Looking for a Compact Pickup

[Sage]

Hello ya'll,

My dad is more than likely going to buy a new compact pickup sometime between April and June. So, I've come to ask for recommendations. First, though, are the limitations (of course!):

• It must have a real bed... preferably, an 8'x4' piece of plywood should easily go into the bed. No Explorar Sport Tracs, Subaru Bajas, etc. (Much as our family would love a Baja to complement our BRAT )
• Compact pickups only-- No Tundras or the like.
• Chevrolet S-10s, Ford Rangers, and Mazda B-Series are disqualified (we currently have a Ranger, so he wants something different to replace it).
• Price-- MUST be under $30,000, preferably under $25,000.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Joey D]

you really limit your choices here...I guess a Durango?

 

[Joey D]

no no no I ment Dakota

 

[Sage]

Yeah, as far as I know, it's basically limited to the Dakota, Frontier, and Tacoma. Any that I've missed?

Oh, and, look at what interesting vehicle Dodge is turning out: http://www.dodge.com/sprinter/index.html?context=homepage&type=top

 

[Delray Sandusk]

With those limitations I'd say you've pretty much summed up your choices. Unless you're lucky enough to find a Mitsubishi Mighty Max or Jeep Comanche that are in like-new condition (and that's highly doubtful).

 

[Sage]

Well, so anyway, out of those three, what are your guys' recommendations?

Also, would it be worth it to wait for the Chevrolet Canyon? (It's kind of ugly though...)

 

[1X83Z]

I can tell you right now...

The Nissan Frontier is the worst small pickup on sale. It's literally crappy. The Tacoma is dated - it's getting a full redesign this fall - meaning that it's probably not a good buy (especially because the model year before re-design always suffers from less-than-average resale). Personally, I'd go with a Quad Cab V-8 Dakota, but I'm not sure what those retail for. Still, I'd have to say that any Dakota with a Quad Cab is a good bet. Since I work in healthcare, I have no idea if an 8' x 4' piece of plywood would fit in a Quad Cab truck, and if seating four is not a high priority, it might just be nice to go for an Xtra Cab. No need to get a Dakota V-8, the V-6 is powerful, but the V-8 is nice (thirsty, though).

Summing up,

Nissan Frontier = Bad
Toyota Tacoma = Bad
Dodge Dakota Quad Cab V-8 = Rules!
Dodge Dakota Quad Cab V-6 = Rules!
Dodge Dakota Xtra Cab V-6 = Nice.
Dodge Dakota Xtra Cab V-8 = Nice.

Edit/side note: The Nissan Frontier's two-door models have been discontinued, should you make the poor decision to buy one, and it is now sold solely as a four-door.

 

[Sage]

Ah, /me needs to add more info:

• No V-8s; too thirsty for our needs (especially with my dad's 90 mile daily commute)
• "Xtra" Cab is all we need-- we rarely put more than two people in any given car (there are only three of us anyway! ), so no need for a Quad Cab.

So, about the Tacoma-- When is it scheduled to be redesigned, and how big of a redesign is it? Also, since you mentioned "fall", would it be smart to wait until the fall to compare the new Tacoma and the new Canyon? (BTW, resale value isn't that important to us... my dad keeps his vehicles until they're close to dead. )

Thanks again, all of you.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by youth_cycler
So, about the Tacoma-- When is it scheduled to be redesigned, and how big of a redesign is it? Also, since you mentioned "fall", would it be smart to wait until the fall to compare the new Tacoma and the new Canyon? (BTW, resale value isn't that important to us... my dad keeps his vehicles until they're close to dead. )

Thanks again, all of you. [/B]

I've heard that the Tacoma (which was dealt a minor re-design for '03) is to be re-designed for '04 (meaning any time in the '04 model year, which runs from March 2003 to March 2004). If the re-design will be anything like the re-design for that of the 4Runner and Camry I'd call it a major mistake buying the Tacoma (although if it's like the new Corolla, it'll be great). In any scenario, even ConsumerReports calls the Dakota better - it's a safe buy.

Edit/by the way - what the hell is a Canyon?

 

[MazKid]

Go for something different.

Import a Mazda Fighter from Europe!

Ohh, and just for the hell of it, I found a pic of Chris's truck, look, the go-carts and all!

And yes, this is the European version of the B-series. See what we miss?

 

[1X83Z]

The bottom one looks just like a Nissan Navarra.

 

[HRT_Maloo]

I was goin to say Daihatsu Midget

But do you guys have mini pickups such as the Isuzu Rodeo, Nissan Navara or Toyota Hilux? They have V6 or Turbo diesel (around 3 litres) and would suit your needs.

Unfortunately for you, theres the Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon utes

 

[Sage]

The Canyon is GMC's replacement for the Sonoma (likewise, the Chevrolet Colorado will be the replacement for the S-10).

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by HRT_Maloo
I was goin to say Daihatsu Midget

But do you guys have mini pickups such as the Isuzu Rodeo, Nissan Navara or Toyota Hilux? They have V6 or Turbo diesel (around 3 litres) and would suit your needs.

Unfortunately for you, theres the Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon utes

We get an Americanised version of the Navarra called the Frontier, which is the worst truck for sale in this country. The Hilux basically is the Tacoma, merely modernised, and the Isuzu Rodeo is sold here as an SUV rather than a truck, but Isuzu does have future plans for a small truck based on the upcoming GM trucks.

 

[MazKid]

I got your Dihatsu Midgit right here!

Meet the Mazda Scrum Truck. Like the Midget, but better quality.

Sheesh, Japanese and european versions are all alike...

 

[Sage]

Originally posted by MazKid
Ohh, and just for the hell of it, I found a pic of Chris's truck, look, the go-carts and all!

And yes, this is the European version of the B-series. See what we miss?

I don't know what a Narablah is, but the tail lights look suspiciously like they were lifted straight from the Tacoma...

 

[MazKid]

yea well, I donno. The B-series is gone come 2004, atleast here in the US. That's an older B-series from Europe. The Fighter is the newest B-series in Europe.

 

[HRT_Maloo]

Ohh ok. Well, the Nissan Navara is the best in its class, followed by the Isuzu Rodeo and Toyota Hilux.
And Mazkid that Mazda you posted is called the Bounty here and it is the same as the Ford Courier (I think its a Mazda in the first place with Ford badges on it) which is old now (4-5 years). It does not have it to compete with the newer competiton.

 

[MazKid]

yea. It's a Mazda. The B-series in the US is part Ranger, chassis and one of the engines I reckon.

The B-series really went downhill from the change in the early 90's when it took a more closer shape to the Ranger. The older B-series lasted forever and were great little trucks.

 

[1X83Z]

Did you know it's now called the 'Mazda Truck' rather than the B-series? GET IT RIGHT!

 

[MazKid]

Yes Doug, I know that! I just call it what it is, the B-series, for over 30 years.

 

[MazKid]

Originally posted by M5Power
GET IT RIGHT

THE FIRST TIME.

Switch "GET" with "FIX", and you have the Mazda Master Tech/MazdaState slogan.

See what you made me do Doug?

 

[Cobraboy]

Originally posted by MazKid
The older B-series lasted forever and were great little trucks.

I can vouch for that, .

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by MazKid
THE FIRST TIME.

Switch "GET" with "FIX", and you have the Mazda Master Tech/MazdaState slogan.

See what you made me do Doug?

Yes.

 

[sn00pie]

Originally posted by MazKid
Ohh, and just for the hell of it, I found a pic of Chris's truck, look, the go-carts and all!

I drive real karts! Grrrr.

And who hauls karts in a pick-up anyway? - I mean, d00d.

 

[MazKid]

What, Chris, do you drive the karts down the highway?

They look like real karts to me...

 

[sn00pie]

Originally posted by MazKid
What, Chris, do you drive the karts down the highway?

They look like real karts to me...

They're sissy rental karts. I haul my kart stuff in vans.

Not shoes.