Opinions on new truck requested

[NYSawBoss]

I dont know if you value my opinion yet Rocky...but I suggest a Nissan Frontier. I just picked up a 2004 Frontier 2.4L with a 5 speed manual. She has P/W,P/M, Keyless Entry. I paid 15,400 out the door. RWD and she gets up and goes. Look into it..i'm sure most of the replies to this thread will end up reading jap trucks this and that but I love it. I included a pic of my truck as of today.

tony

 

[Max]

RJS,

Good solid truck, my brother in law has one like it but a 2000.
Only problem was the limited slip rear end which the dealer fixed.

My only thoughts...if you do not need the extended cab or 4x4, look at the price of new trucks coupled with low intrest rates you might be shocked at the payment being same or even less.
My brother just went through this and picked up a great truck.

I owned a 94 Mazda B4000 4x4 for years (same as a Ranger)
but I must admit I really like the full size much better.

Good luck and let us know what ya end up getting.

 

[Proj Eng]

2 scenarios for you:

If you like the truck that much and it's still dependable (not sure what long in the tooth meant), just replace the parts. I still have an 85' toyota, 226K + miles on it. Just like you, the seats were worn out, so it felt like sitting on a board. I purchased the truck for $500 and in 7 years time, haven't put more than $2000 into it, including ALL maintenance, oil, tires, etc. I'm not suggesting toyotas though, as I can only stand the crammed interior for so long nowadays. (spoiled by my full-size Sierra). Anyhow, I put in Recarro seats I picked up at a parts swap and it feels like a comfortable race car. plus I only have to pay $120 a year for insurance, liability. The truck actually saves me lots of money and it's now my winter beater.

If you like ford rangers, stick with them, and shop for a leather interior vehicle instead of buying new. Might take a while to find but you'll be $$ ahead in the end.

Be sure to learn about the models history before buying too!
http://auto.consumerguide.com/auto/used/index.cfm

(and I mean model, not the actual vehicle's history using VIN #, most people will do that for you to try and sell it. check problem areas)

Good luck shopping.

 

[Dadatwins]

The only opinion I can offer is to NOT buy a dodge. Have a 2001 full size ram 4x4, its a pig on gas, have already changed the water pump after 55k miles and the tranny is starting to slip. I prefer a full size truck 4x4 to pull my grinder and sometimes load with brush, but I will next look at chevy for myself. Had a ford 91 F150 prior to this that I put 150k miles on before the engine caught fire and burned the truck to the ground. That sounds like a good price on the one posted, now is a good time to deal with the end of the year coming and newer models coming in. Might also suggest getting an extended cab, the extra space is great to keep some extra clothes, boots and what not clean and dry away from the toolbox in the bed. Good luck with your search.

 

[Lawn Masters]

I'll say go with the fords, I know my mom drives a chevy S10, and they are junk now. the doors are spot welded on, not bolted, the radio knobs break on them seemingly in sequence, the tranny on hers slips after sitting at idle for a few seconds, and the stock tires/rimsa are some sort of car tire and aluminum or magnesium wheel.

My personal preference would be a 91 F150 crewcab longbed truck with a v8 and 4wd.

maybe the japanese trucks are nicer, I just dislike em for whatever reason. I have serious issues with the frontier's interior design, particularly the console design. the shaping of japanese vehicles is just too sharp for my liking, I prefer vehicles made by american companies.

 

[Marky Mark]

I would fix the seat in the Ranger, bank more money so I could put at least half down when the time comes. Why fix something that isn't broken. Everyone wants to look fat, I would much rather have my pocket fat with loot than have to make a payment.

Anther thing I would do is call the local banks and see what's coming up on repo or a towing service. They can point you in the right direction. Appoach the owner and try to work a deal. I have grabed most of my workvans like that. Most of the time I just assume the payments.

But if you need leather in the blazing sun of Fla. then by all means do it.

 

[Husky372]

i had an 01 and hated it it had a vibration that couldn't be fixed. it wasn't just my truck it was on alot of them so if you decide to test drive it at differant speeds especally at or around the 35-45mph range becuase that is where i noticed it most.

 

[spacemule]

Originally posted by oldsaw-addict


My personal preference would be a 91 F150 crewcab longbed truck with a v8 and 4wd.

Ford didn't offer a crew cab f-150 in 1991. I've seen a few, but they are aftermarket conversions. 4wd mandates much added maintence expenses and fuel costs. I'd venture to say that 95% of 4wd owners don't need them.

 

[Stumper]

Brian,-Throwing a new seat into the Ranger is a cheap option. As you know I have a '97 F250-Not a SuperDuty. That was the transition year so the 250 was a 150 with heavier suspension. The truck is a joy to drive . Mine is a 4x4 but in 2 wheel drive the milage figures are about the same for full size and the Ranger and the larger truck has some safety advantages. The one real peeve I have with mine is the automated interior light system. It is activated by microswitches in the door handles which stick "open". A back up relay shuts the lights off after 15minutes and a second backup will catch 'em in 2 hours. Dead batteries haven't been a problem but it is irritating when the dome light won't turn off right away.

 

[DDM]

Originally posted by RockyJSquirrel
the seat has collapsed to where I need to sit on a pillow in order to see over the steering wheel.

I Thought you had to sit on a pillow to see over the wheel anyway..........

No seriously You know i have several fords in the yard and just bought a 95 Ranger 4 Cyl tonite Need Fuel Mileage.
As far as im concerned you cant go wrong with that Truck. I'd suggest finding one with the I believe 4.6L v-8 though unless your going to Tow.

 

[Toddppm]

I dunno about the NADA book but that price seems pretty high for a 2WD truck about to be 3 years old.
I'm not impressed with my F350 , had so many problems it's crazy. Next new truck I'll be looking at another Chevy.

I just bought a Ranger too, a 91 extra cab with the 2.7? Matching cap etc. pretty clean, just needed an extra 4x4 incase for this winter.

 

[lostone]

RJS I don't know if ford ever fixed the problem with the rear end so I will put it up to the others on this post to let us know, but I had a 94 3/4 ton, and on the rear end (what I was told by a mech was it wasn't only on the heavier trucks either) but anyway just in front of the rear axle as the drive line goes in look and see if it has a plastic ring on the drive line, it will be flared out for throwing dirt and water away from the seal in front of the bearings in the front of the rear axle mine was yellow in color but I have seen them in black, Anyway if you get a truck that has the plastic ring on the drive line make sure that you have FORD change the oil in the rear end no more than every 40k, mine was starting to show lash at 55k because I didn't take his advise and know of several others that came into the same situation. The rear ends had large bearings in them but as the drive line came in they had small needle bearings just in front of the main bearings and the small bearings wanted to start going out, when they did it was a snow ball effect and it will start taking out the other bearings with it, It isn't a knock on the vehicle but something that you want to make sure is maintained. I had my 94 for 4 years and other than that it was a good truck. by the way the reason I say have ford change it is they have a specific oil for there rear ends and some quicky places don't carry it and there oil wont protect it as well (this according to a mech that isn't with ford but rebuilds alot of trannies and rear ends) (LOL got to know him well after I got rid of the ford he rebuilt my 84 chevy tranny/transfer case and my 64 tranny and rear end)

 

[dbabcock]

The seat's not broken, you're just too limp-bodied and puny to see over the dash. Why not just buy a brand new one, you cheap plick. This is a warning! There are no personal attacks allowed! Darin

 

[begleytree]

I found this from the same dealer. I'd personally go with this one. Get them to knock 2 grand off it up front, of course.( at least try)
-Ralph


http://www.donreidford.com/pages/pr....asp?orgid=1307&vin=1FTNX20F6YEC21621&photo=Y

 

[Bill G]

Originally posted by spacemule
Ford didn't offer a crew cab f-150 in 1991. I've seen a few, but they are aftermarket conversions.

As much as I like to laugh at the posts OSA has I have to belive he meant extended cab and what you are talking about is a 4-door. If you are talking about an extended cab then why did they skip 1991 ? I find it hard to believe they would skip one year since Ford has produced them since the 1970's

Bill

 

[jimmyq]

After having a toyota 4 banger a few years back to my shiny 95 V-8 F-250... I hafta say, mileage sucks in a full size. if its not a big issue, then I wouldnt worry, I like the torque, I like the "safe feel" of a full size and I have 4wd if I need it. I like being able to haul lotsa stuff and not even know its there. I figure if I can haul my wife's car in the back (figuratively speaking, her Honda wieghs about 3500 lbs and I have hauled that a few times) and my mileage doesnt chage much and the truck hauls it without complaint, then I am happy with what I drive for work.

the attached pic is my truck with about 3400lbs of stump wood and rrot balls in the back at the dump.

 

[jimmyq]

oh, and a reg cab sucks when its rainy and you have gear you want to keep dry. I can haul a brief case and a change of clothes in the cab with me, anything else get soaked out back.

 

[pbtree]

Just my 2 cents...

I would not own a small truck. I like the room and utility of a full size. Ford Super Duty is not a bad vehicle, but at the moment I have a crew cab Chevy HD. I have 43000 miles on it, and I have had absoulety no problems whatsoever. It starts everytime, and for what it is gets pretty good mileage.

But on the otherhand, you should go with what feels best to you!

 

[scottr]

Fancy leather seats

Brian , how much are the fancy leather seats worth ? Scott

 

[spacemule]

Originally posted by Bill G
As much as I like to laugh at the posts OSA has I have to belive he meant extended cab and what you are talking about is a 4-door. If you are talking about an extended cab then why did they skip 1991 ? I find it hard to believe they would skip one year since Ford has produced them since the 1970's

Bill

You may be right Bill. I was speaking of 4-door crewcabs. The supercabs have been around forever.