New with questions

[PA RANGER]

Figure I would join. Currently in a 2018 Colorado ZR2. One more payment and done. Love the truck. Looked and test drove just about all the current midsize offerings. Except the Ranger Raptor. Hard to find here. So here to learn about this truck. How has ownership been? Any major drawbacks? Looks like a 9/5 or later build date is good to avoid some of the recalls? Really looking at the Raptor. Just have to get behind the wheel and test drive one!

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[RB205]

I wouldn't focus on build date as much, better to know about the recalls and fix them than deal with the unknown.

 

[Raptor3TT]

Welcome,

I can just tell you my story. I came from a 2016 Colorado Z71 that I loved. I was debating between the 2024 Colorado Bison and the 2024 Ranger Raptor. I had driven the Bison early in the summer and was waiting on finding a Raptor to drive to just say I drove it before putting in my order for the Bison. The reason I was just going to test drive it to tell myself I did it, was based on the looks. The Bison is a great looking truck. It looks good in pictures and looks good in real life. The Raptor doesn't look as awesome as it is in pictures. Seeing the Raptor in real life was a shock because of how good it looked. When I finally got the chance to drive the Raptor, I purchased it that day.

I drove the Bison and it was good, nothing to rave about but was like driving my Z71. It had a little more pickup, the seat was as uncomfortable as before, and the ride was definitely better. The only "bad" thing I could say about it was the shifter being on the wrong side of the center console, just didn't feel good. I liked there were more physical buttons, like the lockers. But was curious why they put the light switch in the infotainment system?

Then I got to drive the Raptor. The seat is amazing, the ride was way better, and the acceleration was worlds above the Bison. I got to try all the drive modes and I fell in love with it instantly. Everything about the Raptor just "felt" better. And this is going to sound dumb, but the rear slider window is power... I would have never used it in the Bison being a 4 door.

I can't explain, but it's kind of like buying a house. You walk through so many and when you find the right one, you just know, you can't put your finger on it, but you just know. Now, because it's such a big purchase, I would suggest your drive it before buying it, but I'll bet you will love it just like I did.

The only drawbacks I have are with the bed of the truck. Having to put reinforcement brackets on a truck bed at my own cost is infuriating. I'm holding out to see if @Ford Motor Company makes things right, but I'm not holding my breath. The other problem with the bed is that it is full of holes and if you want to keep things in there dry, it takes some time, patience and creativity to get it sealed up.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Figure I would join. Currently in a 2018 Colorado ZR2. One more payment and done. Love the truck. Looked and test drove just about all the current midsize offerings. Except the Ranger Raptor. Hard to find here. So here to learn about this truck. How has ownership been? Any major drawbacks? Looks like a 9/5 or later build date is good to avoid some of the recalls? Really looking at the Raptor. Just have to get behind the wheel and test drive one!

Hi there, David! We appreciate you being on the forum.

 

[stemplar]

.

The only drawbacks I have are with the bed of the truck. Having to put reinforcement brackets on a truck bed at my own cost is infuriating. I'm holding out to see if @Ford Motor Company makes things right, but I'm not holding my breath. The other problem with the bed is that it is full of holes and if you want to keep things in there dry, it takes some time, patience and creativity to get it sealed up.

Trucks built after 9/12 apparently do not need the bed-reinforcing j-braces.

 

[PA RANGER]

Thanks for the info so far. Test drove a 24 ZR2 and was impressed. Then also was looking into a BISON. But was not happy with the numbers. Good advice. Find a RAPTOR and drive one. As they say it is all in the drive.

 

[quickstang1]

Welcome,

I can just tell you my story. I came from a 2016 Colorado Z71 that I loved. I was debating between the 2024 Colorado Bison and the 2024 Ranger Raptor. I had driven the Bison early in the summer and was waiting on finding a Raptor to drive to just say I drove it before putting in my order for the Bison. The reason I was just going to test drive it to tell myself I did it, was based on the looks. The Bison is a great looking truck. It looks good in pictures and looks good in real life. The Raptor doesn't look as awesome as it is in pictures. Seeing the Raptor in real life was a shock because of how good it looked. When I finally got the chance to drive the Raptor, I purchased it that day.

I drove the Bison and it was good, nothing to rave about but was like driving my Z71. It had a little more pickup, the seat was as uncomfortable as before, and the ride was definitely better. The only "bad" thing I could say about it was the shifter being on the wrong side of the center console, just didn't feel good. I liked there were more physical buttons, like the lockers. But was curious why they put the light switch in the infotainment system?

Then I got to drive the Raptor. The seat is amazing, the ride was way better, and the acceleration was worlds above the Bison. I got to try all the drive modes and I fell in love with it instantly. Everything about the Raptor just "felt" better. And this is going to sound dumb, but the rear slider window is power... I would have never used it in the Bison being a 4 door.

I can't explain, but it's kind of like buying a house. You walk through so many and when you find the right one, you just know, you can't put your finger on it, but you just know. Now, because it's such a big purchase, I would suggest your drive it before buying it, but I'll bet you will love it just like I did.

The only drawbacks I have are with the bed of the truck. Having to put reinforcement brackets on a truck bed at my own cost is infuriating. I'm holding out to see if @Ford Motor Company makes things right, but I'm not holding my breath. The other problem with the bed is that it is full of holes and if you want to keep things in there dry, it takes some time, patience and creativity to get it sealed up.

Yea! What is with all those holes.? That was also my first question when I looked in the bed.

 

[ffcol]

I came from a 2019 ZR2. I was going to get a 2024 ZR2 but reading about the roof issues was forcing me into a sunroof option. I hate sunroofs and even if I would overlook that, the sunroof was a no go for me as far as headroom. The Ranger feels larger inside and there is definitely more rear legroom in the Ranger. I think the ZR2 has a softer ride on road as far as pavement joints. I need to play around with my Raptor tire pressure to see if it makes a difference. There was no clear winner on washboard roads I have been on in both trucks. I have been running the shocks in normal mode on the Raptor. The Raptor engine is head and shoulders above the 3.6 in the ZR2. I live at altitude and the Raptor just cruises in 10th gear whereas the ZR2 was constantly hunting gears on the highway. The ZR2 was dead nuts reliable for 60k miles.

I sold the ZR2 thinking I was getting a diesel gladiator but chickened out due to the modern diesel issues people were telling me about. I was getting bummed as I could not pull the trigger on anything. I am really happy with the Raptor (besides the fact that Ford installed a Lariat rear seat and it seems like it will not be easy to get them to replace it ) It has both a luxury and sporty feel over my ZR2.

 

[PA RANGER]

Finally test drove one this morning. About 50min. from home. Black. Loaded minus bed liner. Truth. Pics do not do the truck justice. Till you see it. Damn good-looking beast! Loved the interior. Tech was great but a bit overwhelming from my 18. Seats and ride were great in my opinion. Nice power too. Overall, a great truck! Think I favored it over the 24 ZR2. Now guess if I want to take the next step. I would have my local Ford dealer locate one and see if we can deal.

 

[PA RANGER]

Made the call for fun this morning. Same drill. $500 refundable deposit and they go looking. No talk of numbers till I would get serious. Carrying an 850-credit score. I would go thru my CU at 5%. Booked my ZR2 at about $24,342. And of course, money down would help. Not in a bad place. Just have to ponder if I want to start over with a new loan when I am one month away from paying the ZR2 off.

 

[ffcol]

How many miles on your ZR2? I sold my 2019 with 60,000 miles I think around 4th of July this year for $31k to Autonation directly with no trade in.

 

[PA RANGER]

About 74,900 miles. Went to the local dealer Saturday. It is at the point now where they are looking for one. Requested what I wanted. No commitment as of now. If I move forward with it, I put down $500 for them to go get it.

Wants....

Black or grey
Graphic package
Beadlock capable wheels
Bed liner

 

[PA RANGER]

UPDATE. Been a week, so figured I would call the dealer. Still searching. So if and when I get that call guess it's time to make that decision.

 

[PA RANGER]

Still no word. Do they really exist? Starting to wonder. Might as well wait for a 25 at this point. Went thru the same drama with a New ZR2. Could not find one optioned out the way I wanted it. So, they missed a sell.

 

[NASSTY]

Still no word. Do they really exist? Starting to wonder. Might as well wait for a 25 at this point. Went thru the same drama with a New ZR2. Could not find one optioned out the way I wanted it. So, they missed a sell.

I've had mine for 6.5 months and I still haven't seen another one on the road.
If your dealer has an allocation for a 2025 @ MSRP grab it.

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