1998 to 2010 Ford Ranger and Mazda B-Series
The Draw: These corporate twins could be had on the cheap, offered up plenty of selection and were tough and capable. Though fuel mileage isn’t the strong point here, low asking prices in the used market and good overall reliability make these machines worthy contenders. Owners seem most satisfied with the styling, comfort, interior space, legroom, off-road capability, and overall value of their trucks.
Depending on the model in question, ride quality is also highly rated, and depending on the equipped engine, some owners even report decent fuel mileage (though most don’t). Confident trailer towing and 4x4 operation on slippery roads round out the package. Look for 4- or 6-cylinder power on all models.
The Common Issues: Check your potential used Ranger or B-Series for rust at the rear cab corners, lower portions of the doors, driver’s floor board, around the wheel-wells, on the bottom of the tailgate, and on the corners of the roof. Owner’s forums also suggest checking for cracks or leaks from the differentials and transfer case, and noting any damage beneath the vehicle that could have been caused by off-roading.
Be sure the passenger side floor carpeting is dry. If it’s wet, the truck’s heater core may be leaking coolant. Note the quality of the gear shift between second and third on models with the automatic transmission. If the transmission feels like its slipping or “flaring” during said shift there’s likely a problem with a gearshift solenoid in the transmission. Stick with a manual gearbox if possible, as these tend to be cheaper to run in the long term.
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| 2006 Ford Ranger (Photo: Ford) |
The Draw: These corporate twins could be had on the cheap, offered up plenty of selection and were tough and capable. Though fuel mileage isn’t the strong point here, low asking prices in the used market and good overall reliability make these machines worthy contenders. Owners seem most satisfied with the styling, comfort, interior space, legroom, off-road capability, and overall value of their trucks.
Depending on the model in question, ride quality is also highly rated, and depending on the equipped engine, some owners even report decent fuel mileage (though most don’t). Confident trailer towing and 4x4 operation on slippery roads round out the package. Look for 4- or 6-cylinder power on all models.
The Common Issues: Check your potential used Ranger or B-Series for rust at the rear cab corners, lower portions of the doors, driver’s floor board, around the wheel-wells, on the bottom of the tailgate, and on the corners of the roof. Owner’s forums also suggest checking for cracks or leaks from the differentials and transfer case, and noting any damage beneath the vehicle that could have been caused by off-roading.
Be sure the passenger side floor carpeting is dry. If it’s wet, the truck’s heater core may be leaking coolant. Note the quality of the gear shift between second and third on models with the automatic transmission. If the transmission feels like its slipping or “flaring” during said shift there’s likely a problem with a gearshift solenoid in the transmission. Stick with a manual gearbox if possible, as these tend to be cheaper to run in the long term.
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| 1999 Mazda Série B (Photo: Mazda) |