2001 Ford Ranger XLT from North America - Comments

I haven't had any trouble with this truck. It runs very well, and performance has barely changed since the day I bought it.

The only qualm I have is that it came equipped with the Firestone Wilderness AT tires (the exploding ones), which the dealer has as-yet been unable to replace because the replacement tires are on backorder. Come on, Ford, get a move on.

This is a nice truck. It's great looking, has a good amount of power with the 3.0L V6 (a 4.0 L is also available), and it handles well, too.

I have been a GM guy my whole life, but when I started shopping for a new pickup, there was just no comparison. I got this Ranger for $19,000 (ext cab, V6, air, stepside, CD, automatic) when a comparably equipped S-10 would have cost at least $2,000 more.

Visibility is great, even with the extended cab model.

The center-facing jump seats are small, but serviceable for short trips. They fold away into the walls, so if you need to store larger objects in the back, they take up absolutely no space whatsoever.

The seats are also much more comfortable than in the Dakota and S-10 I drove.

I think this is a great truck, and ideal for anyone who wants a great looking truck at a price that won't put them in the poor house.

I would just like to add that I recently purchased a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT, with the extended cab, style-side bed, and edge package. I haven't been happier. The truck has style and performance on many levels. The 4.0 liter SOHC engine provides plenty of horsepower and low-end torque, and with a few mods, was quickly brought to near 300hp. If you are looking for a truck that gets comments wherever you drive, but aren't looking to mortgage a house to afford it, the '01 Ranger is definitely worth a second look.

I agree with the positive posts. The Ranger, in my opinion, provides the most interior space, comfort, and overall value of any compact pickup. Tacomas and Dakotas are slightly better but I could buy a Silverado or an F150 for the same price! Frontiers (old models) and S-10s feel more like cars and the extended cab area is too small for anyone over eight years old. I wouldn't add the new model Frontiers and Colorados in this post because I haven't driven one yet since they COST TOO MUCH!

A compact pickup should be fun to drive, get around 20 mpg, handle well off road, do minor truck stuff, and provide enough room for 4 small adults. The Ranger is perfect for was it's supposed to do, has virtually never changed, and most importantly, it DOESN'T COST THE SAME PRICE AS A MIDSIZE PICKUP!