I have to agree with you on the Ranger... definitely the worst.
And the Rear bumper on the S-10... isn't that just a shrunken version of the
Ford F-250's of old (early to mid-80's)?
As a former (please don't think poorly of me-I traded it in on my Dak 6
months later) Sonoma owner, I can testify to the mechanical inferiority of
the vehicle.
Erin Scofield, Dakota Chickie
1993 White on Red CC, 5.2 L V8 Mag (318), A518 trans., 4x2 --It's all
stock except for the 30/950/15 BFG Radial All Terrain's
-----Original Message-----
From: Steve F. [mailto:sferrari@concentric.net]
Sent: Friday, January 22, 1999 11:16 AM
To: Dakota Mailing List
Subject: DML: 1999 Beauty Contest
It's that time of year again; all the new trucks are out.
When shopping around for a new truck don't you ask yourself what
kind of image you want to convey? Will I be king of the strip with this?
Will I be a macho man in that? Will I be a geek?
The voting is done. The results are in.
The following is a summary of the final analysis with expert commentary
from the judges.
1. Dodge Dakota - perfect balance of size and power; best in class
without
any unnecessary foo-foo included. Makes both a good street rod and
an excellent 4x4. R/T is awesome. Best all around truck.
2. Actually there is a tie for second depending on what you want to do
with your new truck:
2a. Dodge Ram - best 4x4. Thick neck Gunter on steroids type of
styling.
Take one geek, add one 2500 ext. cab 4x4 with the Cummins, and
you have instant Hulk Hogan with a 10" phallus.
2b. Ford F-150 - curvaceous lines that make the hottest looking
street
rod. However, those same sexy lines make the 4x4 version look
like a Dennis Rodman cross-dressing freak.
3. Chevy S-10/GMC Sonoma - Can be made to handle reasonably well but
lacks
power. Fairly good looks except for the hideous rear bumper. ZR2 4x4
option gives a well composed chassis for off-roading.
4. Chevy Silverado/GMC Sierra - same old story redesigned. Newly
engineered
engine that makes less torque than last years; however gas mileage is
up.
5. Ford F-250/350 - Tough work truck hit with the ugly stick. Tried to
capture the appeal of the Ram but misses the mark. Powerful diesel.
6. Toyota Tacoma - best of the imports. Reliable companion; stale
styling.
Favorite 4x4 of the young and immature crowd who want nothing more
than a 8" lift kit and 36" tires. Looks ridiculous with big tires
and that pencil sized rear axle.
7. Nissan Frontier - newly redesigned. The engineers are stuck in the
1980's. Aesthetically challenged; butterfly collar, angel flights'
disco style.
8. Toyota Tundra - Dodge/Ford/Chevy full-size wannabe. Promising new V8
but without the load/towing capacities of the domestics. Shallow bed.
Most likely be a sales failure like the ill-fated T-100. Toyota, or
any other Japanese manufacturer, will never be competitive in the
full size market.
9. Ford Ranger - It's hard to believe the same company that designed
the Mustang, T-bird, GT-40 etc. came up with this disastrous
elephant-man look. Ever since it was introduced, this was simply
awful to look at. Mechanical nightmare. Ever see one lowered? YUCK!
So there it is: The Ford Ranger gets the Golden Colon award for
aesthetic and mechanical mediocrity.
Say what you must. Flame proof Nomex suit on.
Steve F.
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