I'm planning on looking at a 2001 Ranger Edge Ext Cab 4x4 this weekend. The truck looks mint and only has 44k on it. For sale by a local Ford dealer and was recently traded in. He was asking $10,900 and got him down to 10 even over the phone with some more room to go.

My question is - how is the performance with the 3.0L and 4WD? I had two 4cyl regular cabs in the past but now want to go the fully loaded route this time. I noticed most 4x4 have the 4.0L so I'm a bit concerned. I never drove a 3.0L or 4.0L Ranger so don't know what to expect. What's drawing me to this truck is it's condition and mileage. I doubt I will find this anytime soon.

 

price seems high for a 01 model w/ a 3.0 pull the nada value up and take it to the dealership. Depending on what gearing you have the 3.0 isnt that terrible. No speed demon but it has enough.

 

I paid $8000 for a 2001 Ranger Edge with 44k miles and a 4.0L (now it was a regular cab and had manual windows/locks) but still that price seems high

 

Take my advice! Get the 4.0L. It has alot more power and getup and go. I have driven both (I won 06 4.0). When i drove my friends 3.0 and it is WEAK. Please get a 4.0L. The 3.0 has the gas mileage of V8 and the power of a 4 cylinder. Whereas if you get the 4.0, still the same gas mileage, but alot more power

 

A few people told me price was too high too. It's a fully loaded Edge with all pwr, auto trans, 4x4, etc. I did lookup prices and found big range. Edmunds says $8500 and KBB and NADA say $10,000.

I'm willing to pay more assuming dealer is not lying about condition - will have to see for myself. I confirmed it was only 2 owners via carfax. Dealer says all original paint, no accidents. He sent me som high res pics and truly looks immaculate. They did a full service and changed all the brakes using factory Ford parts.

I'm having a difficult time finding a clean, low mileage Ranger for under $10k. My concerns are price (not getting ripped off) and whether 3.0 is good enough or should I wait and hold out for 4.0?

 

Take a look for yourselves:

2001 Ford Ranger 4 Door Extended Cab Truck - Used Vehicle Details at Lucas Ford Lincoln Mercury Inc - Your Southold, New York Ford Lincoln Mercury dealer

 

I sold My 2004 Level II with a $1600 Leer Topper in Immaculate shape for 11K with 40K on the ticker back in ’06 and it was a struggle to get that much. I find it hard to be willing to shell that much out for an edge with a 3.0 that is 9 years old.

~HJ

 

I think if I push, I think I can get it for low 9's. Remember a new car dealer will always get more money then a private seller. I have to see it and decide. I'm sure the dealer would rather let me walk and hold out for another customer before lowering the price much lower. Most Rangers in my area selling for under $10k have 80k+ miles and not as nice looking as this on. Remember I live in one of the costliest parts of the country - New York City area.

 

That may be true, But it still isn't worth 10K. I would say 8 at the most. You sound sold on this truck already, if you want a deal, you better be willing to walk away and mean it. Other wise you will pay too much. Personally I would never buy a 3.0 Truck at any price (maybe a really clean 1992), If I was going to be saddled with a 10-12K ranger, It better be a 4.0 and it better be a Level II IMO.

~HJ

 

I bought my 01 from a Dealer for 8k (44k miles)

 

The 3.0 isn't really that bad. Get advice from people that have actually owned one and driven it every day, not people that have driven it once for 20 minutes. Plenty of power for daily driving use and you can get 20mpg from it if its taken care of. I would buy another one

 

3.0 is referred to 3.slow for a reason. If you get 4.0 get 04 or newer. The 01-03 engines had a timing chain tensionor issue. Just for reference I bought my 03 4wd 5 speed 4.0 in 05 with 35K miles on it. Total cost was 14,300. Oh and get a 4 door. The 2 door extended is just dumb.

 

The bad thing is Trent that 20 minutes is all it took for come to the conclusion that the 3.0 sucks. It may not be a bad engine and they do last a while from what I've heard, but it just doesn't compare to the power of the 4.0L

 

Lol just because it doesn't have as much power doesn't mean it sucks. It got me where i needed to go which is exactly what I needed it to do. I bought it for a truck, not a sports car. If I cared about power, I wouldn't have gotten a Ranger in the first place.

 

Yeah, but i bet you sure are loving the power of that F-150 now LOL

 

Well, if you're using it as a truck, you'll need the extra power for towing. I have the 4.0, and wish it had more power for pulling and maintaining highway speed.

 

Where does it say to use a truck you have to tow something? I never towed anything with my ranger.

 

One of my friends had his 3.0 long before I ever thought about mine. Then my other good friend bought his 4.0. I've driven both long enough to make my mind up on a 4.0. I have no complaints and no issues with the timing chain tensioner. Has 85K with absolutely 0 issues.

I do a lot of hauling and pulling a trailer. The 3.0 just couldn't handle what I needed it for. It's really what your looking for, sacrifice power for a few mpg, or vice versa.

I bought my '03 in Jan '07 with 14K on it for 13.5. 10 sounds too high for me to be interested.

Have you thought about looking out of state and making a road trip out of it? Obviously it looks like it would be well worth it...

just my .02

 

I didn't realize this thread would turn into a 3.0 vs 4.0 war :).

HAZZARDJOHN - not really sold on it already. I've been thinking about the price a lot. I never bought a used car from a dealer, always been private sale and always paid close to Edmund's wholesale number so this has been tearing me up. I know dealers will hold out for the right buyer so not too optimistic we will reach a deal. Ideally I would like to pay 8500, I think that is fair. Either this guy is greedy or he paid too much on the trade.

As for my driving, this truck will be used for home projeccts (HD runs) and a daily driver. I want 4WD for winter snow and maybe some slight offroading. I do see it comes with the 5 speed auto. I assume this helps over the older 4 speed. Most of the time, I'm on local roads and litttle highway. I managed to get by with my other 4cyl, 5 speed Rangers but I'll admit they were terribly slow.

I'm thinking look at this truck, negotiate, then walk. Go test drive any year 4.0L and compare. If I can live with 3.0L, then so be it.

 

Also, can you guys tell me the towing capacities for the 3.0 and 4.0 with 4WD, auto, and ext cab? I can't seem to find this info. Thanks.

 

Manuals have a lower towing capacity because the clutch and tranny sucks. Owner's manuals here: https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenan...ls/default.asp Towing info is in there.

 

ehh my 4.0 pulls on new 5.4 f-150's, 4.0 in a ranger is great, I drove a 3.0 for a year and couldn't stand the lack of power, I'm satisfied now though

 

I bet I could take you

 

here are two Fx4 Level 2's within 50 miles of the dealership you are looking at. The miles are in the 70's or 80's but that should help put the price in the range of about $10k.


2005 FX4 L2
Middletown Nissan Used Cars | Used Car Dealer Hartford | Used Cars Hartford | Hartford Used Car | Connecticut Used Nissan

2004 Fx4 L2

2004 Ford Ranger 4 Dr. Extended Cab Black 4 Dr. Extended Cab Pickup. A Ford Ranger at Valenti Buick Pontiac GMC WATERBURY CT


I owned a 2003 L2 and loved it. I would suggest the automatic transmission as its towing capacity is twice that of the manual and it is just a sturdier transmission than the manual.

I sold cars for about 2 years and this is the hungry time of the year pick one you like test drive it, if it is good then tell them the most you are willing to pay. don't budge. if they don't take it then go to the next dealership.

I have a feeling these trucks have been on the lots for a couple of months.

 

That seems pretty high. I paid 10k for my 04 back in May with 50k on it. The truck is flawless and looks brand new inside/out/underneathe.