Picked up my 2026 Avalanche Ranger Raptor

[B4JA]

With an 18 month old and a second kid on the way, my ND Miata just wasn’t cutting it anymore as a daily driver and I set out to find a safe alternative that maximized pure driving fun. I considered the bronco, VW golf R, BMW M2 and some of the other usual suspects. After spending weeks agonizing over my options, I landed on the Ranger Raptor and MY GOD AM I GLAD I DID. It’s such a departure from other cars I’ve owned, and never in a million years did I see myself in a “pickup truck”. I put pickup truck in quotes because this thing drives more like a rally car than a truck…it just happens to weigh >5k lbs and have a bed.



I was fortunate to find one in my ideal spec and 19 miles on the clock for WELL under MSRP. I made the 500 mile drive to trade my Miata for it and haven’t been able to stop driving it ever since.



After some uneventful break in miles I finally had a chance to hoon around in it. This is, without question, the most fun car I’ve ever driven. I also own a 2024 Porsche Cayman GTS 4.0 which feels so clinical by comparison. I’ve never driven a car that begs to be thrown into a roundabout with the tail fully hanging out. I can’t get over how easy this car is to control while sideways, and love how much fun you can have at safe/low speeds (that has always been my problem with the cayman).



Anyway, couldn’t be happier with the decision and truck. Ford performance calibration being installed next week, although by no means does this car need more power!

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[CaptAngry]

Good lookin' truck!

You think it is fun now WITHOUT the tune, wait until you get that! The extra power is nice, but the transmission shift points make all the difference.

 

[superj]

Nice. Welcome to the group

 

[yoopercharged]

Congrats on the new truck, looks great! This is the first evidence I’ve seen to support that they really did change the base wheels.

 

[STEVE_K]

You supposed to turn in the roundabout? Guess I have been doing it wrong since I go straight through them.... Traffic and obstacles permitting.

 

[MJ12]

It's a blast, congratulations.

 

[Medic 6]

Congratulations and welcome to the club. I completely enjoy the tune on my truck. Better shifting and more HP/torque.

 

[rocsteady]

Congrats! I went from a 2019 GT350 to mine and although I still whine about wanting another 350, I have had a blast with the truck. My brother described it as rally car meets trophy truck. Lots of fun on a twisty back road, whether it's dry, wet, snow-covered, or dirt!! Certainly can't do all that in a Shelby! And the tune just turns it up to 11.

 

[stuartmunto]

Wait until you get her off-road

 

[NM Mike]

Congrats on the new ride.

 

[surfstar]

Swing and a miss.
Sienna is what you really needed

 

[Bill Hippel]

Congrats, Great looking truck.

 

[OxygenMask]

I've been a truck guy all my life. We usually had 3 vehicles in the driveway (still do) and one has always been a truck - since 1975! (Yes, I'm old) My preferred driver is always my truck, even though we've had vintage and modern muscle cars etc also.

The RR is just plain fun! It's not much for doing "truck stuff" but I have an F350 diesel for that. But I love it! It's satisfying. It feels good. It's a total blast, yet it's 100% capable of simply hauling the groceries with no drama. And my friends are envious and that's good too...

 

[jlmoon]

I have been thinking about making the same trade - ND Miata to Ranger Raptor. I love the Miata, but the AC is weak, and though I almost never need the 3rd or 4th seat, it would be nice to not always take my wife's car when the three of us go somewhere. I also would love to do some more off roading and have the utility of a truck. One of these days...

 

[B4JA]

I can tell you that the Ranger Raptor is every bit as fun and engaging as the Miata. Just in a different way. Wants to be slid around in ways the Miata isn’t powerful enough to be. However, you need to recalibrate your braking foot for MUCH longer stops. Had a harrowing near rear-end incident yesterday thinking it would slow down like my cayman or former Miata. Takes about twice as much distance…no exaggeration

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