Need suggestions for a pickup...

[Pastore]

Ok, I need some suggestions for compact pickups... My alternator died again in my Beretta Z26... Price has to be under $10,000...

- 4x4 is preferred, cant decide if its necessary or not (real bad winters up here)...
- going to be going to college and need to carry cargo, so it MUST be a pickup...
- i would prefer an automatic, but 5 speed would suffice, i guess...

please only make suggestions that meet the criteria, and post links of you got em...

thanks all...

 

[Lucky]

ranger would be a good choice.

 

[911paramedic]

I had a Toyota longbed 4x4 about 12 years ago and it was the best truck ever. That thing never broke down and believe me, I tried to break it. I have an expedition now and it is great, but I think it may end up more than you want to spend.

 

[BigJohnKC]

Nissan!!




j/k Nissan pickups suck the big one. Ford Ranger is consistently rated higher in customer satisfaction than any other. I test drove an S-10 when I was looking for a new vehicle and I thought it rode very nicely and was even quite comfortable for a large, tall guy like myself. You could also try a Toyota, but I have a friend that drives one of those and says it is incredibly tiny on the inside and really underpowered. Good luck in your search...

 

[littlezipp]

Go for a Toyota, they are great cars and just keep on going!

 

[vi edit]

I'd say look for a 98/99 fully loaded Ranger w/ the 4.0 V6.

Should be able to do very well with that budget. The S-10's have sucked over the last 5 or so years IMHO, especially the ZR's.

 

[Spamela]

you won't find a new 4x4 under 10k.

4x4 adds A LOT to the price of a vehicle, so getting one with it, for a given price, means getting less truck in other areas.

i have a '98 ranger extended cab xlt 2wd 5sp & am very happy with it - mileage, interior room, reliability have all been excellent.

look here to find a used one in your area.

 

[Parrotheader]

You'll probably be looking at about 4-5 year old compacts with a decent amount of mileage on them I'd guess (if you have to have 4x4.) I know a lot of people here love Rangers (I think the Mazda truck's the same thing if I'm not mistaken.) I've never personally had one, but most people I know who have one like them (only a few people had problems.) Toyota obviously has fantastic reliability, but they are a bit snug inside. Nissan's pretty much the same way. My dad had an old 1990 Nissan pickup with over 230,000 miles on it. He finally upgraded to a new Dakota Quad cab and gave the Nissan to my grandfather who needed a little beat-around truck for errands. My grandfather now leaves his plush TownCar in the garage and goes EVERYWHERE in that truck. No telling how many miles are on it now.

 

[ShallowHal]

Get the Toyota. Excellent pickups. Get the SR5 V6 model of any year and you'll be happy.

 

[Jzero]

<< Need suggestions for a pickup... >>



I usually stick with the old standby: By her a drink and say "Do you come hear often?"

 

[Jfrag Teh Foul]

I have had 3 different Toyota 4X4 Pu's and loved each one. The only thing is that you prolly will be hard pressed to find a relatively new one for under 10k.

If you go with a 2wd truck I had a GMC Sonoma and it was very nice as well. Just make sure you go with a model with a V-6 in it... the Vortec 4 cyls are ok, but are lacking when you get upwards of 75 or so. Honestly though, since you said that winters are rough there I would either do like you said and go with a 4X4 or possibly a FWD mini-van or car.

 

[amnesiac]

Toyota Tacomas and Ford Rangers never die. I'd go with one of the two.

 

[Dead3ye]

Toyota. The 22RE 4 cylinder engine is one of the best 4 bangers ever made. I had one and and put 130,000 on it myself and never had a major problem with it. It had 154,000 when i sold it. You could prolly find a decent '94 4x4 with low milage for under $10,000 easy.

I would not have sold mine if it was an extended cab. I have two kids and needed the extra seating for the truck trips. Bought a '93 SR5 V6 and love it!

 

[yakko]

VW

 

[BooneRebel]

Lots of factors here.

Though you could probably get by with a regular cab, if you ever own an extended cab then you'll never go back. Though the rear seats are never that practical, it's nice to have the extra dry/lockable storage.

With that being said, if you choose an extended-cab, and especially if you get a 4x4, stay away from the 4-bangers. Get a V6 at least (Dodge has a V8).

Depending on your size, you may find the Toyota a tight squeeze. I had a Ranger for several years and if I was going to get another compact pickup I'd choose either the Ranger (yes, the Mazda is the same truck) or the larger Dodge Dakota.

Look around and you can find a 98 (maybe a 99) extended cab 4x4 Ranger or Dakota. Drop either the 4x4 or the extended cab and you can jump up to '99-00 for the same money.

 

[N8Magic]

If you don't mind buying domestic, one of the best values out there is the Chevrolet S10 4X4 with ZR2 package.

Those trucks are TOUGH.

 

[RossMAN]

<< I'd say look for a 98/99 fully loaded Ranger w/ the 4.0 V6. >>



My friend's father found a new Ford Ranger 4x4 like this for $11,500 it was a "loss leader" advertised in the local Saturday morning newspaper. There are only 1-3 per dealership, it only came in white but you can't beat a deal like that.

 

[ElFenix]

look for 2k1 model years still on the lot, should get some good discounts on those.

i'd say stay away from S10s, they're tiny. ranger is a lot bigger.

 

[DDad]

Easy, Dodge Dakota
Full size bed
Usually under $10 K (used)
Excellent Durability- Mine has 200,000 miles on it (had to replace Trannsimision @ 160,000)
Available with V8
Reasonably easy to work on (important, especially if your a DIY'er)

 

[HappyPuppy]

1955 Chevy 5 window pickup with 235 straight six engine and single throat carb. If you're lucky you will find one with a 4 speed tranny with compound low. They're easy to work on and built like a Sherman tank. Pity the Bro in the Miata who slams on his brakes in front of you. Can you say "Pancake?"

Sorry, I can't stand the new so-called "pickups". They're basically roadsters with wasted space in the back.

 

[DDad]

Ummm, I thought in 55 they went to the new style with the Big Back glass (optional)- you wouldn't be thinking of the 47-54 series, by chance?