McFrosticles

Right now I own a 95' Nissan Altima. It gets me to where I wanna go, but I'm looking at getting a small pickup truck...I love em

However, I was hoping to get some advice on what kind to get. All I need is a 4x2 truck, no off wheel drive and MUD DESTRUCTION options, just a standard small pickup truck.

I've been leanin toward the Toyota Tacoma or Nissan Frontier...

Any thoughts?

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Good Grief

Boo

I have 2 Toyota pickups. A 1992 standard cab 4x4 that I just bought cheap and rebuilt the engine, and a 95 Tacoma standard cab, V6 (somewhat rare, almost too much power if you get into it), 4x4, in rebuild after my boy rolled it (will post pics after paint). I am bobbing the bed 8", swapping the cab, custom bumpers, losing the lower front valance and moving the lights up into the front bumper, etc..... Cheap mods to a truck that had no straight metal on it except the tailgate. My wife works at the Toyota dealership so parts and labor are reasonable.

I love them both. Fun to drive, good fuel mileage, and reliable. The new ones are really nice. I would like a 4 door, 4x4, red, with a V6 and automatic.

I only wish I had been smart enough to buy a Toyota years ago.

Where I have been Nissans are generally cheaper as they lose their value much faster. They are not as nice (IMO) or reliable. If you want a truck to buy cheap and run to 100k, the Nissan is not too bad. If you want 300K, get a Toyota. Alaska is full of Toys with super high mileage. They still fetch a premiun when sold.

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Lockjaw

The Chevy Colorado and Dodge Dakota are both pretty solid little trucks. Although to be honest full sized trucks are so cheap it probably would be smarter to just go ahead and get an F-150.

amonkie

I bought myself a 2004 Tacoma 6 months ago - standard 4x2, two door no cab truck. and I LOVE it. I was debating between a Ranger and a Tacoma because of price differences, but the resale value of Toyota and the quality reputation made me swing that way. I get pretty good milege especially since it's just me, and the truck is extremely light.

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Scorps

Are you going new or used? If your going used go for a 98 to 03 Chevy S-10 stronge little trucks, they look good to. plus if you get tired of the V6 just buy the 200 dollar brackets and drop a 350 in there

But it looks like your set on Import so go for a Nissian Titian Car and Drivers Truck of the year 03(I think it was 03 might have been 04)

Oops the Titian is a big truck...but still nice!

Test drive them all thats the only way to find which one you like the most

GetRdone

if u want a cheap truck, just get an old s-10 with the 4.3 u can pick em up for real cheap for just a work truck

THGL

I don't know if things have changed with the newer body styles, but I've noticed that the Nissans have a more interior room than Toyotas. (this is when they were just pick-ups, not Tacomas or Frontiers).

BoCo

Tacoma. Personally, I'd take the X-Runner over any other car under $24,000.

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Cycler

Take a good look at Toyotas I have a 1982 4x4 that is still going strong. My Dad bought it new and I bought it from him, good solid dependable trucks.

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GetRdone

ya but wouldnt that 83 toyota have the horrendously underpowered 22r or re motor? not exaclty a towing machine .

Cycler

Granted it is no rocket ship but it hauls my utility trailer loaded with my 48 inch cut riding mower, finishing push mower, weed eater, gas for everything, tools etc just fine.

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FishKing

My son learned how to work on vehicles because he bought TWO rangers and totaled Three (NAPA was not happy). The rangers has two many hidden problems in the drive train.

SMART MOVE

BigTruck1956

my dad's got an 83 nissan with 240,000 miles on the original engine and its still going strong. We take it fully loaded over the Sierras on 2 camping trips every year. The kicker is the 2.4l z24 engine. The thing pulls like a champ.

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GetRdone

Ohhh man, I drove a ranger for NAPA. One had a smaller six, one had a larger six (not sure of specs on em.) I think the larger was a 4L and the smaller maybe like a 2.8? not sure. Anyway, i almost destroyed the tranny in the bigger motor one, too many burnouts witht he auto tranny and such. They finally bought me a 2k4 Colordo, much more comfy, and didnt feel like it was gonna break all the time.

Boo

Thats right, blame the truck.

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Scorps

Nissan also has Nismo kits for there trucks now

GetRdone

And im guessing, if u give it enough time....stillen and the other nissan guys will have some fun goodies for under the hood

Scorps

Maybe but a factory Nismo truck would be nice.

GetRdone

ya but a complete factory nissan truck is unlikely at best. Anyone here heard of Top Secret in japan? They do alot of crazy stuff to g35's and 350z's. and any car really. Id love to see them get there hands on one of theses trucks.

texxasco

I'd take the Toyota Tacoma any day over the Nissan Frontier. IMO the Tacoma is better looking, Toyota's in general have a higher resale(compared to Nissan), and Toyota's quality & dependability are much better than Nissan.

I own a 2003 Tacoma.... excellent truck, great gas mileage, and I am hoping to own it for a long time to come.

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IanSturgill

Go for a used 95-99 s-10. A five speed with 4x4 would work great for you. Here's why: The 4x4's are the only ones with 4wheel disk brakes, and they are built a little stronger. In a used truck the option really doesn't cost extra and will provide you with a nice stance and better handling, and you never know what you'll get into working. Go for a LS 4X4 5 speed 4.3L. You dont need the Zr2, it just adds a 2-3 inch lift

the_marq

I have driven two Rangers over the past 15 years. An 86 that I drove to over 200K miles and an 01 that is currently at around 50K. Both are (were) equipped with a 4 speed (+OD) manual transmission.

Never had a problem with either other than having to replace the clutch master cylinder on the 86 when it froze solid and cracked on day when it was -40 degrees out. I am convinced that if you take proper care of them the rangers will go and go and go.... I'm sure I'll buy another in 10 years or so.

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#3 in a series

Destrox

I've owned a 99' Ranger 3.0L 4x4 and currently own a 05' Ranger 4.0L 4x4.

They are both incredibly fun vehicles to drive, and the 4.0L in the Rangers provide some really good power for the size of the vehicle. Personally I feel that a truck without 4x4 isnt to be considered a truck, but then again we get over 200 inches of snow a year so I'm a bit biased.

Neither truck had any mechanical issues up to the point of me getting a new vehicle. 99-03 Rangers have small cruise control issues, fixed by a free recall. Also the 3.0L Rangers somtimes have transmission issues, but I never saw any hint of such things.

I'm happy to see some other Ranger lovers in here, Ford Trucks for life.

Glad you're going for a truck though.

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