Ford Ranger was revised last year, with numerous improvements to styling, comfort, functionality, equipment and powertrain.
In the latter half of the 1998 model year, an optional four-door SuperCab was added, making Ranger one of the most versatile compact pickup trucks on the market. The forward opening rear doors greatly improve access to the rear compartment, which comes equipped with two jump seats that fold down. The rear doors are fitted with side intrusion beams for enhanced protection.
When equipped with the 60/40 front bench seat, Ranger Super Cab can seat a maximum of five passengers. The jump seats can be deleted for buyers who want an open rear compartment.
Ranger continues to offer the 2.5-liter I-4 (119 horsepower), 3.0-liter V-6 (150 horsepower) and the 4.0-liter V-6 (160 horsepower) engine, available with 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual, four-speed automatic and - exclusive in the compact pickup class - a five-speed electronically controlled automatic. This transmission is an option with the 4.0-liter engine.
For 1999, a flexible fuel (ethanol/gasoline) version features the 3.0-liter V-6 engine. Ranger also continues to be available as an electric vehicle. Qualifying as a zero-emission vehicle, Ranger EV is based on the Regular Cab, 112-inch wheelbase model.
The Ford Ranger is built in 3 assembly plants: Louisville, KY; Twin Cities, MN and Edison, NJ. All Rangers are equipped with dual air bags, side-impact protection and "optional" anti-lock brakes.
Overall Length 187.5 in. Overall Width 69.4 in. Height (empty) 64.9 in. Wheelbase 111.6 in. Fuel Tank Capacity 16.5 gal. Curb Weight 4,320 lbs.
FUEL PRICES DROPPED IN THE LAST YEAR
According to AAA Washington, fuel prices have dropped significantly since the 1997 holiday season. The average price of fuel in the Bellevue, Washington area was 20 cents lower than one year ago.
AAA Washington is a non-profit organization with 13 offices in central and western Washington. Here is a sample of fuel prices in selected areas:
HOLIDAY '98
HOLIDAY '97
$1.09
$1.29
1.10
1.27
1.07
1.09
1.32
1.06
1.29
LINCOLN MERCURY WEB SITE RATED EXCELLENT
Lincoln Mercury's Lincoln LS site received the "Standard of Excellence Award" from the Web Marketing Association, in mid-December.
The 1999 Web Award's "Standard of Excellence" honor represents the backbone of today's world wide web and is respected as the standard toward which all corporate sites aim.
Visit Lincoln LS site at http://www.lincolnvehicles.com.
DETROIT'S AUTO SHOW
The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) opened to the public on Saturday, January 9, 1999. A number of new and futuristic automobiles and trucks are on display at this show.
You can look in on many of the exciting products that are on display by logging on the web site that is set up exclusively for this show. The address is http://naias.com.
NHTSA WILL CRASH MORE TRUCKS
During the 1998 model year, the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) purposely crash-tested 48 cars and 22 trucks. For the 1999 model year, they expect to crash-test 37 light trucks and 26 cars.
This increased emphasis on pickups, vans and sport utilities is because 1999 is the first year in which all trucks are required to meet federal side-impact standards.
Side-impact testing of cars began with the 1997 cars. Frontal crash tests began in 1979. In a frontal test, a car or truck is run into a barrier at 35 mph. In the side test, a movable deformable barrier is angled at 38 mph into the side of a car or truck.
For more information on crash-testing of vehicles, log on to the agency's web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
1999 IMPORT 'CAR OF THE YEAR
Motor Trend Magazine selected the Volkswagen Beetle as its Import Car of the Year.
The editors said: "The New Beetle is much more than just a clever design. This VW delivers throughout. It's genuinely fun to drive." They also noted the car's innovative styling: "The designers managed to mix just the right amount of retro influence while blending in a snappy futuristic theme that stands out on today's highways just as the original Type 1 did on the roads of yesteryear."
GM SUBSIDIZING TRUNK LATCH RELEASE KITS
On December 16, 1998 General Motors announced it will offer child resistant trunk kits for most of its 1990 and newer family passenger cars engineered in the U.S. The dealer-installed trunk kits will be available through GM dealers early next year.
"GM wants to help prevent tragedies like those that claimed 11 young lives this past summer," said Ron Zarrella, executive vice president of General Motors and president of GM North America, "so we will soon begin offering child resistant kits through our dealers that will help prevent trunk lids from unintentionally closing on children and also provide a means of escape in the event that children do become entrapped in a trunk."
The kit will contain a modified trunk latch - a trap resistant latch - which requires a lever to be manually reset before the trunk lid will close. The manual reset is easily operated by adults standing outside the car, but requires a level of dexterity that most very young children do not possess.
The dealer-installed kits also contain an escape handle, mounting hardware, and lighting that will allow the escape handle to be seen more easily by young children who may become trapped in a trunk. The final feature in the kit is a strap to prevent children from entering the trunk from the passenger compartment (for vehicles that have a pass-through into the trunk from the passenger compartment).
"GM will share its behavioral research with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the industry to help prevent these senseless tragedies," added Zarrella. "For example, in our research, we found that children were reluctant to touch some lighted items because they feared the items might be hot.
"Because it is more important to get good safety designs into consumer use, GM will share its escape handle and trap-resistant latch designs with the industry," added Zarrella. "We hope this will encourage other vehicle manufacturers to move quickly to also help prevent future tragedies."
The kits will cost $50. "General Motors will not profit from the sale of these kits," concluded Zarrella. "GM wants to make the kits affordable for our customers, so GM will be underwriting much of the cost when parts become available early in 1999."
FORD/LINCOLN/MERCURY PRICE INCREASE
Ford announced a small price increase effective December 28, 1998 on most 1999 models. A partial list of the increases is noted below. All amounts listed are the increase in the "dealer invoice" price.
$ INCREASE
$45 or 46
$176
45
0
44
103
91
93
102
78
119
209
115
322
96
166
95
94
97
178
Not included in the above list of price increases is the 1999 Mustang and Mercury Cougar. Automatic Price Protection is provided by Ford on firm 1999 fleet orders received and ordered before December 31, 1999.
FORD FOCUS IS EUROPEAN CAR OF THE YEAR
The new Ford Focus has won the prestigious 'European Car of the Year' award, which is widely recognized as the most significant accolade in the European motor industry. A total of 55 leading motoring journalists from 21 countries vote annually for the award, which is given to 'the most outstanding new car sold in the European market.'
President of Ford Automotive Operations and Chairman of Ford of Europe, Jac Nasser said "We at Ford are immensely proud of this award. When we launched the car, we said that Ford Focus represents the future for Ford. We wanted the Ford Focus to take us a step beyond the opposition, particularly in terms of design, package and driving dynamics. We regard this award as a strong endorsement of the new direction we have chosen to take."
Look for the Ford Focus to come to the US in the future.
Cyl
Dr
Invoice
6
4
$18,744
multiple
$17,433
$18,057
Trucks
$16,891
29144
8
$25,102
00104
99013
$28,437
01673E
$16,962
99019
$24,047
99017
$16,873
29681
$17,011
8E+05
$24,082
01314
$21,224
12037
$26,541
02273
$21,328
99302
$21,705
29873
When a "Stock Purchase" is desired, you may consider using a vehicle from the ARI "Pool" to save money and time. Call your ARI representative for details!