2008 Ford Ranger Consumer Reviews

Great Value

Written by: Salem Boy on 09/29/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Just bought a new 08 Ranger XLT Reg. Cab with 4cyl automatic. With the current $3000 rebate, nothing else could come close to the price. Even with GM's employee pricing, a similar equiped Colorado was $1500 more. The chome trim on the XLT and the chrome wheels that my Ranger has make it a sharp looking truck. I couldn't find a used truck that didn't have a ton of miles for much less than I paid for this truck new. With the great gas milage 19 / 24 this truck should do everything I need it to do, which is drive back and forth to work and to haul the occational home project supplies.

Favorite Features

MP3 audio jack, chrome wheels, chrome trim, and carpet on the XLT

Suggested Improvements

To keep up with the Colorado, should add cruise control as standard equipment

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great MPG with lots of Utility

Written by: Rockdoggy on 09/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Got this little truck last week and it handles great. Nice shifting 5 speed manual, great gas mileage and lots of utility. If you need a reliable truck for everyday hauling and the occasional large item haul this fits the bill perfectly. Solidly built 2.3 liter engine has plenty of power. Sits up high where you can see clearly. The design is dated but still looks great. Ford decided to stop the 3.0 next year. Should have retooled the 3.0 like they put in other vehicles. I think Ford's marketing team needs their heads examined. Instead of tying to sell options, sell trucks with options people want without all the extras people don't want. Can you say plastic wheel covers for $190 or Sirius!

Favorite Features

2.3 fuel efficient engine, solid build, aux input on radio - excellent sound. Highly maneuverable in standard cab form. Nice shifting 5 speed manual. Nice seats, tachometer standard.

Suggested Improvements

No plastic clad wheels - real alloy or nothing. Offer power group more often or better yet make it standard, at least power windows. Get rid of 4.0 and put in the 3.5 that you put in the Edge or the 240 hp 3.0 like the Escape. Just make air standard period!

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I like it very much

Written by: Travis on 09/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Just bought this truck, Red Supercab automatic 2.3L I4 Engine. Traded a Jeep Wrangler 6 speed manual. Have wanted a Ranger for years, finally decide to get one. Only 200 miles so far but I'm pleased with it. Got it for basic commute to work, to get good gas mileage, have more capacity than the jeep to do stuff. Access to supercab area is only gripe I have. Some here critical of ride, this is much better than the Jeep! When I test road I was surprised how smooth it was. For what it is, this is an excellent truck. Ford should keep making it as long as it sells well, it doesn't need "fancy" upgrades when most folks are looking for a good basic truck. I found mine!

Favorite Features

Sirius radio, way cool. I do have power windows, keyless entry, wipers that wipe once with one push of button. Tire pressure monitor is cool also. ABS brakes also very nice.

Suggested Improvements

Access to Supercab area should be such that seats easily come forward to access and then go back to pre set seating position in one move. This could be made way better. Larger door pockets, better "leather" wrapped steering wheel... it says leather wrapped, but this is not the real stuff..

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Fun to Drive

Written by: NV travlr on 08/23/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Fit, finish, and paint are great. Engine powerful, auto transmission flawless. Quiet ride (I had mine undercoated). Pulls pop-up trailer (2500 lbs)without effort. No rattles, wind noises, or other problems. Had Nissans in the past, but I love this Ranger.

Favorite Features

Zippy 4.0 L V6. Smooth ride. Plenty of leg room in the cab.

Suggested Improvements

Turning radius could be inproved, and the power steering could be boosted, not a major problem though. Fuel economy could be improved (I get about 21 combined Hwy/City), but for a 4X4 V6 powered truck, not to shabby.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Where are the automatics?

Written by: Zolar1 on 08/16/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XL 2dr Regular Cab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Mine is not listed. 2.2l 4 cyl, automatic w/air I strongly suspect that the vehicle was seriously wrecked before purchase. Clicking noise in the steering, rubbing noise in the front, bad mpg, painted masking tape behind the front grille, hood not aligned on ds with fender, missing rubber flap inside ds fender, erratic rough shifting, squeaking rear brakes, front of bed too flimsy to strap an appliance on it (you can push it in with your hand), near deaf service writers/mechanics cannot hear noises, 17 gal gas tank (should have been a 20gal), other problems.

Favorite Features

The extra accessory socket, seats, tilt steering, radio, decent A/C.

Suggested Improvements

1 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Ford Ranger 2008 Supercab 4x2 I4 Auto

Written by: Eric on 07/22/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I have driven 2186 miles and have averaged 20.48 miles per gallon with the AC on all the time in Florida. It's a fun truck to drive. The interior is well designed but, the back cab area is hard to use. If one side of the rear cab area opened the interior of this truck would be perfect. The truck has average power. I don't feel like other drivers are pushing me from red lights and stop signs. I am an average driver, not very agressive and not very slow. The cloth seats and carpet are nice. The steering wheel is positioned very well for long drives. Overall I am very happy with this truck and I am sure that I will keep this truck for a long time.

Favorite Features

Automatic transmission, Sirius radio, storage compartment between seats. I have purchased several new vehicles in my life and I finally feel like I found one that was actually built with pride.

Suggested Improvements

Power windows, keyless entry. Make one side of the rear cab area open. There are several settings for the wipers which is wonderful, but there should also be a way to hit the lever and have the wipers go just once without haveing to turn them on and then off again.

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Rangers lead the way

Written by: easyv on 07/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab Styleside LB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

My third Ford Ranger, a 2008 XLT, upholds the proud tradition of its ancestors. Great mileage 28 MPG. Unbelievably affordable. Unmatched reliability single key turn start in sub zero weather, and I don't have the engine block warmer. Safe in a collision. Low maintenance. Great resale value-try to buy a used Ranger, you might as well just spend the extra $1000-2000 and get a new one. If you need an affordable, low-maintenance, reliable commuter vehicle, the Ranger is it

Favorite Features

5 speed manual transmission with 1.9L/4 cyl. Great mileage. I have owned 3 Rangers, and had nearly 300,000 miles between them, and had only to replace a single serpentine belt. The Ranger is the ultimate in practicality, as far as vehicles go. It is the ultimate in practicality

Suggested Improvements

The only criticism I can level against the Ranger, is that the road noise in the cab is higher then what I like, which in my opinion is small potatoes when compared to its advantages.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Best small truck on the road

Written by: srhudgens on 07/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought a new Ranger this year, spurred on by the crazy rebates Ford offered on this truck earlier in the year. Replaced a 1995 Ranger XLT with over 220,000 trouble-free miles. These are the best small trucks on the road. Funny thing, I drove off the lot paying just $9,800 for a loaded 2008 Ranger XLT. The dealership gave me $2,000 for my 1995 Ranger. What wonderful trucks these are. Ford is making a huge mistake discontinuing the line. Leave it to an American auto company to discontinue the most fuel-efficient line of trucks in production just as gas prices set new records...

Favorite Features

Reliability and fuel economy. Fun to drive, too. 2.3L is a great little engine. I get 30 MPG at 75 MPH with A/C on.

Suggested Improvements

One irritating thing is that the air filter cover looks nearly impossible to get off. It has the A/C and radiator reservoir hose curled up around it. Not a good design. Generally, the engine isn't laid out as well as my 1995. The dipstick is also in an awkward place (too far back).

10 out 11 people found this review helpful

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Great Value

Written by: Felix on 06/12/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger XL 2dr SuperCab Styleside SB (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I was planning to buy a Tacoma but after driving both vehicles and with the rebates and sales incentives from Ford, I got the Ranger and I don't regret it. I got it with the automatic, cruise control, & a sliding rear window. After 2000 miles I am getting 27 mpg on the highway with two passengers and camping gear & I expect the mpg to improve when I put a lid on the bed and as I put more mileage. I like the ride but it rides like a truck. The performance is good but it takes patience driving up mountains. It runs well to excellent on most roads & highways. I get the best mileage when I tach between 2000-3000. I added a Sony FM/AM mp3 CD player with an aux i-pod input & the music sound great

Favorite Features

The truck get looks. I like the gas mileage and it is fun to drive. I heard Ford may discontinue the Ranger and I believe it would be a mistake.

Suggested Improvements

More cup holders and places to store maps.

7 out 7 people found this review helpful

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The Last of a Breed

Written by: Jim J on 05/05/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Ranger FX4 Off-Road 4dr SuperCab 4WD Styleside SB (4.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Being the last year of the Ranger I`m glad I ordered one when I did. I`ve been extremely pleased with this vehicle. It works exceptionally well in off-road conditions even with the factory street tires and gets me about 20 MPG on a trip. Regular gas is still the cheapest and it works well to deliver all the power I need.

Favorite Features

One of the features I like most about this little truck is it`s brawny stature. I love the leather seats and the special center console with the subwoofer inside. In addition, servicing this vehicle has been a breeze. Everything is easily accessable.

Suggested Improvements

Fuel mileage is an issue. However, I don`t know of many 4X4`s that get good milage. Otherwise I have no suggestions.

17 out 17 people found this review helpful

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