2003 Ford Ranger Edge review from North America

When purchased as a salvage title vehicle from a kid starting his dealership business, I paid $2500 (he got from auction).

It was in an accident, but only the hood, driver's fender and headlight needed replacing, and I believe the vehicle was used for work as it was repainted to cover misc scratches and tiny dents. Overall it looked very nice afterwards.

So now history is explained, the things wrong with it were A/C condensor (A/C radiator looking thing) had hole in it (probably from a rock). Had this replaced and refilled, and it has been nice and chilly inside during summer ever since.

Only serious problem is when you floor the gas to accelerate * as quick as a 3.0 auto can * the transmission will shift very hard up or down as if it doesn't know which direction to shift. The transmission does have a delay in shifting to reverse, but it is small and I am going to change the fluids and filter today for that. It always shifts smooth through all 5 gears if you don't floor it.

I read a TSR or recall on the fluid first put into the trannies that caused premature wear and I think the owner didn't know of that. 1 owner *

Small issues-

1. Fan for interior only works on highest speed (the knob).

2. Half the lights in the dash and speedo area are burnt out.

All Rangers look like they have toe out, AKA front wheels look like the top of the tires lean inward. Haven't ran a set of tires long enough to see if the wear is off, but have had it aligned anyways as the wheel was far from straight when I bought it.

Do not buy the standard cab if you can. The room is priceless. Sliding rear glass would have been nice. Do not buy a 3.0L when you can buy a 4.0, or if power isn't needed, get the 4 cylinder truck as the fuel mileage of the 3.0 and 4.0 are the same as V8 engines.

I know someone who has the same engine, a 3.0 and a 5spd, but theirs is flex fuel and has plastic intake rather than aluminum, and they get much better MPG.

I do like the stance of the Edge, but think trucks that lean forward (back end of truck sits higher than front) look silly.

The truck was so filthy inside from the previous owner. I just went to a self clean car wash and sprayed out the interior, and the seats had brown water flowing, but it didn't matter since there is no carpet in the cab.