2000 Ford Ranger Base review from North America

DPFE sensor replaced at 140K.

Cab bushing replaced on passenger side.

Coolant reservoir replaced due to leak.

Exhaust system completely replaced at 146k.

Drivers seat started to tear. This is common with the cheap vinyl cover ford uses on their base model seats (I ended up swapping them with seats from an XLT Ranger last month. They are much more durable and a lot more comfortable!).

This is a great economy truck. It's pretty stripped down and doesn't have anything fancy like power windows/locks.

Mine was fortunate enough to have A/C, which I heard is quite rare for the standard base package Ranger.

Gas mileage is good. 17-18mpg in town. I had a Magnaflow exhaust put on and my MPG was much better.

Even though my truck is only a 2wd, it surprisingly handles really good in bad weather. We had a bad ice storm last year, but a few sand bags and some chains, and I never got stranded.

My truck is a standard cab short wheelbase model, so there is more weight balanced towards the rear for better traction. It won't win any races against that hot rod or rice rocket by any means. Nor will you be picking up chicks in it. However if you want a reliable cheap pick-up, then consider a Ranger. My dad is a mechanic and he once had a 1998 Ranger with 310k in for a tune-up. As long as you maintain it, then it'll go forever.