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Old 26-02-2016, 11:00 PM   #1
Brazen
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Default I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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.
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Old 26-02-2016, 11:10 PM   #2
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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 ?
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Old 26-02-2016, 11:13 PM   #3
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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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.
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Old 26-02-2016, 11:19 PM   #4
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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 ?
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Old 26-02-2016, 11:42 PM   #5
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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....
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Old 27-02-2016, 12:01 AM   #6
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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?
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Old 27-02-2016, 12:12 AM   #7
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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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.

Last edited by Brazen; 27-02-2016 at 12:20 AM.
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Old 27-02-2016, 07:06 AM   #8
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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
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Old 27-02-2016, 07:50 AM   #9
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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...
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Old 27-02-2016, 08:35 AM   #10
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

The Colorado is rubbish ....
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Old 27-02-2016, 08:44 AM   #11
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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.
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Old 27-02-2016, 08:48 AM   #12
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazen View Post
...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!
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Old 27-02-2016, 10:48 AM   #13
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

What the?
No one ever admits they're wrong on Ford forums
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Old 27-02-2016, 10:53 AM   #14
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brazen View Post

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.
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Old 27-02-2016, 11:31 AM   #15
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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?
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Old 27-02-2016, 11:43 AM   #16
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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
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Old 27-02-2016, 01:58 PM   #17
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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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.
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Old 27-02-2016, 02:47 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Barraxr8 View Post
The Colorado is rubbish ....

Don't insult rubbish. Colorado is heaps worse. They should be released with the GMC Canyon body
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Old 27-02-2016, 03:13 PM   #19
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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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!!!
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Old 27-02-2016, 03:40 PM   #20
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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
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Old 27-02-2016, 05:43 PM   #21
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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......
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Old 27-02-2016, 07:25 PM   #22
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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Originally Posted by chookaradley View Post
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?
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Old 27-02-2016, 07:43 PM   #23
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

Driven amarok, driven hilux, driven ranger
I settled for a mondeo day to day, and a XR8 ute for haulage duties .....
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Old 27-02-2016, 09:14 PM   #24
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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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
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Old 27-02-2016, 09:29 PM   #25
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

I drove the PX II Wildtrak today. To be very honest, overwhelming is probably the best way to describe it (driving a mate's brand spanking new pride and joy doesn't help the nerves). The technology in that thing is immense. The tech pack combined with the that EPAS is awesome, but the vast array of buttons and functions befuddle the mind. Given time of ownership this will probably subside.

Saying that though, I did go to a Nissan dealer that morning and drive the new ST-X. Dollar-for-dollar I think that thing is a screamer and I'm very much leaning towards that over the XLT. Ranger is great, but the price of $61k with tech-pack doesn't sell it to me.

Great truck, average value in my books.
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Old 27-02-2016, 10:09 PM   #26
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

What amazed me when I sat in a new Ranger XLT was just how quiet and refined it is inside. Very car like.

If I was in the market for a 4WD ute, the Ranger would be on top of my shopping list.
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Old 28-02-2016, 12:24 AM   #27
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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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!
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Old 28-02-2016, 08:45 AM   #28
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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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
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Old 28-02-2016, 08:55 AM   #29
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

2.7 Ecoboost would be good too, in the F150 it does 0-60mph in 7 seconds.
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Old 28-02-2016, 04:22 PM   #30
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Default Re: I'll eat my words... Rangers are fantastic.

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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.
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