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Topic: Talk to me ablout small pick up trucks
Posted By: NanciL on 05/02/17 05:03pm

I want to get rid of my 2014 humongous Dodge Ram pick up and get a baby pick up that both my wife and I can drive.
I want zero bells and whistles and as little electronics as possible Here are my specs:
- I don't want a fob to start it - a plain old key
- It has to be a 4 x 4 (we live in the mountains)
- I want a back seat
- it can be four or six cylinder
- I want the cheapest stripped model that I can find

Who has what and is happy with it?

Jack L

Jack & Nanci

Posted By: imgoin4it on 05/03/17 08:29am

Haven't had one recently, but have in the past. I would look at a Toyota 4 wheel drive. Currently tow a silverado crew cab 4×4. For ordinary driving the turning radius is inconvient when parking in tight spots. The Chevy colorado, while smaller,is not much smaller, does not cost that much less and the turning radius not that much better. The smaller of the two Toyota trucks might fill the bill. You could also check out the Honda truck. I have no experience or knowledge of them.

Howard,Connie,& Bella,
One spoiled schnauzer
2007 Newmar KSDP
4dr Jeep Wrangler

Posted By: 2012Coleman on 05/03/17 08:51am

Toyota Tacoma. Although you are the one who can decide best depending on what your planning on towing with it.

Experience without good judgment is worthless; good judgment without experience is still good judgment!

2018 RAM 3500 Big Horn CTD
2018 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

Posted By: d3500ram on 05/03/17 09:34am

If you live in the mountains and need 4x4 I would opt highly for the 6 cylinder and not even consider a 4 banger. JMHO.

Posted By: JAXFL on 05/03/17 09:37am

Got an 2008 Colorado like you want and really nothing been wrong with it... I now use it as the toad.

Posted By: p220sigman on 05/03/17 10:29am

You didn't say if you are looking new or used, but you can get a Toyota Tacoma SR doublecab in 4x4. New, it will still have power locks/windows, but keyless entry is an option. Also, even though it is "stripped", it is still pretty pricey. Probably close to 30K. Even used ones still command a pretty good price. Personally, if I were considering a small truck, it is the only one I would look at.

Posted By: Crowe on 05/03/17 10:39am

Toyota Tacoma

Look at the specs. Not all that small. Had the double-cab 4x4. Hated it-handled terribly. Unless they've changed it, the wheelbase makes it somewhat unwieldy.

* This post was edited 05/03/17 12:13pm by an administrator/moderator *

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be Douglas Adams

RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road.

Posted By: 8.1 Van on 05/03/17 10:58am

2017 Chevy Colorado vs 2017 Toyota Tacoma

2002 Chevy Express LS 3500 8.1 155" WB passenger van 3.73 posi (GT4/G80)
2003 Thor Citation 41-ZBSR 41ft TT


Posted By: DrewE on 05/03/17 01:01pm

I don't mean this in any way to belittle or shame, but only to possibly provide a little food for thought.

Have you evaluated what exactly you need the pickup truck part of the truck for? Put another way, what are the actual uses of this vehicle, and might some other class of vehicle satisfy them equally or at least adequately?

A minivan, for instance, can easily fulfill some people's "truck" needs: it can carry a good amount of stuff or people (less so both at the same time), and does so more comfortably and efficiently than most pickups. Some minivans can tow modest trailers without trouble. While most are not four wheel drive or all wheel drive, front wheel drive with good snow tires does very decently in wintertime. Of course, if you need to tow a lot or to have more ground clearance or to carry loads of manure or do some other tasks, a minivan is ill-suited.

I just find it's sometimes too easy to think "I need a ______" when it would be more productive to think "I need something to be able to do ______ and ______ and ______".




Posted By: NanciL on 05/03/17 04:43pm

For what it is worth:
Over the many years that I have been on this earth, I have had full size Chevies, Fords, and now this monstrous Dodge Ram.
I have watched them almost double in size from years ago. and as far as I am concerned the Toyota Tacoma is equivelant to my full size Chevy of years ago, so I am not interested in it.

We just hauled a 40 foot trailer into a permanent site and hopefully I will never tow again.
We have a Suburu Forester, that we love, but need a small pick up (El Cheapo) to replace the big Dodge Ram.
What ever I get, I will put a cap on it for hauling our canoes and kayaks.
I was hoping to hear from people that have stripped down bare essential small pick ups. the only ting that is a must is 4 x4 and rear seat.

Jack l

Posted By: imgoin4it on 05/03/17 04:56pm

The Tacoma compared to the colorado is comparing a gas to a diesel. Not quite the same

Posted By: trb46 on 05/03/17 09:23pm

I have a 2011 Toyota Tacoma, V-6, 4 WD, Access Cab (not the crew cab). Absolutely love it.

Posted By: 2012Coleman on 05/04/17 04:44am

Maybe the Nissan Frontier will fit your needs.

[image]

Since you want a back seat, you will need to be looking for later models as older trucks like the Chevy S10 only came with extended cabs. If I were you, I'd get a Craigslist app for my smart phone and start searching used. When you see the one that fits your needs, you will know it. You did say el-cheapo.

[image]

Posted By: ryegatevt on 05/04/17 06:24am

I have a 2012 Tacoma double cab (bought new) which replaced my 1999 Ford Ranger (also bought new) when the frame of the Ranger rusted through. I use a truck for light hauling brush, gas cans, transfer station visits; and towing a utility trailer and a boat trailer. I also have a need here in VT and NH dirt roads and fields for a 4X4 The Tacoma is very adequate for my needs, although I liked the size of the Ranger. If I were shopping trucks again I would hope that the rumored new Ranger is on the road, but would also look at Tacoma, the new Honda Ridgeline, and Colorado.

Steve & Bev
2005 Roadtrek 210
Tess, our Sheltie


Posted By: winnietrey on 05/04/17 08:24am

In 2013 bought a new (2013) Nisan Frontier "S" model. King Cab 2 wd. Has roll up windows, manual locks and no cruise. Something like 17K and change. Has auto trans, AC .AM/FM CD, no fob, key entry, came with bed liner and matts. All I need

My comments
1) have been very pleased with it
2) Reason I went with it, rather than the Tacoma is, Nissan has much better head room. I am little over 6 ft. And Tacoma roof was just to low.
3) they were not making the Chev Colorado at that time, so I have no knowledge on it.
4) I have the 4 banger, seems to have quite a bit of power. I have not gone up and down any mountains with it, but have hauled loads of gravel and dirt. Seemed to do just fine. Had plenty of power
5) seems to rate real high with consumer reports, and Edmonds etc.
6) I would buy it again, all things being equal
7) I know you want 4WD, and perhaps the crew cab, I believe they do make an "S" model in that

* This post was edited 05/04/17 08:42am by winnietrey *

Posted By: Jebby14 on 05/04/17 10:09am

seems to me like you are going to spend more money and take the depreciation hit again under the FALSE idea that you will save money. Just keep the paid for Ram and teach the lady friend its nothing to fear.

* This post was edited 05/04/17 10:51am by an administrator/moderator *

Posted By: 2012Coleman on 05/04/17 12:35pm

Jebby14 wrote:

seems to me like you are going to spend more money and take the depreciation hit again under the FALSE idea that you will save money. Just keep the paid for Ram and teach the lady friend its nothing to fear.
Where does the OP state that they want to save money? How do you know the current truck is paid for?

Posted By: Mountain Jack on 05/04/17 04:10pm

Here is a pickup which looks like you might like it, but it's not close. It appears to be on the west coast area.

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=1407537

Posted By: coolbreeze01 on 05/04/17 05:01pm

Enjoyed the Luv, but junk happens............

2008 Ram 3500 With a Really Strong Tractor Motor...........
LB, SRW, 4X4, 6-Speed Auto, 3.73, Prodigy P3, Blue Ox Sway Pro........
2014 Sandsport 26FBSL

Posted By: Drbolasky on 05/05/17 09:27am

I bought a used '05 Tacoma Access Cab earlier this year, and love it. Yes, I know you said it was nearly equal in size to your pickup of years ago, and I concede that my '05 Taco has the same wheelbase as my old Dodge van (127"). It is, however, narrower and a bit more maneuverable. And actually, the long wheelbase gives a better ride than the standard cab/shorter trucks. I just did a trip to Maryland and back - and my gas mileage was 25+ mpg. The V-6 has a nearly bullet-proof reputation and while it may not be as powerful as a V-8, it is adequate for my needs. The 4 cylinder is sluggish, even with the 5-speed manual transmission. 4WD is a must, yes. Used Tacos still command a hefty price precisely because of their reliability. Best of luck in your shopping, whatever you wind up getting. JMHO all the way around.

Doug, Linda, Audrey (USN) & Andrew
2008 Sequoia SR-5, 5.7 L, 2000 Coachmen Futura 2790TB Bunkhouse, Dexter E-Z Flex Suspension, Reese W.D. Hitch/Dual Cam Sway Control, Prodigy Brake Controller, McKesh Mirrors
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Posted By: Carb Cleaner on 05/10/17 08:50pm

I bought an '06 Frontier, new. Fantastic handling, plenty of power with towing/hauling capacity at the top of its class, and more cab space than a Toyota. The 4x4 functioned, very well (it had an optional rear locker). I came out of a '93 Ranger, and it felt huge, in comparison. Nothing like my '13 F-250, but very roomy. I had the Frontier for 6 years, and it was very reliable, but the gas mileage of the V-6 with an automatic, was low. About 15 mpg, with a mix of city/highway, empty/hauling. Empty, on the highway, I could see 22 mpg, but that was rare. The styling was more appealing than the Toyota of its era, in my opinion, and, looking back, I'd buy it, again. One huge factor in my decision of the Nissan over the Toyota, besides the better cab space and lower price, was the steel bed. The Toyotas, had/have a plastic bed. From what I remember about the last time I looked, Nissan still sells a basic, no-frills 4-cylinder, but I think a standard tranny is required. The Honda "truck", is uni-body. Not, body-on-frame.
At the time, 2006, I didn't consider the Chevy Colorado, because of owner reviews and the five-cylinder. What they run now, I couldn't say. In 2006, another Ranger, wasn't considered. I wanted a larger bed. When a pick-up was the only vehicle I owned, I used them as trucks, hauling construction material/debris while working in the residential-remodeling game. Now-a-days, for a second vehicle, as a little run-about-town grocery-getter, I'd consider a used Ranger. My '93 Ranger 4x4 V6 auto got about 15 mpg, too, but I'd think that was improved with later models. I sold the '93 Ranger to a friend's son, who took it beyond 200,000 miles before selling it and buying a race car (gotta love the Motor Heads).

'13 F250XL SC gas 4x4 8', Camper & Plow packages, StableLoads, LT285/65R-18 Goodyear Wrangler A/T Adventure, 18x9 Ultra Motorsports "Phantom" wheels
'12 Wolf Creek 850 TC Coleman Polar Cub 9.2k A/C, 90 watt solar, dual propane & batteries, Maggie Rack


Posted By: NanciL on 05/11/17 05:22am

8.1 Van wrote:

2017 Chevy Colorado vs 2017 Toyota Tacoma


That comparison is fine, but leaves out the price which is what I will probably buy by unless the price is similar

jack L

Posted By: Lessmore on 05/11/17 09:46am

My son bought new, a 2008 Chevy Colorado with the 3.5 liter 5 cylinder, AT and off road Z 71 suspension package. He traded it in on a new Jeep in 2014.
The Colorado had over 130,000 kilometers on it. All he needed was a tightening of a clamp on a power steering hose and a speaker wire replacement.

Up here we have real, hard winters....periods of -30 to -35 are not uncommon. He never plugged it in, it always started. Our winters are usually around 5 to 5 1/2 months long, lots of snow, hard ice and when snow comes in October, early November, it never melts till March.

The 5 cylinder had lots of power, the extended cab lots of room, even for me and my long legs.

If I were in the market for this sized truck, I'd look at the Nissan Frontier, the Chevy Colorado.

Posted By: IBcarguy on 05/12/17 02:51pm

From a resale and reliability standpoint alone, a Toyota Tacoma is the best small used truck on the market. (I know...I run a dealer auto auction for a large auto company and Tacomas are the easiest and fastest truck to sell and always demand high prices).

Posted By: NanciL on 05/12/17 05:04pm

Thanks everyone for your replies.
We just bought a new Toyota Tacoma, Access cab, 6 cylinder , 4x4 and we are very happy

jack L

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