay extra for that "standard" feature.
 
9. Seemed like the Ranger's steering wasn't as quick, meaning it took more steering wheel turns to get the effect I'm used to.
 
Overall, I'm still convinced the Tacoma is the better truck. I don't think the newly updated 2002 Ranger has an edge over my 1998 Tacoma.

Messages Page 169 of 185

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