Attention In The Terminal: Departing At Gate ZR2

[Dr. Zaius]

Well, I'm not departing yet

Dealer gave me a low mile 2023 ZR2 for a couple of days so I could really live with it and see if it's what I want.

I'll just jot dot a few things that I noticed after actually getting to drive it more than a 30 minute test drive.

1. It's THIRSTY. Normal driving I was getting around 14.3 on the lie-o-meter and those are usually optimistic.

2. The Nitro Yellow color is very much a love it or hate it. I loved it, and I usually don't care at all about the color of a vehicle as long as it's not black. Wife is like: Gee, it sure is yellow. Or Gold. Or whatever that is. It'll be easy to find in the parking lot.

3. The stereo sounded GOOD in this one. The stereo in the new one I recently drove sucked. I don't know exactly what GM did but the older models have better stereos.

4. The power was better in this one too. Not sure if that's because it was broken in (29K miles) or what, but it was definitely stronger than the new one.

5. The 8 speed auto shifts better than the 10R80 or the 2 different 10R60s that I've driven.

6. The hoopla over the headlight switch being in the touchscreen is a non-issue. The headlight icon is always on the top of the screen no matter what the system is doing. There is a pic below.

7. I was concerned about the low mounted alternator. This is also not that much of an issue as it is actually mounted high on the driver side of the engine. The alternator is fully above the 33 inch tires.

8. It's TALL. Bedsides and tailgate are at least 4-5 inches higher than my Ranger.

9. It's smooth. I took it down my local washboard dirt road and the DSSV shocks were amazing. Better than my Tremor springs/Bilstein shock combo by a noticeable amount.

10. Ventilated seats are the bomb.

It's a much nicer driver than my Ranger. Quieter, smoother, almost invisible transmission shifts, and knobs and buttons for most functions. I HATE the HVAC controls in the Ranger. It's my biggest negative on the interior. Good thing I leave it on Auto.

So why is it not in my driveway now?

A few reasons:

Electrical gremlins. The cameras stopped working (it also had the awesome underbody camera package) and then magically started working again.

Carplay disconnected a couple of times for no reason, and then when it came back the radio buttons on the back of the steering wheel wouldn't work until I shut the truck off and then restarted it.

If everything would've worked on this one like it was supposed to, I probably would've bought it.

Then again, maybe not as the dealer surreptitiously slipped in an additional $500 bump to the price above the listed price. When I called them on it "Oh, just a minor mistake". No, it wasn't a mistake. They were hoping I wouldn't notice.

I had a dealer do that one time but it was $100 and it didn't appear until I was ready to sign the papers. I walked. "Oh we're sorry! We'll take that right off!". Me: If that's the way you do business, I don't want to do business with you.

So I'm still minus a ZR2.

Here's a few more pics.

The tailgate cable notch so that you can load 4x8 sheets flat is simple but effective.

The alternator is much higher than I expected.

And the headlight switch icon.

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[Swishpapasweets]

I test drove one and they do drive nice but i wouldnt buy one. I might buy a new ranger but in raptor form especially if i still have my 2019 and my 2024 frontier. ( Im a vehicle hoarder)

 

[AzScorpion]

This is starting to sound like a movie on the Hallmark channel. Same cast, same plot, same ending.

 

[ppfd]

Looked the ZR2. If I'm staying mid-size, I need the full tow capacity as I'm going to be on the hunt for a small tractor soon.

Torn between the Trail Boss and AT4. AT4 is a few thousand more. And for that, I can buy and install LED lighting in the trail boss if I decided to. AT4 gives you fog lights and marker lights, which are not in the TB.
This go around, I'm staying practical and realistic. I don't off road. That extra money I can put it toward a nice lid for the bed and other possible options down the road.

That said there, is a ranger 4wd with the rear locker and the "black package", literally everything I spec'd on a ranger at a dealer close to me. Only thing is it has those black tube style running boards I do not want.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

This is starting to sound like a movie on the Hallmark channel. Same cast, same plot, same ending.

I don't have any flannel so I must be the villian.

 

[Joeiconic]

Go over to Coloradofans.com and read up.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Go over to Coloradofans.com and read up.

I have.

It's the same as any enthusiast forum.

The problems get a lot more airplay than the people just enjoying their vehicle.

One of my best friends has a new Colorado Trail Boss that he's had for almost a year now and no issues.

He bought a Chevy because Ford burned him with his wife's Escape.

100k warranty and the engine crapped out at 106k. Coolant leaking into the engine (2.0 EcoBoost).

All maintenance done by the dealer and Ford still told him to suck it.

The dealer helped with some of the labor costs but it was still multiple thousands.

 

[Grumpaw]

Glad you decided to "cancel" that flight !!!!
Maybe look at some new luggage with the same features and logo as the one you have.....probably give you a much better "flight experience" !!!
Sometimes better to take a flight to a known destination instead of a new one that might leave you in the middle of nowhere !!!!!
And, a different airline will probably give you the same run-a-round when problems occur.

 

[AzScorpion]

I have.

It's the same as any enthusiast forum.

The problems get a lot more airplay than the people just enjoying their vehicle.

One of my best friends has a new Colorado Trail Boss that he's had for almost a year now and no issues.

He bought a Chevy because Ford burned him with his wife's Escape.

100k warranty and the engine crapped out at 106k. Coolant leaking into the engine (2.0 EcoBoost).

All maintenance done by the dealer and Ford still told him to suck it.

The dealer helped with some of the labor costs but it was still multiple thousands.

That's too bad about your friend's prior experience with Ford and I can (kind of) see why he went with a Chevy over Ford. At least Ford did help out with the labor costs and they did the same for several here with their transmission when they were out of warranty. It's not like they're (or any manufacturer is) obligated to do anything even 1 mile over it. It stinks but that's life.

IDK but if you really like 90% (or more) of what the ZR2 has to offer I'd buy it! Yeah the electrical gremlins are a little concerning but we have them too in our Rangers and they show up at any time. It just happened to Bob @Bob902 the other day after 5 years of ownership. That lifetime powertrain warranty would be the clincher for me. Good luck.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I have.

It's the same as any enthusiast forum.

The problems get a lot more airplay than the people just enjoying their vehicle.

One of my best friends has a new Colorado Trail Boss that he's had for almost a year now and no issues.

He bought a Chevy because Ford burned him with his wife's Escape.

100k warranty and the engine crapped out at 106k. Coolant leaking into the engine (2.0 EcoBoost).

All maintenance done by the dealer and Ford still told him to suck it.

The dealer helped with some of the labor costs but it was still multiple thousands.

Ugh, that’s never a good feeling. I’d be with a different automaker too.

Maybe ICE T is on to something?

 

[IdahoRanger]

This is starting to sound like a movie on the Hallmark channel. Same cast, same plot, same ending.

Yup, no Lacy Chabert in the passenger seat.

 

[AzScorpion]

Yup, no Lacy Chabert in the passenger seat.

I see you're stuck watching them too.

Just think, July starts Christmas in July month.

 

[Bob902]

I have a good friend who has had a ZR2 for a couple of years now. No issues with it at all. Around here, you definitely see more Colorados than Rangers.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Yup, no Lacy Chabert in the passenger seat.

If Lacey Chabert is in the passenger seat, it needs to be wooden Amish wagon to go along with her wooden acting.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

At least Ford did help out with the labor costs and they did the same for several here with their transmission when they were out of warranty. It's not like they're (or any manufacturer is) obligated to do anything even 1 mile over it. It stinks but that's life.

Ford did NOT help. It was the dealer they bought it from and had always serviced it that stepped up. Cost was still $6k+ for a new engine and installation.

Edit: This is apparently a common issue with the 2.0 from that timeframe (2019).

The 2.0L EcoBoost engine in 2017–2019 models is known for a factory defect where the engine block develops cracks or seal failures between the cylinders. This allows coolant to leak directly into the combustion chambers.

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