Ford Ranger vs any small truck

I know I made a thread in the ford forum about this, but I need help.

Would you go with a Ranger or another small truck? If another truck, what company/model? I just wanna find a decent small truck, small meaning regular cab, so I can save up to buy one.

Thanks for all input.

Matt

05 or newer toyota tacoma

Why is the tacoma better?

I'm not looking for anything fancy.

Regular Cab
2WD is fine
No aftermarket parts needed
Just a nice small truck.
Preferably close to the ground.

What's your price range? Key factor in us giving an opinion. I'm assuming you want a compact pickup versus a 1/2, 3/4, and 1 ton trucks. Anyway, as long as it isn't a dodge that runs on gas, you really can't go wrong with most reg cab 2wd pickups IMO. Ford trucks actually are pretty dependable for the most part; personally, i still wouldn't get one just because it's a ford. S-10s and C/K series are okay too. Tacoma is better cuz it's a toyota.:grinyes: A full size toyota pickup (not the tundra, the old ones) is just as good also. Dunno about nissan pickups/frontier.

Go with a Dakota...I've got a '95 and I've never had a problem with it, my dad's friend has a '92 with over 200,000 miles on it and he's had no major problems, and my uncle also has '92 with around 150,000 miles and no major problems. Plus they're a tad bigger than the Rangers and S10's.

I had the newer dakotas (97-up) in mind, those have bad reliability from what i've seen. Older ones are really tough and strong. Many of my high school buddies had older dakotas and they really gave 'em a beating in all sorts of ways, but those trucks kept going without fuss. Especially nice for carrying the six kegs up the rocky mountain pass and makes for a good sized bed to pass out in.

I'd go Toyota

Part 1
http://youtube.com/watch?v=5hzRLG8dA-E
Part 2
http://youtube.com/watch?v=YfZDtC9kjVk

I've heard nothing but good things about the smaller Toyota trucks.

Thanks for the input everyone. Seeing how I am 16 with a minimum wage job, My price range isnt too high. I'm guessing somewhere around 5k to 6k at most. I was looking at a dodge dakota sport but I've read they arent too reliable, so I've read.

Can anyone tell me if the Dodge Dakota Sport is bad or good? Thanks for any input.

As for toyota's, what year/model would you suggest?

The dakota redesign came out in 1997. Those I wouldn't trust. 96-older are more reliable. From what i've seen and heard from previous owners, a Toyota is a Toyota. An 89 is just as good as a 94.

Thanks. I'll look into that.

Any other opinions?

Nissan Kingcab

Hm..Not exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks though.

ford ranger all the way with multi port fuel inj.
like a 3.0....good luck....

I think we got most of your options, actually.

GMC/Chevy trucks are practically the same.
The old Dodge Ram Charger (that might have been an SUV though)
Isuzu's truck was another version of the S-10.
Jeep's old pickup the Comanche, dunno its reliability either.
Mazda's truck is another version of the Ranger.
Mitsubishi had a truck called Mighty Max I believe, dunno how reliable or if it's based off an existing model or not.
Nissan Truck/Frontier (newer models). I hear mixed things about them, though they don't look too bad.
Toyota trucks. Tacoma and T100. The latter is technically a full size truck, but really more of a mid-size like the dakota.

Sounds like you are looking for only a base pickup so there isn't a really bad choice in that regard except maybe the Jeep. Toyota has best reliabilty, the rest would probably be the same.

I think we got most of your options, actually.

GMC/Chevy trucks are practically the same.
The old Dodge Ram Charger (that might have been an SUV though)
Isuzu's truck was another version of the S-10.
Jeep's old pickup the Comanche, dunno its reliability either.
Mazda's truck is another version of the Ranger.
Mitsubishi had a truck called Mighty Max I believe, dunno how reliable or if it's based off an existing model or not.
Nissan Truck/Frontier (newer models). I hear mixed things about them, though they don't look too bad.
Toyota trucks. Tacoma and T100. The latter is technically a full size truck, but really more of a mid-size like the dakota.

Sounds like you are looking for only a base pickup so there isn't a really bad choice in that regard except maybe the Jeep. Toyota has best reliabilty, the rest would probably be the same.Now that actually helps me alot. Thanks.

Yeah. I'm just looking for a base pickup, nothing fancy.

For ford rangers, how low do you think I can get for one? I'm thinking like a '93 or newer, since I dont like manual.

I had an 87 Ranger and it was my most reliable car so far (its yet to be proven with my current car). My brother is the current owner of it and its got somewhere around 230000 miles on it now. Its on its second alternator, second starter, and second clutch, other than that its all the way it came off the assembly line. It has the 2.9 V6 and manual trans. Its reliability and dependability have been on par with any toyota. I can't speak for the newer ones (being that I have not owned one) but I am not the only person with long lasting late 80s rangers.

Ya. I've been reading on them and either wanna learn to drive stick or get an auto older ranger.

Ford rocks!

Lemme guess, you guys don't have the option of any diesels in the Ranger/Tacoma?

Diesel...nope.

Whats diesel?

The fuel men run thier trucks on :p

haha Touche.

Well I still dont know what I wanna buy.

Does anyone have any small trucks, preferably regular cab, that'd be good besides the ranger?

Well I still dont know what I wanna buy.

Does anyone have any small trucks, preferably regular cab, that'd be good besides the ranger?
Any Toyota.

So any older tacoma would be good?

Both Tacoma and full size are good. Only real problem with Toyotas is they tend to be overpriced and I dunno if this holds to their early-mid 90s trucks that you're looking at or not.

I have had three mitsubishi mighty maxes, the last two had over 250,000 miles on the original engine. my current truck has 175000 miles on the original engine, and i've had no problems with any of them. I purchased my 1990 standard cab, manual trans with A/C for 2,000. If you do look into a mits, get it 1990 or newer so it is fuel injected.

Well I'm back into looking for a small truck again.

Still cant find one for a cheap price...but we'll see.

I'm thinking bout the ranger but not totally sure.