SPECIFIC VEHICLE RECOMMENDATIONS - Small - Midsize Pickup Trucks:
The quintessential utility vehicle. If you do not have a lot of money, many of the vehicles in this class can provide good transportation and ability to work for less money. Bottom of the line vehicles do not have many luxuries, but if you wanted luxury, you would not be here, right? Regular gas except for very high performance versions. 4 wheel drive versions of all are great for snow covered states.
Toyota Tacoma - Now midsize, this truck is now based on the 4Runner. Gas mileage usually comes out to the early 20s all around. There is a true 4 door version. Excellent and very reliable vehicle. Hauls 1400 lb or tows 6500 lb. V6 and rear or 4 wheel drive.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 5 - Cavernous 5 - Can tow over 5000 lb - Horse trailers/Travel trailers/big boats 4 - Has space and weight capacity for heavier items 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Nissan Frontier - Very close to Toyota Tacoma attributes and specifications, and near the same reliability. Back seat in 4 door version is noticeably tighter. V6 and rear or 4 wheel drive. Hauls 1500 lb or tows 6000 lb.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 5 - Cavernous 5 - Can tow over 5000 lb - Horse trailers/Travel trailers/big boats 4 - Has space and weight capacity for heavier items 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Honda Ridgeline - Very close to Toyota Tacoma and Nissan Frontier in size, but is based on the Honda Pilot and Odyssey in attributes and specifications, so it is not a traditional pickup truck in it's makeup. Instead of traditional separate cab and bed, the Ridgeline is one piece, like an SUV with an open rear cargo area. Should have similar reliability to Honda Pilot and Honda Odyssey, ie, excellent. Cargo bed even has a lockable ""trunk"" underneath. V6 and 4 wheel drive only. Doesn't seem to have as much grunt as the Toyota and Nissan trucks. Hauls 1400 lb or tows 5000 lb.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 5 - Cavernous 4 - Can tow up to 5000 lb - 20 ft I/O boat/5X10 Uhaul trailer 4 - Has space and weight capacity for heavier items 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
Ford Ranger - With the Tacoma and Frontier getting larger, this is the best choice for a small pickup. There are few options other than engine, transmission, payload package, cab size, radio, and extra chrome, so there are few things that can break, and reliability is pretty good. Low cost and good basic transportation and capable small job worker. 4 cyl or V6 with rear or 4 wheel drive.
3 - Adequate for most situations 2 - Takes 125 to 130 ft to stop. Average for today's cars. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 2 - Seats for 2 adults plus 2 kids who don't fight 3 - Decent reliability for long term ownership 5 - Cavernous 3 - Can tow up to 3500 lb - outboard boat or loaded 5X8 UHaul 4 - Has space and weight capacity for heavier items 2 - Can get out of its own way
Ford Sport Trac - Based on the current Ford Explorer, which makes it a larger vehicle than before, but since the Toyota, Nissan, and Honda compatition are either larger than before or new, the Ford is now about the same size as the others with somewhat lower reliability. However, it does have an optional V8 with 6 speed automatic transmission and can tow a 6750 lb trailer. V6 or V8 and rear or 4 wheel drive.
3 - Adequate for most situations 3 - Takes 120 to 125 ft to stop. Good for non sports car. 3 - 20 to 24 mpg on regular or 22 to 26 on premium fuel 3 - Seats 4, okay for around town, a little crowded for trips 5 - Best there is. More reliable as a used car than many new cars 5 - Cavernous 5 - Can tow over 5000 lb - Horse trailers/Travel trailers/big boats 4 - Has space and weight capacity for heavier items 3 - Has a decent chance of avoidance
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