Advice on used trucks (Tacoma / Frontier / Ridgeline)

[Rallispec]

I'm in the market for a used truck -my budget is really flexible, I'd like to spend as little as possible but dont mind spending up to $25k for the 'right' truck. Only considering the Tacoma, Frontier, and Ridgeline at the moment with 4WD and Crew Cab options... I dont need / want a full size pickup. I need the truck for somewhat daily driving and hauling the family around - I'll probably put about 8k miles on it a year, and will use it to tow my race car occasionally (up to about 200 miles flat midwest highway towing) .

Any models or options I should keep an eye out for?

What about mileage - at what point should I start worrying about it on these trucks? I'd like to get something with as low miles as possible, but I'm finding a lot in the 4-5 year old, 80-90k. Needs to be reliable, I'm sure it will get at least 1 highway road trip every year.

Any owners of these trucks shop between the various models and offer any real world experience or insight? - especially worried about the high mileage issues that creep up.


From test driving them - these are my conclusions:
1. The Frontier can generally be had the cheapest, but it also feels the cheapest from a quality standpoint. Drives great, very comfortable, really like the 3.5 V6.

2. The Tacoma seems pretty nice I like the styling the most of all of the trucks, feels bigger inside than the frontier and slightly more upscale, lots of aftermarket support for it. But pretty expensive for what you're getting - the 4WD crew cab models are hard to come by. (everyone sells the 2wd prerunner model though)

3. The Honda interior is super nice (especially on the RTL models), tons of room and features, rides awesome, the trunk compartment seems pretty usefull. not much aftermarket, and becuase Honda must not sell a lot of them, they are pretty rare in the used market and seem to be priced pretty high.


Thanks, appreciate any input.

 

[vi edit]

I used to own an '05 Frontier. Did cross shopping between it and the Tacoma pretty heavily. Somewhat looked at the Ridgeline.

I went with the Frontier for the following reasons - 4.0 VQ in it simply felt more alive than the 4.0 in the Tacoma. On the highway (in the LE trim anyway) it was much more responsive and comfortable. I loved the utilirail system in the bed. But most importantly was the seating position. The Frontier had *VERY* comfortable seats. It was actually a truck seating position. The Tacoma felt like I was sitting on the floor. Couldn't stand it.

I did not consider the ridgeline at the time because of some very bad professional reviews (Edmunds broke the suspension on theirs on very light terrain) and I hated how high up the pillars went at the front of the bed (behind the cab). Getting stuff in and out of the bed from there was a pain in the ass. It also felt slower than the others.

That was 8 years ago, but none of these trucks have really changed much since then.

 

[Zivic]

the ridgeline is not any more a truck than my odyssey is. Just pop the hood and look what way the motor is set - it's fwd

the tacoma and frontier are legitimate trucks. I would be deciding between them. I personally would probably opt for the frontier depending on the price difference.

 

[boomhower]

Tacoma's had severe frame rust issues resulting in buy backs. Not sure how recent those were though, my Dad got his bought back. And then went and bought a new one, never did figure that thinking out.

Of the choices I'd go Tacoma upon researching the frame rust. The Frontier just seems cheap and the Ridgeline isn't a truck at all.

 

[vi edit]

Of the choices I'd go Tacoma upon researching the frame rust. The Frontier just seems cheap and the Ridgeline isn't a truck at all.

Not sure I'd call it "cheap". The Frontier is like a chopped down full size truck. The interior isn't going to win any awards but it's comfortable and functional. If you want to talk cheap then compare a true metal bed with a useful rail system and a tailgate that doesn't feel like it's going to bend looking at it. The Frontier is just a much more solid, rugged feeling truck. The Taco felt cheap to me where it mattered in hard use.

 

[leper84]

I'll be 'that' guy here...

So are you not looking at full size because of the physical size of the vehicle, or is it fuel economy you're worried about?

For about the same price as a used taco you could get a used 4x4 F150 with 130 more hp, ~5000lbs more towing, tons more room for your family and it would only cost you like $150-300 more a year in gas according to fueleconomy.gov.....

Plus the taco is only rated at 3500lbs towing (pretty borderline for towing a car) unless you get the towing package that bumps you up to 6400lbs.. and you're already having trouble just finding a 4x4 crew cab much less one with a tow package.

....and the ridgeline is a f***ing joke.

 

[vi edit]

I don't disagree on the price difference between the compact/midsize and the capabilities you gain going with a full size. That being said they ride bigger, drive bigger and park bigger too. All of which come with their own compromises and opinions. I could fit a Frontier comfortably in my garage. I couldn't do the same with a full size F`150.

 

[rommelrommel]

I think we can all agree that Ridgeline=no bueno if you want to tow. They eat transmissions as it is.

 

[Jimzz]

The ridgeline is a minivan with a open rear, not a truck.

I like the Frontier more IMO. You don't pay the "toyota" tax but still get a good truck.
I use to have a Titan and loved it, just as vi_edit pointed out full size trucks drive/park like full size trucks.

 

[AMDMaddness]

I love my Frontier... I shopped around for a long time before I got mine. With the 6500lb tow rating and the 4.0 V6 its an all around nice truck, mine has Bluetooth and XM radio etc etc. I have the crew cab and can pack my family of 5 in it just fine. I drive a full size truck all day long at work.. a quad cab 2500 Dodge... the frontier is a dream to drive compared to the Dodge. I can get almost the same use out of it as I can from my Dodge.

One thing to watch out for on the Frontier (unless its 2010 and newer) is the radiator issues with the transmission cooler. Make sure the coolant doesn't have any tranny fluid in it. http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/201...cks-and-s-u-v-s-report-transmission-failures/