while i am still weeks away from buying a vehicle. i took a look around another car dealer in soldotna. i talked to a car dealer about trucks in my price range and he took me to another ranger. this one is a 98 XLT that has a 4 liter automatic compared to a 3 liter/manual of the other ranger im looking at.

i just checked the fuel efficiency of the 4.0/auto and it says 16/20, which is good with 160hp and 220 ft/lb torque, compared to 145 and 180 with the 3.0 with similar results.

this new ranger is 2 years older and has 10,000 more miles on it, and the man offered 8500 or 9000 (wasnt paying attention). this one is a regular cab, which i can tolerate, though i would rather have an extended cab to haul my friends around, and stash stuff in the back without it bouncing around beside me.

as a quick review:
2000 ranger: XL 4x4, extended cab, 3.0L manual, 80K miles, $8500 (in reality its more, but if you read my first post youll see)

1998 ranger: XLT (didnt check if it was 4x4 or not), regular cab, 4.0L automatic, 90K miles, $8000 (i would offer).

i still dont have all the info on the 98, and the dealer said its getting cleaned up in the next few days. but what sounds like a better choice to you? me, personally, i think ill be going with the 2000, but if something happens to that, will this 98 be a good enough choice to be a good alternate?

 

Jordon - Without seeing the 98, I would say it is way overpriced. Get all of the information about the vehicle, long bed vs short bed, wheels, radio, 4 wheel abs brakes, a/c, other accessories, etc and then go to kbb.com. Since this is at a dealer vehicle, click on "suggested retail value" when you get to the page on costs.

Because your vehcile description only included 90,000, 4.0 Auto and regular cab XLT, I ran just that info and it came out at $4,800. KBB is just a reference tool, but when the price is that large vs kbb, I'd be very careful before you thrw $8,000 out there. Just my two cents, play with the KBB site and see what you come up with. At least you'll be educated, take the paperwork with you to the dealer, and go from there.

To give you one last perspective, last summer I bought my son a 97 Ranger, 2.3 4cyl, long bed XLT, regualr cab, decent shape body not excellent, A/C for $1,800 from a private owner. You will get a better deal from a private owner or even someone on this board. I think you have $8,000 to spend, I'll bet there are at least 6 people on this board that will put you in a better vehicle than what you are looking at. And if you want an extended cab, don't settle.

 

thats crazy expensive i got my 04 with 25000 for 15000

 

compared to the 3.0L, the 4.0L OHV only has 10hp more and ~40lb/ft more torque.. I remember racing a truck like mine (when it was all stock) with the 4.0L and we were neck to neck.

But I think you might be able to get an Edge or '01+ 4x4 for ~$8,000

 

how big are your friends? if their bigger than a 3yr old, than the extended cab wont do for hauling your friends around. which is one of the reasons i got my ranger, i dont have enuff room to fit more than 1 friend comfortably, 3, if we all squeeze in. thats me and 2 friends. believe me is tight. infact, i once had me and 2 of my fat friends in my truck at once, that was a TIGHT ride, 3 fat people in a lil itty bitty ranger LOL

 

automatics suck. i would take a manual 3.0 vs. an auto 4.0 all day long.

 

i got my 01 4.0 4x4 with 50k for 10 so i'd try to look at "you sell it lots" and things of that nature