Pickup Trucks

[Coasterkidmwm]

I am in the market for a used 4x4 pickup truck (MUST BE 4x4) as they're really useful for geologizing. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the older (2004ish and older) Tacomas, Rangers, Frontiers, or Colorados, preferably one with a manual transmission (stick shift takes 1000 dollars off the price tag).

Currently I'm pretty much set on a Toyota or a Nissan since those are what terrorists drive and they're hard to break from what I've heard/seen, especially Toyotas (Top Gear = <3).

What I'm looking for is something like "My friend has a Colorado and it blows ass!" or some basic info like that to help me.

Also no Chrysler poop. My boss has had two Dodge Ram's and they're horrific at best.

[jayman]

toyota

I was looking at an 04' Chevy Silverado 1500/2500HD. It's a pretty nice truck and I believe it has a 4x4 option.

My dad has an 01 Ranger and it blows.

toyota's engines and chassies are amazing, might not be the most conforable inside but they are incredabaly durable, the ones on the uk are anyway

[Coasterkidmwm]

Originally posted by gazag

toyota's engines and chassies are amazing, might not be the most conforable inside but they are incredabaly durable, the ones on the uk are anyway

To my knowledge until the 2004 or 2005 year they're the same thing, and then they Americanized/ruined them by making the Tacoma the Tundra and making the Tundra super huge. that's primarily why i don't want any of the new ones, they're too overpowered for what I need.

Originally posted by griffonluv

I was looking at an 04' Chevy Silverado 1500/2500HD. It's a pretty nice truck and I believe it has a 4x4 option.

Too big. I want a light truck, not a work truck/penis-shortcoming maker-upper.

ohh yeah cuz you dont need anything to make you look like a man do you[:D]

I think part of the problem with my dads Ranger is he abuses it like it's a fullsize. Lots of heavy towing has beat it up, among other things. But he's had issues with it since he first got it, so not completely his fault I suppose.

[hyyyper]

Toyota Hilux, unbreakable.

[Kev]

I used to have a 05 Nissan Frontier and never had any problems out of it. Many other people I know have also had about the same experience. Then again, I've never had any problems with Dodge vehicles either, except for their shitty gas mileage. Trucks are about the only thing that Dodge does right, IMHO.

I've no experience with the Colorado, but have heard they aren't all that dependable. Take that with a grain of salt though, since I have no first hand experience.

Tacomas are supposedly pretty good. Research before you buy though. Both Tacomas and Tundras had major frame rust issues a few years ago. I'm not sure which model years were affected.

Originally posted by Coasterkidmwm
Too big. I want a light truck, not a work truck/penis-shortcoming maker-upper.

Since when has a Silverado 1500 been a work truck?

[jayman]

id say the tacoma.. i have customers with upwards of 3000, 000 miles on their work trucks and they still run strong ..

Originally posted by griffonluv

Originally posted by Coasterkidmwm
Too big. I want a light truck, not a work truck/penis-shortcoming maker-upper.

Since when has a Silverado 1500 been a work truck?

Since the F-150/250 were.

Granted its no pick-up, my Ford (98) only has regular maintenance issues. I would go with a ranger or an older F-150.

Toyota Hilux.
Amazing vehicles.

[Mikey]

I would say stay away from the Rangers, go for a F150/F250. Off-roading in a four banger is not very fun.

[Coasterkidmwm]

Okay thanks.

Also I know I knocked the Chevy's (I learned to drive on the equiv suburban as the 1500 and it was a fantastic truck) it's just that I'm going for the light and nimble approach and a 1500/F150 isn't quite as light and nimble as I'd like.

[Oscar]

Ford Ranger should be renamed to Ford Danger!

[jayman]

hmm. i'm a ford guy , even if i have been recommending the toyota for what he wants. the ranger is a pretty good truck if it's as close to stock as possible and not turned into hillbilly death machine.

[Mikey]

6CYL Ranger is ok, 4 banger is not.

I have a 03' chevy silverado and ive never had a problem. I take it off-roading all the time.. if that helps any lol. i had a 97' ford f150., either it was my luck of the draw, or just bad design but it was a hunk of crap and the trans was ALWAYS messed up, sometimes it wouldn't even shift into park lol..

well thats my two cents...

Yeah... This may not be of any interest to you, Matt, but I drive an '08 Honda Ridgeline.

[Coasterkidmwm]

Yeah cause I can totally afford one of those.

Is there a reason you need a truck? What about a smaller or older SUV? Like maybe a Ford Explorer or something. Its what I drive.

[Coasterkidmwm]

SUV's get the same mileage as pickups and I may as well get the ridiculously huge amount of extra space for the same mileage.

Well, with the back seats folded down I think you get a good 6 to 8 feet. Ill have to measure to be sure though.