3 days behind the wheel. I haven't had this much fun in a long time 
Ended up with a pretty loaded sport, not the XLT, but the rest of my original description is the same.
Initial impressions: (Keep in mind v6 4x4 stickshift we're talking about, the 4cyl and autos I can't speak for besides 1 test drive seeming way too underpowered)
-4.0 motor is plenty powerful for this truck. Haven't hauled anything heavy yet but it just rips empty, even at lower RPMs. Has a great sound to it when you put it to the floor at midrange, beautiful growl.
-Definitely "rides like a truck". More comfortable than my old beater by a longshot but you do get bounced around pretty good driving over train tracks, speed bumps and shredded roads. Never feels out of control, but no luxury smooth ride here.
-Controls are all idiot simple and obvious, you'd figure everything out in 30sec without ever looking in the manual.
-Manual transmission pops into all gears quite nicely. Gearing is great, low enough to get going quick and 5th is high enough for the highway. You can feel the engine vibration through the gearshift stick sometimes though, must be a direct linkage.
-Electronic transfer case jumps from RWD to 4WD fast and easy. 4WD on dry roads is a no-no though, you can hear the tires complain a little while turning. Manual recommends against it. Kept that experiment brief. Supposed to get some snow tomorrow, if so we'll see how it works for its intended purpose.
-Simple for sure, but quite adequate interior as long as you're not expecting Cadillac comfort. Visibility is great, I've driven a little subcompact car for years and I had no problem backing the Ranger in or parallel parking on the first day. I've struggled more with full size sedans.
All in all, has a simple, very solid feel to it. Looks great too IMO. Devoid of anything fancy, but that's why it caught my eye in the first place.
Will update again later. Thanks again for all the input to everyone who's replied.
Ended up with a pretty loaded sport, not the XLT, but the rest of my original description is the same.
Initial impressions: (Keep in mind v6 4x4 stickshift we're talking about, the 4cyl and autos I can't speak for besides 1 test drive seeming way too underpowered)
-4.0 motor is plenty powerful for this truck. Haven't hauled anything heavy yet but it just rips empty, even at lower RPMs. Has a great sound to it when you put it to the floor at midrange, beautiful growl.
-Definitely "rides like a truck". More comfortable than my old beater by a longshot but you do get bounced around pretty good driving over train tracks, speed bumps and shredded roads. Never feels out of control, but no luxury smooth ride here.
-Controls are all idiot simple and obvious, you'd figure everything out in 30sec without ever looking in the manual.
-Manual transmission pops into all gears quite nicely. Gearing is great, low enough to get going quick and 5th is high enough for the highway. You can feel the engine vibration through the gearshift stick sometimes though, must be a direct linkage.
-Electronic transfer case jumps from RWD to 4WD fast and easy. 4WD on dry roads is a no-no though, you can hear the tires complain a little while turning. Manual recommends against it. Kept that experiment brief. Supposed to get some snow tomorrow, if so we'll see how it works for its intended purpose.
-Simple for sure, but quite adequate interior as long as you're not expecting Cadillac comfort. Visibility is great, I've driven a little subcompact car for years and I had no problem backing the Ranger in or parallel parking on the first day. I've struggled more with full size sedans.
All in all, has a simple, very solid feel to it. Looks great too IMO. Devoid of anything fancy, but that's why it caught my eye in the first place.
Will update again later. Thanks again for all the input to everyone who's replied.
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