Topic: CD Article: 2007 Ford Ranger Sport

[Autos_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Today's Test Drive:

Starting at just $15,099, the Ford Ranger is "a heck of a bargain for a new truck," says Senior Editor, Paul Williams.  "If you're thinking used, you may find this new truck is not out of reach," he says.
   
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Read the article | View the photos |
All the Test Drives

[The Mighty Duck]

Great value for a V6 powered truck with decent towing capability...  a V6 Dodge Dakota starts at around $23 000, and while I would much rather have the Dodge, you can't argue with the price of the Ranger.

If you just need a bed for hauling lighter items, the four banger Ranger is almost a steal for the practicality it offers...

[PJungnitsch]

The base 4 cylinder fivespeed is even cheaper then he states. 15099 minus 1005 for the V6 and 400 delivery allowance is only $13694 before freight.

That is one cheap little truck, and with available 60 at 0%, under $250 a month.

[Leviathan]

The base 4 cylinder fivespeed is even cheaper then he states. 15099 minus 1005 for the V6 and 400 delivery allowance is only $13694 before freight.

That is one cheap little truck, and with available 60 at 0%, under $250 a month.

Wow, you're right. From ford.ca:

‡Finance British Columbia 60 0.0%  N/A $14,844 $0 $14,844 $247

add in taxes and it comes to just shy of $280/month. Doesn't look like you can get the 2.3L + auto with the Ford but Mazda offers the combo and same 0% financing.

[PJungnitsch]

Ford has 750 off and Mazda has a 1000 off if you are a graduate, as well.

Theoretically I could get a brand new pickup for $12944 before fees and taxes, and finance it at 0% over 60.

As long as a person has a job, no real excuse for not driving a reliable vehicle nowadays.

[davidy]

These are cheap for sure. But be prepared for very poor gas economy....especially if it's 4x4 4.0 litre SuperCab model with an automatic. I have a 1996 Mazda B-series 3.0 litre 4x2 and it likes to suck up gas. I "almost" bought a 2007 Ford Ranger SuperCab 4x4 Level 2 FX (when a co-worker offered to buy my Mazda)....but I backed off when it came to it's very poor gas economy and my revised preference to seat 4 adults.

Dave

[Mitlov]

These are cheap for sure. But be prepared for very poor gas economy....especially if it's 4x4 4.0 litre SuperCab model with an automatic. I have a 1996 Mazda B-series 3.0 litre 4x2 and it likes to suck up gas. I "almost" bought a 2007 Ford Ranger SuperCab 4x4 Level 2 FX (when a co-worker offered to buy my Mazda)....but I backed off when it came to it's very poor gas economy and my revised preference to seat 4 adults.

Dave

Poor fuel economy compared to other pickups, or poor fuel economy compared to anything else on the road?  I'd agree with the latter--as would anyone who as ever owned a pickup--but at least according to the EPA, the Ranger's fuel economy is a smidgen higher than its compact pickup competitors.

[G0dspd]

... the Ranger's fuel economy is a smidgen higher than its compact pickup competitors.

The Ranger doesn't have any real competition in the compact pickup segment.  I guess you could argue that the GMs are compact-ish but IMO the rest is pretty much all mid-size. 

[84im]

When I bought my 2000 Ranger 4x4 supercab, with the 4.0 litre/auto I noticed that the full sized F150 (4x4) with a V8/auto had almost identical fuel economy (1 mpg less).  As mentioned by the above posters, the Ranger, at least in the 4.0 litre/4x4 auto form, is not very fuel efficient, considering it's small size.  Having said that, I can't complain too much.  My Ranger has been very reliable (touch wood).

[Mitlov]

... the Ranger's fuel economy is a smidgen higher than its compact pickup competitors.

The Ranger doesn't have any real competition in the compact pickup segment.  I guess you could argue that the GMs are compact-ish but IMO the rest is pretty much all mid-size. 

By "compact" I meant "compact and midsize."  Sorry about that.  But I still kind of lump compact and midsize pickups into the same category.  While the cab is smaller on a Ranger extended cab than a Frontier extended cab, they're very equivalent vehicles compared to, say, passenger cars or half-ton pickups.  Likewise, a Tacoma four-banger may have more cabin space than a Ranger, it's not going to tow or haul any more than the Ranger.

And I would agree that the Ford and GM pickups are the only ones that are still truly "compact."

[davidy]

My previous comment was there is not much difference in gas economy between the Ranger/B-series compact pickup and the full size pickups.

Furthermore, I have been surprised that there isn't a SuperCrew version for the Ranger. It's mid-size pickup competitors like Toyota and GMC/Chev have these versions. If available, a Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4x4 (preferably FX off road model) would definately be on my shortlist....even if it's gas economy was poor.

Dave

[Ex-airbalancer]

My previous comment was there is not much difference in gas economy between the Ranger/B-series compact pickup and the full size pickups.

Furthermore, I have been surprised that there isn't a SuperCrew version for the Ranger. It's mid-size pickup competitors like Toyota and GMC/Chev have these versions. If available, a Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4x4 (preferably FX off road model) would definately be on my shortlist....even if it's gas economy was poor.

Dave

If you go to Central America there are all kind of small crew cab trucks, I guess they do not meet our saftey regulations

[Mitlov]

Furthermore, I have been surprised that there isn't a SuperCrew version for the Ranger. It's mid-size pickup competitors like Toyota and GMC/Chev have these versions. If available, a Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4x4 (preferably FX off road model) would definately be on my shortlist....even if it's gas economy was poor.

Ford does offer the Explorer SportTrac, though:

[PJungnitsch]

Furthermore, I have been surprised that there isn't a SuperCrew version for the Ranger. It's mid-size pickup competitors like Toyota and GMC/Chev have these versions. If available, a Ford Ranger SuperCrew 4x4 (preferably FX off road model) would definately be on my shortlist....even if it's gas economy was poor.

Ford does offer the Explorer SportTrac, though:

Trouble is the price almost doubles here compared to the Ranger. The entry level 4X4 SportTrac starts at $34,000 or so, pretty much the same as the Tacoma. Toyota pricing new with Ford resale.

[Triple Bob]

Man this thread makes me want a truck, just look at that price!!

 

[johngenx]

If I could get a 4x4 four banger with a stick, it would be pretty tempting.  At that price, it's tough to go wrong...

[prufrock]

Man this thread makes me want a truck, just look at that price!!

 

I can't believe I am saying this but...

I am seriously considering buying one of these trucks.

For a second vehicle used mostly for going back and forth to work, it's cheap. Actually, it's a lot cheaper than a lot of subcompacts. Add in the ability to actually haul some crap around without bothering friends, and it seems even better.

For ~$300 month at 0%, this might be an okay little truck. It'll be basic, but no more so than the old 1988 Mazda 2WD my Dad owned and I used to drive a lot.

Crank windows, push button locks, delete the jump seats in the back...I could see myself keeping it for 10 years or so while hauling lawn waste and Costco goods the entire time.

Someone smack me so I wake up.

At least up here they don't have them on the lots for me to test drive...not manly enough, you see...or I might be really, really serious about it.

[Triple Bob]

Man this thread makes me want a truck, just look at that price!!

 

I can't believe I am saying this but...

I am seriously considering buying one of these trucks.

For a second vehicle used mostly for going back and forth to work, it's cheap. Actually, it's a lot cheaper than a lot of subcompacts. Add in the ability to actually haul some crap around without bothering friends, and it seems even better.

For ~$300 month at 0%, this might be an okay little truck. It'll be basic, but no more so than the old 1988 Mazda 2WD my Dad owned and I used to drive a lot.

Crank windows, push button locks, delete the jump seats in the back...I could see myself keeping it for 10 years or so while hauling lawn waste and Costco goods the entire time.

Someone smack me so I wake up.

At least up here they don't have them on the lots for me to test drive...not manly enough, you see...or I might be really, really serious about it.

100%  How can Ford make them so cheap?

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I had a 1984, long wheel base, regular cab, 4 cylinder (90hp!), 5 speed Ranger. IIRC it was ~$8600 + tax (~$10000 OTR). Considering the inflation over the intervening 23 years, that's a cracking deal!

I still have my "Carlton County Tuxedo" (Bob's pic), maybe I should look at pickups again too!

[Leviathan]

How can Ford make them so cheap?

Volume, volume, VOLUME!