End of an era for Ford Ranger and America

[socalcraigster]

http://autos.yahoo.com/blogs/motoramic/ ... 34573.html

[Swegner99]

This is like losing an old friend.... ok well maybe not quite, but still. Its going to be weird to see fewer Rangers on the road in the coming years. I think Ford made a bad decision here, but I guess that's just my

But on the upside, Ford is releasing some awesome new stuff for the 2013 Model year.
http://media.ford.com/article_display.c ... e_id=35738

[MrMajestyk]

Very Sad indeed

I grew up in the Twin Cities, in fact my Grandparents used to live just a couple of blocks from there
I used to go down there and look at all of the vehicles waiting to be shipped and several field trips
when I was in school and this was back when the Full sized cars & F-Series were built there.

Still have some buds that work there.

[flyboy71]

Maybe i should quit driving my 88 Ranger when it hits 50k miles and put it in a glass case.

Its only a matter of time when all domestic auto makers move to Asia.

[Mancar1]

For several years I drove the last year of the full size Ranger. 1981 Ranger 1/2 ton, 300 six. Great truck, should have kept it. Never owned the little brother Ranger, but I am sure it is a good little truck.

[basketcase0302]

I think Ford made a bad decision here,

Agreed 100% considering it helped make Ford the "best selling truck of all time" for so many years. I feel the same way with what they've done with the escape-the 13' looks like a station wagon that will get stuck in it's own tracks, (evident it rolled off the subaru line)?
The ex had an 84 Ranger when I met her, (my first experience with the little ones). That lil' truck had over 200K on it when we sold it.

[71fordkid]

Would you buy a $28,000-40,000 ranger anyways? I know I wouldn't, and I work for a dealership that does 90% fleet sales. you can get an ecoboost f150 at the top end of that range. at some times, we've had over 100 rangers on the lot. all white, all to be used as utility trucks.

Rangers are kinda neat, but when you get over, say, 120k on the newer ones, they get about 12-16 mpg and are absolute dogs to drive. I cant tell you how many times ive been in a ranger and thought "geeze, do i have to get out and push?". they have full size trucks that can get better milage than that. the base model f150 with the 3.5L NON ecoboost v6 gets the same or better milage, tons of power, and alot more room.

That being said, rangers definately have thier place. theyre small. easily menuverable, and relitively cheap. a loaded ranger goes for around 26k. LOTS of contractors use them. but they just arent selling. not alot of regular people go out and say "hey, I want a ranger!" more often than not, an f150 can be had close to the price of a decently equipped ranger, with more room and more power. its all about comfort to people wanting daily drivers. I bet you monry over 75% of the rangers sales are for fleet vehicles.

It does suck that they are getting rid of 800 jobs in this economy. thats gonna be alot of people with families looking for a way to put food on the table, and with virtually no jobs out there.

[tmcalavy]

Hmm...this gets me to thinkin' Maybe I should buy a little 1st gen ranger to park in the bed of my real 69 F250 ranger...need some extra traction now that it's snow time.