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Comments
4CYL STANDARD CAB, 2WD, ITS BEEN A GREAT TRUCK FOR
MY PURPOSE WHICH IS MOSTLY COMMUTING. I HAVE AROUND 193,500 MILES ON THE ORIGINAL ENGINE AND TRANS ONLY MAJOR WORK MECHANICLY WAS A COUPLE OF CLUTCH JOBS. BUT, NOW I HAVE A WIFE AND A NEW BABY
AND EVEN THOUGH SHE DRIVES A ISUZU TROOPER THE NISSAN IS GOTTEN TO SMALL FOR US. I WOULD STILL DRIVE IT IF NOT FOR THAT IT HAS TAKEN ALOT OF ABUSE STRAIN WISE HEAVY LOADS AND STILL LOOKS GOOD
AND RUNS GOOD. I'M CONSIDERING THE NEW DAKOTA EXTRA CAB SPORT IT SEEMS TO HAVE THE MOST SPACE OF
ANY OF THE SMALL TRUCKS. PRICE IS EVEN REASONABLE NOW THAT I HAVE GOTTEN OVER THE STICKER SHOCK. WHAT I HAVE NOT GOTTEN OVER IS THE TERRIBLE MILEAGE OF THESE TRUCKS. I'M SO USE TO MY 22 TO 27 MPG MY NISSAN STILL GETS. GRANT THE DAKOTA HAS A FOUR CYLINDER ENGINE THAT GETS 20-27 MPG A 4CYL SEEMS TO SMALL FOR THIS SIZE TRUCK. PLUS MY ONLY REAL MISTAKE TODAY ON THE NISSAN WAS NOT GETTING THE 6CYL ENGINE. AT THE TIME I WAS LOOKING FOR MILEAGE. I ALSO THINK I WOULD LIKE MORE LUXURIES THAT I DIDN'T GET ON THE NISSAN. NOW I HEAR FORD IS COMING OUT WITH A 4 DOOR RANGER THAT IS TO BIGGER THEN ITS SUPERCAB OUT NOW SO SAYS MY DAD WHO SAW AT THE L.A. AUTO SHOW. BUT, THE FORD DEALERS HERE DON'T HAVE ANY INFO ON THEM OTHER THEN A FLIER. SEEMS STRANGE SINCE THE TRUCK IS SUPPOSE TO BE ON THE SHOWROOM FLOORS BY JUNE. SO CORPORATE FORD IS SUPPOSE TO SEND ME A COLOR BROCHURE AND I'M STILL WAITING. SO MY DECISSION BETWEEN FORD AND DODGE IS PENDING. I TALKED TO THE LOCAL DODGE DEALER WHICH WAS RUDE TO ME ON THE PHONE (I GUESS THEY DON'T WANT MY BUSINESS) TOLD ME THAT DODGE ISN'T COMING OUT WITH A DAKOTA QUAD CAB. WHICH IS NOW WHAT I THINK I MIGHT WANT. THE BIG TRUCKS ARE NICE BUT THE MILEAGE AND THE FACT THAT MY WIFE WOULD HAVE TO DRIVE IT POST OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH CONSIST OF SIZE SHE IS USE TO DRIVING SMALLER CARS IT TOOK A FEW DAYS JUST TO GET HER TO DRIVE THE TROOPER. THE OTHER IS THAT I HAVE A NARROW DRIVE. ITS EATEN TWO MIRRORS. SO LET ME KNOW IF ANY ONE HAS HEARD ABOUT THE NEW RANGER AND THE 97 OR 98 DAKOTA SPORTS.
I read that the Ranger quad cab is supposed to be the hot new thing. It makes the cab more accessible, but I don't know if it makes it larger. Probably not. By adding the 2nd set of doors though, they removed the B-pillar, so it may just look bigger. I don't know what happens to stiffness though. This type of 4-door may be just a trend, but who knows, except for the kids, all my hauling will be in the back.
There's a magazine called A.I. (Automotive Industries)that has a pretty good expose on most of the new vehicles, domestic and imports. You may want to try that for more info. It's a Chilton publication. It may have a web address, but I'm not sure.
Ranger is still #1 on the buyers parade, but like you, sticker shock floored me. I'd like to know why it's #1. It would be nice to get some background info on a late model Ranger of any type to find out if all the claims are true. What I gave you here is mostly from research I've been gathering in my search for a pickup. Tid-bits on optional equipment, 2x2 vs 4x4, best engine types, etc from the buying community would help. Hope this helps you.
I just pulled up Consumer Reports Online to
see if I could get an address for you. Here
it is.....
www.consumerreports.com
Good luck! (smile)
I am not that familiar with Mazda's. Is the 2x4 rear wheel or front wheel? If it's front wheel drive, you'll get along fine. My Ford is rear wheel when I am not in 4x4. I have sat on a flat surface in a parking lot in mixed ice and slush and have had trouble moving in two wheel drive. When I shift it into 4x4, I can climb a hill on the same surface. The problem with pickups is that they have no weight in the back, so the unweighted rear axle is trying to push the weighted front end. In a front wheel drive, the weighted front end is dragging the unweighted rear of the truck. A Blazer has more weight in the back. I'm guessing that the problem would not be as dramatic in a smaller pickup as it is in a full size. Even if the Mazda is rear wheel drive, you can probably put some weight in the back and get some good winter tires and do alright. I definitely would recommend against a full size 2x4 if you live in a place that gets a lot of snow.
I found out the hard way when I bought a new truck that was just a little bit overloaded with my trailer. I ended up burning up two sets of axle bearings and ended up having to trade it for the truck I should have gotten in the first place.
I would go for the 350 if I where you. Play it safe not sorry...
Regarding your comment "I never really understood the great need for a 4x4." I hate to express a negative comment about 4x4s in this conference, because it's sort of like using bad language in front of members of the clergy. But I'm inclined to agree with you. I seriously doubt if most of the people who own a 4x4 ever really have a need to put it into 4-wheel drive. My driving experience includes about 150,000 miles in 4x4s I had during a work assignment in Saudi Arabia. About 35,000 of those miles were off road and in the desert, sometimes on trails used by the bedouins, and sometimes over terrain so remote I wondered at the time if any human had ever crossed it before. There are also mountains in the western part of that country and I climbed a lot of them in the vehicles I drove. But I hardly ever had to use 4-wheel drive. Through all of that, I don't believe I had the vehicle in 4-wheel drive more than 40 miles. I'll admit that I was happy to have it when it was needed, but most of the time it wasn't.
The two vehicles I had when I was there were an International Scout and a Chevy Suburban, they belonged to the company I worked for, and it was in the late 1970s. They weren't called SUVs at that time, but that's what they would be classified as today. When I came back to the US
and bought my own truck, it was a 4x2. Like you, I couldn't see spending a few thousand dollars extra for a 4x4. My last one was a Nissan 4x2, which I think is very much like the Mazda (same as a Ford Ranger) that you are interested in. There's not much snow here in NJ where I live, but I have a place in the NY Adirondacks and believe me, there's plenty of snow up there. I never regretted not having a 4x4. The one I'm getting next is a Ford 150 4x2.
I expect there's a million 4x4 pick-up and SUV owners who would disagree with me, but that's the way I see it.
I don't know if you ever got any feedback on pricing of 99 F-350s but I just ordered mine (No. Calif) and had several dealers agree to do it for $500 over invoice.
You will probably get a zillion responses about your need for a heavy duty light truck to pull your fifth wheel with, and I would bet that the most given answer will be the Dodge Ram 1 ton with the Cummins engine. This truck would be my choice if I was going to be pulling the rig you talk about quite often, but if you are not going to be using the truck often I would suggest the same truck with the V-10. The diesel engines I have had experience with can become a real pain if they are not on the road a lot. I have not driven a diesel for a long time so these problems might have been solved. Good Luck and welcome home.
www.abol.com/users/jlester/info.htm
anything besides the dodge dakota????
please take note, i am not interested in a full size . i am going to use it to move me, my camping gear, mtn bike, dog, and other small, light stuff around.
e-mail srobitshek@hotmail.com
I apologize if I'm stating the obvious, but I've met some extended-cab enthusiasts who didn't realize the back door in a compact pickup meant the rear seat on that side had to be sacrificed. So the 3-door compacts have only one jump seat. I don't know if that means a 4-door will have no back seats at all, but you may want to consider that.
I wanted a compact myself and after much looking had settled on the Ranger. But I wanted an XLT with everything on it, and when I compared its price with that of a similarly equipped F150, there was only about $1500 difference. That did it for me. I got the F150, and it has a 3rd door and a full back seat.
nay
I am brand new to this forum. The last car with which I was satisfied was my 1978 Datsun B210, which I kept for 14 years. I currently own a '92 Geo Prizm which has been plagued by electrical problems. I want to buy a new compact truck with standard transmission, 4 or 6 cylinders, and that is fairly safe and maneuverable for a woman. I was inclined toward a Nissan truck, but the Emunds review was not great. Any suggestions?
In answer to your question, there are a number of topics already in progress where people are discussing the pros and cons of various manufacturers of compact pickup trucks.
Bear in mind that what you are reading are people's personal takes, but that is sometimes exactly what you want to read in order to form an opinion as to what you might want to seriously consider.
Check out topic #112 which is "Best Compact Pickups."
That would be a good place to start.
Some things you want to look for in people's comments (especially those who are owners of the vehicle they are commenting on) are:
1.) Mechanical Dependability
2.) Post-Sales Service
3.) Overall performance
4.) Reliability
I'm sure you'll find some useful input. If not, feel free to start your own topic, but keep in mind if people have already stated their opinion in another topic they may not wish to do so again.
Also, you can do some searching for specifications right here at Edmund.com. Go to the Town Hall entrance and look for the buttons in the upper left-hand corner. Click on New Trucks
and follow that link to where you can choose specifically which new truck you want info on.
Also, click on this link: Auto & Truck Reviews to find reviews. In many cases, there are reviews you can read about each truck you're potentially interested in.
Happy hunting!
so you can better help, I'm 16 I like to drive hard but my parents only leave me use he old voyager with 113,954 miles and I take my friends crusing a lot. I live in Somesret Pa. and prefer a standard and need an extended cab if Possible please respond and give me your oppion.
You can get there from the main topic list, or use this link:
Dodge Ram Owners
). It may have the info you're looking for regarding diesel vs gasoline engines.
Thanks!
I recently bought an F150 and got the auto only because it had about double the trailer-load rating of the standard. This is my fourth truck and the first with automatic. I hate it (the transmission that is), but if I want to tow there doesn't seem to be any alternative. And by the way, I won't be towing nearly as much as you plan to.
We have a Murray 18 hp with 42" cutting deck.
The decision to get a truck stems from the fact that we now live in a rural area and will be landscaping/gardening a three-acre lot. Also, I'll probably use the truck for everyday driving (14 mile commute to work one way).
We're not boating/hunting/camping people. Just need more room than I have in my '95 Taurus.
I'm thinking of purchasing a '93 or '94 Ranger.
Of course, I could just keep the Taurus and buy a
really old (but well-loved) truck for weekend work and snow days.
I'm learning lots from you folks, so please feel free to give me your suggestions. Thanks.
right now it only needs to haul me & my wife, but going forward (this is a buy to keep plan) there will be kids & the associated stuff.
we want a truck coz
1. they are cool (being from England I would out cool all my friends from back home as there is almost no truck market back there)
2. We have a house and all the associated home repair etc, and we like camping (in tents) so would like a truck bed to put stuff in
3. We ride horses, so towing a single/double horse trailer is down the line - maybe. but in the meantime a saddle goes in a bed far easier than any car.
my only conclusions so far are that I dont need 4x4 as I live in the bay area, and it will be used for my commute too.
I have looked at T100, F150, Dakota, Prerunner/tacoma, s-10/sonoma, c/k series, and Rams.
I want everything, reasonable power, good MPG, easy access to back seat (I want an extended cab), and a low-ish price.
does anyone know if it is possible to get a baby seat in the back of a mini truck (dakota/tacoma)
I have been looking at the 3 or 4 doors that are now out too.
I know the minivan is the sensible family option, but my wife would refuse to drive one (good thing too :-) !)
I like the prerunner with the all around abs, slip diff drive, and offroad shocks, but I dont think it will take the baby seat. I like the dakota coz of the standard v6 & torque, but dislike the mpg. I like the t100 as it is bigger, but not huge, and has good mpg. And finally even though I am trying to avoid a ford (fix or repair daily, flip over read directions etc) I am considering a 150 for the 3rd door and more room inside, but less mpg.
As you can see I am thoroughly confused, and not having grown up with trucks, or chevy/gmc & dodge as manufacturers am completely lost on where to start.
If after reading all this you can help thanks
tim_s-l@usa.net
CAn you give me some
concrete reasons why or why not they are good
? I'm on the verge of buying a
regular cab XE frontier for a sticker price of
10,490. That is over 2,000 below the INVOICE
listed on Endmunds.
What am I missing here?
is this "too good to be true?"
by the way, To anybody else out there. i have
test driven the Nissan...
I am 6'4" and 220 lbs.
do you think driving with my knees will wear on me
after 4 years or more?
...
I am a student working on my Phd and dont' think I
can afford full size truck.
For more info take a look at topics 225-227.
I own a '96 S-10 extended cab with 4 cyl. engine, but with a manual tranny. The quality of my truck is top notch and I average about 23mpg with mixed highway/city driving. I haven't had a bit of trouble with it. The auto tranny will zap some power, and you will probably get about the same mpg as a V6, but I don't think you will go wrong with it........
user input if you would. I am in process of ordering a new 99 Dodge 2500. Am trying to decide on Auto-matic or Manual., and
why they rate manual at 25 h.p. more than Auto.
On test Drive the Manual seemed to be very
high Geared in reverse. Is this a problem backing up a 30 ft. 5th wheel. Now have a 93
Dodge Diesel with Auto but it has a lot of slippage, Can go from 65-45 M.P.H in High gear
with constant 2200 RPM.,is this Normal, Local Dodge Dealer says yes. Are New Auto.Matics doing good.Would never have another Gas Burner. Got 3 and a half Miles to Gal. with 460 Ford and a tank of Ethenol. They don't get it mixed good.Would like to here some coments.
harlanr
1) I commute quite a distance (highway miles)to work each day. I ahve not owned a truck before but am really intrigued by the Dodge Dakota V-6 - because it has a bench backseat. Is this the only truck that has a bench backseat in this class?
2) How do trucks handle in rain and snow?
Thanks,
Bill
As far as I know, the Dakota is the smallest truck to have a bench back seat. The S-10/Sonoma, Ranger/Mazda, and imports all have jump seats. The full-size trucks generally have large bench back seats in extended-cab form.