Best of the compact pickups?

[NTB]

One of these days I'm going to have a truck again, gas prices be damned Hey, at least I'm not looking at a monster full-size or big SUV!

Anyway, I know that the compacts have undergone a lot of changes in the last few years - some of them look like they hardly qualify as "compact" anymore. Which one do you like, and why? if you have a particular *dislike* for one, I'd like to know why - always good to know what to watch out for.

I am aware of two brand-new competitors in addition to those in the poll: The Isuzu I-280 / I-350 and the Mitsubishi Raider. But, since they're new, I doubt anybody here has much experience with them. Input is always welcome if you do, though


EDIT: are the Isuzu trucks just another variation of the Colorado and Canyon, or am I just seeing things?

Nate

 

[ballmode]

toyota is the best if you can afford it...

probably get the ranger 2nd

 

[Maximus96]

the raider is a rebadged dodge i believe but i forget which model.

 

[Kalvin00]

tacoma ftw

 

[SWScorch]

You know everyone here is going to suggest Toyota because "all domestic cars are worthless pieces of shite," but in my experience, Ford Rangers are unstoppable and last forever. But, you really can't go wrong with a Toyota either...

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: SWScorch
You know everyone here is going to suggest Toyota because "all domestic cars are worthless pieces of shite," but in my experience, Ford Rangers are unstoppable and last forever. But, you really can't go wrong with a Toyota either...

Rangers are tough, but they *are* stoppable. Especially when you hit a Chevy Suburban. Believe me, I know

That said, I loved my Ranger when I had it.

Nate

 

[Cattlegod]

can't go wrong with a ranger. they have been perfecting the current model for something like the past 13 years.

 

[Ktulu]

damn, why no luv for the Colorado/Canyon, they are damn fine trucks if you ask me and far better than the Ranger. BTW i voted Tacoma.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
can't go wrong with a ranger. they have been perfecting the current model for something like the past 13 years.

The Ranger way older than 13 years.. It's from the 80s.

 

[Heisenberg]

Either the Colorado or the Dakota.

 

[vi edit]

*meh* to the Tacoma.

The Frontier is more comfortable, more powerful, has better options, is cheaper, and rides a lot more smooth and quiet than it.

I drove both of them back to back, several times over. I went with the Frontier. A good friend of mine wanted to like the Tacoma as well but ended up buying af Frontier.

There's only a couple things the Tacoma has over the Frontier - a long bed option, a nifty power plug in the bed, and a more spitshined interior.

Other than that, the Frontier runs away with it.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
can't go wrong with a ranger. they have been perfecting the current model for something like the past 13 years.

hahaha, it better be damn near perfect for as long as that model has been out.

 

[Drakkon]

I LOVE my dakota...for the price, for the power, for frankly the reliability (think about how many old dakotas you see around still). You can get a v8 in the dakota and it feels like a friggin powerhouse.

the tacoma is a piece of crap. MY boss had one and traded it in immediately after a year cause it couldn't haul worth a damn, if you put anything in the bed it weighed itself down. It wasn't a truck it was a car with a truck body.

before i bought my dakota i test drove a canyon, frontier, and ranger. The canyon and ranger didnt handle that great imho. They seemed to have too much body roll and just didnt feel stable. The frontier was more of a lungering beast, didnt seem to pickup that well but once it got going it was fine.

btw the raider is a rebadged dakota.

 

[destrekor]

i have a 97 dakota and love it, except the money i have to pay to keep it (loan+insurance)
BUT i wouldn't mind owning a tacoma (more preferably the titan, i dont like small trucks when i have the option for a full size pickup), or the frontier.

 

[vi edit]

The Ranger is a freaking dinosaur. It's going on what...20 years without a significant redesign?

The Colorado/Canyon are just outclassed by...well...everyone. The Dakota is okay, but some really shady build quality on year old ones that I was looking at turned me away.

One of them I was looking at was a year old with 7,000 miles on it and the rubber moulding on the doors was already falling off.

 

[MidasKnight]

Originally posted by: ballmode
toyota is the best if you can afford it...

probably get the ranger 2nd

Agreed.

 

[KK]

I wouldn't consider a dakota a compact truck.

 

[alien42]

i used to have a mazda b2300 and it was a great truck with very little maintenance required. i initially bought it because it was so cheap and it served me well for a few years until it was totaled.

this is coming from someone who hates ford

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
can't go wrong with a ranger. they have been perfecting the current model for something like the past 13 years.

The Ranger way older than 13 years.. It's from the 80s.

reread the post

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: KK
I wouldn't consider a dakota a compact truck.

neither would I. But it's still (marginally) smaller than a Ram

Nate

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
can't go wrong with a ranger. they have been perfecting the current model for something like the past 13 years.

The Ranger way older than 13 years.. It's from the 80s.

reread the post

I didn't mean the Ranger name is old.. I meant the current platform.

 

[Cattlegod]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Cattlegod

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe

Originally posted by: Cattlegod
can't go wrong with a ranger. they have been perfecting the current model for something like the past 13 years.

The Ranger way older than 13 years.. It's from the 80s.

reread the post

I didn't mean the Ranger name is old.. I meant the current platform.

last major body change was in '94, do you have different info?

 

[jlee]

Tacoma.

 

[Tom]

Have you checked mileage numbers ? I think a full sized Silverado might get as good mpg as some compacts.

 

[xrax]

also check out trucks that are e85 compatable.