Help Me Choose My Pickup! - READ ONLY

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#9 of 68 Re: First Time Truck Buyer, suggestions for my needs [jneal] by ogre01 Feb 07, 2006 (6:45 pm)
Replying to: jneal (Feb 07, 2006 5:30 pm) If you do decide to go with the Dodge, you may want to take a peep on Mitsubishi's lot. The Raider is essentially a Dodge Dakota and I think Mitsu is offering a much better warranty. As for the manual vs automatic, check the trucks themselves. It differs from truck to truck. The Tacoma for example seems to have better MPG in auto then manual if you look at the EPA estimates. I myself have a Tacoma Double Cab and agree with the previous poster that the extra room was well worth the money. Also if you don't plan on offroading, you may want to take a look at the Honda Ridgeline. Already comes with a built in lockable trunk so you won't have to get a bed topper to protect your equipment. Provided it fits in the trunk of course. Replies to this message: practicalguy1 (Feb 08, 2006 7:22 am) ogre01 (Feb 13, 2006 8:27 pm)
#10 of 68 Re: First Time Truck Buyer, suggestions for my needs [ogre01] by practicalguy1 Feb 08, 2006 (7:22 am)
Replying to: ogre01 (Feb 07, 2006 6:45 pm) Follow-up to my original post with additional info: 1) having had a small manual mitsubishi for last 14 years (which my wife can't drive) I will be targeting Auto transmission as a requirement. 2) We have a mercury station wagon for our long distance commutes and vacations as our second vehicle. 3) 85% of time, it will only be me in the vehicle, or my wife using it solo, kids would be in back for just short time/distances. thx keep the input coming! Would like to hear also from Toyota owners and Frontier owners, but all truck owner input is appreciated. Replies to this message: ogre01 (Feb 13, 2006 8:27 pm)
#11 of 68 Re: First Time Truck Buyer, suggestions for my needs [practicalguy1] by msibille Feb 08, 2006 (11:14 am)
Replying to: practicalguy1 (Feb 07, 2006 7:54 am) I had an '04 Taco DoubleCab, and other than a prblm with the bottoms of the doors not being painted, I loved it. (2002 thru 2004 are essentially identical) If you look at those, make sure you check the door bottoms for rust, incomplete paint, or improper paint repair. Not all had it, but it was very common. I now have the 2005 Taco DC. Love it. I had the 04 w/ the 4cyl (for economy and the timing chain vs. belt). The V6 thru 2004 had 2 timing belts -which I'm NOT a fan of. However, the 2005 and on V6 is again a chain, plus, the fuel efficiency w/ my 05 V6 is BETTER than my 04 I4. I have autotrans because my wife forbade me to get another manual (I frequently have issues w/ injuries to extremities like legs and arms. -Not that I'm a spaz, I'm just very active. Well, maybe a little spaz.) As noted, not much difference in the Taco efficiencies -at least in double cab. Single cab may show larger differences. The EPA values don't vary much, but that's probably because of the overall gearing in the auto is better set to hiway spds than the manual is. Double Cab is a big step in price, but that's a tradeoff. You say 85% by yourself, but that means 15% of time w/ others. Statistics don't work well in small samples. (e.g. if a certain aircraft has only 1 death per 10 million passengers -and I'm the one, then it's 100% for ME.) Anyway, the point is that 15% of your time needing 3 or more passenger seats can be a lot of annoyance. If you really want utilitarian, buy a used truck. Use all the normal common sense in checking it out, maybe have a mechanic you trust look it over first. A used truck gives you the flexibility of living w/ it for awhile, without having to live w/ it forever. If you sell in a couple of years, you don't lose much. (However, be forewarned that the 2002-2004 Tacos are very sought after. Mine was worth more after 12 months and 8000 miles than what I bought it for.) For that matter, buy a Dodge, Nissan, Honda, or Ford. That way, when you eventually switch to a "good truck", you'll really appreciate it. Replies to this message: jneal (Feb 08, 2006 4:31 pm) msibille (Feb 09, 2006 4:50 pm) jneal (Feb 10, 2006 9:04 am) and 1 more...
#12 of 68 Re: First Time Truck Buyer, suggestions for my needs [msibille] by jneal Feb 08, 2006 (4:31 pm)
Replying to: msibille (Feb 08, 2006 11:14 am) "For that matter, buy a Dodge, Nissan, Honda, or Ford. That way, when you eventually switch to a "good truck", you'll really appreciate it." Once he buys a Dodge why on earth would he ever want to switch?? Replies to this message: msibille (Feb 09, 2006 4:50 pm) jneal (Feb 10, 2006 9:04 am) msibille (Feb 13, 2006 10:23 am)
#13 of 68 Re: First Time Truck Buyer, suggestions for my needs [jneal] by msibille Feb 09, 2006 (4:50 pm)
Replying to: jneal (Feb 08, 2006 4:31 pm) Nice one. But, probably would really enjoy not having tranny or differential problems... Replies to this message: jneal (Feb 10, 2006 9:04 am) msibille (Feb 13, 2006 10:23 am)
#14 of 68 Re: First Time Truck Buyer, suggestions for my needs [msibille] by jneal Feb 10, 2006 (9:04 am)
Replying to: msibille (Feb 09, 2006 4:50 pm) msibille, I'm sure he would enjoy not having that hassle as all of us would. From reading the various forums I don't think Dodge has anymore problems in that respect than any other make. I have been driving Dodges since 1976 and have never had a major problem with any of them other than routine wear items such as brakes etc. There are plenty of other makes there that do just as well though. It all really boils down to personal preference and past experiences. BTW, a one-liner for you a old friend used to use....."When you see a man driving a Dodge, don't mess with him since he is already pi***d off,!!!" Replies to this message: msibille (Feb 13, 2006 10:23 am)
#15 of 68 Beds and Prices by kevo71 Feb 12, 2006 (6:37 pm)
From what you specified, just about anything will do. I had an 04 Ranger Extended Cab (which was wrecked last week in a near head on offset collision, the other car was sideways when it hit me), I also have a 88 Regular Cab Ranger. I would recommend a Ranger for you from previous experience in durability (the 88 was purchased at a year old and now has 250,000 miles with little problems). My kids are 9 and 10 and fit in the back fine for short trips, if your trips are very short with just the kids you may be able to get by with a regular cab truck. My best advice to you, since you will not be hauling anything big or on a regular basis, is to look at the prices of the trucks out there and get you a good deal and test drive them to find one that feels right to you. Most of the smaller trucks out there drive a little more like a car than a truck, except the Ford Rangers. The Rangers seem to have a little more beefy suspension under them and ride a little rougher. The Toyotas used to ride kind of rough, but I can't speak to anything newer than a late 90's model in them. Another thing to consider is the length of the bed. If you will haul anything that is 8' in length, you may want to shy away from some of the 4-door double cab trucks. I know that the bed length that usually comes standard on the GMC Canyon (the Dodge Dakota seems a little short as well) would leave a lot of lumber hanging out the back (I think the bed length is 5' or less, while the other makes are 6'. 1' doesn't sound like a lot until you see it sticking out the back of your truck with a red flag waving on it.). Also, the smaller box limits how much you can get in it (a power washer, bucket, a couple bags of topsoil and some gardening implements would pretty much pack up the smaller bed length). I work for a surveying firm and we have a extra cab Dakota and Canyon, which I have driven. We have alot of equipment we travel with and it really fills up the back of these two trucks and they seem a little under powered at take off, but travel well once they get up to speed on the interstate.
#16 of 68 Re: First Time Truck Buyer, suggestions for my needs [jneal] by msibille Feb 13, 2006 (10:23 am)
Replying to: jneal (Feb 10, 2006 9:04 am) Good one! I should have used an emoticon to show that my comments were intended to be taken as tongue in cheek. I like the one liner. I may use it w/ a different brand name though.
#17 of 68 Similar question: new toyota buyer Truck vs. Baja by thrillskr Feb 13, 2006 (8:03 pm)
Tacoma 4x4 (dbl cab) vs suburu baja. Plan on taking on cross country road trip but also for my uses after. Looking for utility, some off road capability, ride, economic(gas mileage/price etc). I see pros and cons to both. Any thoughts?
#18 of 68 Re: First Time Truck Buyer, suggestions for my needs [practicalguy1] by ogre01 Feb 13, 2006 (8:27 pm)
Replying to: practicalguy1 (Feb 08, 2006 7:22 am) I agree with msibille, look at a decent used truck to fill you needs for now. Seems like it's mostly a work truck and inexpensive acquisition price is your major criteria. Any new truck and especially the crew cab types are not going to be too light on the wallet. Besides, one wouldn't be too sad about beating up a used truck vs a brand spanking new one. Get one of those extended cabs. This way at least the kids have belts in the back and gives you a little space for stuff too.