Help me decide between Ranger and F150

[AzScorpion]

I had a similar decision when I finally decided to purchase my Ranger. The Ranger handled better than the F150, fit my needs and I don't regret the purchase for one second. What I find funny is how the Ranger is almost as big as the F150s used to be.

I bought the my first F 150 back in '96, I think that was the first year the changed over to the new body style. My last one was a 2013 and there was a big difference in size between them.,my Ranger feel almost identical to the '96 I had. When I was at the dealer buying my Ranger they had a Harley Davidson edition F 150,that thing was like sitting in a school bus it's so big lol.

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[VAMike]

No kidding, I see a lot of older 150s on the road, and they look to be about the same size as my "mid-sized" Ranger!

and the ranger has significantly more payload capacity, has the same tow rating but a more powerful drive train, and gets almost twice the MPG in the city.

 

[jsphlynch]

I live in the frozen north, and the truck will be used for typical suburban homeowner stuff, commuting, and towing a small enclosed trailer with a Harley in it when I need to get away from here in the winter.

None of the uses you listed require the larger size of the F-150. The Ranger should haul pretty much anything a suburban homeowner needs to haul (unless maybe you have renovations planned), will be much better for commuting, and will not have any trouble towing the Harley. The Ranger you listed also has more of the fun extras and, as you mentioned, better handling. And while the F-150 might fit in your garage, the Ranger definitely will.

Unless you have other uses specific to the F-150 (do you have a use for that cavernous interior?), the only reason I can see for getting the F-150 is that it feels like you're getting more truck for your money, but it would be a truck that doesn't fit your lifestyle as well.

 

[RANGER_MARC]

I bought the my first F 150 back in '96, I think that was the first year the changed over to the new body style. My last one was a 2013 and there was a big difference in size between them.,my Ranger feel almost identical to the '96 I had. When I was at the dealer buying my Ranger they had a Harley Davidson edition F 150,that thing was like sitting in a school bus it's so big lol.

My Delaware dealer had one of those inside the building last time I stopped in for some parts. All I could say was, "Wow, what a Monster Truck," but it is really just the stuff of dreams. I could never consider actually buying one--unless I am willing to buy a bigger house to go along with it!

 

[RANGER_MARC]

You choose...

I pick Ms. Ranger, that is, Bachelorette Number One!

 

[dhunter]

None of the uses you listed require the larger size of the F-150. The Ranger should haul pretty much anything a suburban homeowner needs to haul (unless maybe you have renovations planned), will be much better for commuting, and will not have any trouble towing the Harley. The Ranger you listed also has more of the fun extras and, as you mentioned, better handling. And while the F-150 might fit in your garage, the Ranger definitely will.

Unless you have other uses specific to the F-150 (do you have a use for that cavernous interior?), the only reason I can see for getting the F-150 is that it feels like you're getting more truck for your money, but it would be a truck that doesn't fit your lifestyle as well.

Thank you for that reasoned response. And yes, you nailed it - i was considering the F150 because it seemed to be a better value proposition. The Ranger does fit my needs better, I just wish that ford was aggressive about pricing as they are with the big truck.

My wife and I are going to visit another dealer tonight, and see if we can get a better deal.

 

[dhunter]

You choose...

Well, if you put it that way, I'm a Ranger fan all the way.

 

[FX4Offroad]

Yup, sometimes bigger isn't always better!

OP I've had many F 150's over the years,8 to be exact and I really have no need for that large of a truck now. The Ranger is the perfect size inside and out and seeing as it's going to be used mostly as a DD and some light towing I think you'd be happy with it. Take a look through the forum in the towing section and you'll see many have towed some good size boats and campers through the mountains with ease. I've never had all this technology before and now that I've had it I wouldn't buy another without it. Much easier to maneuver through the city streets and through the trails if you go off road with it. Good luck and come back and let us know what you decide.

I too have had many full size pick up trucks in the past and like you, I no longer have need for that size. My previous truck was a lifted F150 FX4 Crew with a 6 1/2 foot bed. I called it "The bus" . I had to plan some trips around parking garages and city driving. We usually ended up taking the wife's Escape for that.

Now understand that I absolutely LOVED that truck. It was a complete BEAST off road and a real head turner. I do sometimes miss it but I simply didn't need the large gas guzzler any longer. I'm older and it was getting harder to get up into it and my short wife struggled all the time.

I feel the Ranger is a good downsize for me.

The ranger is rated to tow the same my F150 did but gets easily 5+ mpg city and 7+ mpg hwy better then the F150.

It's a win-win for me.

 

[Msfitoy]

The new Ranger is the same size as F150 a couple generations ago lol...the new trucks just keep getting bigger and it's really out of hand IMO...

 

[swampchomp07]

Some psycho-analysis...did you pose this same question on an F-150 forum? If not, I think you subconsciously want a Ranger

I've had three Rangers. The first was a '96 single cab manual 4-cylinder. It was my first truck and it was ROUGH-looking...had it for 265k glorious miles before I gave it away. The second was a 2003 extended cab flare-side with a 4.0 V6 and another manual transmission. I thought the increase in power was fantastic! But those first two trucks were in no way even close to an F-150 in capability or comfort.

If this conversation was 8 years ago (the last model before we lost the Ranger in the states) and we were comparing a 2011 Ranger to a 2011 F-150 I'd say no question, go with the F-150. My 2019 Ranger though...it's a horse of a different color. If you're like me and you enjoy an easier, more agile drive with occasional off-road and/or towing, there is no question which truck you should buy: the Ranger. I've never been more pleased with a vehicle purchase.

 

[dhunter]

Some psycho-analysis...did you pose this same question on an F-150 forum? If not, I think you subconsciously want a Ranger

I've had three Rangers. The first was a '96 single cab manual 4-cylinder. It was my first truck and it was ROUGH-looking...had it for 265k glorious miles before I gave it away. The second was a 2003 extended cab flare-side with a 4.0 V6 and another manual transmission. I thought the increase in power was fantastic! But those first two trucks were in no way even close to an F-150 in capability or comfort.

If this conversation was 8 years ago (the last model before we lost the Ranger in the states) and we were comparing a 2011 Ranger to a 2011 F-150 I'd say no question, go with the F-150. My 2019 Ranger though...it's a horse of a different color. If you're like me and you enjoy an easier, more agile drive with occasional off-road and/or towing, there is no question which truck you should buy: the Ranger. I've never been more pleased with a vehicle purchase.

No, I haven't posted on any F150 forums. I posted here because I figured that Ranger owners would have much more knowledge and experience with the F150 than the other way around. My main question is, "Why is the Ranger $2k more than a roughly equivalent F150, and is it worth it?" I assume the F150 owners would just scoff at that notion. I think my past experience with motorcycle forums has made me cautious with what and where I post. Nothing bores and frustrates me quicker than a Harley bashing thread.

 

[Floyd]

Not quite as much difference as there should be. The Ranger really should have been call the F-100.

 

[dhunter]

The new Ranger is the same size as F150 a couple generations ago lol...the new trucks just keep getting bigger and it's really out of hand IMO...

My wife has made the same observation. She's kinda intimidated by the F150, thinks it's like climbing into a semi.

 

[bluefirestarter]

I was trying to decide if I wanted the F150 or the Ranger when I bought my Ranger last Friday. The F150 was waaaay too big! Solidified my choice for the Ranger.. Glad I did loving it so far!

 

[dceggert]

Check insurance rates. When I bought the Ranger my agent told me I opted for the more expensive to insure vehicle.

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