Whats a good small truck?

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Mazda6sTuner

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Hey everyone, been gone for a while but its nice to be back (Junior Year was a b***h).

Anyway, i have a question. I'm kinda in the market for a small (....or midsized or whatever its called) Truck.... Dont ask why. I just have this testosterone fueled urge to have a truck, although ive seen lots of women drive them too.

I was thinking in the Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma size range. Keep in mind it will be OLDER, so reliability is a major factor (probably 2000-2002).

So can you be helpful and gimme some suggestions?

Thanks! Aundre

BTW, this means the Mazda6 IS going back to my mom....~grrr~
 
Tacoma. Solid, built like tank, and will last as long as you need it to. I drive one, and love it.

Ford Rangers suck, though, as well as the small Mazda B-Series (same truck as Ranger). Horrible reliability, as well as a 1 in 3 rollover chance if you wreck it.
 
2002 Frontier:
4492de88be6ebnissantruck_001.jpg
 
I drove a Tacoma and i was very pleased. It was a 4 cylinder SR5 Stick and it rode like it was new (2001 with 73,000 miles).

I also drove a 2004 Frontier that same day and.... not as impressed....it was louder and on the freeway, it wobbled A LOT. It was almost scary. That could have been that particular model tho. Maybe the steering needed work.

Thanks for the suggestions though, guys!
 
Personally I'd go with either a Tacoma or Ranger. I don't have any experience, but I do know a few people with Rangers, with the 4 and 6 cylinder engines. They're not the most sophisticated or most powerful trucks, but the V6 has plenty of juice to haul good sized loads. I'm probably partial, but Rangers sell well for a reason, and that's because they're tough and inexpensive.
 
3-Wheel Drive
Ford Rangers suck, though, as well as the small Mazda B-Series (same truck as Ranger).
Click to expand...
You know, I'm not entirely convinced Ford really even redesigned it in 1998, which means the truck is essentially 15 years old, and making the Ranger rival the Econoline as the most outdated piece of trash sold in America.
 
A Tacoma or a Nissan Frontier. Both are reliable, solidly built trucks. Just because it's Japanese doesn't mean it's not cool.

:-)
 
Toronado
You know, I'm not entirely convinced Ford really even redesigned it in 1998, which means the truck is essentially 15 years old, and making the Ranger rival the Econoline as the most outdated piece of trash sold in America.
Click to expand...

Uhh... I really can't decide which is worse, the Ranger or the Econoline.... hmmm....
 
Please don’t get a Ranger. I drove one for quite a while and hated it. The one – one – thing that I liked about it was that it was such a pile of garbage that it didn’t matter if I scratched it (although, incidentally, I never did actually scratch it). And if you drive a stick, you’ll really hate its clutch – it’s a royal pain.
 
Thanks a bunch for the advice! I'll take it all into account (unless my ADD causes me to look for something else..... Preludes are nice......haha).

Oh yeh, The Ranger was just given a facelift about 4 times, it was never really redesigned... since about 92.....same year as the Econoline!
 
-> You will never go wrong in a Tacoma, I think that is the most logical choice. Every car and consumer magazines praises it. 👍

I love this Taco ad:

-> I think the Tacoma IS the only choice for a small pickup on years 2000-2002:

- Ranger/B-Series = 4th facelift and its STILL the same!! :dunce:
- S-10/Sonoma/Hombre = As bad as the Cavalier/Sunfire combo. :yuck:
- Frontier = Also a good truck, but far below par compared to the Taco. :ouch:

:)
 
The Vanishing Boy
- S-10/Sonoma/Hombre = As bad as the Cavalier/Sunfire combo. :yuck:
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In 2000, the S-10 was 5 years old. The Cavalier was 18 years old. The S10 was also still good enough that it was a healthy alternative to the class leader. The Cavalier had been outdated for 8 years. Explain yourself.
 
I'd say either a Tacoma or S-10. We about bought an S-10 ZR2, but we ended up backing out of it.
 
Toronado
In 2000, the S-10 was 5 years old. The Cavalier was 18 years old. The S10 was also still good enough that it was a healthy alternative to the class leader. The Cavalier had been outdated for 8 years. Explain yourself.
Click to expand...

^ I already know how outdated the Cavi-combo as it is, but I've seen the S10 before it went out to pasture on 2004. Both of their seats are unsupportive, the interior looks like its about to expire for couple of years, and reliability of these things are so-so to bad. The Nissan is my runner-up after the Taco.
 
S-10's are not bad trucks as long as you get the 4.3L in them. I haven't haven't had any problem with the Blazer other then stuff I messed up myself. Although the brakes are doing something funny but I think that's because I'm super hard on them for whatever reason.
 
Normally I would be in full support of the Chevrolet S-10 or the GMC Jimmy here, but I'm having a hard time doing it. Quite frankly, I really didn't care much for the trucks in general, but like others have pointed out, it largely depends on what model you're going after. Getting one without the 4.3L V6 is simply stupid, but for the year ranges you're talking about, you're going to be better off looking for something Japanese, IMO...

My suggestion?

The late-model Nissan Frontier S/C:

2002.nissan.frontier.8286-E.jpg


IMO, they were pretty cool trucks when they finally strapped the superchargers on them, good for 210 BHP. But, that being said, that amount of power isn't that much further ahead of most of the competition. And given that you would be lucky to even scratch at 20 MPG, ever, you may be better off looking elsewhere...
 
Well, i guess i've sparked quite the conversation. I was surprised to find that the Japanese trucks were more highly regarded than the American trucks, since its the Big Three's bread and butter.

But as i think about it, all the money goes to the BIG trucks. The F-150 has been completely redone SEVERAL times over the span the Ranger has been in its current form. The Chevy Colorado is not one of the best looking trucks and its I-5 got only so-so reviews while the Silverado is quite the opposite. I guess they kno where the money is going to be made (in the truck area at least ~coughFRONTWHEELDRIVEIMPALASScough~)

Thanks again for all the advice. It will definately go into consideration.

However, the more i think about it, why not just get a hatchback? Versatile, faster and in most cases, more economical! Do I hear Mazda3, anyone?
 
Hatches would be better, while I like trucks unless you really have a use for them they are a huge pain to do anything with.
 
Just get a wagon. MKIV Jetta Wagons are teh sex!

On the Colorado issue: They're sticking a V8 in it this year, so IMO, the truck jumps from a mild six at best all the way to an eight on my scale of goodness. If they can put a suspension under there like Toyota's Tacoma X-Runner, its a nine.
 
Mazda6sTuner
However, the more i think about it, why not just get a hatchback? Versatile, faster and in most cases, more economical! Do I hear Mazda3, anyone?
Click to expand...
Talk about shifting gears... :lol:

You should definitely consider a hatchback or wagon for your wants (assuming you want something significantly more versatile than the average sedan/coupe).

There are a lot of good options, but here are a few that I'd look at if I were shopping in that category:

Used BMW 3- or 5-series Touring
VW Rabbit/Golf
Suzuki SX4
Subaru Impreza wagon
Subaru Legacy wagon
Subaru Forester (small SUV, big wagon, take your pick)
 

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