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  #1  
Old 08-29-2010, 08:47 AM
Chifte Chifte is offline
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Default 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

Hey all, I'm in the market for the most rugged, reliable, fuel efficient, small truck I can get and I've narrowed it down to two vehicles. I'm currently driving an '08 Focus that does exactly what I initially bought it for but the car just doesn't do or go everywhere I need a vehicle to go. I came from an '01 Jimmy 4.3L which had 15MPG and the most unreliable time I ever had, jumped the gun for a new 35 MPG Focus not thinking too much about hobbies.

I am an outdoors man, I need something that won't let me down.

Which of these two vehicles would be easier to work on and maintain? Cheaper in the long run? Fuel efficiency is a pretty big thing for me as my daily mileage is around 70. The Toyotas seem to peak at about 26, yet even on this forum I've read people with the Rangers getting 29+. I mean that's incrediblE mileage, my Focus' average MPG is 30.1, though I do wonder if those people are only counting HW mpg.

I'm bombarded by a couple friends with Tundras telling me to go with the '06 4cyl regular cab 5.5 bed 40k mile Taco simply because it's a Toyota. But it's factory warranty is close to being up and it's more expensive than a '08 Ranger I'm looking at with 30,000 less miles, two years newer and 2g's cheaper! My father argues like hell with me saying the 4cyl in both vehicles is worthless, yet the most I may tow is a couple of 12'+ kayaks, even then I must just throw them in the bed and tie them down. I can't see the justification in a V6 if I won't use it.

I've read plenty of 2000 and under positive reviews on Rangers, but anything newer than that there's barely any feedback I'm looking for. I realize the risk in buying anything used but I'm really looking for the least BS truck I can get for under $14,000.


4WD is not necessary, though I do live SE PA, I figure I'll just get sand bags and rubber snow claws on particularly bad days.

http://fordredhill.sandsautogroup.co...YR10D18PA44948

That's the Ranger

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/dd...aler_id=576775

That's the Taco

I do feel the Taco looks slightly better because it has those premium wheels you see on the more expensive V6 models, but that's something that can be fixed on the Ranger.

Last edited by Chifte; 08-29-2010 at 09:05 AM.
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  #2  
Old 08-29-2010, 10:14 AM
DHEM DHEM is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

The Ford Ranger is a better choice, its just not as fancey or high Tech as the Taco
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  #3  
Old 08-29-2010, 11:46 AM
trcothorn trcothorn is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

if i didnt like ford so much i would have got a taco. they look good and from what i hear they are reliable. but they are expensive. i think that my ranger is very easy to work on and maintain and i dont know anything about toyotaas so if you want cheap and reliable then go with the ranger
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Old 08-29-2010, 04:43 PM
MikeSak MikeSak is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

I worked with a guy that had a 07 taco and it was a pos. The radio worked only when it felt like it, the front drive shaft fell out (he told me toyota has a recall on it now), and of course the gas pedal. It had only like 30,000 on it btw.
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  #5  
Old 09-01-2010, 03:43 PM
maemae maemae is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

Before I got my ranger, and was looking, I found that the Toyotas were much more expensive, for the same year and equipment package, than the rangers. I would go with the ranger, just because it is the cheaper option and has less miles. If you want a fancy truck, you can always customize the ranger.
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  #6  
Old 09-06-2010, 09:44 PM
DeanR805 DeanR805 is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

i am with the people above. the toyotas can be good trucks, and i always wanted one but the ranger is just so much cheaper. for the same amount you would pay for a toyota you can get a newer ranger with less miles. i have a 06 2.3 4cyl xlt 2wd and i am very happy with it. it gets good mpg and is very reliable. but you should post the same question in a toyota forum because you are on a ford forum and therefore, you will get biased opinions. good luck with whatever you decide to get
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  #7  
Old 09-06-2010, 09:55 PM
Ranger_EDGE Ranger_EDGE is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

toyo = better quality, resale value better parts are just way better. sorry guys it is. ford are cheeper on resale value and parts. thats why most of us own one on here. if you can get the taco you come out on top. I searched so hard for a 1996 to 2004 taco and never had any luck before i bought my truck for dirt cheep. but if i would of of found the right taco for the price i paid for my truck well i wouldn't be owning a ranger right now. i say tacoma man do it right off the bat! save you the troubles from all the repairs down the road. just my 2 cents
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Old 09-06-2010, 10:40 PM
mossyoak03 mossyoak03 is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger_EDGE View Post
toyo = better quality, resale value better parts are just way better. sorry guys it is. ford are cheeper on resale value and parts. thats why most of us own one on here. if you can get the taco you come out on top. I searched so hard for a 1996 to 2004 taco and never had any luck before i bought my truck for dirt cheep. but if i would of of found the right taco for the price i paid for my truck well i wouldn't be owning a ranger right now. i say tacoma man do it right off the bat! save you the troubles from all the repairs down the road. just my 2 cents
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  #9  
Old 09-06-2010, 10:48 PM
desjardo desjardo is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

How many rangers have 1,000,000kms?
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  #10  
Old 09-07-2010, 05:36 AM
Ranger Sport Ranger Sport is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

Apples and oranges.

The tacomas are in the mid size category, with the f150 price range.

Between the two, i'd pick a ranger mainly because the model hasn't changed in a while, so parts are interchangeable (sp?) and more readily available. You don't need to pay the import fanboy tax on the initial+parts.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranger_EDGE View Post
ford are cheeper on resale value
They also enjoy a much much lower price of a compact truck at purchase.
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  #11  
Old 09-07-2010, 06:40 AM
sgtsandman sgtsandman is offline
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Default Re: 4cyl regular 08 Ranger vs 4cyl regular 06 Taco

If you are going with a 4X4, the Taco has a better rating in consumer reviews than the Ranger.

The Ranger and the Tacoma are about even when it comes to rear wheel drive models.

Word has it that Toyota has been having rust issues with their frames though. You might want give the underside a good look before buying.
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