Help me decide which Light Truck to buy!

[AaronP]

"it hauls about 8000lbs of ass"

that's about what it would take to haul my mom around.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I've had 3 Ford Rangers, 1 with 4 banger & 2 with V-6's. Sort of hard to go wrong with a vehicle that is so popular. Only downside I noticed is that at least several years ago, most aftermarket parts were for the Chevrolets.

I'd get a V-6 tho...

I Traded my last one off in 96' because I have kids & saw an expose about what happens to kids riding in the back seat of an extended cab when it's rear ended (their heads go through the rear window). I'd bounced their heads against the glass a couple of times prior to the tv expose, and agreed that it was a safety issue for me.

Consumer Reports: The Ranger and similar Mazda B-Series are our top-rated compact pickups overall. But this category has few winners to choose from. And even these two never let you forget you're in a truck. Handling is fairly good, though the ride is stiff. The 3.0-liter V6 is competent; a more-powerful overhead-camshaft V6 has replaced the 4.0-liter pushrod engine for 2001. The front seats are too low. Extended-cab models offer four doors, but the rear seat is fit for cargo only. For a crew-cab version, look at the Explorer Sport Trac which is essentially the Ranger anyway. A new 2.3-liter, 135-hp Four is also available.

Toyota: This unimpressive compact pickup sticks out among Toyota's excellent offerings. Strengths include an optional 3.4-liter, 190-hp V6 that's responsive, along with excellent displays and typical Toyota reliabilty. But handling is clumsy, and the ride is stiff and choppy. It's more tolerable in the Double Cab model. The front seats are also uncomfortable, and the forward-facing rear seats in extended-cab models are useless for adults. For 2001, the Tacoma got a minor facelift and a new crew-cab version, which has a short bed and four full-sized doors. Antilock brakes may be hard to find.

Dodge Dakota: Drive wheels: Rear or part-time 4WD; permanent 4WD available starting in 2000. Reliability: Below par.

Overview: For years, the Dakota's one saving grace was a large bed, the roomiest available in a compact-sized pickup. The V6 was anemic. The V8 was stronger but much less economical. Handling was ponderous and the ride mediocre. The seats were soft but unsupportive. The Dakota was redesigned nicely for 1997. Handling was much improved, but the ride remained a little choppy.

 

[AaronP]

Pliablemoose, thanks for the great info! Hmm, doesn't sound too great in the light truck category. I have heard some kinda negative things about Tacoma, cheap plastic interior, uncomfortable seats (maybe they should have a 250lb american male design the seats instead of a 120lb Japanese engineer).

I have also read about the reliability problems of the Dakota

I guess Ranger sounds the best, but all these light trucks have some drawbacks, maybe I should just go for an F150.