14th Oct 2013, 16:49
Sounds like you got a lemon that was owned by someone that doesn't know how to take care of a vehicle. I have a plain Jane "S" model 1987 Ranger with a 2.3 engine and standard transmission. I bought this truck brand new in June of 87. It is now Oct 2013 and I still drive this truck every day. It has 250,000 miles on it with the original, never rebuilt engine and transmission. You judging an entire company or particular product line of that company, just because you had a piece of garbage, is just wrong. It's a shame you feel the way you do, because Rangers are tough little trucks. Mine has always done all I asked of it, and then some.
14th Oct 2013, 16:59
You wouldn't be going through brakes as fast as you say if you would buy quality name brand parts, instead of the junk Auto Zone sells.
1st Jul 2025, 14:08
The '60s Fords didn't, especially the diesels. The were slow, but reliable - I drove enough of them. Too much computer junk on the recent ones.
And any manufacturer that fits vanes to a crucial item such as the oil pump (where the pump doesn't self-prime after an oil change and the vanes break!) when gears have been doing the job satisfactorily for ever needs to go back to engineering school. Modern isn't always best.
6th May 2013, 08:47
I bought the red Splash edition brand new, leftover, early 90s, and had zero issues. With the incentives and first time student buyer, it came in at around 11k. We got great resale 3 years later. Beautiful street truck and detailed every week. The ride was a bit bumpy with the large factory tire size. We saw them on Baywatch and bought one the same week. No issues whatsoever. I suspect if we kept it over 25 years like this review, it may have needed some repairs like a battery or tires.