I'm looking for a compact pickup for around $6000-$8000. I've almost melted my brain trying to find out which is best all around. Please give me some feedback on your experiences with any of the following trucks. I'm looking for dependability, good MPG's, etc. Will probably get a 4 cylinder...

Toyota Tacoma?
Nissan Frontier?
Mazda B?
Ford Ranger?
Dodge Dakota?

 

If I was going to buy a four cylinder pickup, it would be a Toyota. They are as dependable as you will ever find. Fit and finish is excellent.

 

I bought a Ford Ranger in 97 and drove it until I bought my new truck in April. I had a 4L, 5 sp manual, with 3.08 gears. Wouldn't pull anything but got near 25mpg on the highway. I had 150K on the truck when I sold it and believe it would have gone another 150K easily. The important thing is to find a truck that has been maintained properly. I had all the maintenance records on the truck when I sold it. I am not sure it makes much difference which you buy if it is in good shape and you like it.

 

All good trucks. If you settle on the Dakota suggest that you get the 6 cylinder.
Don't forget there are sites on the internet that you can enter the make, model and year and find out the good and points for each truck you are considering.

 

Toyota... mine was great, right till it got stolen with 101k on it..

I'm driving a rental S-10 with 25k, and it's falling apart. the Toyota 4-popper's are actually pretty peppy.

 

Got any web addresses?

 

Forget Mazda/ford. our 97 is a pile made for a midget. Dont know about Nissan. The misses has a Toyota she bought new in 2k. It has 80k on it with no probs and gets 21mpg. Prerunner model with the big V6. Sad to thing my 93 CTD at 6k+ lbs will get better mileage and out tow any mini. How about a 4 cyl CTD in a Toyota????

 

The Nissan 6 cylinder gasser that is used in many of the Nissan's and Infiniti's is rated as one of the best 10 engines in the world. I have had one and loved it. If you can get a Nissan with the 6 cylinder I would suggest that you get that over any 4 cylinder. The fuel consumption is not bad. Reliabilty is fantastic.

 

Another vote for the Toyota.

I have had several and never had a problem that I didn't create (I modify everything ).

-Allen

 

Apache, what's wrong with your ford? Is it just a size issue? I have heard some great things about ford/mazda...

 

I have a 97 Toy 4Runner (2nd Gen) with the 2.7L 4cyl as my commuter and couldn't be happier with it. Had 41k miles when I bought it in '01 and now has 115k still going strong and about 22mpg cruising at 70-75mph.
I've only had to replace the regulars...brakes, belts, hoses, plugs, wires, O2 sensors, and just the other day new contacts in the starter solenoid for $20 from the dealer.
The 3RZFE motors are rated at 150hp...not a speed demon, but sufficient, oh, and btw, really good in 4wd on snow and mud with 31" BFG AT/KO's

 

Ford Ranger gets my vote. I had one before my CTD and loved it, for a small truck anyways. Nothin' beats my Big Bad Dodge though.

Apache, what probs did you have?

 

Its one of our work trucks. I think it rides terrible and the auto is constantly searching.Pretty low on power for the big 6 in the thing, it has around 45k on it now. Alright maybe im biased to ford and mazda from past exp.Rolling factory defects IMO. at 6'3" its a death trap for me as far as room goes. Our old boss used to laugh at me when I was driving it, that prompted him to get us a 2000 F150 shortie. Once again I despise that thing. Terrible ride,trans, seat, st wheel position,bla,bla,bla, every time I get out I smash my knee on the curved dash section of the left side. By god if there is 1 flat place in that thing to set a cup of coffe or a big soda, or anything you want to keep put. We have constant front alignment problems. $500 the first time from Ferd, said it was a factory defect and then didnt even warranty it. More ford support or should I say crappy dealer support. At least the ford fans are now gone. Next time well see if I have my way well be going CTD. I used to be a ford fan, not anymore. I really dont see what people see in ford products. Not to snivel and whine but??? I dont get it. If there the best, Id hate to get the worst. Gimme back my 53 DKW Munga.

 

Toyota 4 bangers are great little engines. If you want to get creative, get an older little truck with a cooked engine for around 1,000 bucks that has a decent enough body. Spend the rest of the money on doing a Cummins 4b conversion and you'll have a great little truck with great mileage and real torque!

 

I vote toyota. I've had several toyotas and you can't beat them. My mini that I have now is a dodge d-50 with the mitsubishi engine. I bought it for $1500 with 50k original miles and drove it for 2 years before a lady ran a red and smacked the front. Her ins. company gave me $2000 to repair the damage. I bought a $3 bolt kit to remount my headlight and left the dents. Still runs great and now has 89k And on top of that now when people see me coming with the dents they stay outta my way. hahaha