The Trouble With Moving On

[GhostStrykre]

Over the years I've really enjoyed my 2019 Ranger, but it does have quirks that get to me from time to time. As a result, I've kicked a few tires through the years.

This summer has been different. My Ranger is nearly at 100k miles and every other month or so 4th gear gets a bit churlish before it chills out for a while again. So I checked out an F-150, a Tundra, and a RAM 1500. I've always wanted the extra utility of a full size, so I figured why not.

The Tundra was really nice and my wife and I liked it, but the price was outrageous just to get the 360 parking cameras. The F-150 I would've loved, but the seats on new F-150s happen to be incredibly uncomfortable for my wife (glad I didn't go look at the truck without her!).

So that left the RAM 1500 in a Rebel trim. RAM is running ridiculous deals this month so despite the horror stories I've seen online we gave it a chance. The test drive was awesome. That HEMI engine freakin rules with the GT exhaust on it. It just sings. The interior is the best of the 3 and it isn't even close.

All my words above just to arrive at the point of this post. The trouble with all 3 of these trucks, but especially the RAM, is the design decision to move so many controls and features into the infotainment screen. If the screen goes out I lose more than just heated seats and such. It has all the diagnostic data like temp sensors, sound/chime settings, safety system settings, etc. The screen is powerful, but if it goes out it's like losing the brain. Ford and Toyota both have a lot of physical buttons, but they still have a lot of important tech in the screens. RAM just put darn near everything in their screen.

While the trucks all have warranties and will make parts a while, I do have to wonder what the state of things will be in 15 years. Could an OEM just say they aren't making the screen parts anymore and then I'm sunk? If they did that and my screen is busted then man.. it's sunk. Unsure if aftermarket can fix the problem with so many proprietary modules in the engines.

So here I am, with my simple and easy going 2019 Ranger. Loads of memories and I'd drive it anywhere tomorrow. Tech isn't buried in screens in such a way that the truck is sunk if it breaks. The trouble with moving on is that the 5th Gen Ranger sits in what feels like the goldilocks zone of old school and unobtrusive tech. And that makes it so dang difficult to walk away from.

Sorry for the long post. Just wanted to get my thoughts out on the matter.

Here's the rebel I test drove just cuz i think she's purty:

Man she was tempting......

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[TheExtra404]

I feel the same way about the interior layout of the 5G, enough tech, but still rooted in an older gen layout(Buttons) for most functions, that i wouldn't be too bothered if the screen went out, especially with my XLT gauges and less tech than the Lariat trims have.


There I go being long winded as well, sorry. LOL

 

[AzScorpion]

Good thorough write about all 3 vehicles and that is a really nice looking Ram truck. Everything is hit or miss now so I wouldn't put too much stock in any manufacturer now and just buy what you like and hope it's a good one. The new Colorado has a lot of their controls on the screen now and I think more and more are going to be moving everything to the main screen in the coming years because it's cheaper and another way to save them money.



I just test drove a Tesla today because I've never driven an EV before and always wanted to try one. Like the Ram almost everything is on the main screen (they moved the blinkers back to the left stalk and there are some steering wheel controls) and it was weird driving it at first. We took it for a good hours drive and I will say I got use to it pretty fast and the voice controls are right on the steering wheel which makes it super easy to control everything. I'll admit at first glance I didn't care for it but it grew on me fast and I hate change! While I still like knobs and the tactical feel I could easily get use to just using a touch screen.

Good luck on your decision!

ETA...I wouldn't worry about the screens being discontinued over time. The aftermarket will surely have them and I'd bet they'd be better and cheaper than OEM. Just for reference the new Tesla already has an aftermarket heads up display you can attach to the top of the steering wheel. It's all plug n play and gives you full gauges that you can change and has CarPlay and AndroidAuto for only $399.00. There's going to be a huge aftermarket for all these manufacturers soon.

https://tsportline.com/collections/...chscreen-lcd-display-smart-instrument-cluster

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