In 2016 we moved onto a farm, sold the Golf for 2 x 3.2L for Rangers. My wife's died around 200,000kms, mine has had half the trans replaced, had a trans cooler upgrade, upgraded Torque converter and has 210,000 on it and seems to be working ok.
We got the Mrs a 2008 200 series and its a MILLION times better than a Ranger. Like chalk and cheese - better everything. I'd buy one in a heartbeat for me. Even if you've got to drop $25k on new injectors, turbos etc, I'd still do it over a brand new ute - buy a 2015 200 series with 150-200kms on it, for $45-50k, spend $25k on a mid life service. More power, more comfortable, better AC, more reliable, doesn't overheat. I've got a shmick steel tray on my Ranger with all the trimmings, but I'd swap that for a 200 and a little trailer any day.
The Ranger Groups I'm in on Facebook are like a hospital ward - daily posts on how do I fix this, that, or the other (major stuff too, engines and trans, all models, including the new ones). Nothing like that in the 200 series groups, save the injectors and turbos.
PS Totally left of centre, if I REALLY needed a tray, I'd by a 4x4 Isuzu truck....rock solid reliable, smaller turning circle than a ute, 4.5t towing and HEAPs of payload.
PPS Ute tubs are totally useless, trays all the way - get an aluminum jack off canopy for stuff/lockup
Lastly, we have a vertical rack for the bikes, its the business. Ute trays are not cut out for transporting them, in my opinion