Buying a Truck (Ranger or Full Size)
 

Okay, I've mentioned a time or two that I've been thinking about either getting rid of my Ranger and buying another Ranger, or moving up to a full size.

I'm having only minor issues right now with my truck, the transmission needs to be serviced and the wheel bearings need to be replaced. It's a 2004, 2.3L XLT, however, it's never had anything replaced with the exception of an oxygen filter. It's got original everything and at 8-9 years old and 152,000 miles, I'm afraid things are going to start going bad left and right, and I really need a lot more room.

I've been looking on Craigslist (which isn't really a great source) at F-150's and Silverado's. I'm a Ford guy and always have been, but I'm not 100% sold to a brand.

I've seen trucks from 1997-2004 that have 100-130k miles on them, and I've seen 05-07 with 250k miles on them (in my price range) What's the best one to go for? Who makes the most dependable truck on the road? How long will F-150's go?

I saw this Ranger on craigslist today 2003 ford ranger xlt extended cab 4x4 103k miles - $4600 (houston tx) even with the damage to the passenger side, I love this truck!

Is it a good idea to buy another Ranger? if so, which engine is the best and how many miles is too many miles, and how old is too old?

If your truck has 152k on it and you haven't replaced anything... Then you're probably right... Things might start going bad soon.

A new ranger, a Chevy, an F-150.... Doesn't matter... If you don't maintain it, it won't be as reliable and probably won't last very long.

Bottom line is the most dependable truck on the road is the one with the owner who is willing to put in the time/money to maintain it regularly. Parts wear out, no matter what brand you buy.

If you want some extra room tho, go with a full size if you find a good deal.

I've gone back and forth between a ranger and a fullsize acouple times now. Settled on a fullsize GMC, rangers just don't have the abilities that I need. However, compact or fullsize is totally up to whos driving it and what they need the truck for.

I was a Ford guy too but the deal on this GMC was just too good to pass up, Plus looking towards the future, In my experience GM trucks are easier to work on and cheaper for parts plus the warranty is an extra 40k as opposed to ford. Like the guy above me said though, it all depends on how well you maintain your truck. I had an '07 F150, alternator went bad at 50k miles. My cousin across the road has an '07 Silverado. Alternator went at almost the same exact mileage.

Depends what you need to do. Things such as..

Family, offroading, use of truck bed, size of yourself, mpg needs, etc.

I've decided to sell the Ranger. I was going to sell it for $2800 (because the transmission needs to be replaced), but instead, I'm selling it to a family member for $2,000.

Ironically, I went to see my mom today at her job and while we were standing there a Ford Mechanic from Planet Ford in Spring, TX walked by and she stopped him and asked if she could ask him a question, he agreed.. she said "I have the chance to buy a 2004 Ranger for $2000, is it a good deal?" he then replied with "How many miles are on it?" She said 152,000. that's when I got shocked, he said and I quote "Run."

Didn't ask about condition, maintenance, or any other questions about the truck. I'm not a Ford expert or as mechanically inclined as many people on this site, but why is a Ford mechanic giving up this kind of advice if this truck is a dependable truck?

I'll either look at another Ranger or go Full Size, Chevy is pretty popular in my area, so it'll probably be a Silverado.