Test drove a Ranger today.

[Ranger Danger]

I test Drove a bunch of trucks before picking my Ranger.

Here's my takeaway from three of these.

1. Ranger - Best ride, best power, felt like a newer vehicle (Even my XL)

2. Tacoma - Very Truck-like ride, Firm. Transmission felt older and slower than my 04' Jeep GC 6spd. 4cyl Engine was slothful. V6 was ok, but nothing special. The Hood sticks out VERY far. Blocks alot of the view.

3. Honda Ridgeline - Spacious inside. Love the in-bed storage. Felt more like a Mini-van with a bed. Comfortable but almost Too spacious in the cab Like everything felt too far away. The Dash felt like it was Newly designed in 2008 but hadn't been changed since then. The backseats were nice.

4. Colorado - Never Drove because my Tow-Truck Driving buddy and my Mechanic both advised me against the Chevy/GMC lineup. They had nothing substantially negative to say against the Ford or Toyota or Honda.


Logically the Toyota would have been the safe choice, but everytime I drove the Tacoma I wished it was the Ranger.

The Tacoma I Tested:

The Ranger I bought:

The other day I parked next to a Tacoma:

Congrats on your new Ranger!
My VOTE is all day with the Ranger after trading in my Tacoma TRD Off-Road. You made the right choice. I keep finding so many nice details with my Ranger Lariat that the Tacoma did not have. The Tacoma from SR-SR5-Sport-Limited I hear the ride is rough (I see you were parked next to a Tacoma Limited). The Off-Road has a smoother ride thanks to the suspension, and would assume the PRO is nice as well. That is why I was going to buy an XL with the STX & FX4 package until I drove the Lariat, no need as the ride was very modern and nice.

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[chasvs]

Traded a 2017 TACOMA TRD OR 4x4 for my 2019 Ranger Lariat Sport 4x2. Love the Ranger, don’t miss the Tacoma one bit!

 

[SN13]

I mean, i wanted to love the Tacoma. My bro had one, my friend had one...

Just couldnt love it after driving the Ranger.

 

[ethanolman]

Yep, I hear you, I drove a ranger and traded my tacoma in on it.......ranger has some mighty power on the interstate, rolling hills of missouri were making my tacoma automatic a shift and rev monster.......no issues with the ranger......just smooth peaceful cruising, man I'm glad I drove and bought a ranger.........kept my sanity that way

 

[RedlandRanger]

I mean, i wanted to love the Tacoma. My bro had one, my friend had one...

Just couldnt love it after driving the Ranger.

I also wanted to love the Tacoma - I actually did love a few things about it. But at the end of the day, the powertrain completely turned me off to it.

My Ranger makes me smile every time I mash the gas pedal.... Every time. My wife gets tired of me saying "I Love this truck!"

 

[Travis11]

I’m shopping now, looking for a Ranger that is similar in options as my Taco. If I can find a deal where I don’t lose too much, I will jump on it. I’m not in a hurry and feel confident I will be able to trade in the next few months.

 

[BDoc]

I also wanted to love the Tacoma - I actually did love a few things about it. But at the end of the day, the powertrain completely turned me off to it.

My Ranger makes me smile every time I mash the gas pedal.... Every time. My wife gets tired of me saying "I Love this truck!"

Does she roll her eyes like mine does?

 

[Ranger Danger]

Does she roll her eyes like mine does?

It's a legit club, honest truth

 

[BDoc]

It's a legit club, honest truth

Don't I know it.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Does she roll her eyes like mine does?

Yep....

 

[Deleted member 1634]

It's a legit club, honest truth

Every single time. haha

 

[Roofhopper]

The only less than full-size truck I will ever own is a Ranger. I’ve had 1 Taco frame break on me and that’s enough. This is my 3rd Ranger, and my other 2 are still in the family and being driven hard daily by my brother and one of my cousins

 

[Shadowranger]

I test Drove a bunch of trucks before picking my Ranger.

Here's my takeaway from three of these.

1. Ranger - Best ride, best power, felt like a newer vehicle (Even my XL)

2. Tacoma - Very Truck-like ride, Firm. Transmission felt older and slower than my 04' Jeep GC 6spd. 4cyl Engine was slothful. V6 was ok, but nothing special. The Hood sticks out VERY far. Blocks alot of the view.

3. Honda Ridgeline - Spacious inside. Love the in-bed storage. Felt more like a Mini-van with a bed. Comfortable but almost Too spacious in the cab Like everything felt too far away. The Dash felt like it was Newly designed in 2008 but hadn't been changed since then. The backseats were nice.

4. Colorado - Never Drove because my Tow-Truck Driving buddy and my Mechanic both advised me against the Chevy/GMC lineup. They had nothing substantially negative to say against the Ford or Toyota or Honda.


Logically the Toyota would have been the safe choice, but everytime I drove the Tacoma I wished it was the Ranger.

The Tacoma I Tested:

The Ranger I bought:

The other day I parked next to a Tacoma:

Great choice! It seems that most of us ranger owners started up with contemplating the Toyota and ended up with the ranger. I my self was inclined towards the toyota because,,,well, you know, toyota! But after much research Nd reviews the ranger is by far more appealing truck in all areas. I think that's one of the reasons the majority of the new ranger owners are in the older category because youngyo guys dont do as much research, they just go for what they like and what is in season. Imoo

 

[Deleted member 1634]

Great choice! It seems that most of us ranger owners started up with contemplating the Toyota and ended up with the ranger. I my self was inclined towards the toyota because,,,well, you know, toyota! But after much research Nd reviews the ranger is by far more appealing truck in all areas. I think that's one of the reasons the majority of the new ranger owners are in the older category because youngyo guys dont do as much research, they just go for what they like and what is in season. Imoo

Once again I am in the minority it seems. And I'm sure it's just because my dad drove it into me for so long. Or also because I'm an engineer and I love hard data and numbers and research. But I always research the crap out of anything and everything I buy. From simple things like a light bulb, to big things like a truck or house. Almost to a fault. I know my wife gets annoyed with it at times. But I spent a literal 2 years researching the Ranger, from the point it was announced. And even longer than that checking out every aspect of the mid-size truck market in general. A Taco was certainly my next choice if the Ranger hadn't ended up being as good as it is.

But I would agree that most people my age are still dumb kids. haha

 

[FULLSCALE]

Once again I am in the minority it seems. And I'm sure it's just because my dad drove it into me for so long. Or also because I'm an engineer and I love hard data and numbers and research. But I always research the crap out of anything and everything I buy. From simple things like a light bulb, to big things like a truck or house. Almost to a fault. I know my wife gets annoyed with it at times. But I spent a literal 2 years researching the Ranger, from the point it was announced. And even longer than that checking out every aspect of the mid-size truck market in general. A Taco was certainly my next choice if the Ranger hadn't ended up being as good as it is.

But I would agree that most people my age are still dumb kids. haha

I agree! I'm not old... but not young either. I research EVERYTHING before pulling the trigger just like you said. From the day the Ranger was announced to come back I took in every piece of information that I could.

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