History/Description: The Mazda B-Series and Ford Ranger pickups might be the longest-lived models on the Canadian market. With a lifespan covering 13 years, these cross-branded small pickups lived from 1998 to 2010 with minimal changes. Cheap, reliable and capable, they offered plenty of selection to shoppers after anything from a simple two-wheel drive work truck to a nicely loaded 4x4.
Low used prices and good overall reliability make these trucks worthy contenders for your used pickup dollars.
Selection is tremendous. Depending on the year and model selected, used shoppers can look for numerous engine, transmission, drivetrain and body configurations. Several packages were available to fine-tune the trucks to virtually any need, and aftermarket support for those interested in modifying their rides is plentiful.
Depending on the year and model in question, feature content included such goodies as tire pressure monitoring, tip-up rear seats, ABS brakes, fog lamps, chrome accents and power accessories. Remote access, cruise, air, satellite radio and tinted glass were also available, as was Ford’s ‘keypad’ door lock system on Ranger models.
Engine options included a 2.5 litre four-cylinder with 120 horsepower, and both three and four-litre V6 units with 150 or 160 horsepower, respectively. From 2001 and on, a new four-litre V6 engine ramped output up to 200 horsepower. On Mazda models, the ‘B’ in the name badge is followed by the engine’s displacement: for instance a B 2500 gets the 2.5 litre engine, while the B 4000 gets the four-litre V6.
What Owners Like: Owner’s seem most satisfied with the styling, comfort, interior space, legroom, off-road capability and overall value of their trucks. Depending on the model in question, ride quality is also highly rated, and depending on the equipped engine, some owners even report good fuel mileage. Confident trailer towing and 4x4 operation on slippery roads round out the package.
What Owners Dislike: Common complaints include small rear seats, sub-par power output with the smaller engines, a bouncy ride (depending on the model), excessive fuel consumption with the larger engines, and a big turning circle. ‘Clumsy’ rear doors and limited headroom for taller drivers and passengers round out the list of common complaints.
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| 1999 Mazda B-Serie (Photo: Mazda) |
Low used prices and good overall reliability make these trucks worthy contenders for your used pickup dollars.
Selection is tremendous. Depending on the year and model selected, used shoppers can look for numerous engine, transmission, drivetrain and body configurations. Several packages were available to fine-tune the trucks to virtually any need, and aftermarket support for those interested in modifying their rides is plentiful.
Depending on the year and model in question, feature content included such goodies as tire pressure monitoring, tip-up rear seats, ABS brakes, fog lamps, chrome accents and power accessories. Remote access, cruise, air, satellite radio and tinted glass were also available, as was Ford’s ‘keypad’ door lock system on Ranger models.
Engine options included a 2.5 litre four-cylinder with 120 horsepower, and both three and four-litre V6 units with 150 or 160 horsepower, respectively. From 2001 and on, a new four-litre V6 engine ramped output up to 200 horsepower. On Mazda models, the ‘B’ in the name badge is followed by the engine’s displacement: for instance a B 2500 gets the 2.5 litre engine, while the B 4000 gets the four-litre V6.
What Owners Like: Owner’s seem most satisfied with the styling, comfort, interior space, legroom, off-road capability and overall value of their trucks. Depending on the model in question, ride quality is also highly rated, and depending on the equipped engine, some owners even report good fuel mileage. Confident trailer towing and 4x4 operation on slippery roads round out the package.
What Owners Dislike: Common complaints include small rear seats, sub-par power output with the smaller engines, a bouncy ride (depending on the model), excessive fuel consumption with the larger engines, and a big turning circle. ‘Clumsy’ rear doors and limited headroom for taller drivers and passengers round out the list of common complaints.
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| 2006 Ford Ranger (Photo: Ford) |