Purchasing my son's first vehicle. Deciding between a 97 ranger and a 2001 Toyota 4runner. Obviously posting in the 4runner forum is going to receive biased answers, but would anybody who has experience with a ranger like to share the pros and cons of the vehicles? I'm going to post this in a ranger forum as well.
Also considering the Nissan xterrra.

Need more details on the vehicles, as what you've provided is pretty vague since there are multiple variants of all the vehicles you're considering.

Given that though, my first vehicle was a 00' extended cab, v6 Ranger, 2wd, automatic and I loved it. Got me through high school just fine and was super cheap to maintain.

Ranger XLT: 3.0 V6. 90k miles, automatic. 1997
4runner base model: 3.4 V6, 200,000 miles, automatic, 2001

Both vehicles are listed at $4900.

Given that, I'd say the Ranger in all honesty because the mileage on the 4Runner scares me. I'm not sure how reliable that would be, or how expensive it'd be to maintain. I'm sure there are some experts on here though the will chime in with more information on them though.

Id have to say ford ranger the low mileage and it gets better mpg. I remember my buddy had one that we use to beat on. I dont know how many times we jumped it, just kept truckin on.
egr/heater core and crazy wiper is what I see and hear a lot about on those rangers.

The ranger would probly be the better choice. It should last him for a few years until he can get a job and buy his own.

both are decent. just depends on what use he will get out each vehicle.

I'd say it's a coin flip. My first ride was a '93 Explorer with 87k miles and I had tons more trouble with that truck in the 3 years I had it than the '01 4runner I bought at 117k miles and drove to 211k miles (sold in perfect condition 7 years later).

I say 4runner. He can maintain it and might not ever need to "upgrade". I bought an '01 two years ago with 185k on the clock and plan on driving it indefinitely. As a "young man's truck" for your son it has all the capability he'll ever need. When he moves out, it'll carry his stuff. When he buys a house, it'll haul the hardware and supplies he uses to fix it up. When he gets married, it'll hold two car seats in the back.

Depends on what you want him doing, or not doing, in his vehicle. The 4Runner would carry more people comfortably (although I admit we used to cram 9-10 guys/gals my Dads Buick Skyhawk - think Chevy Cavalier - to go to lunch when I was in high school - Could've got 20 easy in a 4Runner!) He then got me an 82 Trans Am. I thought it was cool, then realized his nefarious scheme the first time my girlfriend and I tried to make out in it. From then on I was envious of the kid that had the old Caprice Classic!

The Ranger would probably be a bit smaller, easier to handle/navigate in parking situations for a beginner. If he's into hunting/fishing, could go either way, but the open bed is definitely easier to clean up.

Personally, I'd lean towards the Ranger, given all of the above and the mileage you listed on the two vehicles. Kinda surprising on a 4Runner forum how much "love" the Ranger is getting, huh?

Good luck!

I look at it long term, it's still a coin toss really. I think the ranger would be cheaper to own and maintain. Now I also look at it like this. What do we see more of in our shop (The Rangers) so I have to give the edge to the 4Runner even with 200k on it if it has all the records with it. If not then I would have to go with the ranger. And ps I'm a Ford man also. Those Cheap Heaps Every Valve Rattles And Leaks are just that General Junk!

Blue

Rangers are decent. My youngest son loves Xterras and we looked for a forum for them similar to this one or the myriad of other Toyota truck forums and found nada. If you want him to learn to do basic maintenance I think an online fan base is important. I will point out that aftermarket parts as well as junk yard replacement parts for Rangers as well as 4Runners will be easy to get. The Xterra, not so much as fewer units were sold.

I have three 4Runners and have owned a total of five. I recently got my son a 2000 Tacoma X Cab which has the same engine as the 4runner. It has been meticulously maintained and has 230k miles. He just drove it 180 miles each way to the beach, mostly highway, last weekend and it did great. There's is still plenty of pep when you step on the gas.

I would look for a thread on how to buy a used 4Runner and remember the things to look for. Look over the other candidates. Check the frames for rust and signs of whether it's been well maintained.

In the end it's your decision. I had fun looking for my son's first vehicle. He loves it and his little brother is having a ball adding mods and waxing it. The truck has not needed any repairs but they have new front and rear lights and LED bulbs in it.