Ford Ranger

Michael,
Yes it is a clever marketing ploy. Mine has done everything they said it would do so far.

Excellant offroad and good on the road. I tested it on a not so friendly ex logging track and it came up trumps. Will be towing with it in a couple of weeks for a shakedown trip to see how it goes.

Like. The power, handling, auto box and the 4wd capability.

Don't like. Some of the electrical things, seating so, so. K's per hundred and tank to empty are BS.

Having been able to drive many late model 4wds I found it very, very good.

There were engine differences in the previous models.

The recent models share everything except some panels and suspension set up.

Gidday

if you are going back as far as 2009 you are not talking about the current model. I have a late 2008 build which is the PJ and that was followed by the PK which was not much more than a cosmetic change. The current model is an entirely different beast with a bigger body and bigger engine just for starters.
I have done 80,000km in mine and nothing has broken or fallen off and that includes on trips along the Anne Beadell, connie sue and gunbarrell highways. Since i got one of those u beaut Ipad apps that keeps track of fuel use I know that over the last six months it averages 8.11l/100km with a best of 7.67 and worst of 8.75. That doesn't include much 4wd work so its best case scenario...lots of freeway running.
A lot of people are sceptical about the modern ute's durability particularly when towing close to the maximum a lot of the time. I don't tow but I would be a bit sceptical too.
Otherwise i would happily buy another one

Cheers

Hi,
My Ranger tows a 29' 5'er and I get 18L/100 with it. and 8L/100 without it.
so far towed about 9K total on clock is 13K

I'm looking at the moment too. I'd say the twin cab race to get our $ at the moment is between the ford and the vw. Every motor test I've read has slated the Mazda in comparison to the ford - journos can't believe they got it so wrong. I drove the vw the other day - it's no rocket ship ( similar output to my current Colorado) but it ticks all the right boxes. Most importantly it has the euro system of taring so it's tow capacity includes a full load in the ute as well. It is much better sprung than any of the others and their fleet discount is nearing $10k. The ford has the power but also has a few niggles and rides harder. Biggest problem with the ford is the spec levels. The vw gets the full house in running gear right from base. I need to buy xlt fords to get a rear locker and electronic traction gizmos which suddenly makes it a whole lot more expensive. That's an old Toyota trick that won't fly anymore. I can drive away an amarok trendline for $43k with the full house of safety gizmos.

Thanks everyone. That was a great response and certainly answered my questions.

A few people talked about the Ranger diff locks. Apparently the auto locking operates from the ABS sensors which detect a speed difference between a pair of wheels and pulse the brakes to slow down the spinning wheel and transfer motion to the grounded wheel. Sounds great but how long will it last on the Tanami or the Simpson?? Sorry to ask so many questions, but you guys are the ones with the first hand experience. No point asking the dealer salesmen/women.

Whilst the PX ford is the same drive train as the new 2011- BT50 Mazda, the Mazda models include Diff lock, Stabiity control, and Hill decent as standard accross the range but with Ford these are options.

We have a base model Mazda space cab, that comes standard with stability contorl, rear diff lock, hill decent.

The Mazda is worth a look. They are a very capable 4x4

42,000Kms so far and happy with the Mazda.

K