small awd/4x4 pickup suggestions?

[EvilBetty]

i need to buy a new work vehicle. i am looking at getting a small(ish) pickup with awd/4x4 capabilities. my budget is 8k or under. obviously looking at getting something used, 2000 or newer (its about time i join this century).

i looked at a 2005 subaru baja turbo which i was fairly impressed with, but it was a bit over my budget at $8600 and had some issues.

any suggestions? i am a car dunce.

 

[roundball]

Toyota Tacoma is about the only small pickup left, and they're pretty good. It's been a shrinking market, but I've heard that some manufacturers will be resurrecting old models in the future (Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, etc.)

 

[00clone]

Taco or Frontier. Taco's gonna be a little more expensive for what you get, but they're generally accepted as a little more reliable. Frontier is a little cheaper, but still a pretty good little truck.

 

[BikeSkiClone]

I'm rocking a '98 Ranger these days. Great size for one person, but it's only go the jump seats in the back of the cab.

Hoping to get a newer Tacoma here in a few years. I think the current Tacoma size is perfect.

 

[dmclone]

i need to buy a new work vehicle. i am looking at getting a small(ish) pickup with awd/4x4 capabilities. my budget is 8k or under. obviously looking at getting something used, 2000 or newer (its about time i join this century).

i looked at a 2005 subaru baja turbo which i was fairly impressed with, but it was a bit over my budget at $8600 and had some issues.

any suggestions? i am a car dunce.

The options out there for small pickups is really limited. I think your only options in that price range would be Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, and the Toyota Tacoma.

The problem with the small trucks is that they won't be much cheaper, won't get much better gas mileage, won't be more reliable, etc. than a full size. With that said, I'd much rather drive a small truck. It's too bad the mid size trucks are not more popular.

 

[roundball]

Taco or Frontier. Taco's gonna be a little more expensive for what you get, but they're generally accepted as a little more reliable. Frontier is a little cheaper, but still a pretty good little truck.

Truth. I've been eying a 2008 or newer model for a few years hoping they'll come down in price...nope. Would love to own one.

 

[dmclone]

This will make you want the Toyota

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnWKz7Cthkk

 

[JP4CY]

Problem with the 5-10 year old Taco's: people love them, don't want to sell them, and if they do: the resale is high.

 

[Cycsk]

The options out there for small pickups is really limited. I think your only options in that price range would be Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, and the Toyota Tacoma.

The problem with the small trucks is that they won't be much cheaper, won't get much better gas mileage, won't be more reliable, etc. than a full size. With that said, I'd much rather drive a small truck. It's too bad the mid size trucks are not more popular.

This. I have a Nissan Frontier, but I find myself wondering why I didn't just get the bigger version, especially when hauling tailgate equipment.

 

[roundball]

The options out there for small pickups is really limited. I think your only options in that price range would be Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, and the Toyota Tacoma.

The problem with the small trucks is that they won't be much cheaper, won't get much better gas mileage, won't be more reliable, etc. than a full size. With that said, I'd much rather drive a small truck. It's too bad the mid size trucks are not more popular.

I'm not sure how it is with used trucks, but this definitely isn't true for newer models. The price difference between a new Tacoma and a new F-150 with similar features (aside from the engine, obviously) is pretty significant, in my view. I wouldn't call a Tacoma cheap by any definition, but it's certainly a lot less than a full-size.

 

[Tre4ISU]

I'm not sure how it is with used trucks, but this definitely isn't true for newer models. The price difference between a new Tacoma and a new F-150 with similar features (aside from the engine, obviously) is pretty significant, in my view. I wouldn't call a Tacoma cheap by any definition, but it's certainly a lot less than a full-size.

Is that with an Eco-boost or something? Every time I have checked, they are relatively close.

I have seen people have really good luck with Colorados. That's the extent of my small pickup knowledge. I wouldn't ever own one, myself.

 

[00clone]

The options out there for small pickups is really limited. I think your only options in that price range would be Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, and the Toyota Tacoma.

The problem with the small trucks is that they won't be much cheaper, won't get much better gas mileage, won't be more reliable, etc. than a full size. With that said, I'd much rather drive a small truck. It's too bad the mid size trucks are not more popular.

Chicken tax, look it up....it's BS.

 

[roundball]

Is that with an Eco-boost or something? Every time I have checked, they are relatively close.

I have seen people have really good luck with Colorados. That's the extent of my small pickup knowledge. I wouldn't ever own one, myself.

I just checked it out to be sure...

A F-150 XL, extended cab 4x4 with a 3.5L V6 (non eco-boost), automatic, power windows/locks starts at $35,855.

A Tacoma, extended cab 4x4 with a 4.0 L V6, automatic, power windows/locks starts at $28,770. If you go with the 4 cylinder, it's $24,945.

 

[bellzisu]

In that price range... I would seriously think about a Honda Ridgeline. Plenty of room inside. Trunk under the bed. Get along great in the snow. I have 150,000 on mine and in a position to get something newer but really love the truck.

 

[FarminCy]

Is that with an Eco-boost or something? Every time I have checked, they are relatively close.

I have seen people have really good luck with Colorados. That's the extent of my small pickup knowledge. I wouldn't ever own one, myself.

I owned a crew cab Colorado with the I-5 back around 04-05. It was a good little truck and served me well for that stage of my life (before marriage and kids). If i needed something bigger I just grabbed one of our dually farm trucks. It got decent mileage and actually handled anything snow or off road great. I'm not sure I'd ever own one in the near future as I now drive a crew cab F150 but maybe later in life when i'm older a small truck like that is great for getting around.

I know most will recommend the Taco in that vehicle class but I personally had no issues with the Colorado and really liked it when I had it. That being said I never got that truck past 35,000 miles before I got rid of it so I can't say anything about the longevity of them.

 

[EvilBetty]

The options out there for small pickups is really limited. I think your only options in that price range would be Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, and the Toyota Tacoma.

The problem with the small trucks is that they won't be much cheaper, won't get much better gas mileage, won't be more reliable, etc. than a full size. With that said, I'd much rather drive a small truck. It's too bad the mid size trucks are not more popular.

anytime i see a chevy colorado i can't help but think of this

WARNING EXPLICIT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__tzPkZywdE

 

[dmclone]

I just checked it out to be sure...

A F-150 XL, extended cab 4x4 with a 3.5L V6 (non eco-boost), automatic, power windows/locks starts at $35,855.

A Tacoma, extended cab 4x4 with a 4.0 L V6, automatic, power windows/locks starts at $28,770. If you go with the 4 cylinder, it's $24,945.

Now look at the OTD price. They'll chop 8k off the F150 without blinking an eye.

The only reason I knew this was because a couple of years ago I bought a truck and really wanted the Tacoma. I went and priced it out and I ended up getting a full sized Ram with similar options and the Ram was within $1k of the OTD price. For that $1k I got a lot bigger truck, a lot more room, more features, a 400hp V8 that got within 3 mpg of the V6 in the Tacoma, a better ride, a nicer interior, etc. I do think the Tacoma would be more reliable over the long haul and would be easier to drive around town since it's a lot smaller.

 

[dmclone]

Chicken tax, look it up....it's BS.

English?

 

[Cyclonepride]

Given my experience with those who drive little pick ups, once you get it- please try to drive at least the speed limit.

 

[EvilBetty]

English?

i looked it up. i didn't know either. it is a dated tax/tariff on light foreign pickups.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2014/04/current-negotiations-could-end-chicken-tax.html