Is there any room on the 2 flipdown seats?

I mean could normal sized people fit in the back or what?

I'm only 15, but looking for a first car and I'm really drawn to the Ranger... I think it looks awesome, is a good size for a first car, and would be reliable.

The only thing is I'm kind of worried that if I do get one I'll say, man I wish i got something bigger so I could haul around more people!

 

The 2 flipdown seats, also called jumpseats, can fit 2 adults. It is possible. Is it comfortable? Heck no. One person back there is tough enough and dont expect them to want to sit in the back there for long car trips.

Ive had my buddy in the back while offroading, lets just say there was a huge cussing storm lol.

For you since you are 15, I would recommend a Ranger. They're really great and reliable. Now if you're looking for something that can haul around more people, id look into a fullsize bronco or a bronco 2, or possibly an explorer.

If you can wait awhile, you may want to wait and see what the new ranger is like when it supposedly comes out in 2010. It may have a 4 door option like the sport trac. No one knows 100% for sure yet though.

Hope that helps.

 

get a ranger, 2 full size seats is a reason not to have to drive everywhere!

 

haha true...

and if my group of friends is all going somewhere we can use someone elses car.

I'm sort of lost as to models, etc and would really appreciate some help!

My price limit is 10,000

 

ok, a few questions

1) 2wd or 4x4
2) mudding or on road use
3) want good mpg or more power?

 

I got my 2001 Ranger XLT w/ 94k for $9995 used, with 32s and a topper. I swapped the wheels and tires out for 15x7s on 31x1050s, but you should be able to find a truck in good condition for under $10k.

Jump seats are good for around town, not much more than that. I use the space behind the seats for storage, if that tells you anything. :D

 

What are you looking to have the ranger do? Just be a get around truck and haul the occasional load?

Are you going to offroad it? Modify it, like lift it up etc etc..?

Knowing this stuff can help us better advise you on what model to get and staying in your budget.

 

look for low mileage 93s-00s, I'd say...

with 4.0L engine.......XL or XLT with ext. cab.

You should be able to find something in that range for 10K.

My first ranger was a 93 ext cab XLT with 4.0L V6, manual everything, no cruise control, and 2wd, bought for $4500 in 2000.

16 y.o. kid ripped it from me on 2/16/05 by blowing a stop sign.

My new truck is in my signature.

 

well it would be my car to drive around everywhere..

i surf, and leave very close to a beach so i think the truck bed would be great for putting boards and wet things in

i'd love to lift it and put some tires on it if i could afford too.

i probably would go mudding pretty rarely, and basically get the lift just because i like the way it looks.

better mpg is always nice also.

some mods i would love to make would be

new exhaust, bull bar, clear lights, anything to help accleration!

 

id say you would probably be happy with a 3.0 or a 4.0 if you want power. go with the 2.3 4 banger if you want mileage.

you should be able to buy a decent used truck and put those mods on for under 10k

i got my 2000 reg cab 3.0 stick with 50k miles on it for 4200

 

i think i'd rather auto...

well I'D rather have manual, but my parents want me to get an auto

 

Hmm id say a 00 or greater, with a 3.0L V6 if you want to get some decent mileage out. It wont have as much power as the 4.0L but itll get you better mileage.

if you want power, go with the 4.0L.

Also id say 2wd will be fine for you, but if you get 4x4 its not a bad idea.

 

in florida, u will be all set with 2wd... i just wish i had 4x4 in new england

 

Get a manual. I highly recommend it. Its just good to know how to use manual. Plus it gets better mileage and you get more power out of it. My dad pushed me to get a manual because he believes that every kid should have a manual car as their first car. Just so they know how to use them.

I totally agree with him.

 

yeah i was thinking 2wd anyway...

do the newer rangers have that slicker cloth material??

if you know what i mean.. its not as soft and squishy

 

Oh my parents used to think that... Urging my sister to get a manual, next thing you know shes stalling, and then before you know it her car is totaled.

 

Well thats going to happen in the beginning.. Heck I still stall mine to this day sometimes. It happends.

If you want to do it and they let you, go for it. If its going to be a hassle then go with the automatic. Theres nothing wrong with automatic, I just thinking manual is alot better.

 

Ive had my 3.0 for a couple of months now and gotta tell ya, i love it for power and as an everyday vehicle. I thought of going the 2.3 route for mileage or the 4.0 route for power but heard 3.0 were better engines from some reliable mechanics and its got the kick that i need whenever i accelerate.

Not bad on gas mileage, 15 mpgs constant with accelerations in the high 2,000s constantly, (never get much highway time)

And yea i had the dilemma about hauling people in the back buckets, i got a 2 door 2x4 so the peoples legs face in towards each other and not from front to back like the 4 doors have, that would be too cramped for passengers. Yea people hate sitting in the back but if you need to carry the extra person you can do it, tell the rest to ride in the lame car, i would personally rather sit in the back of a Ranger cramped really bad than ride in a car!!

 

Yeah...

I really like everything about this ranger down to the volcom sticker..

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/319911

how much would it cost including the car itself to have something like this??

I could live without the seat covers etc...

 

not sure what the mileage is on the 4-bangers or 3.0L, but my 4.0L OHC in my 93 was getting me from Las Cruces, NM to Albuquerque, NM and back on a tank of gas (20 gallon tank), with about 1/8 to 1/4 tank left. Round trip, that's about 450+ miles putting me around 25-27 mpg highway - if not better at times.

 

Really it depends on the truck that you buy. Basically to get that same sort of looking figure in the neighborhood of 2,000, maybe more, maybe less.. It all depends on what you want to do to it.

 

yeah..

do you guys do most of your mods yourself??? or do you pay someone too?

 

The jump seats are fine for short trips. I am 210 lbs. and about 5'8" and I am more comfortable in the back of a Super Cab Ranger than I am in a Club Cab Dakota or extended cab Tacoma.

I would recommend the manual. I honestly feel that I am a better driver because of my truck (which is my first vehicle) having a manual. I think it makes you more aware of what other people are doing, when traffic lights change, etc... I got my truck when I was 16, and am now 19 (almost 20) with no wrecks at all. Not even a minor parking lot paint swap. Most of my friends with automatics can't say the same. After about a week, you won't be stalling it anymore. In a month it will be second nature.

As for cloth, most Rangers since 1998 have woven cloth (the slicker cloth you were reffering to). However, Rangers with bucket seats all had velour (the softer cloth) through 2000. Leather was an option on 2004 and up trucks, but it is a very uncommon option.

As for modifications, you save a lot of money by doing as much as you can on your own, and by ordering parts online. Chances are there will be some things you are not able to do on your own either because of the difficulty of the install, the need to use specialty tools, etc... I have done everything except having my bedliner sprayed and my wheels mounted in my driveway with basic hand tools. That includes installing my exhaust, changing my speakers, changing my radio, installing shocks, installing a trailer hitch, almost all maintenence, and some other stuff. Definitely get parts online though, stores have to mark up parts a lot, where as online places don't. For example, a tire store quoted me close to $700 to order and install my wheels. I got the same wheels for $350 online and paid Firestone about $50 to mount them.

As for trim levels, XL is the most basic. They have a plastic floor covering, a bench seat (vinyl or cloth), manual windows and locks, and gray bumpers and grille. Most do have A/C, but some do not.

The next level up is the Edge (2001-2005)/Sport (1999-2000,2006-current). These trucks have body color bumpers and grilles, cloth, A/C (usually, not always up North), a CD player (not always with older Sports), and a plastic floor covering (most older Sports have carpet though). Edge models and 2006 and newer Sports have a torsion bar suspension (4WD ride height) regardless of if the truck is 2WD or 4WD. Power windows and locks are optional.

There was also a 2WD Trailhead model in 1999 and 2000. These also have a torsion bar suspension, cloth seats, and CD player. All Trailheads have the 3.0L V6 and a regular cab. All of them have the plastic floor covering.

The next trim level is the XLT. The XLT has carpet (with some rare exceptions in 2004-2005 with 4WD Value package models), cloth seats, a CD player, A/C, and most have chrome grilles and bumpers (some have gray trim starting in 2003). Power windows and locks are optional.

Then you have the FX4 and FX4 Level II (2002-current). These will probably all be out of your price range. All are 4WD, have power windows and locks, Torsen limited slip rear axle, and some other goodies. Early FX4 and all Level II models have Alcoa wheels, BFG A/T tires, and bucket seats. Some have carpet, but not always with newer ones. Early manual transmission ones also have a manual transfer case. These also get Bilstein shocks.

There is also the Tremor model. It is an Edge with a nice Pioneer sound system. You do not get jump seats though because the subs take up all the room behind the front seats.

There was also a Splash model from 1993 to 1998. These are 2WD or 4WD. 2WD models are lowered an inch or so. They have body color bumpers, grilles, mirrors, and with 1998 models door handles. All have carpet, and most have power everything and bucket seats. A CD player was a common option.

 

Thanks Alot! ^^


yeah i'd just use the jump seats for driving kids around town if they like needed a ride somewhere or something.. nothing over like 30 minutes.

how does the ranger drive compared to like an expedition because thats what i usually drive with my permit (my moms)

 

Rangers will ride a little rougher than the Expedition. Their suspensions are not tuned for comfort. They are much more maneuverable than an Expedition though. A Super Cab Ranger is roughly the same length as an Expedition. I would expect a little less body roll than the Expedition, but they are more squirrely on rough roads and at high speeds due to their light weight.