Thinking about trading the Ranger

[Buckbull]

It doesnt seem like anyone builds a quality truck. Even toyota who has built their reputation on reliability just issued another engine recall on the 3.5 liter in the tundra for newer models than the first one covered.

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[RedlandRanger]

The First Generation 3.5L EcoBoost Engines had a lot of issues. At 80k miles, my brother was looking at a lot of big repairs. Cam phasers, turbo issues, etc. and traded for a new 2.3 L Ecoboost Bronco. Gen 2 has it's issues too.

And both people I know who have them have a Gen 1 and have had zero issues. Go figure....

 

[RedlandRanger]

It doesnt seem like anyone builds a quality truck. Even toyota who has built their reputation on reliability just issued another engine recall on the 3.5 liter in the tundra for newer models than the first one covered.

It seems like quality and reliability is taking a back seat to cost and "time to market" (rushing stuff out to beat competitors) - so we end up with crap much of the time.... That is my old man take on it.

I know that is how software has gone - it is all about how fast you can churn something out and what it looks like, not how it functions - and then you have the "we will fix it later" mentality that just makes it that much worse. Software quality is absolute garbage these days.

 

[06Warrior]

It seems like quality and reliability is taking a back seat to cost and "time to market" (rushing stuff out to beat competitors) - so we end up with crap much of the time.... That is my old man take on it.

I know that is how software has gone - it is all about how fast you can churn something out and what it looks like, not how it functions - and then you have the "we will fix it later" mentality that just makes it that much worse. Software quality is absolute garbage these days.

Too bad the customers have to be the guinea pigs. They pump out new products and then fix the issues after the sale.

 

[dozxab]

And both people I know who have them have a Gen 1 and have had zero issues. Go figure....

True. They are common issues, not every one is affected. Maintenance and driving style factor in too.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Too bad the customers have to the guinea pigs. They pump out new products and then fix the issues after the sale.

Or fix it in the "next version" (which typically has all new issues associated with it). It is really a no win situation....

 

[stringbreaker]

I'll most likely keep the Ranger until the new Ram Mid size is released. From all I see it's going to look better than anything on the market now except for the 5th gen Rangers. The new Ranger body style looks like the F150. The Toyota looks like it's gonna puke the engine out the ridiculous massive grill same with the Nissan, and the GM twins UGH

 

[06Warrior]

I'll most likely keep the Ranger until the new Ram Mid size is released. From all I see it's going to look better than anything on the market now except for the 5th gen Rangers. The new Ranger body style looks like the F150. The Toyota looks like it's gonna puke the engine out the ridiculous massive grill same with the Nissan, and the GM twins UGH

Just don’t buy the 1st or 2nd year when the new Ram midsize comes out.

I made the mistake of getting the first year Maverick hybrid.

 

[Tfcurranjr]

Thinking about trading it? Every darn day. I paid cash for mine in 2019 and enjoyed being the “only one in town” for quite a while. I always loved the EcoBoost performance and even more so when I installed an MBRP exhaust. Gas mileage was not an “affordability issue” when I bought it, although I was a bit disappointed in my average MPG. Now gas in my area is north of $4.50/gallon, so it’s getting a bit painful. I planned on a tune early on, but thought “naw, it’s good enuf right now” & I decided to wait (& wait, & wait…) until post-warranty. Now, I’m not sure if It’s worth it, given my waning confidence in it. (Truck only has 65K miles.)

A couple other things that annoyed me early on: My original Hankook tires lasted less than 25K “highway” miles. Next, I accidentally backed into an “unmovable object” and put a very small dent in the bottom right corner of the p/u box. Repair estimate went from @$500 initially …to a final bill of over $10K. Turns out, because it’s a double-wall box, they (USAA-approved shop) had to graft on a whole new “quarter panel”. I coulda fixed it myself with a slide hammer & mud…. or just hidden it with an aftermarket “off-road” rear bumper. Finally, overall fit & finish is OK, but the factory clear coat started to ‘sluff off’ early on. Maybe I shoulda waxed it more…but hey, it is a truck!

One thing that’s intriguing about this transmission conundrum: Replacing the DPFE sensor is curing a lot of the problems that folks are getting their trannys repaired/replaced for? For now, I’ll continue to hope that’s the case and that I’m not sitting on a ticking time bomb.

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

We love our 2020 Ranger Lariat SCab. No problems, very capable, and really fun to drive. We seldom need a truck for hauling and it's not convenient for packing/hauling gear on road trips. Opening the tonneau cover and climbing around in the bed looking for stuff is not fun.

We have a Hyundai Santa Fe which is great for trips, but we can't get far off the blacktop. We've been looking at body on frame SUV's that can do most things our Ranger can. The 6th gen 4-Runner is interesting, but so far it hasn't grown on me enough to become anything less than butt-ugly. But then, looks isn't everything.

 

[TxOTRRanger]

We love our 2020 Ranger Lariat SCab. No problems, very capable, and really fun to drive. We seldom need a truck for hauling and it's not convenient for packing/hauling gear on road trips. Opening the tonneau cover and climbing around in the bed looking for stuff is not fun.

We have a Hyundai Santa Fe which is great for trips, but we can't get far off the blacktop. We've been looking at body on frame SUV's that can do most things our Ranger can. The 6th gen 4-Runner is interesting, but so far it hasn't grown on me enough to become anything less than butt-ugly. But then, looks isn't everything.

I like the way that you are thinking it through before you make a decision.

 

[Grandaccess]

in this economy? paid TF off is better is a better feeling than sex, I couldnt imagine going into any kind of debt right now...

 

[5thranger]

in this economy? paid TF off is better is a better feeling than sex, I couldnt imagine going into any kind of debt right now...

That depends on the sex.

 

[Grandaccess]

That depends on the sex.

Yep, went into debt for that once LOL
and will always have the memories

 

[GhostStrykre]

i have a lot of reasons to keep my ranger. lots of memories. and it's just as reliable as anything new out there (mainly because it's the devil i know). it's also, like others here, just about paid off.

but it needs some attention. halogen headlights are getting worse and could use an LED upgrade. suspension is getting more difficult to ignore and could use some eibachs that i've been eyeing. it's also in need of some servicing with the transmission fluid, and tires got a little over a year of life left.

i'm in a good enough of a position i can financially pursue any path safely. new vehicles also get that above the line tax deduction on interest.

my issue is that i focus a lot on value. this ford ranger presents a bunch of value and dealers seemingly don't see it. carvana is really the only one making offers that i consider fair, and everyone else is just hoping i'm a pushover or was born yesterday.

so for now, i'm happy with my ranger and the value it brings me in a multitude of areas. i'll accept nothing less than a perfect offer simply because i can. the real decision is whether or not to buy new mods to perfect the truck that i might potentially let go of...

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