Ford Ranger vs any small truck

[Crazy Driver]

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

[PlayStation3]

05 or newer toyota tacoma

[Crazy Driver]

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.

[sickcallawayc12]

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. A full size toyota pickup (not the tundra, the old ones) is just as good also. Dunno about nissan pickups/frontier.

[Andydg]

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.

[sickcallawayc12]

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.

[DinanM3_S2]

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.

[Crazy Driver]

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?

[sickcallawayc12]

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.

[Crazy Driver]

Thanks. I'll look into that.

Any other opinions?

[MonsterBengt]

Nissan Kingcab

[Crazy Driver]

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

[Scrapper]

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

[sickcallawayc12]

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.

[Crazy Driver]

Originally Posted by sickcallawayc12

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.