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Compact Pickup Comparison: Frontier, Ranger, Tacoma, S10, Dakota, B-Series, & Hombre - READ ONLY

579 messages,  Last post on Apr 15, 2002 at 5:02 AM

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What is this discussion about? Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota, Mazda B-Series Pickup

Messages Page 30 of 59

#286 of 579 by cncman

Feb 13, 2001 (6:46 am)

Hey guys,
Vinny & Mahi, check out freshalloy.com for the latest news on the FS truck and Vinny there is also pictures there of the new SC Xterra, especially look at the interior, it is fantastic! I started up with school again, so I may not be in here often, also in case you have not heard, Nissan is offering another first in the 2002 Frontier, an optional 6' bed! now it will have the longest bed of the compact CC's later!

#287 of 579 Ranger 4.0 w/ 5 spd Auto by valance

Feb 13, 2001 (4:03 pm)

has been pretty nice. I don't have to worry if I can beat the guy next to me off the line so I can move into his lane for the turn a block away
 
The downshifts made themselves known at first, but have been getting more smooth. I guess this is a part of the "adaptive" transmission, and is normal.
 
My only complaint (which is minor) is that the fuel guage is not balanced. It drops to half a tank after only 100 miles, and then the next 100 miles only moves it from half to 1/4. (BTW, observed milage for me has been 14-16 city, and is ALWAYS 18 HWY)

#288 of 579 Mazda B4000? by dw94

Feb 14, 2001 (8:25 pm)

I am needing to get a new vehicle before I go off to grad school. As I am poor, I am looking for a decent price, but especially low maintenance costs and a vehicle I can rely on for the next 4-8 years. As a Caver, hiker, camper, etc. I am looking for a compact truck.
 
I was originally sold on the Toyota Tacoma 4x4, until I found that living in the Rocky Mountains, these things just won't depreciate enough to buy a used one. (i.e., they cost about $3000 more then what I have found online in other areas of the country).
 
I am now looking at a 1998 Mazda B4000 extended cab 4x4 with 21,000 miles. It is pretty basic with just A/C, Alloy wheels, automatic transmission. The asking price is $13,700.(In contrast a similair Toyota Tacoma 1997 with 60,000 cost $16,000)
 
Does anyone have any experience with this vehicle? Have you found it to be reliable? How is it off-road? Does it accelerate OK with an automatic transmission? While all trucks out here cost more, does this sound like a reasonable price? With limited funds and a need for reliability, off-road transportation, and occasional towing, would you buy this truck?
Thanks.

#289 of 579 The Mazda B4000 is a good by scape2

Feb 14, 2001 (8:47 pm)

truck. As far as offroad, it may be better than you think when comparing it to the Toyota. The Mazda may have a Limited slip rearend, Toyota doesn't offer this. What level of offroading do you do? Take the truck to a reputable shop and have it looked over really well.
I own a 1998 4.0 4x4 5spd RAnger XLT with about 37K on it now and it has been a great truck. I live in the NW and visit the Cascades of Oregon often. It has never let me down. I have however put on some better than factory all terrain tires which makes a world of difference.
Good luck...

#290 of 579 dw94 by cthompson21

Feb 14, 2001 (9:12 pm)

With your current and future limited funds, you might want to consider some alternatives.
 
The 4L 4x4 auto is not a good vehicle on gas. You'll be lucky to eek out 20mpg at 100% highway doing 65mph. The rest of the time you'll be getting 14-17mpg (or worse in the winter with oxygenated gas and warm-up periods).
 
I'd suggest a 3L 5-speed 4x4 Ranger/B-Series (same truck, different sheet metal). You should always do better than 20mpg, and the 3L is more than adequate with the 5-speed (it doesn't do too well with the auto-tranny due to its gear ratios). It should save you thousands too and be very capable of everything you mentioned.
 
As for the truck you're considering, the 4L engines made those couple of years are noisy and have had a "marbling" noise attributed to them. I haven't heard of any actual problems other than just being noisy. It is a good vehicle off-road and accelerates quite well with the 4L. The price doesn't sound too bad either.
 
BTW, I've got a 98 4L 4x4 auto Ranger. It's been a great truck.

#291 of 579 by dw94

Feb 16, 2001 (10:07 am)

Thanks for the replies concerning the Mazda. As far as off-road use goes, this won't be severe off-roading. Mostly jeep trails with some wash-out areas, mud, and occasionaly steep climbs and rock-crawling. Basically just to get from point A to point B, but not just four wheeling pleasure.
 
As far as the V6 goes. I do consider the gas mileage a draw-back, however I forgot to mention I will be moving in a month, then in two years, then in two years after that. I want something I can use to haul a trailer. My finances are a little confusing as I will be living on Med School loans, but I think I can adjust my student loan rate to take care of such costs as gas-but car payments are a different category.
 
Thanks for your help, I am going to test-drive it tody.
David

#292 of 579 WAIT! dw94 by scape2

Feb 16, 2001 (10:11 am)

You don't want to rock climb in any pickup truck 4x4! The wheel base is way too long and you will for sure get something broken. Make sure you get a Mazda offroad pkg that will include the guards for the gas tank and other sensitive areas of the drivetrain. Upgrade your tires, this is a must. The Firejunkers just don't cut it.

#293 of 579 nhtsa test results for rollovers by obyone

Feb 16, 2001 (11:08 am)

http://edmunds.yellowbrix.com/pages/edmunds/Story.nsp?story_id=18149385&ID=edmunds&scategory=Auto

#294 of 579 94 b3000 by azunpurl

Feb 16, 2001 (11:20 pm)

Hey what's up. As you can guess, I am new on here. You guys appear to be knowledgeable in trucks so I trust you all with your advice. Hope I am not speaking too soon. I love my 94 b3000 but this winter it has given me a lot of heartaches. Winter has not been pleasant. Because it is rear-wheel drive, driving on the roads feel as safe as tip-toeing on ice. That bad. I have no traction and pulling away from an intersection is a risk because it goes so slow. I have tried sandbags in the back but that did not work. I thought may be new tires would help. You guys got any ideas which tires will work best. Please let me know. I want to survive this winter without an accident or another scratch. Thanks.

#295 of 579 azunpurl by cthompson21

Feb 19, 2001 (6:18 pm)

Replace your (I'm assuming) open rear differential with a limited slip differential (LSD). It is an absolute must for any 2wd truck in the snowbelt. It'll cost around 500-600 but will be worth it. When wheelspin is detected at one of the wheels, it directs power to the other wheel.
 
If that's still not enough for you, get some dedicated snow tires. You can get a set complete on steel rims for about $400. Just switch to them when winter rolls around. Check out www.tires.com for some pretty decent deals.
 
As always, put 200-300lbs of sand in the bed directly over the rear axle.
 
I used to have a '95 3L Ranger (prolly about the same as your B). It was god-awful in the snow due to the open axle and poor tires.
 
If you're just wanted some all season tires, I've heard very good things about BFG and Michelin. Stay away from cheap tires. This is one area where you really get what you pay for.

Messages Page 30 of 59

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