opinions on trucks

[loggerbomb]

ok so if anyone remembers i was lookin for a truck for the gf. A couple decent ones i have found (within my price range) are a:

99 ford explorer (if anyone could run a carfax the VIN is 1fmzu34x7xza46916) with 185 thousand KMs. They are asking $5900 CAD for that one.

the other one is a gently used 95 ford ranger xlt 6 cyl. with 255 thousand KMs. Asking 3.900 for that one. Seems in good shape.

I took the explorer for a test drive, seems quite large for what me or the gf would need so im leaning towards the ranger, I have read some reveiws, seems to have the trademark ford electircal ghosts and what not, but wanted some real first hand experience of the truck. So if any one has some info theyd care to share on either truck feel free to share!

[frenchblueC2]

My inlaws have a Ranger, I believe it's an 03. They used to lease one, so they decided to buy one. My husband and a friend of his both owned Rangers in the past and they loved them.

Nice little truck. Definitely fun to drive. Good amount of power.
I'd take that over the Explorer, especially if you don't need to haul a bunch of people very often.

[chrisilversvt]

rangers are great little trucks,i have a '93 that was a fleet truck,then my dads work truck.now my beater,but it has held up fine has over 140,000 miles on it....

[Viss1]

My beater is a '95 Ranger. Has one electrical issue (non-functional fuel gauge). Also had to replace the wiper/hazard switch - $50 for the part and 10 minutes to install. Typical issues for an 11 year old vehicle.

Mine is a 4 cyl/MT, so I can't speak to the V6/AT drivetrain.

[getsum111]

Maybe not the feedback you want, but my roommate's son rolled his ranger a few years ago in an ice storm. Came out of it with only a few cuts/bruises. The truck took a pounding, but kept him and his girl safe, and it even ran good after all that. So, from my experience, I would say they are a pretty tough truck. Not scientific, but just my .02.

[stocksvtcontour]

I had a 95 ranger 4 cycl before my contour. I had 175000 miles on it when I sold it. It still ran strong, just needed a bigger car. I still see it once in a while so it cannot be too bad of a truck.

[SquareHead]

I'm looking to replace my 'Tour in the next year or two. I will likely buy a new Ranger Sport. They look great.
The Chevy Colorado looks BRUTAL. Dodge Dakota are expensive to insure and are gas hogs as well.
I like Ford and always have. The other truck I would consider is the Toyota Tacoma. Absolutly BulletProof powertrain with a great warranty.

[TGO]

the exploder really isn't that big. trust me, I felt the same way before i bought the DD. You'll be used to it inside of a day. Not to mention is has basically the same cargo capacity, and also a back seat. 4WD right? what about the ranger? i think you'll get more use from the exploder. And it's newer with less miles.

[Pete D]

Out of those two I would def pick the exploder. Every ranger I have riden in (or driven) has felt evey bit like a little pickup (cheap and unrefined). They seem to be fairly reliable, but for Female duty the Explorer is probably better.

[Eric L]

Honestly my 99 Ranger 4x4 (with 107K miles) has less rattles and squeaks than my 2000 SVT. I bought the tour new, and am the 4th owner on the ranger. It has the 3.0L which is gutless, but gets 17-19 mpg. It is an ATX, I hate manuals in trucks unless it is a Diesel.

Yes it rides like a truck, but it does have a bed on it.