I own a 2001 Ford Ranger. I absolutely, positively love the truck, but I
have two problems that have been hard to solve.

The problems are intermittent, so when I go to the dealer the truck is
naturally on its best behavior.

When the truck is cold in the morning, there is a huge, loud noise when
you put it in reverse and back-up. I have left the truck at the dealer
quite a few times so they can back it up in the morning. No way will the
truck act up with the dealer. Damn! Damn!

The automatic transmission has a problem. It too is on its best behavior
at the dealership. At traffic lights the transmission sometimes seems to
be out- of-gear for a second or two, and the truck will lunge forward.

The truck will be going out of warranty next spring. I am determined to
get these problems solved, even if the truck has to live at the
dealership.

I have read that Ford, with its financial problems, is not going to
redesign the Ranger until possibly 2008. If this is true, I am sure
sales will be falling off a cliff, but at least my 2001 Ranger will be
in great style. I truly love my Ranger. The white color looks great.

So far I am not impressed with the design of the 2004 F-150. The body of
the truck, width-wise, seems to be so high. And the driver and passenger
side windows have a crink that is ugly to me.

Nissan is coming out with the Titan. It appears to be ugly and a
definite yawn. I can't imagine this truck making a dent in the Texas
truck market.

For anyone contemplating purchasing a truck, I would highly recommend a
Ford, even with the minor problems I have had with mine. My Ranger is a
joy to drive.

The Japanese are just beginning to enter the big truck market. I have
read that with the increased competition prices will be falling. Wait a
couple of years, and there will be huge, huge, huge price bargains in
the truck marketplace.