Smaller truck

  • matt-p
    White Bear Lake, MN
    Posts: 643
    March 18, 2013 at 10:41 pm #1281283

    I am in the market for a used Truck. For now I’m looking at either a Chevy Colorado or a Ford Ranger.. Any one have any other options on something that size? or know where to look.. Looking to spend less than 8000..

    Also 4wd and needs to be able to pull my 14 ft boat around no problem..

    My jeep is on its last leg.

    FryDog62
    Posts: 3696
    March 18, 2013 at 11:24 pm #1153503

    Hard to find any Tacomas that price range but they are good. Friend picked up a used Nissan Frontier about that range and likes it.

    milemark_714
    Posts: 1285
    March 18, 2013 at 11:41 pm #1153513

    An 8k or less good shape Tacoma will not last long.And I have seen late 90s ones go for that price Good Frontiers are also hard to find.The only Colorado for that price range with 4wd will be a higher mile work truck model.

    You should be able to score a mid 2000s Ranger for that amount.They want mad cash for the newer Tacomas,I looked for about 2 years.

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    March 18, 2013 at 11:41 pm #1153514

    Just an FYI. Those small rigs get the exact same MPGs in a smaller/weaker package. Might as well go full size and get the comfort and ability a full size offers.

    bianchi96
    Gateway to Whitewater
    Posts: 42
    March 18, 2013 at 11:42 pm #1153515

    Can’t go wrong with a TOY

    Rivergills
    Wisconsin
    Posts: 305
    March 19, 2013 at 12:31 am #1153529

    I owned a Tacoma not a bad truck 18-19mpg traded it in on 2013 Ford F-150 5.0 love the extra room, and mpg about the same 18.5-19.7 and have twice the truck. I would never go back to compact truck. You could find a good full size truck yet for $8,000-$9,000 I would think.

    ghost78
    Minnesota
    Posts: 22
    March 19, 2013 at 12:31 am #1153530

    Stay away from the Colorado

    red89
    Hudson
    Posts: 918
    March 19, 2013 at 12:31 am #1153531

    Quote:

    Just an FYI. Those small rigs get the exact same MPGs in a smaller/weaker package. Might as well go full size and get the comfort and ability a full size offers.

    I would say they get anywhere from 1 to 6 mpg better. It depends a lot what you are comparing.

    My 98′ ranger with 4.0 v6 and 4×4 got 17.4 mpg average, over 19 mpg hwy, and under 14 mpg pulling 16′ small boat.
    My 97′ chevy 1500 with 5.7 v8 gets 13.8 mpg average, maybe 14.8 hwy (this is winter gas though), and havent tried towing much yet.

    I know my dads f150 with 4.6 v8 gets somewhere around 15-16 mpg.

    I liked my ranger, towing power wasnt amazing, but for a small boat its fine.

    matt-p
    White Bear Lake, MN
    Posts: 643
    March 19, 2013 at 1:23 am #1153548

    Quote:

    Stay away from the Colorado

    Can I ask why?

    milemark_714
    Posts: 1285
    March 19, 2013 at 2:46 am #1153588

    Quote:

    Quote:

    Stay away from the Colorado

    Can I ask why?

    Earlier models had electrical/brake problems.Also problems with the I-5 motor.Not sure if the 4 cylinder had problems.

    joshbjork
    Center of Iowa
    Posts: 727
    March 19, 2013 at 3:21 am #1153597

    Rangers are tiny inside. Dakotas are not. Older Tundras are about the same size.

    dog2th
    Omaha, NE
    Posts: 362
    March 19, 2013 at 8:53 am #1153613

    If mpg is main focus, and your boat is on a trailer, and you can live with a tiny truck bed, look at the Subaru Baja. They seat 4, 4 doors, awd, and 20-25 mpg. Fantastic in snow, comfy ride and a dependable drive train.
    My $0.02.

    Good luck!

    Phil Bauerly
    Walker, MN - Leech Lake
    Posts: 866
    March 19, 2013 at 1:37 pm #1153686

    I like my Colorado. It gets 22mpg all day long. A Tacoma or Frontier would have been my first choice but you will pay more.

    Rivergills
    Wisconsin
    Posts: 305
    March 19, 2013 at 1:37 pm #1153687

    I agree with that about the colorado I have heard the same thing. I know a guy that lives down the road from me that owned a colorado had engine trouble and I guess the gas milage was not that great. He went back to a full size truck. Tacomas used to be good but I think there slipping some also don’t think they hold together like they use to consumer reports does not even recommend them anymore. If you can you should take a look at the consumer reports that is real surveys sent in by consumers.

    targaman
    Inactive
    Wilton, WI
    Posts: 2759
    March 19, 2013 at 1:44 pm #1153689

    I agree with Wade, I have a 4.0 Ranger that is a dog when it comes to pulling my 16ft Rebel. It gets 17mpg without the boat if i’m lucky and about 12 with the boat. My next truck will definitely be a full size. It is a high mileage Ranger so i’m sure it a tad worse than a newer one though.

    tom_gursky
    Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iron Mountain)
    Posts: 4751
    March 19, 2013 at 1:46 pm #1153690

    Quote:

    Rangers are tiny inside. Dakotas are not. Older Tundras are about the same size.

    I have had great luck with most of my smaller trucks…between a Ranger, Colorado and a Toyota…I would opt for 2003 or newer 4.7L Tundra…although the 5.7L gets almost as good on MPG. 2003 saw the improved port fuel injection, performance/mileage booster. Best resale of all the aforementioned rigs.
    I am currently running a 2004 and get 14mpg pulling my 1750 Crestliner during cold (like now) weather…16mpg pulling it in warm temps. Summer solo driving…19-20mpg highway.

    Rivergills
    Wisconsin
    Posts: 305
    March 19, 2013 at 2:15 pm #1153705

    I agree with Wade and targaman 100%. I have owned Toyotas,Chevy, and Fords and Ford F-150 has been the best for me as far as MPG,towing,reliability and total cost of ownership.

    walleyebuster5
    Central MN
    Posts: 3916
    March 19, 2013 at 2:54 pm #1153723

    My 2001 Dakota (v8) pulls my 17′ lund with no problems. Pulls my camper well too. 241,000 miles on it (bought it with 19k) and my issues were from about 150k-175k miles. Replaced some things but the tranny has been going strong since day 1. Would I buy another one? Sure. But the family is getting bigger and I need the room of a full size pick up.

    hnd
    Posts: 1577
    March 19, 2013 at 7:51 pm #1153845

    we had colorado for work trucks. our installers hated them and 1 of the 3 were always in the shop for whatever reasons. bought tacomas and its been a night and day difference.

    that being said, there is no way you are goin gto find a tacoma that is worth buying for 8 grand.

    i get 15 in my 00 1500 silverado. i would be getting the same in a tacoma.

    i don’t mind the rangers and if i was in your boat i would either look at a high mileage full size (00-02 trucks with 120-140k miles go for about 7 or 8) or a ford ranger. you can get a 100k mileage 4×4 ranger for that price.

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