Ford is a joke. The cars they are making are a joke. My family is a Ford Family. I myself have owned 5 Rangers and currently own a 2006 F150. Just look at the ranger, you see that thing everywhere. You cant drive 2 miles down the road without passing one. Ford has absolutely refused to remodel the thing in the past 13 years. The 93 is the same as the 2007, with the exception of the suspension(98-current has ifs). I have owned 2 1993 model rangers a 2wd and 4wd, a 1999 ext. cab 4wd, a 2001 ext. cab 4wd, and a 2004 ext. cab 4wd. I can tell you the trucks Quality and fit and finish got cheaper and cheaper every year. I can not understand why Ford has abandoned the ranger, Ford sold a ton of the little trucks. My sister and mother have always owned the Taurus or Focus. Climb through a Ford model car and then climb through a toyota, honda or even a nissan and tell me which one is better. Ford is starting to lose there grip on the Fullsize and work truck market also, Every city and town had F150's, F250's and Ford vans as thier work vehicles. Now you see chevy's and Dodges. The same geos for police vehicles. When you own the market like ford did how do you lose it overnight in these areas. Did you see the new escape, absolutely UGLY, the thing looks like a vehicle ford produces for the over sea's market. The only vehicles ford makes that is worth a damn are the mustang and F150-F350.

Maybe Ford isn't the joke. Here you have the Ranger, true they haven't done anything to the truck, but also look at the numbers that Ford looks at. They haven't touched it and it still outsells the competition. Now if they went and redesigned the way that they should(like a V-8 and a true back seat-doors) then you will take buyers away from the bigger trucks. The Ranger is suppose to be a small economical truck.

I am new here but I have to jump in and give my opinion.I have been car shoppingandhave to say that Ford has fallen behind. ( No sport sedans, SVT Focus, Mustang is too costly ) TheAmericanbuyers can do better elsewhere, the 10,000 employees who use to work at Fordwere victims of a Board of Directors that may have not been qualified to run the car company.It also seems that Europe and theU.S. somehow get different cars and different engines, the U.S. usually gets the worst and that just bothers me as a car buyer. Fordjust makes a car good enought to sell it's first year and saves up-grades and more power for future years when sales are down.( WHY? it hasn't worked ) Where is the turboSVT Focus (not available here) ora FocusST (N.A.) with the 225 hp 2.5 liter 5 cylinder. I would also like to see the MustangGT with the multi-valve supercharged V8 standard and notfor 40,000 dollars, that just crazy! What is worst of all is that the executives and CEO, after a lost of 12.7 billion and 10,000 jobshave decided to give themselves a bonus.( a reward for incompetence ) They should have used that bonus time trying to save their company, it's employees and stock holders!


I really hope that Ford will use this as a wake up call and make somethinggreat for the averagecar buyer. We will see!

I have an old saying.."If it aint broke,dont fix it"..Our truck sales are good...ranger, e-series and f-series...times change and so does the demand for different vehicles...compact truck sales arent what they used to be for any company...redesign and retooling costs would outweigh the benefits...crossovers are big now..As far as the econoline van we are the leaders in sales for full sized cargo units....we cant build them fast enough...10 hour shifts 5 to 6 days a week..and thats 2 shifts per day...close to 1000 built in a 24 hour period out of one plant....Ford is trying to take bolder steps to increase saled by introducing new vehicles that the people want, not what "we" think they will want...unfortunatly products fall out of popularity and wind up discontinued..leaving workers to relocate or worse, unemployed...Ford is trying to build plants now that are "multi-platform",,so if a vehicles loses its saled a new product can be built in the same plant with the same workers..saving on rebuilding,retooling and retraining..I too come from a "Ford" family and i like my Fords....I also take great pride in buying an Amarican owned and made vehicle, whatever the brand..It keeps mony in our country...and,"American" auto manufacturing jobs are some of the highest paying,and best benifit "blue collar" jobs in our country....Well....enough flag waving...Whatever you buy."good luck"try and keep faith in American companies..we need you now more than ever..

I myself own 2 rangers, a 1995 and a 2003. I think they are the best truck ever. They are reliable, simple, and they get all the work done thats needed. I have hauled and pulled more with my 95 than it ever was supposed to, and have actually treated it pretty badly. I am not good with getting my oil changes on time at all. It currently has 211,000 miles on it and counting. In fact its still on its original spark plugs! That is a quality vehical, and its driven daily. So who cares if they haven't changed? They still do the job.
And as for your toyota loving comment, my sister just bought a brand new Ford Fussion. I can't believe how many people have commented on how great that car is and they wish they would have bought one. For 21,000 bucks she got twice the car as the 23,000 toyota offered.
The full size truck I drive for work, its a company vehical, is stripped down to bare bones. That 2wd V6 pushes snow better than that Dodge Ramthey have. So be thankful that there is a great quality vehical out there to choose over all the others. Oh if you don't like Ford why post on an all Ford Forum?

I don't know what you think - But I think they should have stuck with the Ford police vehicles. They even have the option of bullet-proof doors now. As far as the Chevy cop cars - I'm a bad boy for feeling this way - but I could whack 'em with my Ford truck and roll 'em like a ball they're so small. Second - I prefer less changes to vehicles. That means that parts are more available and CHEAPER. Even rich guys know the advantage of keeping a dollar in your pocket. I do think each model should have at least onenoticable change though. You may think Ford's a joke but mine has around 300,000 miles on. I think in general the complexity of assemblies of new cars is the only joke. (Let's face it - who needs a new car when your old models have so much more potential for repairing yourself?) I will go along with the other guy though - why so rough? andif you don't like your Fords why post on a Ford site. If you want some action - try telling Ford what you want. Nobody says you can't throw out a couple ideas or wants to the higher-ups. To conclude - I must mention how dumb putting fiberglass fenders on a rough-duty truck is. Fiberglass is more brittle and can't be dented back out - it shatters. I hope they change back to steel fenders and just rust proof the bottom edges and inner fender areas better. How about offering a choice of fiberglass or steel fenders?

I am new to the forums, joined today, was just crusing the net and found this forum and was reading some issues on ford rangers when I seen this post and it made me a little sad.Ihave owned fords all my life,I have put over 100,000 miles on each,65 ford falcon (100,000 plus),79 mercury couger (120,000 +) 85 ford escort(100,000 +) 89 ford ranger my current ride(171,000 and counting) has been through the mill and back, a real work horse for the size.I have hauled and towed more than it's rated for with out any problems.95 ford escort my wifes car(124,000 plus when traded) 2002 F150 (143.000 and still counting) with just the recomened maintenance,I like the dependabilty of myfords, so don't trash the ford company. they are doing what keeps ford alive in the market today.

Well, i'm a new Ford customer. I've ordered my new 2007 Ranger Sport 4x4 because I wanted a SMALL economical pickup. I've driven the F150 and it felt like I was in an Airbus, rather than a truck. I think the truck looks great and is economical. My family have all owned rangers throughout the years and not had any problems. That's a track record I can live with. Does the truck still look good? I think so. I like the new 2007 Escape, it looks way better than the 2005 my brother bought. And for 0% financing, $1000 of the sticker price and $1000 of free accessories. how couldI say no?

living in australia, ford has only just released the ranger in oz for the first time a few months ago so they are rare as over here. as for ford being a joke, the falcons over here are brilliantly made and have a huge following (bloody heaps of them on the road)and its only in the last few years that ford over here has started to have problems due to increase in fuel prices. falcon, being a large car has suffered sales decreases because of this.people are buying smaller cars more and because of this,ford australia is bringing out the new mondeo later in the year. i think ford everywhere needs to react to the global conditions (fuel, global warming, emmisions etc) and start building cars that the masses want whilst still having the good ford models that arepassionate/hero cars such as oz's performance falcons and your mustangs.

I myself is an Ford enthusiast have been with my ranger for years... Just wanted a small economical truck.. As for Ford a joke, even if they have not make any innovation with their performance truck parts (http://www.truckaccessorywholesale.com/performance/)... Still they are surviving in the market... It is because car buyers still wanted to have an affordable, economical and reliable car's... Beside who wants to buy cars that are too pricey but has a really low quality... On the other side, it would be a interesting endeavor for Ford to make some necessary innovation to make their cars stand up in the auto market...

My '95 T Bird is becoming a good worktruck....I have to make a roof rack for it. Annnnnnnnd it has (almost) thecoefficiaent of dragof a vette.:)

i have to point something out, ford is fixing to be on top of everything. research ford alittle and what its building before you make claims. the 2009 f150 400hp hydrolic launch system 35mpg in the city, the fusion what else can you say about it but damn! fastest selling increase in the country, i own one and can say this car gets 27 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway my buddies honda fit gets 2 more mpg small and he only paid 3000 less and he didnt get half what i got with the sport package. just google ford and see what their building. personaly id like to see the oz ranger 4door here instead of the sporttrac and the mondeo damn

I'm only going to comment on this because someone else brought this topic back from the dead...hence, I don't feel as bad.

Yayer, your comment doesn't really make sense. I'm going to say this knowing full well you'll probably never read it. That being said, if you see Ford's everywhere, and you're a Ford guy, as is your family, what exactly quantifies Ford as being "a joke". IF they're on the road and in your family, clearly they're doing something productive. Even though they've done minor changes to any of their product line in the last 13 or so years (or however many you said) you and MANY people still continue to buy them. That's really saying something.

Secondly, you need to realize that Ford is competing with cars and trucks that look like they were made for an "overseas market". Hence, in order to be competitive, their styling has to be similar. Now, clearly, being that this post was made in 06 and here it isalmost08, many of your statements are no longer relevant and I'm sure you already know. So, I won't patronize you or insult your intelligence by arguing some of what you said. I will say, have you driven a Ford Lately.

The New Fusion, the Edge, the Taurus X and the redesigned Taurus are all great examples of Ford stepping up their game. Not to mention the ALL NEW redesigned Focus and the much sought after Escape Hybrid. If that's not enough to pawn after, check out the all new 09 Ford Flex, which is poised to take a HUGE chunk out of the Scion xB market. Now, I know some smarty-art can come on and say that the Taurus X and the Taurus are just a redesigned Freestyle and Ford Five Hundred, but have you SEEN them. I mean, I'll be honest. I grew up on Mopar. I normally drive mopar. My next car will be a Mopar. The only Ford I'll probably drive is my wife's and my demo. But, as you can see by my screen name, I am a Ford Lincoln and Mercury sales professional in NY and I gotta say, these vehicles stand out. It's great quality, functionality and appearance.

This sounds cliche, but if you haven't driven a Ford lately, you should.

I just thought I would give my two cents concerning Ford quality. I bought a new expedition in 97 and never had a problem with it over the five years I had it. I traded it in on an 02 GMC Yukon that has given me some problems over the five years I've had it, so I am going to trade it for a new 08 Expedition XLT 4x4 soon. I also own an 05 Mustang GT that I've now had for about 2 1/2 years and no problems. From what I've read, Ford has recently gotsome awards for quality and all I can say is that I have had very good vehicles from Ford lately. So I think they are doing something right.

Before anyone here goes on a rant that "Ford is a joke", do yourself a favor and visit Yahoo Autos. Look up "2007 Camry" and "Ford Fusion". Roughly the same number of owner reviews (mid-400's), and read how many 07 Camry owners state "This will be my last Toyota". Then judge Ford.

New Ranger: It's baffling to ponder why Ford has chosen to abandon the small truck market in the US. The Ranger has always been a great little truck (I own a '94), but it is certainly true the the quality of the Ranger is slipped since the mid-90's. However, Ford has introduced a new and (apparently) much improved Ranger in nearly the rest of the civilized world. Check out any Ford website in Europe (e.g. UK, Deutschland, Italia) or Australia to learn more about the new Ranger. Why not in N. America? I can only guess that Ford hasn't introduced the new Ranger to the N. American market because the new truck is powered by turbo diesel engines that are probably tied to low-sulfur diesel--not available to my knowledge in the US.

Ford is a joke, and they shouldn't wonder why they cannot turn a profit in their own backyard. Aside from full-sized truck development, Ford has failed to seriously invest in the US market. The company's "soul" seems to have emigrated back to Europe.

I was a GM/Mopar only person till I got a R&D job at a major gasket manufacturer. The Ford engines we worked on were superior to the GM and they were the common every day ones. I got to work on the prototype 4.6 SOHC there and the prototype GM GenIII when I went to GM(Somebody had to pay for our Ford vehicles). I wasn't impressed with GM's new engine that wasn't even OHC. We've never looked back. Just like clock work we got a new truck/SUV every 3 years with the exception of my 2002 F-150 which I decided to keep after buying it.

I would say i have to agree with OP to a certian extent. I do agree ford has kinda gotten lazy as far as competition over the last decade. Each and every one of us know what ford is capable of building if they put their mind to it! As far as the ranger goes, yes it would be awesome to have an all new modern class leading truck, however apparently ford decides not to fix what isn't broken. I honestly believe the fusion was ford's turning point for the better. If ford can build more vehicles to be as attractive and well built, they will be #1 again very soon. Personally, I would LOVE to see a new focus that actually raises the bar, rather than merely reaches it. I'm talking a focus built with the quality of a fusion or lincoln MKZ, class leading 38mpg, and a performance version that would put it years ahead of the competition. $100 says it is absolutely possible if ford would just FOCUS on focus. Someone just needs to light a fire under ford execs and get back the passion. It's almost as if ford waits for the competition to make an advancement and match it which is bad business. BOTTOM LINE: gas isn't getting any cheaper and trucks will eventually be forced to downsize. ford has built their company around trucks, and now that market is losing ground, all they have to do is refocus their ingenuity. I can't wait to see the cyclone 3.7 debut in the F150, and I'm already drooling for the Ecoboost(gay) 2L 275hp I4. It was near suicide to kill the performance focus, they need to bring back a SERIOUS SVT focus and fusion, cut a bunch of fat off the taurus and retune it for police use. An AWD 270-280hp taurus would put the V6 charger and impala wherethey belong, 2nd best. Bring back the competitive passion of the 60s ford. Good luck.

I'm thinking about buying a 2009 Ranger - I found this thread (searching for 2009 Ranger). It's funny how everyone here was bashing Ford, now they are only one of the big three left standing. Something to be said about tradition and sticking with what sells.

I've never had any issues with ford. They can't be that bad.