New Member. Looking at trucks. Ease My Insanity.

[Tracy Bowman]

What? No dancing Turkey?

Sorry!

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[AutobotXJ]

I drive an F150 for work. It’s a great truck- roomy, nice ride, and powerful with the V8. But, for a personal vehicle, I prefer smaller and better gas mileage. If you need big, go with the F150, but the Ranger is perfect for me and my two sons needs. Even at stock, it provides better confidence in the trails while off roading- F150 is just too long and wide. And, I don’t have to worry much about how much a weekend journey will cost in fuel- I have been getting 23.7 mpg in the Ranger as opposed to 16.5 in the F150.
The 4wd dial works for me but I do get upset when I set the trail management from s special setting (like “Sand”) and then want to go to “normal”, it will kick me out of 4high.... not sure what that’s about.
Also, because there are electronics on the center console, I worry about how well they are water proofed. My friend has a toureg with the parking break button on the console- she spilled coffee and the button no longer worked and she was stuck with the parking break on until she replaced the module. I don’t think anyone has found a similar problem with their ranger yet?
But I am very happy with my choice- so much power and fun in this truck!

 

[CO2Ranger]

SpradleyBarr in Fort Collins. Was a drive but was worth it.

I ended up using a concierge service Authority Auto to find me what I wanted and negotiate a price. I hate the process so it was best for me.

 

[Texasota]

I am bothered by the 4wd selector, it just infinitly spins and the detents are kinda weak. Anyone have transfer case selections problems or am I making an issue out of nothing?

I found it odd at first but I quickly adjusted to it and it seems intuitive now.

 

[BoC]

First off hey all. And this may be long. Been going crazy looking at new/used trucks. I think I am going insane.
Currently I have a 2016 Challenger Hellcat and because of covid and the summer pricing, I am getting a crazy trade in value. Which affects the amount that dealers will come off on the new vehicle too by the way. Got about 7500 in trade equity for reference.

I have been looking at getting a truck to drive for a few years and get rid of such an extreme car (normally I keep vehicles for less than a year). But this time I plan to keep a while. And it has come down to ranger or f150. Ranger is more enough for what I would need it for. But I have owned bigger trucks in the past, so that isn't an issue. Long story short, used f150s are crazy expensive. 11-14 F150 are already rusted out so that is out of the question. And I personally dislike the 15-17 front end. So that leaves 2018+ F150s and 2019+ Rangers.

Prices:
-The 2018+ F150 with decent options and less than 40k miles goes for easily 32,000+.
-Used 2019 Ranger with decent options is 31-32000+
-I got a quoted price for a leftover 2019 Ranger XLT for 36k @ 0% for 72 months (msrp is 37k, and minus trade would be 29500 financed after tax/fees). Is that decent?

A used ranger doesn't seem worth it, neither does a used f150 versus just buyin the new ranger.

Need some insight because everything I find is: Why buy a ranger when an f150 is the same price? Which is straight BS. Anybody that says this has no idea what stuff costs. An f150 with 2 options: 4x4 and crewcab is 40k right out the gate. This is no cruise, no sync 3, no hitch, 3.3 non turbo, basicly nothing. If you spec the f150 to exactly the same as the ranger xlt it is 45-46,000. (there are more incentives on the f150 though but not enough to over come it). The ONLY way to buy an f150 the same price or slightly cheaper is used. Period. I would rather have a brand new ranger than a used f150.

And if the reviews aren't complaining about price they go off on the tailgate damper. Grow up! The tailgate weighs like 3lbs! Besides I would rather have my tailgate open NOW then wait for a damped one to open 15 seconds later.

And everybody and their brother has an f150, I don't want what everyone else has!

*Breathe* *Breathe*.......

Couple questions after test driving a few:
-Is anyone else bothered by the angle of the sync 3 screen?
-Does anyone wish they just ponyed up for the f150?
-I am bothered by the 4wd selector, it just infinitly spins and the detents are kinda weak. Anyone have transfer case selections problems or am I making an issue out of nothing?

Let me know what you all think.

I think these questions have been answered all over the internet, again and again. But: do you want to drive a big truck or one that feels more like an SUV around town?

Yes, the angle of the screen is annoying but just like having your wife divorce you, you get used to it.

The 4x4 knob makes is a moot point. You just turn one click and see that it engaged. You can't switch from 2wd to 4 low anyway unless you're in neutral so... you know.

I think you're hyper-focusing on some trivial points about the Ranger, which is a pretty decent truck. Truth be told it's not what it should be. Ford has cut some corners with the truck, such as introducing an old truck and calling it new into the U.S. market, and it shows. I think the next gen Ranger might be good. Hopefully. Until then I will keep wondering if I should have bought a Tacoma. The Ranger has been ok to me, but things keep popping up with the truck that make me wonder if those who kept asking me, "why are you buying a Ford if they suck at reliability?" are right. If I had to do it again I would wait until the next gen of both models to see what they have to offer. Ford reliability is not what would likely pass for Hyundai.

 

[BoC]

OK, here's my story. I had a 2012 ranger extended cab ranger with 4.0 SOHC, bought new TT. Liked the old ranger, but it was a bit marginal towing new TT. Read a lot of reviews and decided to stay with a ranger, I don't need a full size truck. Found one at my local dealer in the color we wanted, didn't want black, grey, white, silver. Too many of them on the road, wanted something different. Also didn't want leather seat and didn't care for the Lariat dash. Have a lightening blue super crew XLT FX4 with sport appearance. Love this truck.

Now to answer your questions:
1. No issues with SYNC screen angle. Full disclosure first vehicle I've had with touch screen.
2. No, as I said I don't need a full size truck. My ranger does all I need and more. Fun to drive and get a lot of kooks and perking lot comments.
3. I haven't had any issues the the drive selector. I just watch the lights and let the knob end up where it does. I'm not an off-roader so it only get used occasionally. Someone else may have more comments/feelings on this.

Hope this helped.

WARNING - if you get one and stay on this forum be prepared to spend on mods and things you didn't know you needed. LOL ?

... and also repairing your Ford.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Sorry!

I feel MUCH better now!

 

[Big Blue]

... and also repairing your Ford.

What repairs? Hasn't been in the shop yet. Neither was my 2012 ranger.

It's not a "shove it or leave it lay"!

 

[ch47dmechanic]

-Is anyone else bothered by the angle of the sync 3 screen?

Not at all. But I'm also coming out of a 2017 F-150 prior to my Ranger so I'm used to the screen since it's exactly the same and angled roughly the same way. Come to think of it, what's wrong with the angle in the first place?

-Does anyone wish they just ponyed up for the f150?

I've had seven F-150s in my lifetime. The most recent was a 2017 crew cab that was impossible to find parking for in cities and fits in literally no home garage. In short, no. I don't miss my F-150 except when I need just a bit more bed space for hauling something. That's a pretty rare occasion anymore, though.

-I am bothered by the 4wd selector, it just infinitly spins and the detents are kinda weak. Anyone have transfer case selections problems or am I making an issue out of nothing?

I think you're making an issue out of nothing. The F-150 one isn't terribly different in terms of detents or at least mine wasn't.

 

[Spence's bumper sticker]

It was a few things for me: I don't need a full-size truck. I've also owned several F-150s over the years and just wanted something different. And of course like a lot of you have already pointed out, everyone has an F-150! I'd rather get something a bit more unique.

I hemmed and hawed on options vs. price, new vs. used for a while then had the epiphany. I'm going to plan on driving this truck for many years. Life is too short, may as well order just what will make me happy. Not that I'm not a bad consumer or anything but I've made enough decisions in my life to save a buck instead of spending a little extra for better quality. My dad commuted 100 miles each way for years in a single cab, manual trans Ranger XL with plastic seats and AM/FM radio because it was "sensible". Why put yourself through that. Live a little.

 

[FoD]

What? No dancing Turkey?

Your in luck, Ford Performance had a PTO coupon in the tailgate damper 9 pack bundle (Private Turkey Offer)

 

[Deleted member 1634]

... and also repairing your Ford.

We've been a Ford family since before I was born. Heck before my dad was even born. And reliability has never been an issue for us. Only thing that's ever killed our vehicles has been rust after 10-20 years and 150k-250k miles. But any manufacturer would find the same result with the same conditions.

If you nitpick, you're going to find fault in any company and their products. Hyundai isn't perfect either. But in the grand scheme of things these days, pretty much everyone is on the same page in my book. YMMV

I'm sorry you have a bad truck, but that's not necessarily indicative of the Ranger as a vehicle or Ford has a company.

 

[geophb]

Not at all. But I'm also coming out of a 2017 F-150 prior to my Ranger so I'm used to the screen since it's exactly the same and angled roughly the same way. Come to think of it, what's wrong with the angle in the first place?

Its crazy angled forward (the top tipped towards engine). If I can remember the f150s were not like this. It just seemed like a crazy angle.

 

[Glocker]

@geophb
I figured I would give you some of my reasoning behind why I ended up in a Ranger and some related thoughts and buying experience.

I wanted a truck that I could trust my wife in if she had to drive it on a snowy day. I believe an F150 would be too big for her and she would not be comfortable driving one at that. I also wanted something I could take out trail driving. I feel an F150 is too big for that. I wanted 4x4 drive.

I ended up in slightly used Ranger XLT FX4 with four doors, in the color I wanted. Pretty much it was cheaper than the STX FX4 trucks I was looking at, in very nice condition, with a little more niceness to the interior and exterior than the STX versions. I bought my truck with 13,000 miles from CarMax and I paid $29,884 out the door after all of the taxes and all fees. It's a beautiful truck and I am very happy with it.

While truck shopping, I almost strayed and looked at used F150s, but the prices were ridiculous and the F150 didn't fill the brief I outlined for what I was looking for and why. My wife is okay with driving my Ranger when she has too, and I feel a little more comfortable with her in a vehicle this size as opposed to the size of an F150. It has plenty of room for me, it's quick (not like a Hell-kitty though, or like my supercharged Mustang), it's comfortable, and it's capable off road!

 

[Bigdon#1]

First off hey all. And this may be long. Been going crazy looking at new/used trucks. I think I am going insane.
Currently I have a 2016 Challenger Hellcat and because of covid and the summer pricing, I am getting a crazy trade in value. Which affects the amount that dealers will come off on the new vehicle too by the way. Got about 7500 in trade equity for reference.

I have been looking at getting a truck to drive for a few years and get rid of such an extreme car (normally I keep vehicles for less than a year). But this time I plan to keep a while. And it has come down to ranger or f150. Ranger is more enough for what I would need it for. But I have owned bigger trucks in the past, so that isn't an issue. Long story short, used f150s are crazy expensive. 11-14 F150 are already rusted out so that is out of the question. And I personally dislike the 15-17 front end. So that leaves 2018+ F150s and 2019+ Rangers.

Prices:
-The 2018+ F150 with decent options and less than 40k miles goes for easily 32,000+.
-Used 2019 Ranger with decent options is 31-32000+
-I got a quoted price for a leftover 2019 Ranger XLT for 36k @ 0% for 72 months (msrp is 37k, and minus trade would be 29500 financed after tax/fees). Is that decent?

A used ranger doesn't seem worth it, neither does a used f150 versus just buyin the new ranger.

Need some insight because everything I find is: Why buy a ranger when an f150 is the same price? Which is straight BS. Anybody that says this has no idea what stuff costs. An f150 with 2 options: 4x4 and crewcab is 40k right out the gate. This is no cruise, no sync 3, no hitch, 3.3 non turbo, basicly nothing. If you spec the f150 to exactly the same as the ranger xlt it is 45-46,000. (there are more incentives on the f150 though but not enough to over come it). The ONLY way to buy an f150 the same price or slightly cheaper is used. Period. I would rather have a brand new ranger than a used f150.

And if the reviews aren't complaining about price they go off on the tailgate damper. Grow up! The tailgate weighs like 3lbs! Besides I would rather have my tailgate open NOW then wait for a damped one to open 15 seconds later.

And everybody and their brother has an f150, I don't want what everyone else has!

*Breathe* *Breathe*.......

Couple questions after test driving a few:
-Is anyone else bothered by the angle of the sync 3 screen?
-Does anyone wish they just ponyed up for the f150?
-I am bothered by the 4wd selector, it just infinitly spins and the detents are kinda weak. Anyone have transfer case selections problems or am I making an issue out of nothing?

Let me know what you all think.

First off hey all. And this may be long. Been going crazy looking at new/used trucks. I think I am going insane.
Currently I have a 2016 Challenger Hellcat and because of covid and the summer pricing, I am getting a crazy trade in value. Which affects the amount that dealers will come off on the new vehicle too by the way. Got about 7500 in trade equity for reference.

I have been looking at getting a truck to drive for a few years and get rid of such an extreme car (normally I keep vehicles for less than a year). But this time I plan to keep a while. And it has come down to ranger or f150. Ranger is more enough for what I would need it for. But I have owned bigger trucks in the past, so that isn't an issue. Long story short, used f150s are crazy expensive. 11-14 F150 are already rusted out so that is out of the question. And I personally dislike the 15-17 front end. So that leaves 2018+ F150s and 2019+ Rangers.

Prices:
-The 2018+ F150 with decent options and less than 40k miles goes for easily 32,000+.
-Used 2019 Ranger with decent options is 31-32000+
-I got a quoted price for a leftover 2019 Ranger XLT for 36k @ 0% for 72 months (msrp is 37k, and minus trade would be 29500 financed after tax/fees). Is that decent?

A used ranger doesn't seem worth it, neither does a used f150 versus just buyin the new ranger.

Need some insight because everything I find is: Why buy a ranger when an f150 is the same price? Which is straight BS. Anybody that says this has no idea what stuff costs. An f150 with 2 options: 4x4 and crewcab is 40k right out the gate. This is no cruise, no sync 3, no hitch, 3.3 non turbo, basicly nothing. If you spec the f150 to exactly the same as the ranger xlt it is 45-46,000. (there are more incentives on the f150 though but not enough to over come it). The ONLY way to buy an f150 the same price or slightly cheaper is used. Period. I would rather have a brand new ranger than a used f150.

And if the reviews aren't complaining about price they go off on the tailgate damper. Grow up! The tailgate weighs like 3lbs! Besides I would rather have my tailgate open NOW then wait for a damped one to open 15 seconds later.

And everybody and their brother has an f150, I don't want what everyone else has!

*Breathe* *Breathe*.......

Couple questions after test driving a few:
-Is anyone else bothered by the angle of the sync 3 screen?
-Does anyone wish they just ponyed up for the f150?
-I am bothered by the 4wd selector, it just infinitly spins and the detents are kinda weak. Anyone have transfer case selections problems or am I making an issue out of nothing?

Let me know what you all think.

I had the same dilemma. I had a 2008 F-150, intended to trade in for a 2019 F-150. New, base models are affordable. But they lack in towing capacity. I honestly had no intention of buying a ranger. Once I looked at it, I was blown away. Once the 7500lbs towing capacity was mentioned, I was completely sold on it. Great gas mileage as well.
It's about practicality for me. Why do I need a big truck when I can get a more economical truck that will do just as much. Plus, they really look amazing.

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