What should be my first car?

**2k1Toaster** · 03-05-2009, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by damarble

98+ Ranger would be a fine choice, same platform as my Explorer which I love to death, best car I ever owned. Gets way better gas mileage than imports too, with more power and larger interior.

this just makes me laugh

**malcom2073** · 03-05-2009, 04:25 AM

Originally Posted by damarble

98+ Ranger would be a fine choice, same platform as my Explorer which I love to death, best car I ever owned. Gets way better gas mileage than imports too, with more power and larger interior.

Just don't get the 04 series rangers. They only get 15-19mpg. Maybe that's a product of the v6 I'm not sure. fwiw, I used to drive a couple different 99 Rangers for work. the 4 cylinder got decent mileage, but unfortunately it was absolute crap for power.

**damarble** · 03-06-2009, 01:19 AM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

this just makes me laugh

And what is so funny? Find me a late model import small 4x4 V6 pickup that gets 25+ MPG and has more interior room. They are all cramped and have dismal economy. Same with the full sizes, domestics win all around. And if you want to talk quality Ford is on the same level as Toyota, look it up.

**2k1Toaster** · 03-06-2009, 02:25 AM

Originally Posted by damarble

And what is so funny? Find me a late model import small 4x4 V6 pickup that gets 25+ MPG and has more interior room. They are all cramped and have dismal economy. Same with the full sizes, domestics win all around. And if you want to talk quality Ford is on the same level as Toyota, look it up.

Not sure where you get your numbers from... And I dont want to fight, and I know I wont be changing your mind.

1998 Ford Explorer: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/noframes/14559.shtml
City: 15
Highway: 20

I am pretty sure the tacoma or nissan whatever that is is just as roomy, better built, and better economy. And their factory will still be around when this economic nose dive starts to turn around.

And they arent "on the same level". Toyota is still in the top 3. Ford is gaining true. But that is like saying the F student got a D- so is improving therefore is on the same level as the A students.

Anyways, good luck with your car.

**Kalenth** · 03-06-2009, 04:47 AM

Don't use KBB. Prices are artificial, and often set by businesses buying the prices. Use Edmunds, and retail. If you are looking at KBB, and prices on a 96 rover are 10k, then you brin up craigslist and autotrader and prices are 4k on average, I'd say that would be enough to prove it.

**damarble** · 03-06-2009, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

Not sure where you get your numbers from... And I dont want to fight, and I know I wont be changing your mind.

1998 Ford Explorer: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/noframes/14559.shtml
City: 15
Highway: 20

I am pretty sure the tacoma or nissan whatever that is is just as roomy, better built, and better economy. And their factory will still be around when this economic nose dive starts to turn around.

And they arent "on the same level". Toyota is still in the top 3. Ford is gaining true. But that is like saying the F student got a D- so is improving therefore is on the same level as the A students.

Anyways, good luck with your car.

98 Toyota Tacoma http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm

City: 15
Hwy: 18

Wheelbase 1995-2000 Regular Cab: 103.3 in (2624 mm)
Length 1998-2000 Regular Cab 4WD: 183.8 in (4669 mm)
Width 66.5 in (1689 mm)
Height 2WD: 61.0-64.1 in (1549-1628 mm)
4WD: 66.3-67.7 in (1684-1720 mm)

98 Ranger

Wheelbase 111.6 in (2835 mm)
117.6 in (2987 mm)
125.9 in (3198 mm)
Length 188.5 in (4788 mm)
200.5 in (5093 mm)
202.9 in (5154 mm)
Width 70.3 in (1786 mm)
Height 68.3 in (1735 mm)

Ranger looks a lot bigger to me. 4 inches of width is a lot of elbow room.

Ford beats Toyota in quality rankings

**freeflashstuff** · 03-06-2009, 11:21 AM

STFU I drive a Toyota!!!! LOL Some are crap, I'll admit....

**damarble** · 03-06-2009, 03:43 PM

Hey a Toyota is a perfectly fine vehicle and one of the most reliable. I'm just trying the dispel the ignorant myth that Japanese cars are still so much better than domestics, when in fact Ford is now and has been for a while on the same par and even better in some ways. It was true up til the mid 90's but not anymore.

GM and Chrysler are another story however, and no wonder they are about to go under....

**SjLucky** · 03-06-2009, 04:03 PM

get a horse. Depending on breed one can get a few hundred miles per bale of hay. another plus is one could after use of horse is complete selling it to glue factories or jell-o or you could just eat it. either way...

I got a 01 sport trac (an explorer with a truck bed for a ***-end) Its a 4.0 and I get 16 i could get a little better maybe 18 if I get my foot out of it. Rangers and explorers have alot of support forums as well as nissan or the toy company. you just have to be careful with fords in this year range because of parts. When I had to change my rear-end (spider gear pin dropped and got ate by moving gears and moving gears lost teeth) I ran into a number of differant rear-ends that came on the sport trac model. of course for me to go back stock it would have been the most costly (had a 4.10 went with a 3.73 just hauling *** not things) I have other explames of ford doing. even a crown vic has 6 different cd players. When I had my nissan that was a good marrage. Because parts were everywhere and could be used on a range of year models.

I have only heard great things from all friends that have toyotas. pretty nice ride on the ones I rode in.

**skeeter5** · 03-06-2009, 08:03 PM

Dont get a toyota, there all crap, especially "turtles", jk freeflashstuff. If you get a vehicle, get a AMERICAN MADE car, not some japanese piece of crap, and also one that doesnt have "toy" in the name. I like Ford before 95 96'ish. IF you get one in the 2000's, get a GMC Sierra, or Chevy Silverado, dont get the mini-trucks like rangers, and s-10's.