I have a ford ranger needing about 1000 dollars worth of work done including tune up and tires. My budget is slim but I can afford a new car with conditions. Payments will go from $0 to $300 a month and insurance will go from $72 to $200 a month so I'm going to have to ask my parents to pick up the tab for only my insurance, not cool. But a new Dodge Caliber or VW Rabbit? Very cool.
2007-03-15 09:02:54 · 4 answers · asked by dh 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Buying & Selling
depending on the engine in the Ranger, they can vary from lasting for a long time to lasting forever. Rangers are the best small truck made, in my opinion. I'm a dodge fan, but I ended up picking up a 1989 Ranger with the 2.9L and the Mazda M5OD transmission for cheap from a family friend. Still drives like new, and I abuse it. I've known the 2.9L to push out 500 000km. They are great little trucks, and if its in good shape, I would, personally, keep the truck as they are cheaper to maintain then newer vehilces. I've owned my Ranger for about 8 months. I've put about $2000 worth of parts into it (parts cost only, I'm an Automotive Technician and do all my own work at the shop I work at) and I know for a fact, that unless the truck is written of, I can easly get another 200 000km out of it. If I really tried I could probably get another 300 000km out of it.
2007-03-15 10:48:22 · answer #1 · answered by gregthomasparke 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the Ranger is still in pretty good condition, it obvously makes sense to stick with that. Spending every last dollar on a car payment is not wise financially. However, if you do decide to buy new, avoid the Caliber. It has had terrible reviews (read Car & Driver). It's poorly designed, unreliable, and will have poor resale value when you go to sell it.
2007-03-15 16:15:22 · answer #2 · answered by JeffyB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the Ranger , fix it up, restore it, find what you can do yourself or with help from parents, and save the headaches of going into debt.
I had a Ranger, good little truck, rebuilt the engine,$240 it was a 1986. It is still on the road.
2007-03-15 16:17:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Will the gas you save with a smaller vehicle be that much of a difference in your budget? If you don't drive very far it might be better to fix the truck.
2007-03-15 16:18:44 · answer #4 · answered by Al S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋