General Comments:
This is the 2wd Ranger with the 4 cyl engine --the no frills model. It's got manual transmission, crank windows, no air-con, manual locks, manual steering... a factory AM/FM cassette player is the only luxury installed. My truck is that really loud electric blue that Ford does. Since I bought it used I didn't get to pick the color.
This truck is a bit under-powered. I've wished for more go when I'm on the freeway. The cab is small. If you're over 6 feet tall then it can be a tough fit. Although a lap-belt is provided for a center passenger, this truck is really a 2-seater, especially with the manual transmission in the middle. Everything in the cab is very basic. No fancy instruments.
With the bad out of the way, let me say that this truck has been very good to me. I maintain it regularly. I feel like the amount of repair work I've had to pay for has been very, very minimal. Gas mileage for this truck is right good. I'm sure I get 25-27 mpg on the highway. Total cost of operating and ownership has been great! Probably cheaper to operate then a fine bicycle.
I've driven this truck across country twice and braved Northern New England Winters with it. I also used it as a city truck in San Francisco. It's a very versatile truck. It has carried furniture, canoes, logs, sand, and more. Sandbags over the rear axel are a must for snow driving --this truck is extremely light in the rear.
Handling is not very tight. This truck should never be used as a get-away car. It does, however, hold alignment very well. Even after bouncing over fire roads for many months I've never had a problem. It drives straight as an arrow. I've owned other vehicles that couldn't hold a line for more than a week under similar conditions.
The current Blue Book on this truck is so low that I will likely never get rid of it. It is simply *worth* more than what I could possibly get for it or what you can buy it for. I believe that my truck is one of the good ones --every make/model has good ones and bad ones! If you can find a good 96 Ranger sans the frills, it can serve you very well.
One final note: good, high-$ all weather tires can make all of the difference in the world in how this truck handles when it is not equipped with power steering. The light rear-end (where the drive wheels are) demands good traction for wet or frozen conditions. That's another reason to spend good money on tires for this truck.
Ultimately, this truck looks better with a little body rust. Put a cap on it, fill the back with sandbags and empty beercans, and you're ready to take on the world. I have turned this truck over to valet attendants at some of the finest restaurants in the U.S. You never have to worry that they'll take it for a joy ride. I like to give 'em a crisp five dollar bill along with instructions to "put it up front" or "don't scratch it." The sheer ugliness of my well-worn, no-frills truck commands respect everywhere I go.
5th Dec 2006, 11:41
Your experience pretty much mirrors mine. I bought my first Ranger (an XLT 4-cylinder 5-speed) in '92. I've owned 3 since then. They have all been driven VERY hard, used off road and for camping. I have never been easy on my vehicles (though they are maintained very meticulously) and the Rangers are the absolute toughest little trucks on the road. Take care of the oil changes and recommended maintenance and 300,000-400,000 miles is not at all out of the question. I can't advise you on any problem areas because none of my Rangers ever had even ONE problem.