By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
"the Ranger in the article was a NON-OFFROAD
equipped,"
And tell me, what factory options would have made it OFFROAD equipped? NONE. Perhaps the 4.10 gearing would have helped it. Other than that, ford simply does not offer the 4x4 features Toyota does.
"automatic transmissioned, bottom of the
line vehicle against the top of the line Tacoma."
HOw was it bottom of the line? The Ranger was a regular cab, which should have given it an advantage in performance and offroad situations.
Yes, it had the weak ford 22 crawl ratio, but we havent seen the crawl ratio of the Ford 4.10 have we?
"
It was not geared to match the Tacoma. "
Well duh Cspounser. Of course it WASNT. Ford CANT gear it to match the Tacoma. They DONT design their vehicles for offroad use. Toyota does.
YOu simply cant get the features offered factory on the Toyota for the Ranger.
" I pointed out to him when you gear the Ranger with
a 5sp manual, 4.10 rear, the difference in 1st
gear crawl ration is less than 4% advantage Tacoma
and the advantage goes to Ranger in 2nd and 3rdgear."
No, you have popped in imaginary figures used from the MAZDA data in the 4wheeler truck of the year website. YOu have YET to provide a source or link that says what the ratios of the Ford 4.10 are. You cant use the MAZDA spects AT ALL conisdering its a different rear end.
"Also, I have posted at least 15 sites (spoog has
posted 2-3 for Tacoma) that rank or select Ranger
over Tacoma in value or basically state they are
very equal INCLUDING Four Wheeler that selected the
1999 Ranger XL 4X it's choice for best value
compact pickup(is it not interesting that this came
in the same mag that was just totally blown away
by the TRD less than a year before selecting Rangeras best value?)."
lol. YOu need to learn the difference between "value" and "best". Even in the 4wheelr article they say " yes, you have to pay a premium for a premium package, but the Tacoma offers features others just dont, and is the best all around package of any pickup on the market today."
This has NOTHING to do with value.
Also, the reviews you cite are cheesy, " oh look how the truck handles in parking lots and has four doors for large grocery bags reviews."
Most of your cited reviews are objective B.S. like comfort rating , which is totally up to the individual.
I have provided two OFFROAD magazine reviews that beat the heck out of the trucks, and the end-all-be-all of reliability stats and crash test data, the NHSATA.
Sorry not to call any names today. I feel really out of place by not insulting anyone here. I'll try harder next time.
I'm sure the 4.0 V6 is better, but haven't driven it.
I'd also like to comment on the interior quality of the Ranger(Mazda). The center console completely broke off of it's mounting base. (I think the same thing happened in Edmunds long term test) Recently, the whole passenger side door handle(interior) has completely pulled off. There only two screws that hold it on and the whole piece came off in my hand the other day. The seats are like an old recliner that lost it's support a long time ago. Granted the Tacoma seats are a bit firm, but I like them a lot better than the barco loungers in our Mazda.
Have to say though, with 80k on the odo(mostly highway) it has been very reliable and not in the shop for anything but regular maintenance.
mmcbride post your facts again, not trying to duck anything.
spoog, old news bud. And as a supposed Tacoma owner you weren't even aware of your locker not working after 5mph! nice open axle on that 24K truck there pal. Your old news, old facts old posts. I at least look at what you post. you don't even bother to visit anything I post or unixgod, or CPousner posts. You keep claiming that Rangers can't go offroad, yet I take mine places you only dream of. Other Ranger fans have also posted pics of Rangers offroad. But you refuse to look at them. Once agian the NHSTA site?? Once again you want folks to see the whole number not read each one, see the duplicates, see the onces for stickers, see the ones for certian build groups of Rangers.
Yes the 3.0 was improved since 96 it now has 152HP vs the 145, and 192ft/lbs of torque vs its once 180.
The Ranger is still outselling Toyota here folks. Has been for 12 years. Why is this? Why does the Ranger still sell so many trucks if it is such a terrible, unreliable, truck. I can tell you why. Its the best all around compact truck on the market today at a price most consumers are willing to pay. After 12 years don't you think Toyota would have taken the lead by now in sales? The consumer rules, the consumer makes the choice. And so far it looks like the Ranger is the choice compact truck to own. Sales do matter. They sure seem to matter when the Camry comes into question or Honda.
Do you know what I could do to a Ranger with just 3K?
The 2.7 is not more "powerful" than the 3.0. Look at its torque/hp curve! The 2.7 is a joke in a 4wd.
"nice open axle on that 24Ktruck there pal. "
lol!!!! Why dont you go into the Jeep room, the landcruiser room, and the Range Rover room and ask the what all those old cj'7s and landcruisers did on those safaris and arctic expeditions with "only" open axels. lol!!! Aw man Vince...your too rich! Thanks for the laugh.
I have to state again. I have NEVER degraded the Tacoma for its performance and offroad ability. My whole point in being here are two points. Price and a perceived reputation. The Ranger has its strong point as does the Tacoma. I guess you can say I'm getting burned out with this Tacoma Ranger thing!
Cant wait to get out of Charlotte and up to the mountains to get out on the trail. I can hardly wait as this weekend I have tickets to see our lowly Panthers get thrashed by the Rams. I'll have to wait till next weekend.
As much as I know you native's hate dislike people moving into your state I plan on getting there ASAP. Ultimately like to get to Crested Butte or Telluride area in the next year. That is the reasoning behind going with TRD. I plan on alot of recreational use for x country skiing, backpacking, and so forth. I cant wait till Spring to come out there and see my new niece. Wish I could drive.
. My only point was I was citing the GEAR ratio of the TRANNY when
bolted up to a 4.10 rearend, NOT the 3.73 which was
in that test truckthecloseness of the two vehicles."
And that gearing is effected by the tire size also. Slapping 31's onto you rear end is going to change things up a bit, since you rear gearing was tuned for your tires that came with the truck.
YOu say you were citing the gear ratio of the 4.10, but where is that info available? I haven't seen you provide a link for it yet. At the 4 wheeler site you claim as your SOURCE, there are no 4.10 ratios for the Ranger or Mazda, as neither of the tested vehicles had that option.
So where are you getting these 4.10 numbers from?
"I was citing the GEAR ratio of the TRANNY when
bolted up to a 4.10 rearend, NOT the 3.73 which was
in that test truck"
Where? Whats is the link for these precise figures? What tires were used? Were they properly matched to the gearing? The Mazda and Ford did NOT have the 4.10 rearend at the site you claim as your source. Please explain how you got these figures.
value on the TRD spoog, sorry it is a bitter pill
for you to swallow, but it is a fact."
Value is like things you get at Walmart.
Value is getting something
"decent" for your money. Don't expect to get the best and have "value" attached, except monetarily speaking.
Of course they dont. I will quote them exactly:
" The Tacoma trd is fairly expensive, but you pay a premium for a premium package. The Tacoma tRD is easily the best compact package available today(of arguably all trucks). It simply offers features the others dont, and they all work well. Toyota Tacoma, 4 wheeler of the year".
I used to own a Silverado. Ditto.
I now own a 98 Tacoma Prerunner.
No more oil leaks, strange sounds or
plastic bits shedding on a daily basis.
If all of these oeople thing other trucks are so great why do they spend so much time trying to
engage happy Toyota owners in their futile arguements? I don't care if they think their Ranger is a better value than a Tacoma.
A Timex is a better value than a Rolex but
if you can afford either one which would you choose?
My point is that I don't believe in "wasting" money just because I have it right now. There may be a day when money is extremely hard to come by. Nobody can predict the future. Although I have an Engineering degree, I am in the computing business. Whos to say that we don't advance technology to a point where the computer has intelligence and can program, repair, and operate itself. Unlikely, but hey, while we are shooting the bull.....
Just because I make good money doesn't mean it would be smart to blow money on something just because of a name. I can afford Armani suits, but I don't have a single one of them hanging in my closet. Its a crying shame that people have become so materialistic and "name brand oriented. People will buy a lesser product based on name alone and its just plain not smart at all.
Garbonzobutt, if you don't mind throwing money away, why not go give some of it to those who really need it instead. I give over 5k per year to the needy in some fashion or other. Yeah, I get to write it off, but even if I couldn't, its better than throwing it away to those who "DON'T NEED IT", like the island of Japan!
Anyway, I'm going to chime in. I've been reading this topic for some time now and I've got to point out a few things.
1. What are you Ranger boys doing on this topic? It seems like you guys try way to hard. You'd think that someone who pulls in those big six figures would have to do something to earn it, and you fellas obviously spend to much time on this board trying to make people feel bad about buying a Tacoma.
2. You guys totally ignore spoog or whoever posts facts and asks questions. Sure, you respond, but only to the stuff you think you can try to refute. Most of the time you guys skip over the stuff that you don't like to hear.
Now, before I get blasted by a tidal wave of "Ford rules!", and "Like a rock!", let me explain. I owned a 93 Toyota Truck. I loved that thing. I had to move up in space because of a growing family. I bought a 98 Rav4 and have bee pretty happy with it. The problem is, is that I miss having a truck to take out and have fun with. I think that the Ranger is a good truck. Looking in my area, you can get a nicely equipped Ranger Supercab 4x4 for 17 or 18 grand. Now that sounds like a helluva deal to me. I still like the Toyota but when it comes time, I may go either way.
And by the way, since when did a four cylinder engine that puts out 150 horses and 177 lb-ft of torque become a dog? With a five speed, that would'nt be bad at all.
OK, OK, I want to leave this room. I however keep getting pulled in by some smart remark or question or .....
I never ever said the Tacoma wasn't capable or a nice truck. I just get tired of hearing how bad the Ranger is, how unreliable it is, how it will fall apart after 10 miles and so on.... with no way to back up their claim. Why is it when a Ranger owner posts a good experience with their truck its written off as luck or just unheard of. I know about 6 people who own Rangers from about 93 up to 98 and all have had great reliability with them and have performed well. Some have had problems but nothing to persuade them to switch brands or call Fords junk.
Enough rambling. I will quit with the "enjoy the sticker" quote everyone (even Ranger owners) are starting to hate.
See you in the hills!
My point....if you feel better paying more money for a vehicle because you feel that paying more provides a better vehicle, so be it. Have fun driving your more expensive vehicle. However, don't be talking trash about the domestics and how inferior they are, because quite frankly in more ways than one, they have actually become much BETTER than the imports, especially in functionality and creature comforts, and for much less moola.
1998 Toyota Tacoma Ext cab truck has deperciated $3828 (24%) from it's original base MSRP
1998 Ranger XL Ext cab has dropped
$5230 (35%) from it's Base MSRP.
I guess Toyotas are the better investment.
Here's one more for the true gluttons for punishment: A 1998 Chev. S-10 Ext. cab has
lost $5640 (36%). (That figure doesn't include the credit GM gives you for having the oil stains removed from your driveway after trade-in)
I matched a 1998 Ranger XLT SC 4.0 5spd auto 4x4 to a 1998 Tacoma SC 3.4 auto 4x4. I loaded them up with the SAME options. I put 24K miles on both also.
Toyota trade in is $17,145. Ranger trade in is $16,995. About a $150 dollar difference. Now retail is a wash it is known and plastered all over every mag and review the Tacoma is more expensive option for option. Resale is all relative my friend. Ranger is the best value for your dollar. The tide has turned, once the imports were this way, remember?
enough and they'll say whatever you want.
How is two years of Ranger ownership
for $5200+ a better value than Toyota
ownership for $3800? It costs more to own the Ranger. It may cost less up front but eventually you sell and thats where your misperception of value catches up with you.
It's like anything. Whether it's tools, a home in a nicer neighborhood, clothing... whatever.
A greater up-front investment in quality is usually rewarded in long term value. But, if you own a Ranger "long-term" is a relative statement.
Where is your proof that ownership of the Ranger is more expensive than the Tacoma. Please give me the link.
By your answer I would guess you visited Kelly Blue book on your own and found out the truth. Hurts uh?
The Toyota depreciated less than the Ford.
Fact. The Ranger actually costs more to own.
The initial investment in the Ford is lower but when you compare what you pay with what It's worth after a couple of years, the wiser investment in the Toyota is rewarded.
The extra depreciation is Ford's way of having you subsidize their fleet sales of Rangers to Utility and Rental companies.
Same thing with Ford Taurus. They flood the
wholsale market and punish the fools who paid retail . Check the depreciation that's the truest comment about "Value"
Value isn't about CHEAPER. If it is why does
the Ford go down 40% faster than the Toyota.
Ranger Rick, You must have a lot of free time
so next time you're sitting around the Ford dealership waiting for your truck to be fixed,
do the math yourself.
P.S. I never read the Ranger chat rooms because I'm secure in my purchase. I don't care about Rangers or even worse... Chevies.
Why do you read and post here?
Gonzo7: Great info and points made with the depreciation figures. Quality really does mean "longterm" and not "more-features-for-the-dollar up front". I have also wondered why Vince8, Unixdiety (tough-[non-permissible content removed]-marine-turned-computer-guru who earns six figures) and Mmmcbride1 bother to post here so much when they are reportedly so content with their purchases.
Maybe one day all the toyota owners will come back and we can have a discussion about toyota engines. And maybe that's just a pipe dream.
BTW - I am VERY content with my purchase.
And just out of curiosity, what am I all about? Am I Bad news for you over confident, overrated, overpriced Toyota owners? It comes down to this. If you feel better paying up to 3K more for a vehicle because you feel it will last longer go ahead. I'll take my money and invest it in real investments or just take a nice vacation, or who knows what. Fact is the tide has turned. The "imports" used to have a huge value advantage over the domestics. You used to get more, lots more for your money when purchasing a vehicle. Not anylonger, this along with the reliability/quality advantage is gone, long gone. It was only a matter of time. This isn't the 80's anylonger, come into the 90's!
Or were you REALLY one of those non-athetic nerds that joined the kitty cat Airforce because you didn't have what it takes to be a Marine?
From the sounds of your leaving the Airforce, sounds to me like you couldn't even make it in there.
I have had the misfortune to see the "Intelligence" screw ups of the Airforce too many times. What a joke. As soon as the smallest skirmish or civil unrest breaks out in another country, all the Airforce pukes bail with mysterious injuries or smoke dope to get kicked out. Airforce....yeah, they have won how many battles for our country. Hell, even the Marine and Navy Airwings do more battle than the Airforce. Tell me, what the hell do we even need the Airforce for?
You're a joke hiding behind a computer dweeb, uh, I mean dwebb.
Toyota's answer to "tightening a clamp" is the same premise in replacing the blown head gaskets with the "exact same gaskets" that blew to begin with. Anyone who has had the head gasket failure should know that the exact same gaskets are installed to replace these so-called defective ones. Why do you think there is never any leak to the inside? The high pressure is blowing the gaskets and pushing the fluid outside the heads.
Also the reason for them extending the powertrain warranties on the trucks that have had the problem. There is high probability of it happening again!
At least talking about Ranger you know a little bit about what you are saying (then again...). Don't even bother with 4Runner vs. Explorer. Doesn't the fact that the two most active Explorer rooms are "Perpetual Ford Explorer Woes" and "98 Explorer Sport - Worst car on the Road" tell you anything?
As far as price, mine was $29,500, and as we have discussed earlier, it has depreciated approx $1,500, same as your Ranger that cost $11,000 less in the same time period (almost 1 1/2 years). And that's using the same method to compute it that you used - that means it is depreciating slower than your truck. Explorer can't touch 4Runner off-road, and any Explorer owner will agree with me on that one. What other arguments are you going to bring up. Let's hear them!
That was until I has the pleasure of reading some of the posts here. Those Anti-Toyota people
that post here sure are a happy, likable
bunch. Unixgod or Eunuchgod or whatever
he's a real winner in my book. We need more like him -a real man- who just want's to kick some [non-permissible content removed] because his intellectual capabilities are overwhelmed.
I think that despite my misguided enjoyment of my Toyota, it is my obligation to get confrontational with owners of other makes. And who cares if Isound like a total [non-permissible content removed]. It is my new mission in life to convince others that they are miserable just like me.
What a loser.
I will answer.
Some manufactures use a Pink type of Radiator fluid or even window washing fluid. One of these two may be leaking down onto your diff area. If it were any type of diff fluid or axle greases it would be brownish in color and not be dripping like a thin liquid. Hope this helps some anyway.
I am everywhere the Ranger bashers are, you are doggone right on that one. I am a Ranger fan and will continue to dispel rumors about the Ranger that Tacoma owners seem to love to tell. I only pick on the Tacoma because it seems these chat rooms are the ones that are most known for bashing Rangers. As I have stated over and over again, have I EVER said the Tacoma was not a good truck? or unreliabile? or not offroad worthy? I just joust those who claim the Ranger to be an unreliable, not offroad capable truck.
And to MMC I will be there one day in the Explorer room. Right now I am just gathering data. By the way, wasn't the 4-runner around BEFORE the Explorer? Why haven't 4-runner sales increased by leaps and bounds like the Explorer? Hmm.....
". I onlypick on the Tacoma because it seems these chat
rooms are the ones that are most known for bashingRangers. "
lol! Sure Vinnie....you are as anti-foreign product as they come.
THATS why your on a TACOMA only board.
How sad.
BTW-4Runner was redesigned in 1990 as a true SUV (prior to that it was a truck with a topper on the bed and seats in the bed). Explorer was introduced in 1991. Toyota had a whole one year jump on Ford. Whooptee doo! Don't make me embarass you, Vince.
Better have it checked again. You could have the blown head gasket problem. Of course we all know that the bad lot of gaskets have been rectified and that problem doesn't exist any longer. Or mayne the heads are still made too small to handle the combustion pressures and blow regardless of gasket type. Hmmmm......better get a solid answer soon.
I do, however, have a legitimate question that I would appreciate an answer to. (For all of you out there that hate Toyota Tacomas, please do not write back insulting my car buying intelligence).
I am looking at the Tacomas and Tundras and am particularly interested in the Tacomas. I would like to know what the Tacoma owners out there have to say about their trucks. Do you like them? Is there something you wish you would have known before you bought them? Is there anything that routinely gives you problems?
I am mainly looking for mechanical functions that people have experienced. Do you absolutely love your truck and not regret a thing about buying it? Do you wish you could buy the world a Tacoma? Please help... this is the first time in my life that I am able to purchase a new vehicle and I would like all the information possible from other consumers.
Thank you for your time,
Jennifer Spiwak
EmeraldJde@aol.com
2nd, I did make the cut in the Air Force but am getting out because I have fulfilled my commitment of four years. I also agreed with you that the AF stinks.
Last, if you want to give me your home address so badly, why don't you just click on my name. I leave my email address open for anyone to read. If that's too complicated or time-consuming for you, here it is: daniel.webb@christianmail.net. But if I show up at your door, it won't be to kick your [non-permissible content removed]. I don't think the REAL GOD would appreciate that. I would come there to tell you about this guy called Christ who loves everyone, even the Marines. You may have led a terrible life up to this point, but HE can help you with that humility thing.
Why are you so hot-headed anyway?
JSPIWAK: I have owned imports and domestics, specifically, the two you are probably considering, the tacoma and ranger. Since this is your first vehicle, I will keep this short. You will most likely spend up to 1k more for a tacoma, but you won't regret it in the end. The ranger is a fine truck, but the tacoma outperforms it in ALL performance areas and has a documented history of significantly less recalls, longer engine life, and better reliability. Resale value is generally better, too.
Now, here comes all the insulting remarks from the domestic bozos, but keep your head up and don't be discouraged. If you want the specific numbers to prove my comments above, ask SPOOG for them. I don't have the web sites off the top of my head. I would also recommend you buy the 2wd Extracab V6 with the 5-speed transmission. This is the highest performing variant and will not let you down come work time. You might have problems finding one with a manual transmission, but keep looking. They are usually found on the West Coast. Regardless of where you find one, Toyota will ship it to your dealership. Good luck.
I have a 2000 Tacoma V6 2WD Ext cab with a 5 speed trans (not a 4WD because I don't need it for that purpose or wasting the extra 10 bucks a month more in insurance). Since I have almost what you're looking at getting, I can safely say that you SHOULD consider buying a Tacoma. I love driving it a lot, and mechanically it is very sound. I can compare the workmanship and interior "feel" you get from it only to my mom's BMW!!!! It's an excellent truck, bar none. I had ONE (and only one) problem with it when I bought it and that was that after the first 100 miles, I noticed a scraping sound when I went up the driveway or around corners. I "thought" it was a bad shock, but it turned out that a heat shield (next to the shock) was loose. The dealer tightened it under warranty (free of charge), and that was that. Since then (now at about 1500 miles) I still have NO COMPLAINTS AT ALL!!! The V6 runs like Godzilla on speed! More power than I will ever need. I went up through the mountains on the highway in 5th gear like it was nothing.
Also when I took it in for the warranty repair , I asked that a "specifc" check be done on the head gasket issue, and any other TSB's. The guy in charge told me that the head gasket problem was from 94-96 (I think that was the years), and that it doesn't apply to newer models because they fixed the problem. He also said that there were NO TSB's in effect for 2000 models at that time (last month).
My advice to you is to buy the TACO!!! You won't regret it. Ever!!!!
Good luck on your decision.
I heard it wasn't worth the $19.95 investment, at least not for the Tacoma.
I notice how spoog doesn't post the crash test or mention Dateline and how the TAcoma finished LAST!
Or price differences, or how the locker is only good up to 5mph and the goes into an open axle. There is more in the Ranger vs Tacoma room. come on over!
mviglianco1: You have a 4X4 truck also. That doesn't mean you have a clue how to even use it.
The locker DOES disengage at or about 5 mph. Toyota won't warranty or guarantee their locking differentials without this 5 mph limitation because they know it won't hold up. They know they will lose tons of money replacing locking diffs under warranty, especially under a 60k mile powertrain warranty.
If you choose to believe this and feel warm and fuzzy thinking you have a true locker that will help you when you really need it, that's fine. Doesn't hurt my feelings any. However, that just shows your reason for buying an import truck to begin with. You don't have a clue what you bought and you only bought it for that false security blanket the name "Toyota" provides you.