Actually, I'd only recommend the Taco/Frontier in the OP's price range...in that segment new, I'd currently look at the Colorado/Canyon for this model year, since Taco/Frontier haven't really been updated other than cosmetics since the Colorado/Ranger left the market. The new Colorado/Canyon are new vehicles..Tacoma is coming out with a new model in '16, I think...at that point, I'd see what shakes out with each model.
small awd/4x4 pickup suggestions?
- Thread starter EvilBetty
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Actually, I'd only recommend the Taco/Frontier in the OP's price range...in that segment new, I'd currently look at the Colorado/Canyon for this model year, since Taco/Frontier haven't really been updated other than cosmetics since the Colorado/Ranger left the market. The new Colorado/Canyon are new vehicles..Tacoma is coming out with a new model in '16, I think...at that point, I'd see what shakes out with each model.
The imports (Tacoma/Ridgeline/Frontier) are clearly better, more reliable vehicles, I don't think anyone will debate that too much, but with your criteria you're going to have to weigh your options with what is available on the market, just because those are superior vehicles doesn't mean they are available in your price range or if they are that they would automatically be your best choice. I put your criteria into cars.com just to see what options are out there and there's only 30 within 150 mile radius of Des Moines (not sure where you live), so debating over which is the best overall truck is a basically a mute point (no Tacomas or Ridgelines in that price range and just a few really high mile Frontiers), it will be more along the lines of comparing what is available on the market, such as a 2001 Ford Ranger XLT ext cab with 117K for $8,000 vs a 2005 GMC Canyon crew cab with 190k for $8,000 vs a 2001 Nissan Frontier crew cab with a 161k for $7,500 and then pulling their carfax, seeing how they were maintained and what shape there are in, what a fair purchase price of that specific vehicle would be, test driving, what future work they will need (timing belts, major service) etc. and seeing what makes sense, but that's taking it to a specific vehicle level.
Good luck with your search!
Good luck with your search!
I am not sure you really wan tto pilot test a new truck design. especially from GMC or Chevrolet. I would wait at least a year if you are seriously thinking about a new Canyon or Colorado. Really at this point if you are buying a domestic vehicle, you should get the full size truck. All the engineering improvements have gon einto that segment. The 5.3 Silverado ha smroe horse and torque than a Nissan Titan, achieves about 8 more MPG, and can actually tow. Parking lots suck, but that is the only real drawback.
Not enitrely. The Ridgeline uses differential suspension and a unibody. It is a van trying to convince you it is a truck. It is even front wheel drive standard.
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What a spectacle of dumbassery. One response to that guy: at least Ford didn't take a handout from the government, you ******* liberal commie *********.
**cough** **cough**
http://rarehistoricalphotos.com/henry-ford-receiving-grand-cross-german-eagle-nazi-officials-1938/
Henry Ford receiving the Grand Cross of the German Eagle from Nazi officials, 1938
I know we're joking and everything =) but I think all of the American auto industry got plenty of scrutiny for their roles in manufacturing in Nazi Germany. That's a pretty damning photo though.
The Pinto, Bronco II and Explorer debacles don't really paint a great picture of the Ford Motor Company either.
The new Colorado and GMC Canyon have potential, but the quality will need to be there. I've watched too many GM vehicles fall apart around me
My dad drives a Colorado, and I don't think he's been all that impressed with it. He's generally been a Chevy/GM guy. I've heard the inline 5 cylinder isn't great from a reliability perspective, and has less power and equal fuel economy to a 6 cylinder. You've also got to deal with the GM interior, which sucked until recently.
I loved the Titan when it first came out, and it was very competitive (HP/torque, towing, payload, etc) to the domestic trucks at the time. http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/pickup/163_0512_2006_4_door_truck_comparison/viewall.html
However, Nissan only sells like 25k Titans per year right now compared to 250k+ for each of the Big 3, and they haven't updated the line like Ford/Ram/Chevy have so it's fallen behind. I'm interested to see the new 2015 Titan, especially with the 5L V8 Cummins engine. I've read that Nissan has developed it as a "5/8 ton" truck - more heavy-duty and capable than the normal 1/2 ton, but not a full on 3/4 ton. Considering they don't sell anything in the 3/4 - 1 ton market, it may be a smart move for them as it opens them up to some new buyers.
While that's true, that doesn't mean it's any less capable, for the OP purposes I figured around 2006 would be a good model year, so grabbed vehicle stats from that year for comparison. As you can see the Ridgeline is more of a truck by "truck measures" than the domestics, and better built, better finishes and better quality to boot. It's also more expensive of course.
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Interesting read - trading in my 2010 ranger sport for a 2015 Tacoma with a lot of options. Its expensive but once in a while you have to treat yourself I say. Love the Ranger but since they don't make it anymore the research seemed to point to the Tacoma. They're going to make quite a few upgrades, engine and interior for 2016 but didn't want to wait and sometimes changes have their troubles for a year or 2.
I work with a guy that worked for 10 years between Chrysler and GM (his last project before coming here was the battery for the Chevy Volt) and he said that the 3rd model year is typically the best from a reliability standpoint. After launch, it takes one model year to fix the big problems and another model year to fix the small problems. The third model year tends to be best, and then they do a "refresh" for the fourth model year which can introduce new problems.
While that's true, that doesn't mean it's any less capable, for the OP purposes I figured around 2006 would be a good model year, so grabbed vehicle stats from that year for comparison. As you can see the Ridgeline is more of a truck by "truck measures" than the domestics, and better built, better finishes and better quality to boot. It's also more expensive of course.
I was sold after test driving a Ridgeline. I went from a 2003 Chevy Silverado LT with all the toys to a 2007 Ridgeline. Best thing I ever did. I've driven the Colorado, Ranger, and Dakota and non of them had the same feel as the Honda. Plus in the 110,000 miles I driven mine, I've only had to replace the brakes and tires once. The Silverado had issues every other month. U joints, brakes, speedometer stopped work, 4 wheel drive electronic issues.
I've hauled plenty with my Ridgeline and never had any issues. And never any issues in the snow.
I had a 2006 Colorado with the little 4 cylinder. While it wasn't a workhorse by any stretch of the imagination it was fine inexpensive transportation. It got about 20-21 in town and 24-27 on the highway.
I see so many massive trucks about town that have never had anything in the bed.
I've been looking for a somewhat decent used truck because I miss having some sort of pickup. I just cringe when I look at the inflated sticker prices on new pickups.
I see so many massive trucks about town that have never had anything in the bed.
I've been looking for a somewhat decent used truck because I miss having some sort of pickup. I just cringe when I look at the inflated sticker prices on new pickups.