I bought a new truck on July 22nd, and brought it home yesterday evening.

It is a 2008 Ford Ranger XLT with the 2.3L DOHC I4 and a 5-speed manual transmission.  I found it on the local dealer's lot a couple weeks ago, and it had all the options I wanted, along with the 4 cyl/5spd reg cab combo (30 MPG with this combo! :icon_twisted: ).  I test drove it and absolutely loved it.  I used to work at this dealership, so I am well known there, and the head salesman got me a screamin deal on this little truck.  The sticker on the doorjamb says it was built June 2008, so this is BRAND new. :icon_cool:  This truck is also completely built in the USA.  Engine is built in Detroit, and the truck is built/assembled right up here in St. Paul, MN.   Can't do any better than that! ;)

I brought it home yesterday evening and started to clean it up.  It had a bunch of bug spots and tar spots all over it, so I gave it a wash and claybarred it.  It is literally spotless now. :icon_mrgreen:  I was planning on waxing it today, but I had all of my wisdom teeth pulled out this morning, and my mom won't let me wax it today or do anything for that matter besides lay on my back.. grrr...

So I snuck out with the camera and took some pics of it after the wash and claybar. :laugh:

very nice truck!  Glad to see someone else likes the blue oval other than me ;)

Ken

didn't I buy your car cuz you could only keep one?... lol
And ranger... come on,... I hope it's at least better than my dads 4cyl 5spd. can't remember his year, 02 I think, but it sux... lol

Quote from: cobracmdr on July 24, 2008, 06:38:39 PM
very nice truck!  Glad to see someone else likes the blue oval other than me ;)

Ken

Thank you! ;)

Quote from: meltboy11 on July 24, 2008, 10:40:14 PM
didn't I buy your car cuz you could only keep one?... lol
And ranger... come on,... I hope it's at least better than my dads 4cyl 5spd. can't remember his year, 02 I think, but it sux... lol

That was how it was going to be... I was going to DD the TGP in AZ, but I realized that wouldn't be a wise decision for many reasons.
Having the Ranger will give me reliable transportation that doesn't cost much to own.  Also, I have been wanting to buy a truck for the last 3+ years, so I have a vehicle of my own to haul my racebikes to the track on weekends.  It is looking like I will store the TGP in the 'rents garage up here until I am done with school, so it will sit for at least 2 years.  Not having to work on the TGP constantly will help me focus on my school and other important things.  I will come back for it when I'm ready.

It is definitely better than the older 4-cylinders.  They were 2.5L pushrods that put out around 100 HP.  The one I just bought is a fairly new engine designed by Mazda (a partner with Ford), it is built by Ford also.  This one is a 2.3L DOHC, and for its size, it moves pretty well!  I test-drove an 06 Ranger with the same 2.3/manual this last winter when I was driving the white GP and the first thing I thought was... WOW this little truck is FAST!  At least compared to the SE it was.  150 HP in a light little chassis isn't too bad.  I am really enjoying this truck!

Nice truck. You should tint the windows to break up all of that white...and tint will help with that harsh Arizona sun!

Nick, that's not a bad little truck at all! Not my style, but I know it fits yours so good job!

0-60? LOL

   X2 on the tinting, awesome looking truck. Definitly better luck with this than the TGP :icon_cool:

They are faster than you think.

Makes a great x lace hauler.

Nice truck there. Those motors got pep. I know my fusion has the same motor+balance shaft  :icon_rolleyes: . Fells like a quad4, of coarse, my fusion sucks because its has no stall on the converter.

WAY latter down the line, you can do a MAZDASPEED swap  :icon_twisted: .

Thanks guys!

Yes, tint is definitely a must on this truck, actually it will likely be the next thing I do to it.  I'm thinkin somewhere between 20-30% tint on it.

I got a chance to wax it yesterday.  I put on a coat of carnauba, then put on a coat of Liquid Glass on top of that.. it is the perfect finish!  So slippery with a nice reflection too.  I'm going to continue layering on the LG so the truck has a nice thick layer of protection on it when I take it to AZ.

I also got to drive it around a bit yesterday, since my meds wore off (wisdom teeth pulled a coupled days ago).  Yes, it is very peppy and revs surprisingly quickly.  Very fun to drive with the 5-speed.  Turbo 2.3 would be awesome.. maybe down the line someday. Not now. :laugh:

Quote from: TGP Nick on July 26, 2008, 01:59:22 PM
Thanks guys!

5.4 swap would be awesome.. maybe down the line someday. Not now. :laugh:

Fixed......

I bought the 2.3 for a reason.. gas mileage!  A 5.4 would be awful for mileage.

On the contrary, my friend's dad owns a (insert year) F-250 with the 5.4, and he says he can get 14 LOL.

yeah and turboing it would get you good economy  :icon_rolleyes:

If you can keep your foot out of it for the most part, yes.  I averaged 31 MPG on the original plugs, wires, and sensors in my TGP last year.. :dunno: