Been reading the forum regularly, great site you have here. This is my first post as I'm about to pull the trigger on my first ranger. Anyway I have narrowed it down to 2 trucks and would appreciate your collective wisdom. It's really between these two, live in area without much selection.

It's between an 07 sport 4x4, manual with 60k, nice shape no history on the vehicle as is was purchased from an auction. It has a scratched up bed and the dealership agreed to put in a new bed liner, this truck is $13500.

Other option is an 06 sport 4x4, auto, with 80k, one owner (60 year old man), from a local small town Ford dealership, it's $10000.

Which is the better deal? I'm leaning towards the 06 because of the one owner, I know it was well maintained and it's $3500 cheaper. I would however prefer manual and the only thing that worries me is the miles, I need this truck to last me a good solid 5 years and not be a money pit, so perhaps I should just pay a little more now and get the 07 with lower miles and the 5 speed manual tranny.

Opinions?

 

Go with the 06. The auto will allow you more modifications and it has twice the towing capacity of the manual.

 

Thanks, I'm leaning towards the 06, just curious though why will it allow more mods vs the manual?

Also, the Ford dealer is offering a warranty for an extra $1000, worth it? Don't think an 06 with 80k should have too many issues don't really want to spend more then I have to.

 

You can get a programmer that will allow you to modify the shift points to better utilize the existing hp and mods, or it can be programmed to improve mileage. The auto won't give more HP, but will allow you to better utilize the HP from the engine. Plus the auto is stronger than the auto.

 

i got the 1 year warranty..in fact i bought my 04 fx4 auto in 06 with 38k for 14000(with the one year warranty). So your trucks seem a little expensive in my opinion.

 

Sounds like a nice deal on your fx4. Yeah, the 07 is certainly priced a little high, should be 12k at most, but I really don't have the time to drive 1000 miles for a cheaper truck.

That's why I'm leaning toward the 06, seems like 10k is a decent price for that vehicle, mileage is a bit higher then what I was looking for but not too bad..

 

pfft, title should say 'Buy' not 'by' ...thought I fixed it, was in a rush.

Anyway, thanks for the opinions so far, anyone else? Prolly going to pull the trigger on this in the next day or so, is the 80k 06 ranger a good choice?

 

I'd go with the 06 w/ 80k auto... you will probly end up spending more on the manual w/ clutches and stuff. Plus you don't know who owned it, and coming from an auction... eh.. you just don't know what you're getting.

 

Another vote for the '06!

 

Thanks guys.....think I'm going pull the trigger on the 2006...anything to worry about with 80k miles on these trucks? Seems like a decent price for mileage...or am I way off?

I did manage to find an 2008 with only 39k miles for $14500 but its like 20 hours away and its a bit more then I want to spend.

 

id go with the 06 too

 

Fixed it. :)

 

Picked up my 06 Ranger on Saturday. Ended up getting a good deal in end, went to look at several with higher mileage and worse shape that sold for the same price or more.

Love the truck, already put over 600 miles on it driving it home, run like a dream. Going to hit some dirt trails tomorrow.