Kerouac wrote:
>
> "Lon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > Marc proclaimed:
> >
> >> I'm looking at buying a used truck to haul a couple bikes out to the
> >> desert
> >> and am down to 2. Anyone got any comments or comparisons between these 2.
> >> I
> >> am looking to get either, with the extended cab and 2wd, probably 2001 or
> >> earlier.
> >
> > The Toyota is a very good truck. The problem is that you will pay
> > through the nose for a used one in any sort of condition. For much
> > less money you should be able to pick up a Ford Ranger. As for
> > actual reliability it would be nice if the Toyota were as much more
> > reliable as it is claimed to be...
> >
> Look in Consumer Reports "Buyers Guide". I don't think there's a
> question of reliability. Especially comparing it to a Ford Ranger. For
> dependability, Ford is about as low as you can go. I worked in a Ford
> dealership service dept. I would NEVER buy a vehicle from this company. As
> for paying through the nose for a used Toyota, you get what you pay for.
> Resale is high because the longevity is greater. Period. How many Fords do
> you see with 300,000 miles on 'em? Hell, as far as that goes, 200,000?
My Father has owned a total of 5 Rangers - 83, 86, 89, 92,
99. The '83 was a 4 cylinder "S" Model that didn't even have
power brakes. It never gave us a problem but without A/C it
had to go. The '86 was a 2.9L 6 cylinder model. It was
great. Only problem in around 100k miles was one ignition
module. It ended it's life under a tree that fell on it. The
'89 was another 2.9L 6 cylinder model. Never had a problem,
but was traded for a extended cab model. The '92 was a 3.0L
6 cylinder. Never had a significant problem. Dad decide he
wanted a 4WD vehicle so he sold the '92 to another local. He
replaced it with a 4.0L 4WD 4 Door Extended Cab. We still
have this. I think over the 23 years of Ranger ownership the
total amount spent on mechanical repairs is less than $500
(one ignition module, one muffler, one water pump are all
the repairs I recall). One friend has a Toyota Tacoma - he
spent more on repairs for that truck last year, than all our
Rangers combined.
And as for Consumer Reports - even though I don't trust
their ratings - They give the Ranger good marks. It has a
"check mark" for reliability for every year since 1997 (that
is as far back as thier rating go).
Ed
