Need opinions on a truck

[Ed the SOHC]

I'm not looking to buy yet but I just want to know what's a good small truck? I need it to hual small stuff like a lawn mower. I need it to be good on fuel and I don't care how slow it is. Any ideas? I was thinking of an old S10.

[infamous]

stay away from the old rangers, they are crap, along with the mazda's. your best bet would be the old dakota's. they have quite a bit of power if you get the v8.

[shadowz]

S10 is good, what year are you looking to buy? how much?

[Ed the SOHC]

I'm looking to spend only $5000 on it. I don't care too much about the age of the truck as long as it's not older than me.

[5.9 R/T]

if you want decent size but good fuel economy get a dodge dakota 4cyl. the 6 and the 8's are basically the same in gas consumption, they're both fairly thristy engines. You'll get no power with the 4 cyl tho but it will be enough to haul around the various items you want to. I also perfer the looks of em over the GM's and Fords, so that would be my choice in your shoes.

[HRD2PLZ]

One of my friends has an 89 Mazda B2200 truck, he's had it for 6 years now and has never had a problem with it. He never maintains it either and his odometer is almost at 300K. Its nothing special to look at and it doesn't have much power but it seems like a good little truck. The Toyota's are pretty reliable too, and once again, you won't get much power unless you get a V6

[T5_X]

4 cyl rangers are reliable and extremely cheap to fix. You could get a 3rd generation (93+) with 5 grand easily.

http://www.buysell.com/showad.asp?id=12514349

For hauling stuff, note that every single compact pickup truck come with the leaf springs installed under the axle. Rangers have them on top, meaning the ranger is a better hauler/work truck.

Nissans and mazdas are also good trucks. Toyotas are good too, but more rare and hard to find a good deal on an older one.

[Ed the SOHC]

thx for all the input.

[redline_13000]

s-10 all the way man...my friend had one with 396 000 km..ran like new with only shocks needing replacement..very good quality and good power

[ThreePly]

You shoudl get an integra...I've hauled so much shit in my car, it's not even funny. Futons, desks, bikes, tables, chairs...and side skirts that still aren't on my car.

[T5_X]

I'm not too sure cause I don't have it in front of me, but I believe consumer reports rated reliabilities of the older four like:

1)Toyota, above average reliability
2)Ranger, above average
3)Nissan, above average
4)S-10, average

The dodge dakota I think had average reliability as well, though its not a compact pickup. The old Dodge ram 50s (which were basically mitsus) were compact pickups. I've heard good things about them.

Note: this is for 2WD models. 4WDs are typically less reliable.

[Ferio_vti]

I had a Nissan 90 w/ Kingcab. I was a fun thing to drive, and winter wasn't a big deal, long as you have snow tires. And drifting on packed snow rules.

[Redlyne_mr2]

go with the toyota..mine took so many beatings it was an 85, drove it across the country, to montreal, to pittsburgh , full of furniture, pulled seadoos, it rules

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by szw
Buy my caravan. With the back two seats removed, there is a lot of room.

his van is a monster!

[Ed the SOHC]

Originally posted by szw
Buy my caravan. With the back two seats removed, there is a lot of room.

actually, I was considering a mini-van.... a caravan like jeff type r's but turbo!

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by Ed the SOHC


actually, I was considering a mini-van.... a caravan like jeff type r's but turbo!

if u ever do...i will show u how to drive the fucker like its meant to be driven!

i was pulled over a few nites ago by the campus 5-0 for sliding around every corner with the e-brake...oops

[Redlyne_mr2]

Originally posted by szw
have you seen those videos of this guys turbo caravan? Videos of him beating mustangs and other muscle cars at the strip, with his kids cheering GO DAD....pretty funny!

Anyways, buy my caravan, its good for hauling shit

ya his name is gus...he actually died a few weeks ago...hit by a drunkj driver

[GTS Jeff]

Originally posted by szw
Is your e-brake like mine where you press it with your foot?

hellyea...its the best kind