YA(N)CT: new truck question

[NTB]

Yet Another (New) Car Thread 🙂

I'd probably end up buying used anyway, but for curiosity's sake, I was wondering what a new one might actually cost - what discounts are available, etc. What I'd like is something along the lines of a Ford Ranger Edge / Mazda B3000 Dual Sport. Truthfully though, all I'm really looking for is A/C and an automatic transmission. I realize a manual tranny would let me get more out of the small 6 and 4 cylinder engines, but for me driving a stick is one of those "chewing bubble gum and walking" kind of things...not a very pretty sight.

Oh, and before anybody reccomends a car rather than a small pickup: I wouldn't mind a car, especially a little Civic or something similar. Gas mileage would certainly be better. But I do quite a bit of camping, hiking, and fishing during the warmer parts of the year, which involves traveling on some washed out, rutted, old gravel roads. With my luck, I'd tear something up on the car trying to drive on those roads. I want a truck for the extra ground clearance; it's peace of mind if nothing else. Besides, a truck makes it easier to carry all the camping gear, IMO. And as far as towing goes, the only thing that I might end up towing is a little john boat & a small outboard.

Nate

 

[CChaos]

Here are a couple of good sites. www.edmunds.com and www.cars.com I don't know much about trucks myself but you can find everything about prices and specs on those 2 sites.

At the top of this page are links to compact pickups.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Ranger is one of the most outdated compact trucks on the market, you're bound to get some big discounts on it. I'm not sure I'd buy one myself - there's plenty else out there that just spanks the crap out of it. Ranger Edge MSRP is about $16,800

 

[MrBond]

I'll suggest a small SUV, like a Blazer or an Explorer. Trucks are nice, but you need a cap to really secure any amount of stuff in the back end. My blazer is great, because with the factory tinted windows, you really have to be close to even see anything in the cargo area/back seats. With the rear seats folded and the front passanger seat fully forward, there's actually enough room for me to sleep in the cargo area (and I'm 6'4").

Blazers are pretty expensive though if you're looking to buy new. Definatly go for a used model if you want 4dr, 4WD (besides, I don't think they offer the standard blazer in that config anymore, if you want 4dr/4wd you have to go for the TrailBlazer, which is quite a bit more).

I think mileage is a tad worse than with a truck. My dad claims he gets 25mpg with his 92 s-10, I do about 20 at best with my '95, and I've got 100k less miles than he does on it.

 

[Sluggo]

Rangers are almost always heavily discounted, since, as mentioned, they are quite outdated, but are still dependable trucks for everyday use.

The GM S-10/Sonoma trucks might be seeing some steep discounts to clear them off the lots since the newer model Colorado series trucks are hitting the dealers lots.

I hope at the least you are looking at an extended cab version. The extra room is invaluable.

And as always, avoid buying brand new if possible, there are so many low mileage trucks that are just 1 or 2 years old at much lower prices.

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: MrBond
I'll suggest a small SUV, like a Blazer or an Explorer. Trucks are nice, but you need a cap to really secure any amount of stuff in the back end. My blazer is great, because with the factory tinted windows, you really have to be close to even see anything in the cargo area/back seats. With the rear seats folded and the front passanger seat fully forward, there's actually enough room for me to sleep in the cargo area (and I'm 6'4").

Blazers are pretty expensive though if you're looking to buy new. Definatly go for a used model if you want 4dr, 4WD (besides, I don't think they offer the standard blazer in that config anymore, if you want 4dr/4wd you have to go for the TrailBlazer, which is quite a bit more).

I think mileage is a tad worse than with a truck. My dad claims he gets 25mpg with his 92 s-10, I do about 20 at best with my '95, and I've got 100k less miles than he does on it.

I actually had a Blazer for a while - an early-90's 4-door 4x4 S-10 Blazer. Wrecked it last february when some dope in a little sportscar T-boned it. Ran right into the front passenger-side wheel. If I could find another one at a decent price, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. But you're right about small SUVs costing more, unfortunately.

Nate