Small Truck Recommendations

[Kent K25]

Looks like I get to start the car search thread now!

My old 95 Acura Integra now has required repairs that meet/exceed the actual value of the car, so we're calling it a wash and going with something "new"

We've pretty much decided on getting a truck for the occasional small "hauls" we have to do and for me to be able to take biking and just toss the bike in the back of the truck rather than putting the removable bike rack on the car every time.

So we're looking for something small to get those little jobs done while not killing the mileage. An extra cab (supercab, king cab) whatever you want to call it would also be a plus since I'm a tall guy so I'd like to be able to recline it/push the seat back. Though most makes/models come with that option.

4WD is not necessary at all.

So far the main ones we have looked at....

Ford Ranger
Nissan Frontier
Mazda B-Series
Toyota Tacoma
Dodge Dakota

I'm sure I'm leaving some out

Just curious about anyone's personal experience with any of them. I've read a billion reviews so I'm not too interested in what your friend said or whatever. But if you have owned one let me know how it was for you.

Thanks!

[LOAH]

I used to be a delivery driver and I put on tons of mileage. My truck was a Chevy S-10. There's a 2wd model and the gas mileage was actually pretty good. I don't have any real numbers, but I drove all over Utah County, plus some SLC for 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week and only had to gas up a couple of times per week, sometimes only once.

They're pretty reliable and can handle a pretty decent load. The one I drove was a 4 cylinder and the only thing I really didn't like was the engine govern at around 90mph. Any faster than that and the engine killed, momentarily.

Going up long uphill grades with a load would sometimes reduce my speed to 65ish, but if I were looking for a small pickup with similar abilities, I'd jump on one in a heartbeat.

I also have had experience with the older, small Tacomas and I always like them too.

[rockgremlin]

I'll pitch in my vote for the Toyota. I don't own a Tacoma, but I do drive around a 1991 Toyota pickup -- back before the Tacoma model was available. My pickup has over 200,000 miles and still going strong. I just gas it up, and an occasionally top off the oil and it runs like a champ. Only major repair was to replace the clutch about 8 years ago.


I expect Shane will be on here pretty soon telling you to buy a real "MAN'S" truck - a Dodge something-or-other...with more horsepower than a Cherokee stampede. :haha:

[BruteForce]

Dodge Dakota. Hands down.

Or the Toyota Tacoma.

No, the Dakota.

Geez, just get 1 each.. :naughty:

[RugerShooter]

I had a '92 Ranger it was a great truck. Never had a problem with it except a clutch. Untill somebody turned in front of me and I hit them and totaled it. I know you didn't want to hear "my friends brother" stuff but My wifes Uncle has the 4-door Dakota and I have driven it a couple times and have been in it even more than that and the tow great he has way over loaded the trailer several times and it is holding up great. That is probally what my next truck will be.

[Mtnman1830]

I have had an '04 Chevy Colorado and I have enjoyed it.

Its a 5 cyl. auto and I get 18 mpg or so in town. 22 or so Highway.

Has enough clearance that I don't worry too much about some of the backroads I have been on.

The only thing I don't like is the color. Black is not good.

[kris]

My vote goes for the Frontier. After comparing side by side with a Tacoma, there were a few issues with clearance that I did not like about the Tacoma. I get 22mpg on a good day, and about 18 on average, with a 265 hp V6.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q30/kbruington/Moab/064-1.jpg

[DaveOU812]

My vote is for the Tacoma. I've had an 06 for just over 2 years now. Tons of room with the 4 doors. No problems to date. Get around 20 mpg, average. (Depends on how angry I am at people who can't drive) Best vehicle I have ever owned.

My second choice would be the Nissan. It's very comperable to the Tacoma. Little bit stronger motor but you lose some on mpg.

Give em a test drive and see which one works for you.

[jfeiro]

I own an 2002 frontier and love it. Haven't had a bit of problem with it. Not sure about the newer ones but the "02 for you probably wouldn't have the leg room you're looking for, it's a crew cab. Enough room for me i'm 6' but not a lot of room to spare.

Jim

[Sombeech]

My Dodge tried to kill me. :haha:

[Last Child]

Ford Ranger.

I currently own 3 Rangers and have owned 4 others (7 total first one a 1990). I run them to around 200k + before donating them to charity or selling them off, usually to family. I have had very few problems with them. In fact only one did I have issues with that were out of the norm and I bought that one used from someone who didn't take very good care of it. A totally bonehead move on my part. I buy a new one every three to four years now. Drive it for personal use for a the same time period then sell it to my business for a company work truck where they get used and abused.

As long as Ford is around and making the Ranger (the #1 selling small truck) I will continue to buy them. They have never let me down.

[Scott P]

Get a Tacoma.

I'm back to driving a Dodge PU at work. Needless to say it's in the shop right now as is very normal. Here are some scans of just a few of the extremely expensive repair bills from the last Dodge (We actually had $11,000 in repairs in one year alone):

http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/372001.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/372002.jpg

http://www.summitpost.org/images/original/372003.jpg

Don't take it from me though. Chrysler is at the bottom of many, many quality surveys with hard data. If you stick with the V6, the Toyota is also more powerful and gets better gas milage. It is true that the Dakota does have a V-8 available, but do you really need it.

I'm telling you friend to friend and from my experience that the Dodge PU's I am responsible fo driving and maintaining have been nothing but trouble. Others may tell you otherwise, but is it really worth the risk?

The Toyota also has a much lower cost to own than the Dakota. According to the yahoo autos calculation, which takes in account depreciation, mileage, maintainence and insurance, the similarlly equipped Toyota will actually end up costing $6000 less over only a five year period, even though sticker prices are almost the same.

Total Cost to Own Tacoma:

http://autos.yahoo.com/2008_toyota_truck_tacoma_4x4_access_cab_v6_automat ic/

Total Cost to Own Dakota:

http://autos.yahoo.com/2008_dodge_truck_dakota_extended_cab_4x4_st/

In addition you will be getting a more reliable vehicle that is much less likely to be in the shop.

"Domestics" used to be the easiest vehicles to get parts to. I can say from experience that the tables have turned and finding parts for a Dodge PU can be difficult. Dodge subcontracts out a huge percentage of parts in their vehicles to subcontractors and they always take the lowest bidder. If that company goes under or ceases to do business with Chrysler than sometimes you cannot get parts. For example, the subcontractor who built the transfer cases for our Dodge went out of business. When the transfer case failed, the dealer was unable to get a new one. They had to send the old one out (it was in the shop for 3 weeks) to be rebuilt. It was rebuilt and sent back. That transfer case only lasted another six months. We finally got rid of the truck after some complaints made to the safety officer and it was deemed to be unsafe to drive.

They gave me a Jeep (which has been OK), but now I'm driving a Dodge again. I tried driving to Grand Junction last week and the headlights went out. They said it was a failed "multi finction switch" somewhere and that it is a common problem. Needless to say it wasn't fun having the headlights go out while driving on I-70 through a canyon 40 miles from town. The tie rods (another common problem) are also shot so the truck is in the shope for yet another week. Keep in mind that these trucks were meticulously taken care of as well.

[Sombeech]

I believe it, Scott. I'm not too satisfied with my Dodge Dakota.

I was thinking small truck, but could pull a boat or trailer. 4 doors and could haul the mtn bikes.

I've had a year full of repairs.

[accadacca]

My Toyota PU (T-100) has 210,000 on the dial and is still going strong. Hell, I still tow trailers up parleys and this truck has never dripped a drop of ANYTHING. It hasn't left me stranded once either and it certainly hasn't tried to kill me. :haha:

This truck looks much newer then it is too. I just looked up the value on nada.com. It is a '95 with 210,000 and it is still worth $6,150. :roflol:

My other rig is a Land Cruiser...

[denaliguide]

4WD is not necessary at all.

blasphemy! better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

what you gonna do when you are way out on some clay covered back track (like the flint trail), and it decides to rain right in the middle of your three day hiking and biking trip around the maze and land of standing rocks? gonna suck trying to find someone to tow you through the gumbo.

[Kent K25]

4WD is not necessary at all.

blasphemy! better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

what you gonna do when you are way out on some clay covered back track (like the flint trail), and it decides to rain right in the middle of your three day hiking and biking trip around the maze and land of standing rocks? gonna suck trying to find someone to tow you through the gumbo.

Blasphemous as it may seem, in the 27 years I've lived on this earth I have never needed 4WD and don't see it happening any time soon. I'm not going to spend the money to get it now.

I'm a city slicker, other than Mountain Biking I don't belong on these forums :)

I've never been on even a 1 full day bike trip, let alone a 3 day bike trip. I bike whenever I can in my stupidly busy schedule and it's always on pretty easily accessed trails.

If the truck I want comes with 4WD for a reasonable price I'd take it, but I'm not spending $1000 or a few thousand for it


Thanks for all the input so far everyone.

[JP]

Blasphemous as it may seem, in the 27 years I've lived on this earth I have never needed 4WD and don't see it happening any time soon. I'm not going to spend the money to get it now.
But, when you do actually use it, you'll be like what have I waited for :haha: 4wd you just get in and go, no piling weight in the back. 2wd Pickups and cars are two different animals. There is no weight over the rear wheels and in bad weather, you will realize just how much they differ :haha:

I'd go with the Taco or the Front. Either one you really cannot go wrong with, they both have great track records. Even in 2wd form, they'll treat ya just right :nod:

[shlingdawg]

My father-in-law picked up a Tacoma Prerunner for a song. It has the look of a regular Taco, but without the transfer case lever to get the job done.

I think Toyota holds the market on small pickups. Aside from the 3.0 liter V6 they put in the early 90's pickups and 4Runners (head gasket issue), their running gear is top notch and they just seem to go forever and ever.

I picked up a Tundra Double Cab last June and I honestly believe it'll be one of the last trucks I ever by. (Let's just hope I never need to tow more than 10,000 lbs.) Just clicked 1000 miles. :nod:


I'll add another vote for the S-10 Chevy's too. My neighbor has a late 80's 2WD S-10 that will NOT quit. He drives the wheels off it and has never been let down.

[JP]

(Let's just hope I never need to tow more than 10,000 lbs.)
I love my Dodge 3500 4x4 CTD Q-Cab SRW SLT :2thumbs: I can tow over 10 and under it all day long :haha:

[shlingdawg]

(Let's just hope I never need to tow more than 10,000 lbs.)
I love my Dodge 3500 4x4 CTD Q-Cab SRW SLT :2thumbs: I can tow over 10 and under it all day long :haha:

My dad has a 95 3/4 ton 12 valve CTD with a 5 speed, extended cab, long bed, 4x4. Unloaded, he's averaging 22-23 mpg. He got 24.5 on a trip to Jackson, WY and back this summer. Even pulling his 30 foot travel trailer, he's usually getting 12 mpg. Those trucks are awesome.

[JP]

Those trucks are awesome.
Gotta love those Cummins :2thumbs:

[rockgremlin]

(Let's just hope I never need to tow more than 10,000 lbs.)
I love my Dodge 3500 4x4 CTD Q-Cab SRW SLT :2thumbs: I can tow over 10 and under it all day long :haha:


Yeah but can it crush cars?

[live2ride]

If you want good re-sale value get a tacoma, I had a tacoma for 4 years and the only thing I didn't like is the cheap interiors they have. You can't go wrong with a frontier or a Tacoma.

If you are looking for a used frontier that is in perfect shape send me a PM, my dad is selling a 2003 frontier 4 door truck that is in the best condition ever, never been off road, and babied! Good luck finding a truck!

Oh yeah another bad thing about the tacoma is the price and the shitty gas mileage for a small truck. I bought a full size truck that has twice as much power and is decked out for two grand more than a tacoma.

[JP]

Yeah but can it crush cars?
If I lifted it, it sure the heck would :lol8:

You might want to hold off a bit on buying anything. One of the things that some in Congress are looking into, instead of just giving The Big Three money, give some money to the consumer to buy their product. Money from the government to take some of the price off the product for the consumer.

[theking648]

I vote Toyota Tacoma. they are in high demand down here and Utah car and truck has alot of them. but if you buy it from bluff street auto brokers or utah car and truck then you'll help keep me and my dad in business. LOL

if i had the money i would love to get a toyota tocoma even though i'm a chevy guy.

[Deuce]

(Let's just hope I never need to tow more than 10,000 lbs.)
I love my Dodge 3500 4x4 CTD Q-Cab SRW SLT :2thumbs: I can tow over 10 and under it all day long :haha:

I hear you!

[offpiste]

my Tundra gets as good of gas mileage as my ranger I would go big.

[kris]

4WD is not necessary at all.

blasphemy! better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

what you gonna do when you are way out on some clay covered back track (like the flint trail), and it decides to rain right in the middle of your three day hiking and biking trip around the maze and land of standing rocks? gonna suck trying to find someone to tow you through the gumbo.

Blasphemous as it may seem, in the 27 years I've lived on this earth I have never needed 4WD and don't see it happening any time soon. I'm not going to spend the money to get it now.

I'm a city slicker, other than Mountain Biking I don't belong on these forums :)

I've never been on even a 1 full day bike trip, let alone a 3 day bike trip. I bike whenever I can in my stupidly busy schedule and it's always on pretty easily accessed trails.

If the truck I want comes with 4WD for a reasonable price I'd take, but I'm not spnding $1000 or a few thousand for it


Thanks for all the input so far everyone.


In that case, look for the 4 cylinder frontier. There are guys getting upwards of 29 mpg.

[REDFOX]

I spent months looking at the smaller trucks. I was looking for something that would haul my mountainbike and tow a drift boat. I ended up buying a full size chevy that has more room and power and in most cases the same or better gas mileage than the smaller trucks. Since I don't park my truck in a garage it was a simple decision. My chevy has more options and gadgets than my lexus suv. With 80.000 miles on it, I still get 19.6-20.5 consistantly.