looking to get a small pickup, 4 cyl , something economical for good gas mileage, own some v-8 cars so speed and power are not what im looking for at the moment. any ideas or opinions on which vehicle tops off the other one on reliability , convenience, and comfortability
Ford Ranger is a Mazda, as is the Miata....just saying, and I own an S10
Go over to www.fueleconomy.gov and compare the mpg of the 6cyl versions vs the 4 cyl versions and you will find not much difference; about a 2 - 4 mpg difference. The 6cyl versions provide a much more usable truck with not much downside. The 4 cyl versions are pretty disappointing.
aussiesmg wrote: Ford Ranger is a Mazda, as is the Miata....just saying, and I own an S10
The Mazda is actually a Ford Ranger.
What year? The S10 got pretty porky toward the end, and the Ranger stayed small. They are both decent, cheap trucks that get the job done.
The one thing I like about the Ranger (I have an 07 w/3.0L) is that mechanically they haven't really changed since 1996, as in spare parts are plentiful, and repair work (minus the rear drums) is a joke, and buying a used Ranger for next to nothing is easy and it'll run forever but it won't haul as much, out accelerate, out brake, or out perform newer, more modern trucks, even in it's newest form...
I don't know much about the S10 as I've never owned one...
They're both pretty much equal, all things being even.
My old buddy drove a co-drivers Ranger to Lemons. He got out, at the track, and said "you know what doesn't work on Rob's truck? The accelerator pedal!"
Totally gutless, but hey - nice other than that. Neither get great mileage. I am a domestic guy, but a Toyota or Nissan might be a better choice for a little truck.
Nissan Hardbody. I sold a ranger when I bought one back in '99. 4cyl/5sp. It was like a magic bullet for everything that was wrong with the Ford... peppy, good mileage, reliable, kinda sporty for a truck (a little rev-happy too) and really awesome at bringing remodeling supplies in and taking junk away.
Get the RANGER! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBfvrhjIMB0
jrw1621 wrote: Go over to www.fueleconomy.gov and compare the mpg of the 6cyl versions vs the 4 cyl versions and you will find not much difference; about a 2 - 4 mpg difference. The 6cyl versions provide a much more usable truck with not much downside. The 4 cyl versions are pretty disappointing.
Also notice how the 1/2 ton pickups with V8's get about 1mpg less then the 6 cylinder models. 1/4 ton pickups are worthless /thread.
suprf1y wrote:aussiesmg wrote: Ford Ranger is a Mazda, as is the Miata....just saying, and I own an S10The Mazda is actually a Ford Ranger.
They're both built on the same assembly line in St. Paul, MN.
Ranger. Range. Rang. Ran. Anger.
That's all I have to add. We now return to your regularly scheduled, constructive comments.
I would like one of the newer rangers with the Mazda 4-cyl. Thats all I have to add.
alex wrote: Ranger. Range. Rang. Ran. Anger.
Stranger... Danger...
S-10 w/ 2.8 V-6 and 5-speed. Mine got 28mpg on the hi-way at 70mph. Sold it with 185,000 miles and it still ran fine.
My bought new 2.8 S-10 puked the bottom end w/only 86K. Bought and installed a new Pep Boys long block($700!)and three weeks later the automatic trans died. Put in a junkyard trans and sold that P.O.S. The most uncomfortable vehicle I ever had. It was O.K. for short hops, but 2 hours became torture. Replaced it with a used Bronco ll (yeah, I'm a sick-o) and I was amazed at how much better the comfort level was in the Ford. If I can find an old little Toyota or Nissan that is more than a bunch of rust holes held together with a little bit of metal, I'm tempted to try one. I've got a better chance of hitting the lottery than finding a clean one in the rust belt
I had an 86 S10 with the 2.8 and five speed and I loved it. Drove it until it had 185k and aside from the rust holes in the fenders it was still a great truck. I now have an 98 Mazda B4000 (Ranger 4.0) with 196k that has been rolled and repaired and I love it too. The two are kinda apples and oranges given the 13 year difference, but just offering opinion.
The 4.0L in my ranger makes it WAY faster than the 4.6L in my F150.
I have a '97 B-3000 Mazda/ Ranger. Vulcan V-6. Modest is the word- modest gas mileage, comfort, performance. Carries a load well, will sort of get out of it's own way. Interesting, at about 275,000 miles, it burns absolutely no oil. It is an appliance. Had a hard body Nissan a few years ago, much more entertaining
A hardbody will knock down 30 mpg, be way easier to drive and hold just as much stuff (not weight) as a shortbed 1/2 ton. Not really all that worthless - reliable as taxes, too.
stuart in mn wrote:suprf1y wrote:They're both built on the same assembly line in St. Paul, MN.aussiesmg wrote: Ford Ranger is a Mazda, as is the Miata....just saying, and I own an S10The Mazda is actually a Ford Ranger.
And it's a Ford, not a Mazda.
i heart me some 4.3/5sp/ZQ8 extended cab
I got a ford ranger for free and its a great truck... but be warned, its really a "gateway" truck, that will lead you down a path to bigger and bigger vehicles.
I've got a Toyota 3.4L V6 that gets 21MPG on the freeway. The 2.7L I4 of the same truck gets 23-24MPG. Loaded down, the gap closes rapidly. If you're going to tow or haul, I say go for a V6.
BTW, my family had a Ranger growing up. Totally gutless, but pretty reliable. I'd get one over an S-10.
hondaworkshop wrote: I got a ford ranger for free and its a great truck... but be warned, its really a "gateway" truck, that will lead you down a path to bigger and bigger vehicles.
Not necessarily. I've got modest truck needs that a 3.0 Ranger has filled for years now. I've got no need or reason to upgrade to a bigger truck. (The key is making sure that what you get is adequate for what you want to use it for.)
My Ranger is also easier to park than the full-size trucks my buddies drive.
As between the Ranger and S-10, I vastly prefer the Ranger. I've never owned an S-10, but every one I've ever been up close and personal with either had all sorts of problems (admittedly not usually in the drive train), was falling apart, or both. Rangers, in my experience, are as reliable as anvils and tend to hold up much better.
I had mentioned earlier that I drive a '96 B 3000, but in the past I had an 84 S-10. Got it with a blown 4 banger. (as in, big hole in the block, piston hanging out). After I put a built 355 SBC in there, it was quite entertaining. The truck itself was pure appliance. I prefer the B-3000 as a driver.
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