I miss daily driving my old Ranger. It’s a 2004 with the 4.0 engine and a 5-speed manual. It’s rough around the edges, but it was my first vehicle and I loved everything about it. It’s paid off, simple, and had everything I needed—nothing more, nothing less.
I decided to finance a 2024 Maverick because it has great gas mileage, it’s brand new, and I thought it’d help build my credit. But honestly, this new truck doesn’t have the same vibe. I miss the character of the Ranger, even the afternoons I’d spend working on it. Newer vehicles feel like they’re for people with a different kind of life than mine.
You mentioned financing the Maverick for gas savings—did you do the math? Between the loan payments, interest, and insurance, it might take years to actually save money.
Building credit? You could’ve just opened a secured credit card for $200. Eventually, you’d get that money back and still build your credit.
If you just wanted a new shiny truck, that’s fine—no need for mental gymnastics! As long as it’s affordable, the Maverick’s a great little truck. But if you have serious buyer’s remorse, you could try selling it or finding someone to take over the loan. Losing a few thousand now might still be cheaper than years of payments.
@Troy
A lot of people don’t realize this! If you’re in the U.S., unless you got something like a 2022 XLT Hybrid at an old price, it’s hard to justify financially.
For me, over 7 years in Canada, it’d take at least a decade to save $20,000 CAD on fuel and maintenance compared to keeping my older SUV. In the U.S., with cheaper fuel, it might take even longer. These newer trucks won’t last that long anyway.
That said, I’m 90k kilometers in on my 2022 XLT Hybrid, and I’ve cut my gas use in half. Maintenance costs more but lasts longer. If you picked the right trim, you’ll probably find reasons to love it in time.
Good choice! That’s one of the better options given the current market. It’s a solid truck, and with time, you’ll probably find new things to appreciate about it. The Maverick has its own charm, even if it’s not quite like the Ranger.
@Alyssa
Did the dealer tell you the oil lasts twice as long? Curious about that because they also claim warming up the engine isn’t needed anymore. Seems weird they can’t explain how these improvements actually work.
This is why I’m never giving up my 2008 Ranger. It’s got just enough technology to be useful but not so much that it’s a pain. I hate touchscreens in vehicles.
Edwardgenesis said:
This is why I’m never giving up my 2008 Ranger. It’s got just enough technology to be useful but not so much that it’s a pain. I hate touchscreens in vehicles.
Same here with my 2011. My partner knows we’re rebuilding the engine if it ever comes to that!
Man, my Ranger broke down and I replaced it with a Maverick too. I miss that janky old drive and how the whole thing rattled when I hit 80. Most of all, I miss crank windows.
If you can afford both vehicles, this is your chance to turn the Ranger into a project car. All those repairs you said you’d get to ‘someday’ can happen now. Then sell the Maverick and just daily the Ranger again.
Good luck working on that 2024! It’s all computers now, and mechanics need expensive scanners just to do basic stuff. That’s why I won’t buy anything newer than a 2014.
