Need an opinion.

[HenRoc]

So as most of you know, I own a Ranger.

The truck has been great to me for the last couple years or so but I'm facing a dilemma. The truck recently had a motor transplant last April that had run me about 2 grand after everything was done.

It's been running great since then but now its just becoming a constant headache.

I live in a city suburb and with the constant city driving the MPG doesn't see much improvement..about 15 mpg if Im lucky.

Its been family owned since new in 1995 and so far its clocked about 165k on the body and chassis.

But I feel as though I'm getting lazy with this truck. You see I'd like to modify it here and there but its one of those things were if I did, I'd feel like I wasted my time and effort on it.

Sure I've transfered Exploder Seats and an OHC along with a center console and a Alpine HU into it ,but it's the bigger things that I refuse to do, tires and the issue of replacing a fuel sending unit.

Tires can run up to 500 dollars and I know for a fact that the fuel sending unit costs 100 dollars even and to replace it I have to drop the tank etc.

It cost me nearly 400 dollars to have my rear drum brakes replaced for last inspection, and its gonna run me about $345+ just to have my A/C replaced altogether.

The truth is I miss owning a car, for the fact of simple gas mileage less money invested in parts and the ability of going long distances without having to stop every so often just fill up a tank.

And the Civic has been a great example of that, we drove it to Washington DC one year and only had to fill it up twice.

While it costs my gf 20 dollars for a full tank it runs me about 30 -38 dollars for a full tank.

One year I let the truck sit for a month straight because of the 4 dollar price tag on gas that summer.

My question is would you reccomend I keep this truck or sell in favor of a money saving 4 cylinder. I had it out with my gf awhile ago and I don't think she sees my point as to why I'd like to sell it, I mean yeah I second guess selling it but I just feel I could sell it to someone who actually USES a truck for the daily grind (i.e construction,hauling utilities..etc).

I've organized a voting poll so vote and post.

:edit:

The only thing besides the fuel sending unit is that its has battle scars , I got hit one year by some inexperienced driver (somewhat my fault too) and before I got my hands on it my stepdad hit a deer one night and I have a dent from wheeling in the pits at the last CB7 meet at Val's house.

[NAiL05]

Go with what you want. But since you mentioned you do a lot of suburb driving I say get a gas saving car. You should show your girl your gas bill every month compared to hers. Haha be like you see how much money we can be saving!!! haha but yea i vote for a car with good gas mileage.

[HenRoc]

Only one? Come one guys.

[qbodsyt]

I had a Toyota 4Runner that I loved and drove for about 6 months......I had a 90' Accord before it, and now I have another 90' Accord.

Trucks are a lot of fun, and sometimes they're really useful. But if you don't need it on a daily/weekly basis, you should get rid of it probably.

My Accords average 26-32 MPG, and my 4Runner was a respectable 17-21. but even that much difference could be felt in the wallet....and for what? A truck that I only took offroading three times in the six months I had it, and that needed a clutch that was probly going to cost me $600-800 to install because it was 4x4. And it wasnt even comfortable (or fast) on the highway like my Accord is.

I still wish I could've afforded to keep the 4Runner and have the car, but I can't, and it just wasnt realistic to keep something I no longer needed because my job changed.

I say sell it and use the extra gas money for car mods

[HenRoc]

I had a Toyota 4Runner that I loved and drove for about 6 months......I had a 90' Accord before it, and now I have another 90' Accord.

Trucks are a lot of fun, and sometimes they're really useful. But if you don't need it on a daily/weekly basis, you should get rid of it probably.

My Accords average 26-32 MPG, and my 4Runner was a respectable 17-21. but even that much difference could be felt in the wallet....and for what? A truck that I only took offroading three times in the six months I had it, and that needed a clutch that was probly going to cost me $600-800 to install because it was 4x4. And it wasnt even comfortable (or fast) on the highway like my Accord is.

I still wish I could've afforded to keep the 4Runner and have the car, but I can't, and it just wasnt realistic to keep something I no longer needed because my job changed.

I say sell it and use the extra gas money for car mods

Yeah same here theres no place to take it and plus i live in a city suburb, and most of my driving is in the city it self so all the stop and go traffic that also takes a toll on the transmission (auto) and brakes.

[qbodsyt]

I had to travel about an hour north to find a good spot to do offroading, and I never wanted to go because I didnt want to spend the gas money it was a vicious circle.

I actually found that I never wanted to go anywhere or do anything because I didnt want to have to put money in the truck or drive it a long distance. I drove to my grandparents cottage (about 2.5hrs) and it was brutal!

I still loved the truck tho....in fact, funny enough I almost bought a 94 Ranger instead of the 4Runner. I'd like to buy another one one day when I am old enough to insure a "recreational vehicle" but I'll only drive it occasionally, and I def'ly wont buy a standard next time.....trucks are nicer auto, 'specially when just doing a clutch costs almost twice as much money as on a car.

[4thgenaccord]

I pushed a FOrd Ranger for many years. I say sell it and move on. I had a 87 Ranger 4x4. had it 3 months and th emotor blew. had a new motor put in it and 2 weeks later the transfer case fawked up.

Had a 86 ranger before that automatic. the over drive was shot on it and the tranny started slipping bad B4 I sold it.

When I worked at a shop we had a 95 ranger 4x4 come in the transfer case made a weird noise. we called Ford and asked about it. they said it was "allowable noise" meaning it is something that kinda messed up, but not worth fixing. What they told us.

one of the reasons I stick with imports now. A nice Nissan truck would do good.


I kinda learned that as fas as domestics. Ford trucks have good motors, but their trannys suck. Chevy has good tranny but motors suck and Dodge has good looking trucks but their motors and tranny suck.

Just remember. the definition of Dodge is to avoid.

[Granite CB7]

I voted Henry, and after talking w/ you last weekend, I think it's time for another Honda But I am aware the truck may have some sentimental value too

[ACC0RD22]

I voted that you sell it because, thats what it really sounds like you WANT to do from the post, but just cant bring yourself to do it for some reason.

good luck with whatever you do, keep it or sell it.

[PRIMOCB7]

i know what you mean about gas mileage.. i spend close to $100/week but i didn't buy the armada so i could worry about fuel economy. in your situation, i say sell the truck and possibly move onto something that will cost less maintenance wise. and from what you've posted, it sounds like you wanna get rid of it already.

[deevergote]

Gas mileage is VERY important to me... but so is something I like to drive. I'm willing to put a few extra bucks in the tank to enjoy the ride (hence my premium-fed H22, and my current fascination with the Infiniti I30)

What are your requirements? What do you need from a car? What do you WANT from a car (sometimes this is even more important than the practical needs).
Do you want a pickup truck? Do you want the car that's been in your family for it's entire life? Do you want to maintain, modify, improve, whatever... that truck? Can you deal with the poor gas mileage and repair costs to have those things? Would you be better off going with another Accord? Or even something else?

For me, I NEED decent gas mileage (25mpg combined is necessary... or close to it). I NEED reliability. I NEED comfort. I NEED safety (which includes handling, crash protection, and braking) These things are necessary for my job, which requires driving 300+ miles a day, for up to 12 hours at a time (sitting in traffic, doing 80+ on the highway, and navigating some pretty wicked woodsy trails and narrow city streets).

I WANT something with a fancy interior and lots of gadgets (sunroof, leather, aesthetically pleasing design). I WANT something that looks really nice. I WANT at least 200hp (or at the very least, a similar power-to-weight ratio as my CB7, only with a stock car).

Things that have become less important to me: AWD or RWD, manual transmission, aftermarket.

I took those requirements of mine, frustrated the HELL out of AccordWarrior for weeks on end (I'm still doing it to him!) and came up with a few ideas. My Volvo didn't quite cut it, but it let me know what was truly important... poor gas mileage and that old-car feeling just didn't cut it. My wife's 6th gen SE made me realize that an auto isn't terrible with some guts, and it only has 150hp!


So, basically... just figure out what you want, what you need, and what you can deal with. Everything will require some sacrifice. There is no perfect car for anyone... Figure what best fits your needs, and go from there! Test drive a dozen cars until you find something that just fits... even if that something happens to be your Ranger

[AccordWarrior]

Gas mileage is VERY important to me... but so is something I like to drive. I'm willing to put a few extra bucks in the tank to enjoy the ride (hence my premium-fed H22, and my current fascination with the Infiniti I30)

What are your requirements? What do you need from a car? What do you WANT from a car (sometimes this is even more important than the practical needs).
Do you want a pickup truck? Do you want the car that's been in your family for it's entire life? Do you want to maintain, modify, improve, whatever... that truck? Can you deal with the poor gas mileage and repair costs to have those things? Would you be better off going with another Accord? Or even something else?

For me, I NEED decent gas mileage (25mpg combined is necessary... or close to it). I NEED reliability. I NEED comfort. I NEED safety (which includes handling, crash protection, and braking) These things are necessary for my job, which requires driving 300+ miles a day, for up to 12 hours at a time (sitting in traffic, doing 80+ on the highway, and navigating some pretty wicked woodsy trails and narrow city streets).

I WANT something with a fancy interior and lots of gadgets (sunroof, leather, aesthetically pleasing design). I WANT something that looks really nice. I WANT at least 200hp (or at the very least, a similar power-to-weight ratio as my CB7, only with a stock car).

Things that have become less important to me: AWD or RWD, manual transmission, aftermarket.

I took those requirements of mine, frustrated the HELL out of AccordWarrior for weeks on end (I'm still doing it to him!) and came up with a few ideas. My Volvo didn't quite cut it, but it let me know what was truly important... poor gas mileage and that old-car feeling just didn't cut it. My wife's 6th gen SE made me realize that an auto isn't terrible with some guts, and it only has 150hp!


So, basically... just figure out what you want, what you need, and what you can deal with. Everything will require some sacrifice. There is no perfect car for anyone... Figure what best fits your needs, and go from there! Test drive a dozen cars until you find something that just fits... even if that something happens to be your Ranger

Mike, I bet you $20 you end up with a manual transmission CB7. You've shot down every single other car I've EVER suggested lol.

[T3aM 83rD]

Just remember. the definition of Dodge is to avoid.

[deevergote]

Mike, I bet you $20 you end up with a manual transmission CB7. You've shot down every single other car I've EVER suggested lol.

No, I've decided that I NEED a newer car. I'm not a huge fan of 5th gen Accords (and they're getting old too), and I already have a 6th gen (which I LOVE... as Meg's car... I'd want a V6 coupe, but I don't want the tranny issues associated with one I could afford!)

I MIGHT consider an older I30, one with a manual transmission (the 90s ones came in manual). I'd honestly prefer the newer style, even with the automatic. 227hp won't disappoint me with an auto. Not if Meg's 150hp doesn't bother me. I'm not looking for a race car. The G20 isn't out of the question either, though again, I'd prefer the newer model. That I WOULD want in manual.