I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

[Brazen]

On a few threads I have been very critical of dual cab Utes. I often have a Colorado at work which is mediocre and it tarnished dual cabs for me. And driven many of the competition. I have briefly driven Rangers but in really crappy conditions and circumstances


Well spent a many hours recently in a PXII XLT and wow, this thing is unreal. Great ride quality, refinement, loads of room, decent handling and steering. Just absolutely loved it - much much better than the competition that I drive all the time.

The brakes were another highlight. I could see myself loading the family and hitting the road. Not perfect though, no rear air vents and push button start.

The point of this thread is that while there will be no sporty replacement of Falcons but for the normal Falcons things like the Ranger arnt a bad substitute.

Growing up, before Ford turned the Falcon into a sporty low to the ground sedan. Falcons were seen as a roomy, practical and rugged way to cross the country and a great tow car.. And in a way the Aussie developed Ranger is more of a spiritual successor to the early Falcons than what a modern Falcon is.

Either way I want one - with tech pack, nudge bar and sports roll bar.

[mik]

They are a nice looking jigger, im interested to know how its holding up after some k`s on the odo , did yours have many k`s on it ?

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by mik

They are a nice looking jigger, im interested to know how its holding up after some k`s on the odo , did yours have many k`s on it ?

Just over 10,000km. Not mine a colleagues. No rattles or creaks in it, drive about 600km in it. Be interesting what owners are finding.

They are a big bus, but are a really good piece of kit.

[mik]

Cool, thanks mate, yeah there is something nice to driving a big cruiser around , i miss my f series , and no worries about ground clearance and bottoming out, not to mention the commanding road view,
how does it go for quietness in the cab ?

[1TUFFUTE]

Comparing the Ranger to the Colorado is useless. Totally diff league. Half the comparos they do they don't even bother taking the Colorado. There's a reason the Ranger is multiple world ute of the year and has won so many awards it's not funny! They certainly won't cater for everyone's needs and wants.....but no car in the world does that!
I was THIS close to getting one. Still want one so bad....

[malazn mafia]

Won't be satisfied until Ford or someone else installs a supercharged Coyote under that hood. Or would that be too much for that Thai bodywork?

[78xcgxl]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

Won't be satisfied until Ford or someone else installs a supercharged Coyote under that hood. Or would that be too much for that Thai bodywork?

Agreed! Or a Barra turbo. Won't see me driving a boring slow turbo diesel thanks. Turbo Falcon ute for me, I couldn't live with 0-100 in 12.6 seconds

[Ben73]

Originally Posted by 78xcgxl

Agreed! Or a Barra turbo. Won't see me driving a boring slow turbo diesel thanks. Turbo Falcon ute for me, I couldn't live with 0-100 in 12.6 seconds

I used to hate diesels too, back when I was a teenager I didn't want a slow, rattly diesel. Then after driving over 100,000kms in work 4x4 diesels I decided I wanted a diesel for my 4x4.
9.9L/100kms around town, heaps of tourque and with regualr driving you don't even notice much of the bad points of diesel.
Sure putting your foot to the floor and overtaking at 100km/h isn't fantastic, but it isn't that bad really.
Plus a Ranger 5cyl can do 0-100 in less than 12.6 secs if you try. I don't do that often though because I didn't buy a diesel ute to win traffic light drag races.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by mik

Cool, thanks mate, yeah there is something nice to driving a big cruiser around , i miss my f series , and no worries about ground clearance and bottoming out, not to mention the commanding road view,
how does it go for quietness in the cab ?

refined for a diesel and good road noise levels. if you drive it like a diesel and let the torque surge carry you it's smooth. A bit thrashy in the higher rev range range but it's a waste of time revving it's head off anyway being a diesel. Personally wouldn't bother with a manual as the 6 speed auto is a gem.

I know what you mean of the commanding road view. Made me feel like a million dollars being up high in something that feels roomy, solid, safe and still relatively nimble. Without many realising it but something that has good dynamics takes a subconscious stress off a drive - knowing you have good brakes or dynamics if something unexpected happens on the road.

Still a 4wd ute not a sports car, but it's very good for what it is.

[Ben73]

Yes they are good.
Today I am driving a 2012 Hilux at work and it doesn't feel 2 years older than my Ranger, it feels about 20 years older.

If the Ranger had the option of rear coils for a smoother ride, I think a few people would go for it. I like carrying large things, but not stuff that weighs any where near a tonne

[superyob]

I came very close to buying a new one a couple of years ago. It is a fantastic machine but it's a bit more car than what I realistically needed, hence I settled for an SUV...

[Fordman1]

The Colorado is rubbish ....

[Kingsley]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

The Colorado is rubbish ....

I was sitting at the lights in East Maitland yesterday evening when a new silver Colorado pulled up next to me with all the gear on it in the next lane. I was looking it over when I noticed in huge letters across the back window ' Holden won't honour warranty'. Someones unhappy!!!

[chookaradley]

It might be nice for a ute and im sure it is, but people lining up to buy them for 60g has Ford laughing all the way to the bank. Same for Toyota, Nissan and any other manufacturer. Unless you specifically need one, I think that much money can be better spent.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by chookaradley

It might be nice for a ute and im sure it is, but people lining up to buy them for 60g has Ford laughing all the way to the bank. Same for Toyota, Nissan and any other manufacturer. Unless you specifically need one, I think that much money can be better spent.

I wouldn't be surprised if down the track there may be even more expensive versions. still think Toyota should try to shove their V8 diesel in the Hilux

Anyone use their Ranger as a family car?

[EB#]

Originally Posted by Brazen

...Falcons were seen as a roomy, practical and rugged way to cross the country and a
great tow car.. And in a way the Aussie developed Ranger is more of a spiritual successor to the early Falcons than what
a modern Falcon is...

Perhaps the spiritual succession goes Falcon-Territory-Ranger....?
Good comments there however from the OP and a 'ranger experience'. I guess they are a big selling ute for a reason hey!

[RANGEREST]

What the?
No one ever admits they're wrong on Ford forums

[RANGEREST]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Either way I want one - with tech pack, nudge bar and sports roll bar.

Add an ecu tune and you'll be even more impressed.
It allows that bit of over rev (for want of a better term)
That makes them run out of puff at high rpm just before gear changes
in the auto at least.

[CyberWasp]

The aftermarket wheel companies must love them too.
Nice wheels and tyres can give them some serious attitude.

How long until we see a Raptor version and what motor will it have?

[chizzy86]

My Dad has a BT50 and loves it. Leaves hilux and colarado for dead. Got a good deal compared to the ranger, and put a big arb to cover the front

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by chizzy86

My Dad has a BT50 and loves it. Leaves hilux and colarado for dead. Got a good deal compared to the ranger, and put a big arb to cover the front

2015 Ranger is much better than BT50. That gap will get bigger over the next 5 years.

[scottc]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

2015 Ranger is much better than BT50. That gap will get bigger over the next 5 years.

Hey mate, just wondering why you think the Ranger is much better than the BT-50?

I was looking at both, and whilst I think the Ranger looks much better, I couldn't really separate them.

Cheers,
Scott.

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by scottc

Hey mate, just wondering why you think the Ranger is much better than the BT-50?

I was looking at both, and whilst I think the Ranger looks much better, I couldn't really separate them.

Cheers,
Scott.

The 2015 upgrade particularly on higher series has seen Ranger jump ahead in terms of features and ride / handling.

You'll see that gap grow as the Mazda versions development has basically stopped.

[Giant Cranium]

Originally Posted by Barraxr8

The Colorado is rubbish ....

Don't insult rubbish. Colorado is heaps worse. They should be released with the GMC Canyon body

[sleepisforthedead]

I always thought growing up that I'd buy a Falcon brand new.. and if I didn't have the Wildtrak, I would have bought a Sprint but the Ranger does everything I need and more

[Brian_H]

Originally Posted by IWA17

I always thought growing up that I'd buy a Falcon brand new.. and if I didn't have the Wildtrak, I would have bought a Sprint but the Ranger does everything I need and more

Hi IWA17, Interesting what you say as for a little while there I toyed with the idea of getting a Ranger as it looked like a hell of a lot of fun, quality and great looks (especially the latest model facelift). I have motorbikes so it would have been great. I then inherited a mates 8x5 box trailer and immediately had less need for the Ranger. I still loved the look and idea of them though! Maybe in future . . . .

A short while after I drove a VF HSV GTS and was hooked on the high performance. It caused me to look around in that market and, long story short, I put a deposit on a nice whate XR6 Sprint I should have in June. Funny the curve balls life throws us!

[phat_stak_tipa]

Rangers must be good, an absolute holden/commodore fanatic that actually is big in the burnout scene and has plates on his cars that say i hate fords, bought a ranger lol i find that hilarious and a massive compliment.....
I believe he drove all the utes including the Colorado......

[ltd]

Originally Posted by phat_stak_tipa

Rangers must be good, an absolute holden/commodore fanatic that actually is big in the burnout scene and has plates on his cars that say i hate fords, bought a ranger lol i find that hilarious and a massive compliment.....
I believe he drove all the utes including the Colorado......

Ha ha you're right. I've seen that.
Now he has to order the number plates (plural) - "Don't mind Fords now"

Mick Brasher of Ulegal fame also has a ranger.

[383hq]

Driven amarok, driven hilux, driven ranger
I settled for a mondeo day to day, and a XR8 ute for haulage duties .....

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by 383hq

Driven amarok, driven hilux, driven ranger
I settled for a mondeo day to day, and a XR8 ute for haulage duties .....

Unless you want 4WD