Used 1997 Ford Ranger Regular Cab Consumer Reviews
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Love my ranger
mapplema, 11/01/2011
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
16 of 17 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 97 Ranger in 2004 with 75,000 miles, in 2011 it now has 145,000. The clutch needed replaced when we bought it, also had the slave plate fixed in 2009. Those were the 2 biggest expenses. Being in Ohio, rust has been my only enemy. I've replaced rusted broken parts as needed, and this thing still runs like a champ. You will be in the shop 2-3 times a year as it gets older, but they're not expensive trips. Gas mileage is excellent around 23-24 with mostly city driving.
I love my Ranger - hate to let it go
littlesimo, 02/25/2004
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I've owned mine for just short of five years now and not a single problem with it. I've changed the oil every 3K-4K miles and purchased a soft tonneau cover shortly after I bought it in 1999. With that, and the K&N airfilter and just keeping up on normal maintanence, its never steered me wrong. I just recently talked to a 2001 owner who has over 120K on his and he loves his as well...Rangers don't die.
Reliable and fun
Daniel, 02/15/2010
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased my truck when I was 16 for 2000 dollers with 120,000 miles. Since then i've put another 90000 miles on it for a total of 210,000 miles with no major hitchs. The truck is quite peppy out of the hole but lacks top end power. I've had mine up to 110 on a long downhill stretch. Back end is a little light which makes it fun to slide around but scary when over driving a corner.My ranger is two wheel drive and will get stuck in grass if it is wet. This truck needs a limited slip deferential to counter this problem. Cabin of truck is spacious if you are under 6 foot tall. Over all if you are looking for a nice reliable truck this is it. 13 years, 210,000 miles later, and no rust.
Has never failed me
Kevin, 11/10/2009
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab LB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
This is my first truck. I got it when I turned 17 and it has been a great car. I don't take care of it and I drive it like I stole it, but it keeps on going. Starts every time and never leaves me stranded. I even wrecked it and I still drive it today without replacing anything but the windshield. It has some problems with the gas line. There is a crack in the filler neck hose so I lose gas onto the ground every time I put gas into it and I only get 17 mpg. It idles pretty rough too. Its pretty fast for a 4 cylinder with the the aero dynamics of a brick. Overall this has been a great truck and I'm content with it.
Nothing nice
Phet, 10/02/2003
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
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.
Great Truck all around
vand, 09/20/2011
1997 Ford Ranger XL 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this truck in 2001 with 60K on it. It was an excellent, excellent truck. I replaced the alternator around 100K and did normal maintenence on it other than that. It started up every time, fun to drive (although the rear-wheel drive could be a little tricky if the roads were slick), used and abused it. The light bulbs behind the display went out slowly over the years--no big deal. I loaded all kinds of things in this truck over the years. It got great gas mileage. I had owned it for 10 years and put 90K on it when I was rear-ended and the truck was totalled. It could have been a much more serious accident, but the solid construction of this little truck saved me.
Good Truck
Ken, 12/14/2005
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 1997 Ranger new. I bought a compact 4 cylinder standard transmission truck I like. It's not a power, gas guzzling demon, like some of the V8 and V6 trucks I looked at. This truck has been reliable over the years and only had small problems. I had to replace the brakes, tires, and one oil seal in the rear axle. This Ranger rides like a truck on bumpy country roads, but on the interstate it's not bad. Still I know I'm driving a truck. The only complaint I've got is this: steep hills require downshifts, but it's only a 4 cylinder engine. I'll keep the Ranger till I have to junk it
Still running
taylorc, 02/17/2011
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought the truck in summer of 2008 and Its now at 160k miles and still running strong, I've only replaced the leaf spings from the abuse ive put the truck through. It takes sh!t and smiles
Maintenance/Repair Nitemare
Douglas P. Smith, 05/16/2002
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab 4WD SB (3.0L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Major mechanical problems after 70,000 miles. Over $2,044.08 spent on four repair occasions since 2-08-02 (I have receipts). Just had clutch assembly and slave cylinder replaced at 77,012 miles mostly highway miles). U-Joints, Ball Joints, and injectors thermostat and sensors have been replaced. I will never purchase any vehicle maufactured by this company again. I intend to make known to my friends, family and associates the problems I have experienced with this vehicle in order that they not make the same mistake I did. Obviously, Ford trucks aren't built tough.
Awesome Ride
James, 01/14/2010
1997 Ford Ranger XLT 2dr Regular Cab SB (2.3L 4cyl naturally aspired 5M)
3 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought for $2,800 with 118k miles. Have never had a problem except with neutral safety switch not making contact and shifter knob coming off (its the 5 speed manual 2.3L). Runs great and is very fun to drive. I'm not a big fan of the sag in the front, but that seems standard with most rangers of the time. It has problems with uphills but nothing major. You can get some serious bounce and slide out of the back which is fun on occasion. I have never gotten lower than 24.3 miles to the gallon and I keep up with it everytime I fill up. It came with 14 inch rims which is a shame because there are not that many off road tires for that size, but i can always upgrade. all in all, an awesome truck!
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