FMD

Hi

This is what I am looking at, and need some comments:

Its a 2004 Ranger XLT 4WD 2DR Value pkg, with the 4.0Liter, Cruise, A/C, 4.1 Differential, Automatic, Pwr windows/locks, alarm system, 60/40 bench.

My current vehical: 1993 Mazda 626 LX Automatic. 4 cylinder, about 25MPG

I am wondering, since I cant really get a straight answer out of anyone, and the manafactuer MPG ratings, from what I have heard can be very far off base. What could I expect for MPG? I put on about 25-300 miles a week on my current car, with a 15Gallon tank, usually $20-25 lasts a week. I am curious to know what the costs would be for me? the area around here is generally flat. but once in awhile i go into the country, where its mountainous, By the way, I live in the Buffalo NY area.

Id also like to know, if any of you folks have any suggestions on either leasing or buying?

The rebate right now, is $3000, however, I may be able to get $6,000 off, thruogh a dealership that is a freind of the family..

My other question is this, I have heard, thru some sources that the 4 litre engine is "peppy" however, I took a 4Liter for a test drive the other day, like the truck I am looking at, and it didnt seem very peppy at all, infact, it seemed downright slow. On my mazda, the engine I have in it(I-4 115HP), is under powered for the car, yet it seems a bit more peppy'r than the 220HP V6.

Given that the mazda, weighs in at 1800Lbs (I had it weighed) and the Ranger I think is 3500Lbs, twice the weight, I would still think it would be more peppyer.

My other question is this, and I have yet to be able to get a straight answer from anyone; Whats the difference betweeon a 3Liter and the 4Liter other than the $900 price tag on the 4Liter? I know they are both rated at 15 & 19 respectively, but, to me, I thought a bigger engine = more power (which it does supposedly) and a bit more pep, and also lower MPG. However, according to Ford, the 3liter still only gets 15 & 19 MPG yet is 50HP lower.

I think before I buy, I will test drive all 3 offerings, the I4 the V6 3Liter, and the V6 4Liter just to see what the difference is, if there is one. If I cant tell the difference, then no 4 Liter for me.

Next thing I would like to ask, and you may or may not be able to answer this, but why not ask, is what are the chances of the rebates becoming any better than they already are?

Basically, what it comes down to is this:

I have a nice car already, however, this is what I have put into it in 4 year I have owned it:

1 Transmission
9 Distributors
1 Alternator
2 CV Shafts
1 Oil Sensor doo hickey
2 Batteries
Valve Cover Gasket
Timing Belt
Water Pump
Driverside Spring
Passenger side control arm assembly
4 New Head light bulbs

And the transmission is failing again! argh, basically, this car is as dependable as a brick is at moving. I am fed up with the car, and yet i baby it. I dont beat on it, I change the fluids every 3,000 miles, I wash it weekly, I keep it clean, I run 93 and injector cleaner thru it once every 3 months, and yet these problems have made me want to burn it where it sits. I began looking at the 2001 Ford Explorer Sport, but found that the payments are gonna be astronomical. I also dont have a whole lot of money saved since the the car is constantly sucking money out of me. i'd go used, but I am afraid that, I am gonna end up with another piece of crap that breaks down all the time. This truck seems like a plausible way to go. Since I can finance it over 3-5 years. and it has great dependability ratings. However, The few questions I have are those above.

Ill be more informed about my financial outlook with in a week since I plan to get paperwork from several different dealerships this week.

Thank you for your time,
Dave

89F150

15-19 is around average for the Rangers, but there are people who are getting in the 20s. It all depends on how they drive it, whether they have A/C on and other factors. So thats avout the mark your looking at in MPG.

rangerbc

you will get 18 to 20 mpg as was stated depending on the way you drive and where you drive, city , country, etc. As for peppy it is a truck a truck is meant to haul ass , you can't compare it to a 626 as torque is different. You can of course modify it and make it peppy !!!!! .. Good luck rangerbc

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Regards rangerbc

JohnnyO

I've owned both a 3.0 4x4 and now a 4.0 SOHC 4x4. The 4.0 is exteeeemly hard on gas, I get 16 at best and more like 13 around town on average. My old 3.0 was much better, I averaged about 18 but also it was a stick and my 4.0 is an auto. The 4.0 is much faster, the 3.0 was slow as molasses. Sounds like you're ready for a new vehicle, but be ready to spend about double on gas. I lease mine through my company, I'm self-employed and write it off, but interest rates are so low it's probably better to buy.

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'05 Sport Trac 4x4, L/S, torsion lift, extended shackles, 265's
'03 Taurus wagon, Silverstars, Yoko TRZ's
If you give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. If you teach a man to fish, he'll sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
http://www.cardomain.com/id/johnnyo

TRUCKGUYTOO

I bought a 2003 Ranger xlt about a year ago. Previously I had a 1999 Ranger xlt. The new one is much better than the old especially in the area of comfort, less rattles, less road noise, and the engine, 4L., seems to be much stronger. It has a automatic and with highway travel and running about 60 mph I get a consistent 20 -21 mpg. The only thing I have added to the truck is a K&N air filter. Expect to change the computer chip in the near future.