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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

Great Pumpkin
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Neighbor is interested in getting a new (small, compact) pickup. He's not a computer guy.

What 'net sites show ratings of pickups? How to choose, etc.

Thanks.
Tom
 
We don't need no stinkin' ratings - get a Toyota!

~~Let the games begin!~~ :devilgrin:
 
WE don't need no stinkin' ratings - but my neighbor does! (Also wants to know all the manufacturers who make small pickups, and what the models are.)

Consumer Reports recommends Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma; but I figure truck guys would know truck forums where all the makes and models are "cussed and discussed".
 
Honda Ridgeline if he wants a light truck
 
NutmegCT said:
Neighbor is interested in getting a new (small, compact) pickup....
Click to expand...

Nobody even makes small pickups anymore. Remember the Toyota Hilux? Ford (Mazda) Courier? Dodge (Mitsubishi) RAM50? Chevrolet (Isuzu) Luv?

All gone.

Maybe the Subaru Baja sort'a, kind'a qualified. But they've been dropped too.

Everything sold today is midsize and up. And Ford isn't even bothering with midsize in the US.

My '87 Mazda B2000 was far any away the best car I ever owned. Hauled stuff, towed light stuff, drove nice and got good gas mileage. I put 137,000 miles on it and never needed to do anything but change the oil, brake pads and tires. Oh yeah, and a fuel filter (stupid ARCO gas :mad:). Id still be driving it if some scumbag hadn't stolen it.

I'll probably get a Toyota Tacoma when SWMBO finally gets totally fed up with the Rodeo I'm driving now. I mentioned I was thinking of buying a new truck to a technician-turned-broker friend and he just about wouldn't even let me consider buying anything else (and he can't even sell it to me). He has a client who has a fleet of them. The guy never has trouble with them. He just buys them, maintains them and after 300,000+ miles sells them and buys more.


pc
 
I've a client with a fleet of Tacomas. They're service vehicles and are constantly on the go. He won't buy anything else.
 
Ford quit the Ranger this year, after making the 2013 V6 capable of pulling 8000+lbs., with a 28-30mpg capability. Missed that one!
 
Thanks gentlemen. Really appreciate the suggestions.

Tom
 
I've got an '01 Taco, I'm quite fond of it.
I've read the Navy SEALS prefer the U.S. spec Tacoma over the Hilux version the Taliban uses, 'cause the gas V6 is quieter than the diesel. They don't modify them much either.
Also, one of the happiest days of my life was when I turned over our Ford Ranger to the "cash for clunkers" program. That truck was a total piece of merde from new.

special-forces-toyota.jpg
 
I live near a military base and I visit their engineering area all the time.

A while back, they had a new Tacoma in one of their labs which was full of bullet holes. It looked like a stock Toyota but if you looked close, it has double skin or extra metal plates in key areas. And all the glass was very, very thick.
The truck was a test mule for some sort of Ops brigade.
I guess a normal-looking Tacoma would be a pretty stealth ride anywhere in the world.

By the way, if it were me, I'd buy a new full size Chevy, Ford or Dodge. Gas mileage is much better than it used to be (often better than Toyota, etc).
And they are cheaper and just as good in my experience.

I will say, since I rarely transport chicken manure or loose trash, I'm not a fan of pickups (I owned several when I was a contractor and even then, I was no fan). Over the years, I've found vans to be more useful.
If I had my 'druthers, I'd own a Dodge/Mercedes/Freightliner Sprinter van. But they are a little too pricey for me.
 
I have a 1986 Ford Ranger that I had since new. I has 200,000 miles on it now and because of it's age we only use it on the farm. The engine has never been apart and only ever changed the timing belt at 90,000 miles. I don't know about the newer engines, but the 4 cyl. Ranger has always been one tough little truck and my 86 4 banger is still used almost every day. Never failed to start, even below zero. We've had loads in it on the farm that put the frame on the axles and it never fails to quit. PJ
 
Since Paul brought up old pick-ups, get an International. They run forever, and are nearly indestructible (I should know my wife ran a telephone pole over with my 61, and it drove home).
 
waltesefalcon said:
Since Paul brought up old pick-ups, get an International. They run forever, and are nearly indestructible (I should know my wife ran a telephone pole over with my 61, and it drove home).
Click to expand...

The telephone pole? Where was your wife? :grin:
 
She had just learned how to drive a stick, and wanted to drive it to town. I let her, and she forgot that you have to put it in gear when you get out. It rolled out of a parking lot across the road and knocked down a telephone pole. Ruined the front bumper, and took out the drivers side head light and fender, and put a big dent in the hood. It did however fire right up and drive home.
 
waltesefalcon said:
She had just learned how to drive a stick, and wanted to drive it to town. I let her, and she forgot that you have to put it in gear when you get out. It rolled out of a parking lot across the road and knocked down a telephone pole. Ruined the front bumper, and took out the drivers side head light and fender, and put a big dent in the hood. It did however fire right up and drive home.
Click to expand...

interesting. My Father in Law once bought the city a new telephone pole rather than tell his insurance. I was also being a tad silly as, if you read your original post, grammatically. you have the pole driving home. :grin:
 
Ah yes, I see. I should have payed better attention when posting that.
 
Tom. I've got 323,000 miles on my Ranger. Great service vehicle. Only a 2.3 liter and definitely weak, but it has it's moments. Other than 3 clutch replacements and a few starters, no problems. Would definitely seek out another one to replace her with, come the day....
 
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