6th Oct 2009, 18:22

Regarding 4th Oct 2009, 12:37 I couldn't agree more.

Truth is I'm NOT looking to replace my Tacoma for another 6 years, probably then with another Tacoma or Nissan. Based on how well my truck is holding up so far, I have no doubts that it will last that long.

Like you I use American vehicles at work, 4 Chevy's and a Dodge. So I have the luxury of driving these vehicles and seeing how they hold up first hand. I could give a list of real quality problems the Chevy's have had but it would take more than a few paragraphs. Oh and don't even get me started on the Dodge. Needless to say, the quality of the build and materials can't hold a candle to Toyota. And that's sad.

Having said that, I'm done commenting on this thread. The die hard Ford, Dodge, GM people, along with the UAW workers will never admit to the well known quality issues.

So rather than blindly buying American to support the unions, I choose to buy the better quality product that will last. Oh by the way, for those of you that didn't know, Tacoma's are built in America.

9th Oct 2009, 07:11

In turn my new Silverado gets pampered at home vs the ones driven all day at work. Making deliveries, carrying industrial equip to refineries. Stopped started many times in filthy environments.

I tow on pavement and am the main driver and owner. It makes a difference. I suspect you would not use your import like the ones at work. I have overloaded my work truck many times and driven it areas my home truck will never experience.

18th Dec 2009, 00:26

Hahahaha, who has a fleet of Rangers? What are you using them for?

18th Dec 2009, 15:25

00:26 I have a dedicated Ford truck only dealership (no cars) near my home, which sells lots of them for light truck applications delivering parts for businesses. I have been waiting to see a dedicated truck dealership trucks only from Honda or Toyota, ever see any?

23rd Mar 2010, 13:53

My wife owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma Access cab and I own a 2010 Ranger XLT Supercab... both have the V6 engines.

The Toyota has a huge turning radius and is very noisy on the interstates. It is not a good riding truck by any stretch, but the steering gives good feel of the road. The 4 wheel antilock brakes are solid. The interior is cheap, and what kind of crap is putting the auto shift lever on the floor, that is just stupid. Little trim parts on the interior have been falling off or rattling.

Engine is powerful and trouble free, but the fuel economy is 16 mpg, pretty bad.

As far as repairs:

1) A/C failed at 90,000 miles... $1300.

2) Brake master cylinder leak at 95,000 miles, minor leak.

3) Power steering hose rupture at 98,000 miles.

Not too bad for a truck with 140,000 miles on it.

The 2010 is a good riding truck that is fairly quiet at highway speed. The steering gives excellent feel of the road and the 4 wheel disc brakes are top notch.

The 5 spd auto hunts around a little more than the Tacoma, but shifts solid. As far as power goes, the 4L V6 is not as powerful as the Toyota, but gets 3 mpg more at about 19 overall.

The interior is old school, and no nonsense and no fluff, which is great for me, but women like more glitz and glamour.

The new 2010 Rangers have front and side airbags plus roll control (have never needed it and I hope I never will).

I will not rate the back seats in either truck, because only someone who you don't like should be put there.

Truck is too new for repairs, but I have had it for 6 months and haven't found 1 reason to take it in.

The price difference after taxes for the Ranger was $3900 more for almost exactly the same equipment.

The Ranger comes with roadside assistance for 5 yrs/50000 miles, and the roadside assistance for the Tacoma is an addition charge of $600.

Both trucks are sharp looking, but the Ranger is cheaper to keep. I like both of them!!! No frame issues, because in Florida the roads are not salted to melt snow and ice.

5th Jun 2010, 21:47

I'm buying a 2003 TRD 4x4 double cab for 11250. I have always wanted one. I hear they sometimes get 250,000 miles before major repairs. Can anyone vouch for that?

9th Aug 2010, 14:49

RE:23rd Mar 2010, 13:53

My wife owns a 2004 Toyota Tacoma Access cab, and I own a 2010 Ranger XLT Supercab... both have the V6 engines.

You compare a 2004 Toyota with a 2010 Ford?... you have said it all with that.

I own a 2006 Tacoma, V6, manual, approx. 46.000 miles: it's great on/off road. I guess the only cons are the mpg issue (but if you get 234 HP, you should not complain about that) and the vehicle size (is somewhat big for city traffic: I live in Paraguay, South America).

14th Aug 2010, 13:29

"I hear they sometimes get 250,000 miles before major repairs. Can anyone vouch for that?"

A tiny handful of Toyota trucks make 250,000 miles on the original engine and transmission, though generally with a lot of repairs. Our company's Ford Rangers routinely go 300,000 with normal maintenance only. I'd recommend a Ranger 4X4. My hunting buddies beat them to death off road and never have a problem. They've towed friends Tacomas home on several occasions.

15th Aug 2010, 11:49

I had teeny trucks and upgraded to better full size Silverados with 100000 mile warranty. I like how they ride handle more room and tow better. Small trucks are a compromise, needing 2 trips or borrowing my friends full size to often. Most of the time, a car would do, and tie the trunk lid down, vs going home to get my small truck most of the time I owned it.

31st Aug 2010, 12:25

I really can't even believe people use the word Ranger in the same breath with Tacoma. It's a FORD! Toyota trucks are built so much better. It's simple, the Tacoma out sells any other truck in its class 2:1 regardless if it's a Ford, Dodge, GMC, or Nissan. Do your research people! There is a reason the Ranger is so much more less expensive! You get what you pay for.

5th Oct 2010, 04:54

OK, I didn't read ALL the comments. But I had to set a couple FACTS straight.

FIRST. The Ranger is NOT significantly cheaper than the Tacoma in 2009/2010.

A: The Ranger cannot be built with the same options that I have on my Tacoma

B: When built to close to what I have on the Tacoma, it is actually $1000 more, and frankly our local Ford dealers mark up a lot more, but all things being equal, I walked out for 3k less than a comparable Ranger. I'll tell you when a Ford Ranger IS considerably cheaper than a Tacoma... 2 years after initial purchase.

SECOND. The Tacoma/Ranger in their single cab work truck 4x2 trim are comparable in use (note the Tacoma is still cheaper at base), but in the access cab and larger version, the Ranger is the clear looser (granted, a bit of room for how you use your truck), but for most of us, the extra room is for kids or other people. The Ford Ranger has jump seats, which are not a real option, and are in general uncomfortable and unsafe.

The Ranger is a bit smaller with bigger seats and dash, making me (tall) feel a bit cramped, but my older neighbor feels my Tacoma is too spartan and "hard".

The 1gr 4.0 in the Tacoma is tried and true, and though it has what I consider poor mileage, is torquey and powerful, just like the Ranger, which also has pitiful gas mileage (especially for being smaller).

I would never buy the Ranger, because I need the rear seats for a couple miles a day picking up the kids at school. BUT, I bought my Tacoma because I was so envious of my neighbors little Ranger, and indeed shopped that first. Just like I shopped the Mustang before buying a Pontiac. It's a fine car, just doesn't fit my life. Arguing personal preference is pointless. Just get the real FACTS correct.

Rangers ain't cheap (nor are they Rangers really, they're still Mazdas. Buy the real thing) don't compare a rubber mat 4x2 work truck to a 4 door 4x4 luxury liner and you won't find the discrepancy. I will grant you that walking on to their respective lots, you'll likely find more cheap Fords than cheap Toyotas, but it's a matter of options and preference.