Why have pickups sold so well? Because they’ve become so much fun to drive. The super or extended cab concept also makes trucks far more practical by adding a seating area in back for a couple of kids or a storage area for groceries that you don’t want exposed in the truck bed.
But when popularity goes up, so does the price. The STX package adds $3,351 to the Ranger and includes a color-keyed cargo cover, air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power windows/locks/mirrors, premium AM/FM stereo with cassette and clock, speed control, tilt steering, cast aluminum wheels, rear jump seats and fog lamps.
Add $179 for an engine upgrade to the 4-liter, 160-h.p., V-6 (rated at 16 m.p.g. city/22 highway), a mind-boggling $1,045 for 4-speed automatic with overdrive, $110 for upgraded all-terrain tires, $252 for a limited slip rear axle, $49 for pivoting side quarter windows, $113 for a rear slide open window, $209 for a power driver’s seat and $444 for a compact disc changer. With $470 in freight, the $18,428 base price tops $24,600.
Good looks, good performance, good four-wheel-drive security, but good heavens what a price tag!
