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So today was the first time I've driven my two Rangers (see sig) more or less back to back.
Now, for those who don't know, I more or less worship the pavement/dirt my '97 rolls on. I love that truck. So my opinions may be slightly biased...
I won't comment much on steering/handling here. The '97 needs a new steering box and pump, and the tires were really low (it was too cold for my air compressor to run this AM...). The tires have pretty crappy tread, too, when you get right down to it. They switched to rack and pinion steering somewhere along the line, and I believe it made a significant difference, but I can't say for sure because it's been a while since I drove a Ranger with a properly functioning old-style steering gearbox.
The primary observation is that, if you're not a bit obsessed (like I am) these trucks basically haven't changed in the last 12 years. Yeah, I can point out tons of tiny differences, but they're all really minor details.
The mirrors on the '09 are a big improvement, for sure. (In fairness, if the '97 had the power equipment group the '09 does, the mirrors would be much larger. On the other hand, if the '09 didn't have the power equip. group, it would still have much better mirrors than the '97 does.)
They still haven't really fixed the manual trans shift quality. I'm a die-hard stick shifter- way more so than I am a Ford man, really. Both my Rangers shift poorly, though- they shift like my friend's ZF-5 with 300k miles on it, in fact...the difference being the ZF is actually a rugged truck trans, and these Mazda boxes aren't. I test-drove a Tacoma and Canyon before I bought this truck, though, and they both shifted just as poorly- the Canyon might even have been worse. I'm not regretting the manual trans in any way, though.
I don't know if it's the four-wheel drive (most likely) or the change from twin I-beam to torsion bar suspension, but the old truck turns a LOT tighter than the new one. Really notice it backing into my (skewed) driveway- the '09 will barely make the turn, while the '97 only has trouble with it if I start siding on the snow and ice.
The new inside door panels are a mixed bag- the fabric (vs. vinyl) where your elbow rests on the door will be a welcome improvement when it's hot out (doesn't matter much when I'm wearing my winter coat), but the new inside door releases are more awkward to grab, and smaller, to boot. A double step down, when you're wearing gloves.
Due to the more than quarter-million-mile difference in wear, it's difficult to compare suspensions and ride, too. The '09 is definitely sprung tighter- the back bounces around worse. The front is maybe a little better planted, but I really can't say how much is that the '97 is worn and how much is the newer suspension design.
Ford truck interior designers are still apparently unaware that most drivers left and right arms are approximately the same length, too- my '97 has a split bench, my '09 has buckets with a center console. Neither truck has left and right armrests within an inch of being the same height...more than enough difference to feel really weird, if you're using both simultaneously.
And lastly- the oversize Ford ovals, front and rear, are not an improvement, IMO. The ones on the '09 are close to twice the size of the ones on my '97. I don't like it. Looks tacky and cheap, IMO.
I still love my '97, of course, and I'm still thrilled with the '09. Not like it's any surprise, but I guess I'm kind of a Ranger fan...
Now, for those who don't know, I more or less worship the pavement/dirt my '97 rolls on. I love that truck. So my opinions may be slightly biased...
I won't comment much on steering/handling here. The '97 needs a new steering box and pump, and the tires were really low (it was too cold for my air compressor to run this AM...). The tires have pretty crappy tread, too, when you get right down to it. They switched to rack and pinion steering somewhere along the line, and I believe it made a significant difference, but I can't say for sure because it's been a while since I drove a Ranger with a properly functioning old-style steering gearbox.
The primary observation is that, if you're not a bit obsessed (like I am) these trucks basically haven't changed in the last 12 years. Yeah, I can point out tons of tiny differences, but they're all really minor details.
The mirrors on the '09 are a big improvement, for sure. (In fairness, if the '97 had the power equipment group the '09 does, the mirrors would be much larger. On the other hand, if the '09 didn't have the power equip. group, it would still have much better mirrors than the '97 does.)
They still haven't really fixed the manual trans shift quality. I'm a die-hard stick shifter- way more so than I am a Ford man, really. Both my Rangers shift poorly, though- they shift like my friend's ZF-5 with 300k miles on it, in fact...the difference being the ZF is actually a rugged truck trans, and these Mazda boxes aren't. I test-drove a Tacoma and Canyon before I bought this truck, though, and they both shifted just as poorly- the Canyon might even have been worse. I'm not regretting the manual trans in any way, though.
I don't know if it's the four-wheel drive (most likely) or the change from twin I-beam to torsion bar suspension, but the old truck turns a LOT tighter than the new one. Really notice it backing into my (skewed) driveway- the '09 will barely make the turn, while the '97 only has trouble with it if I start siding on the snow and ice.
The new inside door panels are a mixed bag- the fabric (vs. vinyl) where your elbow rests on the door will be a welcome improvement when it's hot out (doesn't matter much when I'm wearing my winter coat), but the new inside door releases are more awkward to grab, and smaller, to boot. A double step down, when you're wearing gloves.
Due to the more than quarter-million-mile difference in wear, it's difficult to compare suspensions and ride, too. The '09 is definitely sprung tighter- the back bounces around worse. The front is maybe a little better planted, but I really can't say how much is that the '97 is worn and how much is the newer suspension design.
Ford truck interior designers are still apparently unaware that most drivers left and right arms are approximately the same length, too- my '97 has a split bench, my '09 has buckets with a center console. Neither truck has left and right armrests within an inch of being the same height...more than enough difference to feel really weird, if you're using both simultaneously.
And lastly- the oversize Ford ovals, front and rear, are not an improvement, IMO. The ones on the '09 are close to twice the size of the ones on my '97. I don't like it. Looks tacky and cheap, IMO.
I still love my '97, of course, and I'm still thrilled with the '09. Not like it's any surprise, but I guess I'm kind of a Ranger fan...
today was the first time I've driven it since I bought the '09. To be honest, there was a part of me that was hoping they were right- I have absolutely no need for that truck, it's not cheap to keep registered and insured... But, no. At least not yet. That Ranger and I have been a lot of places and done a lot of things together...and we ain't done yet.
