I've had a couple and have been generally pleased with them. The post 2001 models with the new style 2.3 are the best - better power and I averaged 24 MPG.
I always wanted to take a nice older square body Ranger and install a 2.3 from an SVO Mustang/TBird Turbo Coupe.
I am driving a 2003 Ford Ranger - 2.3L 2wd Reg Cab. I have had it for four years and a 1997 Ranger for seven years before that. They are reliable little trucks and parts do not cost a fortune. The newer 2.3L is definitly more efficient and powerful. I would still be driving my first truck but it did not have factory A/C and I was moving south.
I had a 1991 2wd, 4cyl 5 speed when I was a teenager. I took that thing everywhere my buddies 4x4s went. I just hit the holes a little faster.... I gave that thing hell and it never complained just kept on going.