Opinion of small truck......please

[Mandelon]

I'm looking to pick up a pick up! I need a small mini-truck. 2000-2001 model.
I'm looking at either a Tacoma or a Ranger. The Toyotas are going to be more expensive. But the Rangers are pretty dependable nowadays too.
I've already got a big truck, but the 460 sucks too much gas for general driving. I do a lot of estimates and checking on jobs, so I'm driving several days a week. Paying $400 a month in gas alone, on the F250. Only goin to get worse!!
Which one? :confused:
[ February 26, 2003, 08:02 AM: Message edited by: Mandelon ]

[Kilrtoy]

Toyota's suck for towing, but since you want a commuter truck, toyota is very reliable and all over Ford. Ford is far below the quality of a toyota , but still above a chevy.

[HavasuDreamin']

Toyota will last longer than Ford. I hate to say it but it is true. Good Luck

[hot_diggity_dog]

Mandelon,
A couple of guy's are driving Toyota's in our company and they all complain that they get bad gas mileage.
Have you thought about a full size F-150 with a V-6? They have good power and get great mileage. Pretty cheap if you get a stick too.
HDD :cool:

[Mandelon]

I want to get the max mileage possible. Don't need many frills. AC is about it. My F-250 tows fine and has all the options..I'll be keeping it.
I had a ranger before, 97 XLT Extended cab. I thought it was great. I have 96 Toyota that one of my guys drives, but its beat. It runs alright after 125,000 mi.
I just need a runaround truck.
[ February 26, 2003, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: Mandelon ]

[Sleek-Jet]

Three words... Diesel Rabbit Pick-up. :D :D
http://ebay1.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_23a7be3251adfde1b0b15b69bcf82630/i-1_B.JPG
[ February 26, 2003, 08:23 AM: Message edited by: Sleek-Jet ]

[Jordy]

Not to point out the obvious here, but if you're paying $400 a month for gas on the big truck, is it really going to be cheaper to by another truck that's only a couple years old and cover a payment, insurance and gas for it? I'm guessing you'll run far over that $400 mark pretty easy. Besides, no matter what you do, it's tax deductable anyway. Mileage, fuel, insurance, etc. Just a thought. :D

[superV]

On the subject of toyota has anyone ever tow with a 4 Runner V6 1991 or newer? Looking at one with 100,000 miles never towed with and very clean... But need to tow 3500lbs... :confused:

[rivercrazy]

I've towed boats of that weight (3,500lbs) with Toyota 4 cyl motors. They do fine. Just make sure its a stick instead of automatic. The V6 will pull it great.

[Catmando]

jordanpaulk:
Not to point out the obvious here, but if you're paying $400 a month for gas on the big truck, is it really going to be cheaper to by another truck that's only a couple years old and cover a payment, insurance and gas for it? I'm guessing you'll run far over that $400 mark pretty easy. Besides, no matter what you do, it's tax deductable anyway. Mileage, fuel, insurance, etc. Just a thought. :D What he said.
I own a 1998 Ranger Supercab, 4.0 V6, 5 speed automatic with 500lb. towing pkg. i love the truck, rarely use 1st gear unless I'm towing. I shift a lot in town so that 1st gear doesn't kick in and spike the RPM, hard on the tranny, fun truck to drive that way.
Problem is I only get about 14-15MPG in town and 17 hwy. The F150 would be the better choice IMO IF you have to have another truck.

[Party Cat]

superV:
On the subject of toyota has anyone ever tow with a 4 Runner V6 1991 or newer? Looking at one with 100,000 miles never towed with and very clean... But need to tow 3500lbs... :confused: Stay away from the 3.0 liter V6 4runners. I had a 91 and the head gaskets usually go between 60 and 80k. Mine went at 120k only because I had put headers on it. Toyota had a 3yr 36k warranty but extended the head gaskets to 100k. I dumped the truck for a Suburban cause the engine was developing a rod knock. I was told that even with a rebuilt, you can only expect around a 100k out of those motors. This motor along with the Tercel 4cyl one are the 2 worst engines Toyota ever built.
Good Luck

[superV]

Party Cat:
superV:
On the subject of toyota has anyone ever tow with a 4 Runner V6 1991 or newer? Looking at one with 100,000 miles never towed with and very clean... But need to tow 3500lbs... :confused: Stay away from the 3.0 liter V6 4runners. I had a 91 and the head gaskets usually go between 60 and 80k. Mine went at 120k only because I had put headers on it. Toyota had a 3yr 36k warranty but extended the head gaskets to 100k. I dumped the truck for a Suburban cause the engine was developing a rod knock. I was told that even with a rebuilt, you can only expect around a 100k out of those motors. This motor along with the Tercel 4cyl one are the 2 worst engines Toyota ever built.
Good Luck RD thanks for the info I think ill pass on this one! I just found a 1990 Wrangler W/4cyl in it with only 20,000 mile onit for 3K. Im spending $100 a week on ges right now i need to get something better. Ill just keep my 3/4 Ton Chevy Conversion Van for now to tow with until it sells.

[Daytona19]

Go Toyota you wont be dissapointed. :D

[rivercrazy]

The V6's in the Toyota after the early 90's were redesigned and those problems went away.
I got a buddy with a 96 that has 280K miles on it and still going strong (on the original head gaskets)

[superV]

Ya i see that RD i saw the OP6 Banner and thought it was you. As Far as the toyota goes my dad has a 1995 4 Runner with a V6 At 126xxx had to have a valve job and timing belt$$$ and it gets bad gas MPG. So im not sure, most people only have good to say and ive seem many go well over 200K. But everyone says the 4 Runner get bad Gas MHG!

[rivercrazy]

In a 4 runner you will probably get 16-18mpg with the 6 banger.
I get that in a V8 Tundra. Just something to think about. Most of the time I get close to 18mph with mostly freeway driving under 70mph

[Catmando]

Catmando:
jordanpaulk:
Not to point out the obvious here, but if you're paying $400 a month for gas on the big truck, is it really going to be cheaper to by another truck that's only a couple years old and cover a payment, insurance and gas for it? I'm guessing you'll run far over that $400 mark pretty easy. Besides, no matter what you do, it's tax deductable anyway. Mileage, fuel, insurance, etc. Just a thought. :D What he said.
I own a 1998 Ranger Supercab, 4.0 V6, 5 speed automatic with 5000lb. towing pkg. I love the truck, rarely use 1st gear unless I'm towing. I shift a lot in town so that 1st gear doesn't kick in and spike the RPM, hard on the morot and tranny, fun truck to drive that way.
Problem is I only get about 13-14MPG in town and 17-18 hwy. The F150 with the 5 speed manual, 6 cylinder morot would be the better choice IMO IF you have to have another truck.

[Party Cat]

rivercrazy:
The V6's in the Toyota after the early 90's were redesigned and those problems went away.
I got a buddy with a 96 that has 280K miles on it and still going strong (on the original head gaskets) *&@#!*% Banker, read the fine print :D .....That's why I said 3.0 liter V6. The newer ones are 3.4 liter (I think)

[rivercrazy]

LMAO PC! I forgot they increased the displacement when they redesigned it!

[cigarette1]

RD, check your email

[goeasy8]

I had a Mazda pick up which is the ranger in disguise. Never had a problem with it. Got good mileage and was more comfortable than the toyota. Commuted 130 miles a day for a year and no problems.

[Seadog]

Toyota has had a lot of problems with engines lately. They have had hundreds of complaints about sludge in the engines. Despite the fact that most of these engines have been tended to properly, they have either insisted there is no problem or that they were abused. Be a long time before I would trust them.

[twistedpair]

My Dodge Cummins gets better mileage than most of the 'mini' trucks mentioned here.

[rustyk]

my 2 cents. Get rid of the ford and just buy one truck.
2500 Ram Tough 4x4 Cummings Diesel 14 to 17 city
17 to 20 hwy. Pulling average is 18 flat roads no wind hwy. Also has K&n air filter a noticeable difference in hp and gas mileage, Also you can hear the turbo twice as loud.
Rusty

[MJ19]

RiverDave:
Ah Shit.. :D
RD Could you moderate that language please...it's a bit too harsh. :p wink :D
I had a Chevy S10 that was a real trooper...sold it with 185,000 miles on it (no major work needed while I owned it) But if you're going to tow...I agree with Twisted...go for the cummings. :D
The friends of mine that have had Rangers in the past have had very bad luck with them. frown

[TCHB]

Look at the Chevrolet extra cab with a third door. The 4 cylinder model is very good truck with milage at 21 cty 29 fwy. The prices are also pretty good.

[Raskal]

ive had 3 toys i loved them all. my wife has a 89 4 run with v6 <176,000 and still runs strong with only timing belt > an it pulls my boat like shit.my old 87 4x4 with 4 bangger pulled way better but the gas sucks on all of them even the new ones only get like 22 to 26 mpg

[LUVNLIFE]

I just saw a poster at like a lube place about sludge in Toyota motors myself. Toyota would warrant all repairs.

[missboatnam1]

well, my .02 working here at a dealership, the ford will be a lot less money, and if you keep them up, iv seen dozens traded in with close to 200k miles on it......now a toyota is a toyota, will always hold some type of value, and last a long time too, but the the price is much higher...
how much you looking to spend? for what your using it for buy a used for a few grand, and drive it till it dies......or you probly would look really cute driving a GEO METRO......LOL :D

[Oldsquirt]

Seadog:
Toyota has had a lot of problems with engines lately. They have had hundreds of complaints about sludge in the engines. Despite the fact that most of these engines have been tended to properly, they have either insisted there is no problem or that they were abused. Be a long time before I would trust them. Seadog, so far the only engines we have seen with the "sludge" or "oil gelling" problem have been the 4 cylinder(5s-fe) Camry and Celica and the V-6 Camry and Sienna. The highest number of affected vehicles seem to come from areas with very high humidity and/or cold winters. Here in warm sunny California we see very few. Toyota has stepped up to the plate and will repair these engines regardless of service history. I just replaced a Celica motor that was 5 years old with 85,000 miles and the only parts that were reused were the flywheel and harmonic balancer. Do you think any of the American companies would do that?
[ February 26, 2003, 08:07 PM: Message edited by: OLDSQUIRT ]

[Mandelon]

I want a used maybe a 1999, 2000, or 2001. I plan to use it just for estimates and running around in. Then I'll pass it on to one of my site supervisors and he'll drive it till it dies.
Little truck will do no towing, just simple around town and fwy driving around the county. I have a 97 F250 Extended cab which use to haul concrete, or tow our work trailers and also to carry my overcab camper. It runs great and is in good shape. I don't want to put too many more miles on it if I can find a little pickup instead. I don't want to drop $30K on another big truck yet. Wife drives a Suburban so towing is covered.
I just wondered if anyone had maintenance and upkeep experience with the Rangers.... The mazda poses and interesting alternative....
Thanks everyone for the input. :p I'll go check the trader for prices.......

[missboatnam1]

so that mean the GEO'S out???... idea :D
LOL
[ February 26, 2003, 08:31 PM: Message edited by: missboatnam1 ]

[Kilrtoy]

We had a 1995 with the 3.0 and it was a awesome car, although it couldnt tow a jet ski. We then got our 1998 with the 3.4 Wow what a difference and also a great car. Couldnt tow our 18 stringray, 2,700 pounds to the river, we were getting passed buy Yugos. Finely ditched it for a mans truck (OF COURSE A FORD) and the wife took it. Just can't win..... :)

[JetBoatRich]

No opinion really. I drove a 1997 Ranger Extra Cab 4X4 for a couple years and put 145,000 miles on got 15-17 MPG, Now I drive 2000 F-150 Extra Cab4X4 with 5.4L and get 14-16MPG. I have 113,000 miles on it and no complaints, [/b]just not worth it to have the smaller truck I like the extra room.[b]
By the way, the Ranger is still going strong at the office with 175,,000 miles now.

[BigBoyToys]

I have a 1996 Chevy S-10 pu with a 4.3L Vortec V-6 in it. I drive daily about 250 miles a day. I get 20-21 mpg on the norm. Not only do I get reasonable gas mileage and EXCELLENT acceleration, I use it OFTEN to tow an 18' Jet Boat. It tows with ease and still gets 19 mpg when towing. I have used this truck to tow a boat half way across the country with no problems.....Including pulling up mountains where it had no problems accelerating. And, I now have around 190,000 miles on it and the only thing I've ever had to do to it (with the exception of regular maintenance, oil change, tuneup, brakes, etc) is I had to replace a fuel pump about 3 months ago. I'd say I've gotten/am getting, my $$ worth. eek!
Go with a Chevy!
Just my .02
[ February 27, 2003, 05:41 AM: Message edited by: BigBoyToys ]

[Seadog]

I am glad that Toyota has finally seen fit to fix their problem, but it still does not excuse them for the years they denied the problem. If this had happened to Ford or GM, the media would have done several expose's before the manufacturers could figure out what happened.
Ford and GM will fix things, but you have to pick your dealers carefully. The advantage Toyota has is that they picked their dealers recently with newer rules of service. Most Ford/GM/Mopar dealerships were assigned decades ago under rules that favored the dealerships. Many dealerships have changed hands to where they are owned by fast talking, no service types. Too many people shop for the best price and ignore the service department reputation. Then when something goes wrong, they blame the manufacturer. I had a local dealer spent over a year trying to fix a problem. I took it to another dealer and found the local idiot had been putting the wrong part on every time. Plus, the part was not the problem. The problem was that the truck had not been properly prepped at purchase. You talk about Toyota being worth the extra thousands and then ignore a good dealer over a hundred dollars. That truck is now looking at over 190k miles.

[snappertapper]

My brother has a 200 dodge dakota and it is a very nice truck for the price, he hasnt had any problems either, plus it has jsut a little more room then the ranger or tacoma.

[CA Stu]

rustyk:
my 2 cents. Get rid of the ford and just buy one truck.
2500 Ram Tough 4x4 Cummings Diesel 14 to 17 city
17 to 20 hwy. Pulling average is 18 flat roads no wind hwy. Also has K&n air filter a noticeable difference in hp and gas mileage, Also you can hear the turbo twice as loud.
Rusty I agree. And don't forget, diesel fuel is up to 25 cents cheaper per gallon. Net cost per mile is way less.
I have a 2001 2 wd 2500 Ram Camper Special and got 21.7 mpg last tank.....
Go Dodge diesel, you'll be pleased.
CA Stu
PS there's no "g" in Cummins, bro. :D

[snappertapper]

dodge as an excellent full size truck as well, i am thinkin of trading my for in on one.
Cummins is an excellent diesel too.