By humvee4000 on 10/27/03 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB
Review
Good Cheap Transportation. Never a
single problem other then basic
maintenance in 80k of driving.
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By Ford POS on 10/18/03 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab XLT 2dr Regular Cab Stepside SB
Review
Purchased in 99 with 22k miles. While
it has never broken down once, the
smaller problems are really annoying.
Interior lights will not go out. Truck
will hardly run on 87 octane so we use
93 always. Has the small 4 banger which
has 8 spark plugs, only 4 of which I
can get to without removing the intake
manifold. Rear suspension design is so
poor that a moderate size bump will
throw the truck into the other lane.
Everyone I know with this truck has
these same problems. Now at 104K miles,
it needs new front wheel bearings. CD
player quit at 35k. I don't understand
why Edmunds has this truck in its "Top
Ten" list.
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2 of 2 people found this review helpful
By Phet on 10/02/03 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB
Review
Check engine light on all the time. I
have had it in twice hooked up to
computers and they can't figure out why
the engine light is on.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
By SBF88 on 08/05/03 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab XL 2dr Regular Cab LB
Review
This has been a very reliable vehicle
which is fun to drive and well built.
The Ranger is well designed and usually
relatively easy to work on. Changing
spark plugs and the PCV valve on the 4
cylinder engine tends to be
difficult.The clutch is responsive and
durable. The standard transmission is
easy to shift and predictable.Body and
hardware quality are good, as is the
layout of the instrument cluster. The
only repairs I have had to do (both
warranteed) were repair muffler
heatshield (broken welds) and replace
catalytic converter (corrosion). In
general, I am happy with the vehicle and
have had trouble-free driving since I
bought it new.
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By specialtychem on 06/08/03 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB
Review
I had a bad problem with the heater
blend door when I first purchased my
Ranger, but I engineered a repair for
it that saved me close to $600 over the
dealer charge. That is the good thing
about the Ranger: it is fairly easy for
a competent shade tree mechanic to work
on. The basic vehicle is fairly bullet-
proof and simple.
The gas mileage is only so-so
considering the extremely low level of
performance. You time this Ranger with
a calendar, not a stopwatch! Other than
the lack of power, I have really
enjoyed my little Ranger. My son will
begin to drive soon and it will make an
ideal starter vehicle for him.
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By TMR on 04/14/03 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab XLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB
Review
My desire was for high visibility and easy access.
Couldn't afford an SUV so bought a basic Ford
Ranger. I'm 6'3" and the cab and bench seat give the
comfort of a full-size vehicle. Should have gotten
speed control for longer drives (legroom is barely
adequate for me) but Big Blue is a city truck and llong
term comfort and fuel economy isn't a concern. The
truck has had one major tune up and regular oil
changes. Nothing else. The 97 2WD 4cyl Ranger is
reportedly a reliable vehicle and has been so for me.
No electrical issues. It's not been driven a lot but
regularly and has never failed. Its' a solid and
dependable basic set of wheels.
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1 of 1 people found this review helpful
By Cherie on 04/07/03 00:00 AM (PDT)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab Splash 2dr Regular Cab Stepside SB
Review
No mechanical problems. The only
repair since purchase is to replace the
heating element.
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By Mrp on 03/13/03 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab XL 2dr Regular Cab SB
Review
This is the worst truck I've ever
owned. Bought a used 1996 XL in 1998.
I have had many problems ever since.
Many electrical problems. I have been
stranded roadside twice. Do not buy one
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By joehb on 01/23/03 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab STX 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB
Review
Best auto I have EVER owned.
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By MikeZ on 01/20/03 00:00 AM (PST)
Vehicle
1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab XLT 2dr Regular Cab LB
Review
This is the best vehicle I've ever
owned and I bought it 5 years old with
68,000 miles. The ride is great and
the performance of the 4.0L V6 is
excellent. A very refined vehicle, it
feels more like a sports car than a
pickup truck.
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