re: I couldn’t imagine being a mechanic nowadays.

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For reference, the 89 Ford Ranger had 140 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque

For comparison, the 2025 Ranger has base 270hp (up to 405), and 310 lb-ft of torque (up to 430)

Nobody is clamoring to go back to 140hp girlie engines with less torque than a Hyundai Sonata.

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You're so wrong on so many levels. If I had a choice between buying a new 1989 and a 2025 model...I am taking the 89.

I actually have a running and driving 91 ranger. There is zero chance 35 years from now a 2025 ranger will be running and driving. They are disposable garbage now.

140 horsepower is plenty for a true compact truck. O tow around an 18 foot boat without issue. And that's 140 horses without turbos and an unbelievable amount of technology to fail. I change an alternator on my ranger in 10 minutes for 80 bucks.

I have zero desire to own a newer model anything. The technology does nothing but piss me off.

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SlowFlowPro

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this bum thinks he's a mechanic now

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Again, this is in part driven by all the bells and whistles and computer systems that people demand nowadays.

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No. This is called planned obsolescence. Anyone with a functioning brain can design these vehicles to be simple to work on or change parts. Adding a computer to everything on board doesn't make bolts harder to access. That's engineers designing shite so the average person has no choice but to go back to the dealer.

The dealers don't just make money selling cars. They make it on repairs alot more.

Is there a reliable vehicle made today that can last 10 years? I don't think there is. In 20 years none of these vehicles will be on the road. Once my POS 22 GMC sierra dies, I'm going back to cheap reliable gas guzzlers.

Just think what you could have if you dumped 50k into an 80 to 2000s model truck.

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. O tow around an 18 foot boat without issue.

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1989 Ranger towing capacity: 2200 stock and 3500 with the towing package

2025 Ranger towing capacity: 7500

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140 horsepower is plenty for a true compact truck.

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Is this a pivot and re-frame where you quality the excess ability in the newer models has no value? Or was it just a side comment. Serious question.

Because the original post was about Darth implying these engines were over-engineered just because, when it's clear they give ample performance upgrades. It's not just some superfluous complexity "because". That's why I wanted to clarify you weren't making a deceptive argument creating that same superfluous status of the improvements.

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Hell, even Toyota and Honda have some questionable engineering

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This is all intentional

Step 1 - force out all the DIYers

Step 2 - force out all the smaller independent shops

Step 3 - force out all the after market parts

Step 4 - force everyone to dealer shops with OEM parts

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SlowFlowPro

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Holy shite. Are you still yapping about n one wanting an 89 Ranger over a 2025?



Look, if it will make you happy, I’ll give you the attention you’ve been trying to get sin w last night and answer your question.

If, someone invented a Time Machine and brought a brand new 1989 Ford Ranger exactly like the one I had back then, I’d absolutely take it over a 2025 Ranger. Wouldn’t even hesitate for a second. Give me the 89.

There, you happy now?

Some people prefer a simple to work on older vehicle SFP. I drive an early 90s F150.

Quit being a fricking nerd

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If they still made a no frills, utilitarian pick-up truck like the 2003 S-10 I used to have, I would get one. It took me to work and to Lowe's and back, that's all I needed it to do.

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That's basically a base Maverick, right?

No one is saying the 90s vehicles were amazing. People just liked them simpler and easier to fix. There is zero chance any of the newer vehicles are going to be going in 20+ years. They are basically smart phones on wheels now. The cost to repair to going to exceed the value rapidly.

I just had to disassemble the entire top 1/3rd of an engine bay on a relatives car to replace a 10 inch long plastic valve. I don't need or want variable length intake runners. There are 100 parts just like that one on modern cars just waiting to break and junk the vehicle.

It's illegal to drive and use your phone...yet there is a 12 inch smart phone on the dash. Touch screens aren't tactile so you have to look at them to use them. Call me old fashioned but I like buttons.

People in here talking about 0-60 times on trucks. We talking bout trucks...freaking trucks lol.

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There are 100 parts just like that one on modern cars just waiting to break and junk the vehicle.

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I understand this, and it's annoying, but they're also more reliable and long-lasting, overall.

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Touch screens aren't tactile so you have to look at them to use them. Call me old fashioned but I like buttons.

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This is one of those things where the market has reacted and buttons are coming back.

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People in here talking about 0-60 times on trucks. We talking bout trucks...freaking trucks lol.

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Again, the comment was about how they're over-engineered, implying it was just to make things more difficult. I was simply showing that the advances in engineering have to real, tactile improvements.

And I also brought up things like torque, which was inferior to a new Hyundai Sonata...and towing capacity. Things that are important to trucks (in the traditional sense/use of a truck).