Best bang-for-buck small pickup truck?

[NTB]

What do you think? I had a Ranger for a while, and loved it - until I wrecked it . I'd probably look at a Tacoma, too, if I were going to buy now (I wish ) - everyone I know who's owned a Toyota, truck or otherwise, says that they're nearly bulletproof.

EDIT: Personally, I'd probably be going for a close-to-base model, rather than anything fancy. Regular cab, Automatic transmission, and either the big 4- or the 6-cylinder in the Tacoma. I'd just be looking for something with a little more ground clearance than the car I drive now, so that I can get down some old, washed-out, rutted & pot-holed backroads; it doesn't need to be an out-and-out rock crawler. And I'm not looking to tow the next Titanic, either, so no need for a full-size. 4x4 would be nice, but it would probably be too expensive.

Nate

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Dodge Dakota.

They offer more bang than anyone else for a similar, or lesser amount of bucks. Who else has V8 options in a compact?

 

[Budmantom]

Nissan v6

 

[chin311]

you can get some good deals on used ford pickups...as long as it has the v-6, good choice.

id prefer the toyota above all others myself.

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Get a Tacoma and buy my used TRD supercharger.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota.

They offer more bang than anyone else for a similar, or lesser amount of bucks. Who else has V8 options in a compact?

V8=gas guzzler, or so I would assume. The old 3.0 V6 equipped Ranger that I used to have was plenty for the kind of stuff that I do.

Nate

 

[Thegonagle]

Buy a couple-year old Ranger for cheap and drive it for a long time. They're decently reliable small trucks. The low resale value on Rangers (they're a dime a dozen out there) works in your favor in this case. It'll still be worth a couple thousand when it's 8 years old if it's in relatively good shape.

The Chevy/GMCs are turds (as my friend, a sales manager in the car business, tells me), so don't buy a used one, much less a new one. The Nissans are OK, but more money new or used. The Toyotas are nice, but a lot more money, new or used.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota.

They offer more bang than anyone else for a similar, or lesser amount of bucks. Who else has V8 options in a compact?

toyota tundra

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: ElFenix

Originally posted by: Demon-Xanth
Dodge Dakota.

They offer more bang than anyone else for a similar, or lesser amount of bucks. Who else has V8 options in a compact?

toyota tundra

LOL

Nate

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I get 18MPG in my V8 Dakota, and the Tundra can't be really considered a compact. Just a really wussy full size.

A V8 Dakota can tow upto 6300LBs (w/ the 3.92 rear diff, 5400 w/ the 3.55). Payload is about 1450 standard with 2000Lbs being an option. It can do half ton truck jobs in a compact package. It also comes in regular, extended, and 4 door configurations. Just note that the V6 and 4.7 V8 get the same gas milage, as does the 3.55 vs. 3.92 differentials.

 

[StageLeft]

T.Tacoma. Cheap and according to a toyota commercial was voted by customers to hold it's resale the best. Hardly an unbiased sample group, but a toyota is going to obliterate any ford for resale value, so perhaps go with the mazda over the ranger.

If going used I'd probably get a ranger. Late model after some sucker has taken the huge domestic-usual hit in resale.

 

[RU482]

Chevy LUV Diesel

 

[slag]

I bought a 1989 Toyota 4x4 off ebay a couple months ago for 3150. 4 cyl, automatic, but runs great!

Pics are HERE if anyone cares.

I'd buy another in a heartbeat, but probably a 5 speed. The auto is fine, but i like a stick for a small truck.

Since I bought it i put new rubber on it, changed the oil, and thats about it. Runs like a top!

 

[stev0]

chev s10 ZR2

plenty of fun in that truck

 

[PG]

I'd say get a used full sized truck. The limiting factor in small trucks isn't the engine but the size of the truck overall.
You should be able to get a basic V6 F150 or Chevy or Dodge equivalent for a decent price if you look around.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: slag
I bought a 1989 Toyota 4x4 off ebay a couple months ago for 3150. 4 cyl, automatic, but runs great!

Pics are HERE if anyone cares.

I'd buy another in a heartbeat, but probably a 5 speed. The auto is fine, but i like a stick for a small truck.

Since I bought it i put new rubber on it, changed the oil, and thats about it. Runs like a top!

you paid $3100 for that? wow....

My buddy paid $1000 for a 92 4x4 with a solid axle swap with 140,000 miles.

 

[slag]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: slag
I bought a 1989 Toyota 4x4 off ebay a couple months ago for 3150. 4 cyl, automatic, but runs great!

Pics are HERE if anyone cares.

I'd buy another in a heartbeat, but probably a 5 speed. The auto is fine, but i like a stick for a small truck.

Since I bought it i put new rubber on it, changed the oil, and thats about it. Runs like a top!

you paid $3100 for that? wow....

My buddy paid $1000 for a 92 4x4 with a solid axle swap with 140,000 miles.

Your buddy got a steal. Try finding an 89 or newer around here and you will pay a minimum of 3500.00. I looked at a couple 89-90 trucks with 200k on them and the sellers still wanted 4950 and 5000 respectively in stock configuration.

My truck has 86k on it as well.

 

[TheKub]

When I was in college I leased a V6 Auto GMC Sonoma. It was a really fun little truck.. When it wasnt spinning out becasue it rained last week!

 

[NTB]

Looks like the Ranger/Mazda leads the pack, with the Tacoma in 3rd by a vote. Funny, I figured it'd be Tacoma > Ranger > everything else.

Nate

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: TheKub
When I was in college I leased a V6 Auto GMC Sonoma. It was a really fun little truck.. When it wasnt spinning out becasue it rained last week!

I can relate to that. Little trucks like this are....exciting to drive in wet weather or snow, to say the least I just made sure there were plenty of sandbags in the back durring the winter months.

Nate

 

[RaymondY]

Nothing bets the Ford Ranger for a small economical pickup.

I purchased a used 94 Ranger XLT (manual tranny) and was extremely happy with its reliablity, functionality and price. The truck was a pleasure to own. Was sad when I had to trade it in when my wife wanted a large vehicle (Ford Explorer)

 

[thomsbrain]

my mechanic has a toyota pickup with 500,000 miles on it. not too shabby.

 

[Nyical]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
Buy a couple-year old Ranger for cheap and drive it for a long time. They're decently reliable small trucks. The low resale value on Rangers (they're a dime a dozen out there) works in your favor in this case. It'll still be worth a couple thousand when it's 8 years old if it's in relatively good shape.

The Chevy/GMCs are turds (as my friend, a sales manager in the car business, tells me), so don't buy a used one, much less a new one. The Nissans are OK, but more money new or used. The Toyotas are nice, but a lot more money, new or used.

Your friend dosent know shiet about the Chevy then, I have an S-10 120k on it and running strong
have a friend with one with over 190k and his still running strong.

 

[Parrotheader]

If I liked the body styling on the current Frontiers more (still not nuts about the plastic/rivet industrial look on the current gen) I'd personally say the Nissan's a better value than the Toyota. Both hold up amazingly well and the Nissans are usually a good bit cheaper for the same configuration. My dad's old '90 Hardbody pickup which he gave to my grandfather a few years ago is closing in on 300,000 miles with the original engine and hardly a single problem. I know plenty of other people who likewise have old Nissan trucks who have gobs of miles on them just like Toyota owners. But I like the looks of the Tacomas better.

 

[Lvis]

I love my Ranger. Bought it over a year ago with 13k miles on it. No trouble at all. They don't have much resale value, probably the only downside to them, but then they don't cost much either.

I would have loved a toyota, but no way could I justify what they sell for.