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Comments
Go ahead and call me "anti-American". I've heard it all before.
Also please show me a dealer who will not buy your trade in at wholesale value. I'd love to get the most out of my truck, but
The new crash test ratings for the 2001 Tacoma far exceed those of the 2000. Improvements were made to the energy absorbtion and rigidity of the body frame.
Although, those ratings are for the 2WD suspension and chassis.
John
Sure......
you go through a car a month!
\\was told I should expexct 160,000 miles before any problems, also like the idea that almost everything can be replaced fairly easy from the carpet to seats,doors\\
Yeah I love those Jeeps. I have had my eye on a few colors lately. One thing that I have always liked about the Jeep Wranglers and the Pre-Tacoma Toyota pickups was that they age very, very well in terms of design. Their designs look "classic", not outdated in a few years like alot of truck designs.
Engine stall w/ A/C on by jcc6 Aug 08, 2001
HEY 96 FLEA! by dbkc413- Hey! It seems like we have identical problems. I have a '95 Ranger 3.0 - I have that clunk in the rear end and that check engine light. dbkc413 Aug 09, 2001
Stalling 4.0L Ranger by dmould Aug 09, 2001
Power window chatter/shutter by goldranger Aug 09, 2001
I had a 2000 XLT SC w/ power windows and both driver and passenger side vibrated when I would put them down. First the driver's side window started, and I had it fixed. Then the passenger side started, and I had to get that fixed. jcc6 Aug 10, 2001
surging idle by pjamesh Aug 13, 2001
I have a 96 Ranger XLT 4x4 with about 57K on it. We purchased it used with 10K on it and the only problem we have had is with the clutch slave making noises. It has been replace twice under warrenty and has started acting up again. The truck is now out of warrenty and I am getting ready to fight with the dealer about the repair. Anyone else have a similar problem. pinetted Aug 16, 2001
Mine has had tranny problems. tammycampbell8 Aug 21, 2001
Hey folks with stalling Rangers. I just had this happen to my 1999 Ranger XLT with 29,000 miles.
bobhoh Aug 21, 2001
I am now getting a vibration around 65-85mph. I just had the tires balanced and they are fairly new. Anyone had the same problem? I have a 96 reg. cab 2wheel dr w/4.0 auto, its still a pup w/ only 46000 miles. I have noticed that it leans toward the drivers side on the front. Maybe a balljoint or maybe u-joints and how can i tell if its either? 96flea-Aug 22
I have a nightmare vibration problem in my ranger (as i have already posted). frey44 Aug 24, 2001
Had same problem the dome light/door ajar switch is located inside the door latch area. jleefmly Aug 31, 2001
rough idle by jleefmly Aug 31, 2001
I am satrting to conclude that Ford's "dirty little Ranger secret" is driveshaft vibration problems !! frey44 Sep 02, 2001
Rust under Rangers by goldranger Sep 04, 2001
Through my experience's with my Ranger and Taurus. I will never concider buying another Ford Product. tlc88 Sep 04, 2001
2001 Ranger Should have painted it lemon yellow by jlinstrut Sep 05, 2001
If ford keeps building trucks this way, they will surely loose the "#1 for 20 years" Any advice?
I was wondering if any tacoma owners with the RS3000 toyota alarm system are having intermittent problems with the doors not auto unlocking when the alarm is unarmed with the remote. glenn54 Aug 11, 2001
I have a 2001 4x4 Tacoma that is 6 months old. I noticed when waxing it last night that there are a dozen spots about the size of a pencil eraser where the paint is cracking on the hood and on top of the cab. smgilles Aug 15, 2001
Seems he came out of the arroyro, went airborne a bit, snapped the right motor mount, which is cast metal by the way, not solid, impacted the oil filter, spewed oil all over the place, and got towed out by my Ranger.
Would you like to see the pictures of my 4 cargo straps holding up his engine? BTW,. it was the same arroyro that my Ranger successfully came out of just before him.
Ah yes, jeeps, built solid. . .They tow really good and solid behind a Ranger.
Not to be outdone, he went wheeling with us later. I was lead truck thru the snow bank. He got stuck. Want to see the picture of the MAzda yanking the jeep out of the snow bank that my Ranger had just gone thru?
Ah jeeps, king of the 4 wheel drive. . .Best stock off-roader right spoog. Hmmm I think I will find those pictures and post them.
Ah jeeps, and spoogs wisdom. . .
"But there is much more than just Firestone’s fallout hitting Ford. In three years Ford has dropped from the best to the worst in car quality among Detroit auto-makers, according to consumer researcher J.D. Power and Associates. On new-model launches, Ford has suffered a series of recalls, including five on its popular small SUV, the Escape. Last month Ford had to shut down the factory making its highly anticipated new Thunderbird to fix the car’s overheating engine. Ford sales have plunged 11 percent this year, more than twice the decline of the overall U.S. auto market. And Ford’s profits, once the highest in the industry, are expected to fall 80 percent this year; and its stock is trading at a four-year low. Now analysts warn that Ford could run out of cash by the end of the year, forcing it to slash its dividend, close plants and lay off thousands. In two years Ford burned through nearly $15 billion in cash—much of it on diversification schemes, like car junkyards and e-commerce ventures, which didn’t pay off. “We are facing the perfect storm,” says a high-level Ford executive."
" Car buyers like Judy Mercer are not going to wait around for Ford to fix its problems. After faithfully driving Ford Explorers for a decade, Mercer just bought a $33,000 Toyota Highlander SUV. She switched because she saw the Firestone controversy drag down the resale value of her 1997 Explorer. “I was running away from the bad publicity on the Explorer,” says the Memphis computer programmer. “I felt like I was driving around a lemon.” It will take more than a quick tune-up for Ford to fix that kind of damage."
In reading your posts it becomes apparent to me that you must feel everyone who wants to drive a compact pickup should choose a Ranger. So then, based on that logic, there shouldn't be anyone driving a Tacoma (or any other compact p/u) and anyone who is must be "stupid" in your opinion, or at least "not as smart" as you or anyone else who chose Ranger. If you truly believe this than you have been infected with the same cancer that a good deal of America is infected with; narrow mindedness or tunnel-vision.
Wake up dude! You say TO-mato and I say to-MATO.
Just for the record Vince, you do present some good points about the Ranger and Tacoma. Torque curves, locker vs. lsd, horsepower, price; all of those I'd pretty much agree that the Ranger is better.
I don't have a problem agreeing with your spec's. The problem I have is that you always seem to be trying to "slam dunk" Tacoma owners by telling them how "stupid" they are. It reflects your age or, at the very least, your mentality.
However, just because the numbers are better doesn't mean the Ranger is a 'better' truck. There are other issues to consider. The Ranger is a good truck, I've never denied this. I happen to have found the Tacoma better for me.
Bottom line: I liked it more than the Ranger, that's why I bought it.
Ford I think has come a long way since I last bought one back in 1992. The Ranger seems like a nice looking truck.
John
Guess what I'm doing...too bad Ranger dudes but I'm looking to build a great 4X4 (right CPO?).
Thanks,
John
Tacoma2
Tacoma3
Tacoma4
Tundra’s Too
Just for fun
Tacoma is a nice truck, never said it wasn't. What I am saying is the Ranger is no slouch in reliability, quality, power, torque... as much as some Tacoma fans want people in the market to believe the Ranger is a piece of junk, and is incapable... I am living proof the Ranger can do anything a Tacoma can..
Right now the fight in me is gone with our countries situation.. peace....
I think I will buy a mule, and just carry a scoop and shovel ! ;-)
http://www.thecomplaintstation.com/cgi-bin/frames.cgi?topic284
A lot of highway driving, huh? If the mpg difference isn't large (which it probably isn't) you might want to consider a V6. Bigger engines don't rev as high, are smoother and generally perform better on the highway. I test drove a 4 cylinder Tacoma and was not pleased at all with it (it was a 4x4, though).
If you don't need a 4x4, check out the Toyota PreRunners. Same height/stance/good looks as the 4x4 Tacoma, but only a 4x2.
Be aware of the Frontier's funky styling with the imitated bolt on fender flares and plastic molding everywhere. Very faddy, in today and out tomorrow.
I'm a tall guy and I've found I don't fit in any compact truck except the Tacoma. I found the Frontier extremely too small for me.
If it were me and I didn't need 4x4, the PreRunner would definitely be at the top of my list...
I've had several friends with Nissan pickups that have also done extremely well..
So you can't go wrong with any of those choices, buy what you like best, what dealers best meet your needs, and what you can get the best deal on.
Search the net for Ranger rooms also. There are plenty on the road with 100, 200 and even 300K miles...
The Ranger also has a better crash rating than the the Tacoma, is larger inside (don't understand plutons comments on size? )... and just plane offers more for your hard earned dollar.. Don't get caught up in the hoopla of it says T O Y O T A on it its just better, no questions asked....
The Ranger's seat does not go back as far as the Tacoma's (at least it feels that way).
BTW, did you know the Tacoma has more leg room than a Tundra? Yup, I verified it in the brochures after driving a Tundra and feeling scrunched.
My dad and little brother are taller than me and generally do not fit in any Ford or especially Nissan product.
No opinions, just facts.
I guess a Regular cab Ranger has more legroom than a Tundra.
I buy the one that fits me and I feel comfortable in.
any thoughts?
I am 6'3" 275 and have at least an inch headroom in my 99 Ranger.
mjbwrtr,
Well I would stay away from a 4 cyl myself unless all your driving is on the flats. With the lack of power, your limited in the 4 banger. MPG is not as good as you might think.
I have the non-OHC 4.0 liter and get 18 or so mpg in town, 21`-22 on a trip on average. Best ever was 25, worst was 16.4. It is a 4X4.
Perhaps you need to express what you will use the truck for to get some more advise. Just driving? I would still go with a v6 with a manual tranny.
My Ranger has 48K, runs very strong, no engine or tranny problems, and was just out this weekend 4 wheeling on a mountain pass in Colorado, 12,300 ft in elevation.
Try them all, drive them, check the stability and buy what fits you. I know many Rangers with in excess of 150-200,000 miles, but they are all v6 engines.
Look for financing, Ford is offering .9% if you qualify.
besides, the ranger gets better mileage and comes with many standard things that i would have to pay premium prices for in the tacoma. did they fix the problem with the 3.0 liter engine yet? if so i may take a look at them. to answer cpousnr, i intend to take it offroad a few times a year, in the form of hunting and fishing trips and most of my trips are within 30 miles. the mileage difference is 16 for the v6 to the 22 for the four. the highway mileage is 19 for the v6 and 26 for the four. definitely a plus. so i think, unless toyota hands me a set of keys for less than 12,000, i am going to take a RANGER for a spin. any news about the new four? pretty solid?
I definitely agree with smgilles, a Good Dealership is important in the deal making.
plutonius-->And sometimes every cubic inch (interior cab size) counts. Especially if you're 6'2".
All due respect to stang, my fellow poster. . .
GET THE V6, going offroad in a 4 banger will be a disappointment as compared to the V6. Plus better resail. My 4.0 in the 99 basically has handled everything thrown at it, power to spare, doing it all at altitude in excess of 11,000 ft.. What you want is what I use mine for, hunting, some off-roading and a lot of around town driving.
What problem you refering to on the 3.0, pinging? Well I understand you need to use a higher grade fuel.
But remember what stang says, in excess of 100K, I have almost 48K and am running fine.
and i dont want to spend half again as much on gas just so the damn thing wont make noises. they should fix the problem in the first place. why bandage it by suggesting more expensive fuel? ford hasnt impressd me lately, with the ignition switch thing and the firestone thing. but they do make the best compact pickup out there for the price.
This is a risk you run with purchasing a Ranger. I realize all companies make bad vehicles, but I think you run a much higher risk when purchasing a domestic vs. import. I know it is the $$$ that counts the most, but remember you get what you pay for. I just find it hard to swallow that Toyota is equal or less than a Ford Ranger or
s-10. I think quality control and reliability speak for itself. Again you may get a GREAT Ranger like Stangs or Cp's, but you may also get one like Frey's! But it all comes down to how much money you can part with and which dealership will serve you, not you serving them. Good luck and do not listen to what Spoog or Vince try to tell you.
Yeah, these guys have a point on picking up a loaded Ranger for the same price as a basic Tacoma. The Japanese are "notorious" for their extremely picky quality control. Many think their quality control goes overboard. This quality control is what makes the Toyota more expensive. If you're like a lot of people and lease your vehicles or trade them in every 2 or 3 years, yeah, save the bucks and get a Ranger.
Be forewarned, however. Toyota's customer service from its dealerships is probably no better than Ford's. I just had an extremely piss-poor experience/day due to Red McComb's Toyota in San Antonio. Avoid these jerks like the plague, folks...
Toyota...love the product, absolutely HATE the dealerships.
Ranger 2WD XL 3.0 - HeadRoom - 39.2 inches
Legroom - 42.4 inches
Nissan 2WD XE 2.4 - HeadRoom - 39.3 inches
LegRoom - 40.9 inches
Toyota 2WD Taco 2.4 - HeadRoom - 38.5 inches
LegRoom - 41.7 inches
The 3.0 Vulcan is and excellent engine. Granted its older pushrod technology but its VERY reliable. Cruise the net, there are plenty of 3.0 owners with 100,200 and even upwards of 300K miles on these engines!
Value, that is where Toyota has lost its way.. The Ranger offers you more for your money.. As far as this huge quality gap that Toyota owners want you so bad to believe exists... It doesn't. Check right here at Edmunds and compare .. or take a look at MSN.com (carpoint) for reliabitliy/quality data..
By the way, the new 2.3 is getting some good reviews..
Now that's a HUGE quality gap!
But I have dealt with a Ford dealer nearby that was absoultely a joke. We couldn't get out of there fast enough. I'm sure there are dearliships across the country for all makes that are great, good and bad. It all comes down to management. If you aren't happy with management at your particular dealership let them know it!
As far as reliability of Fords, I have relatives who have owned Fords for many a year and have had very few problems with them. I also have friends and family who own Toyota vehicles and have never had any problems with them. I think qualtiy for all makes and models has come along way since the late 70's early 80's and that we have to remember that Toyota Tacoma's are built in CA buy good ol' USA muscle just like Fords. Same with Nissan Frontiers. I think one area of quality that Toyota has over Ford is in parts. Japanese parts are well engineered and well built from quality materials. My Nissan had brakes that lasted 100K. (And no it was not all highway miles. Lots of bumper to bumber traffic hear in Seattle) That's where the gap lies btwn American and Japanese vehicles.