I drive a 1999 GMC sonoma 4 cylinder 5 speed, its really comfortable and drives nice and really reliable so far. Great on fuel and insurance too, since I'm really a beginner driver to them. From my experience(s) with fords I would never touch one again. maybe a new ranger but the old ones are a huge no no. a stick Chevy is the way to go man.
Mine has reinforced leaf springs and I could haul my polaris trail boss with no sag and I can barely feel it in the motor when accelerating.