I own a 2001 Ford Ranger. I absolutely, positively love the truck, but I have two problems that have been hard to solve.
The problems are intermittent, so when I go to the dealer the truck is naturally on its best behavior.
When the truck is cold in the morning, there is a huge, loud noise when you put it in reverse and back-up. I have left the truck at the dealer quite a few times so they can back it up in the morning. No way will the truck act up with the dealer. Damn! Damn!
The automatic transmission has a problem. It too is on its best behavior at the dealership. At traffic lights the transmission sometimes seems to be out- of-gear for a second or two, and the truck will lunge forward.
The truck will be going out of warranty next spring. I am determined to get these problems solved, even if the truck has to live at the dealership.
I have read that Ford, with its financial problems, is not going to redesign the Ranger until possibly 2008. If this is true, I am sure sales will be falling off a cliff, but at least my 2001 Ranger will be in great style. I truly love my Ranger. The white color looks great.
So far I am not impressed with the design of the 2004 F-150. The body of the truck, width-wise, seems to be so high. And the driver and passenger side windows have a crink that is ugly to me.
Nissan is coming out with the Titan. It appears to be ugly and a definite yawn. I can't imagine this truck making a dent in the Texas truck market.
For anyone contemplating purchasing a truck, I would highly recommend a Ford, even with the minor problems I have had with mine. My Ranger is a joy to drive.
The Japanese are just beginning to enter the big truck market. I have read that with the increased competition prices will be falling. Wait a couple of years, and there will be huge, huge, huge price bargains in the truck marketplace.