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Best Compact PU - Toyota, Nissan, Chevy, Ford?
I am kind of curious of what people think about
the four compact pickups on the market, ( I lumped
the Mazda with the Ford and the Isuzu with the
Chevy) Tell me what yall think
the four compact pickups on the market, ( I lumped
the Mazda with the Ford and the Isuzu with the
Chevy) Tell me what yall think
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My $0.02.
1. Chevrolet S10 - I had one so I know what I am talking about. I question the safety and reliability. It has the WORST four cylinder on the market today.
2. Ford Ranger - I like the styling ( opinion) but its four banger could use some horses.
3. Nissan Frontier - I used to think this was the best value in the compact pickup line. My opinion again is that it is ugly but its four cylinder has power
4. Toyota Tacoma - Probably the best compact out there but also by far the most expensive. For what you would pay for the V6 4x4 you could get a full size Ford,Chevy or Dodge.
When I think of compact trucks, I think of regular cab four cylinder 2x4 pickups. The V6s are good for extended cabs and 4x4s but I personally cant justify the added expenses of all three (four wheel drive, extended cab, V6)
Tell me what yall think.
What do you think ?
The full size vs compact debate all depends on your needs and preferences. I've not seen many fifth wheel trailers behind Toyotas. On the other hand, I've seen a lot of full size trucks jumping from gas station to gas station not pulling anything. Everybody has a different cost/benefit point of equilibrium.
Nothing against Toyota but unless they bring their new T150 prices out of the upper atmosphere, which is where the T100s are, they will be fighting a loosing battle, even if their trucks are superior to the big three.
It wasnt too long ago that "mini" or compact trucks were the craze and SUVs were just Suburbans and Jeeps.
Quantum leap to here and now. We (America) finally caught on! Vehicles produced in our country today are competitive with Japan. Bout time! I think the Toyota V8 pickup(Lexus engine origin) will be a competitor in the "transportation" segment of the market. "Real trucks" are still dominated by U.S. big three.
I own a 1992 Lexus LS400 (one of the best but we're gaining) and a 1994 Chev C1500. I also have a 1990 Winnebago Class C Motorhome (Ford C350 460 ci). Presently I'm looking to purchase a new HD pickup to pull a 5th wheel (selling motorhome). The new Ford F250/350 Powerstroke vs Dodge diesel is my delima! Gut feeling is Ford but I'm not convinced. 5th wheel will be in 32' to 40' range.
Comments appreciated!
I, kind of, like to think that the foreign competition got the edge because they saw the mpg being a factor quicker than the US market and then had more money to improve quality......Alright already, I know I'm reaching. Still, it's hard to imagine them being competitive in the full size market, much less the HD market. But the track record is good. I'm counting 0n Ford, Chevey and Dodge rising to the occasion. If they don't, the only reason they will stay on top is if they lease their trucks to rent-a-car places like Ford did with the Taurus.
We really can't tell you what truck to buy. Decide the functionality that you need. Figure out which brands provide that functionality. Look and drive those brands. Check out the little things. Like, the location of the A/C vents, the rake of the seat back, the comfort of the seat belts, the shape and location of the radio knobs, etc. There are little things that turn out to be so anoying that make you hate the vehicle. I had one car where the handle for the window was always just above my knee. After 10k miles I went out and bought the removal tool for the handle and adjusted it so it was more comfortable. The car that I hated last week suddenly became a pretty good car teh following week.
If there is some little thing that anoys you on the test drive, at 1500 miles you'll hate the feature. At 10k miles you'll hate the truck and at 15k miles a dealer is going to get another truck sale at your expense.
Rich
Before you spring for a F-350 or Dodge 3500(?) you want to check out your 5th wheel specs. Length is usually unimportant when choosing truck capacity. The two things that are important are hitch weight and total trailer weight.
Typically I would expect the 5th wheel hitch weight (i.e. The weight placed in the truck bed by the 5th wheel trailer.) to be in the 1000-1500 range. For a 35-40 foot 5th wheel I would estimate that 10,000 pounds empty and 13,000 loaded.
Here is the rationale between F-350 and F-250.
Both have a towing capacity (From memory as I'm 2500 miles from home.) of 13,600. With diesel, auto trans and 3.73 rear end. The difference between F-350 and F-250 is about 1000 pounds of bed capacity. The F-250 can easily handle 1500 pounds. Why get the F-350 when the '99 Heavy duty F-250 will meet your needs? It's a little more money, same power but rougher ride, especially when empty. Remember you're going to go some place and then un-hitch. You really don't want to have a rough riding vehicle for your running about.
BTW - As I remember, when I looked at the Dodge, the capacities were about the same or less. (I may be wrong as the right coast has me leaning West towards home.)
anyone has some feed back on the 98 Tacoma I would greatly appreciated it.
Thanks,
Brendan
Thanks for the excellent feedback! Got the specs for the new Ford and it's 6" longer than my garage! Arizona sun is "not" kind to vehicles.
Glad I'm not in a hurry!
The thought of F250 vs F350 is certainly valid. Methinks I'll probably go with a 3/4 ton when I figure out what to do with the garage situation.
Appreciate the comments!
When I lived in Phoenix the trick was alrenate direction parking. (i.e. On M-W-F at work, park heading north and on T-TH heading south.) That way you sun-bleach the whole vehicle in twice the time it takes to do one side, unevenly. It took 4 years to do it to my metalic gold '69 chevy. Paints have gotten better since then. Here in LA my '92 is just starting to show signs of sun bleaching.
The other thing is, don't order metalic colors. My brother-in-law works for a paint manufacturer. He tells me of the matching grief that the auto body shops go through and that metalics are the worst, with silver being the absolute worst.
The new 250 that I've ordered is white with the rocker panels silver. I expect that the silver will be bad in 3 years, but there is so little of it that it wont really matter. If I were in Phoenix now, the color would be three tone, white, white and white.
Rich
Started out on Toyota, just got carried away! Once I found someone interesting to chat with, without an E mail address this is the only forum to continue communication.
P.S. I like compact trucks, that's how I ended up here in the first place. However, basically I enjoy any and all trucks. Will try and stick to subject of header.
Regards,
Mirlo
Mirlo
I'm a light duty user of light duty vehicles, I schlep myself and a few carpentry tools. Though I will try to yank an occasional stump or haul green manure loaded by over zealous Bob Cat operators.
Which do you think is the better choice?
Chevy has cheap interiors with a STUPID HIGH PRICE. Dodge is also expensive but looks good. Nissans are ugly and how can one buy it after those idiotic commercials? Why Mazda when Ford is the same? Isuzu? Well, you get the picture.
Basically decide between Ford or Toyota for there is no others.
I can't say I love the new grille but overall styling is good. Current customer incentives are $1K off for a 4X2. How do you get a dealer to order the exact truck you want--in my case, a LWB regular cab w/3.0L V6 and standard tranny--while still getting the incentives? My local dealer says you gotta take what they got on the lot.
I tried Autobytel a couple of weeks ago. Can't say I'm too impressed so far. Any advice would be appreciated.
You are nuts! If any idiot pays 10k for your old TOY than I will surely kiss your rear-end. Get real. You wouldn't get close here in Delaware. MAYBE In California but then again, the people out there are different.
I would not get the warranty- especially on a Tacoma. Although I'm more of a Ford Ranger fan, the Tacoma is a great truck and a warranty on it ($900 out of your pocket) would be a waste of your hard-earned moola.
The criteria for the test was a V-6 Extended Cab. This eliminated the Nissan Frontier and the S-10. The S-10 was replaced by the Sonoma. The Ranger covered the Mazda and Ford. The Dakota and Sonoma were both EPA classified as midsize pickups, while the Ranger and Tacoma were classified as small pickups.
Although the testers set the criteria as a V-6, they tested the Dakota with the V-8 and it appears to have been the 5.9L V-8. Needless to say, the Dakota won hands down. The other three trucks scored fairly similiar overall. The Dakota was also $3,000-$6,000 more expensive than the competition when equiped with similar equipment (sport truck price identified by Motortrend).
Based on the article, if I were in the market for one of these four trucks, I'd buy the Dakota. Then again, I'm a full size truck person. Testing a pricier, midsize V-8 against a more economical, small size V-6 seems a little odd. Still, the article is worth the read for anyone interested in buying a less-than-fullsize pickup.
Although, I'm a Toy fan, I will probably buy a Dodge Dakota. I do feel the toyota is more reliable but the dodge seems to be built better (body is more sturdy), rides better, has more room, and I can probably get the v6 for the same price I would pay for the 4 cyl tacoma ext. cab.
I agree the toyotas have the reliability and resale value locked up. I'm just willing to take my chances on a dodge.
Any comments on the new dodge would be appreciated.
Here's a hot link you can click on to take you there:
1998 Compact Pickup Truck Shootout
Other Truck Road Tests
Check 'em out.
I used to be. If you look again, you'll find that it's 143, not 154 HP. But if you drive one, it'll feel more like 103 HP. In my opinion it's grossly under powered, and every review of it I've read says the same thing. I had an '87 Nissan V6 pickup, and I liked it so much I thought I'd be buying Nissan pickups for the rest of my life. Then I test drove the '98 Frontier. It's no coincidence they use dogs in their ads. It is one. It's also no coincidence they're giving large rebates. No one wants them, and Nissan knows that so they have to drop the price to unload them. I ended up buying an American-made truck, but the advice from this ex-Nissan pickup enthusiast is to buy anything but a Frontier.
Yeah the Frontier is no hot rod, but then I was looking for a mountain goat, not a race horse. You were right about the HP, 143. I got it mixed up with the torque, 154. And in 4L, that motor works fine, and I do spend time in 4L. And it cruises the freeway at 70-80 no problem. And its a really nice truck other than the motor. Great seats, standard includes Air and a good stereo, cloth buckets, dual airbags you can turn off, nice trim. I know all this because I bought one today, an xcab for $3900 below sticker. I immediately took it for an off road test, and it was real sturdy (I have owned 4 different 4 wd's) and plenty torquey enough. Anyway, as you said, you liked Nissans great execept for the engine in the Frontier, so for someone who isn't offended by the 4 cylinder, its a great deal.
1. Ford/Mazda base engine - 2.5L SOHC 117 HP
2, Chevy/GMC/Isuzu base engine - 2.2L OHV 120hp
3. Nissan Frontier - 2.4L DOHC 143hp
4. Toyota Tacoma - 2.4L DOHC 142hp
GM could easily put the 2.4L DOHC found in upscale Cavaliers/Sunfires rated at 150hp and blow the competition away! Ford builds an excellent truck but they lack any real power.
As for V6s, for the price you pay for these options you could get a nice full size pickup.
And to danz28, I completely agree with your statement regarding the V6 option in these pickups, and I've been waiting for someone else to say it. I had mentioned in another topic that I had picked out a V6 XLT Ranger for myself, but it was only $1500 less than an F150 with what I considered to have superior options, so I got the F150. It was well worth the slightly extra cost.
You also mentioned that you didn't care for the low-powered 4-cylinder engines in Ford and GM PUs.
I also consider the GM and Ford fours to be relics from what should be the long-forgotten past. But I just don't understand why anyone would buy a four-cylinder pickup anyway, so it doesn't seem all that important for them to upgrade them to current engine designs. I do think, however, that Dodge, Ford and GMC should all offer a V6 with DOHC. Since this technology seems to have been proven over and over, it's kind of hard to understand why we still have push rods in those pickup engines.
As for DOHC engines, beyond making cool sounds, I don't see that they offer any great advantage over OHV engines, especially in a low end torque desiring trucks. The are more costly to make and repair and they generally get attrocious mileage. As for proven technology, the things that GM continues to do with the pushrod 350 (in the corvette and camaro), now that's technology.
Tell me again why we need DOHC engines in trucks?
As for Ford, it needs another cam and about 35 more horses.
GM should stick to their pushrod V6s and V8s (by the way the Corvette/Camaro engine is 347 cu. in. but I know what you were trying to say.)
As for DOHC engines getting atrocious fuel mileage, I don't think that has been proven. I believe that the opposite is the case and that the 4-cylinder Toyota and Nissan will do better than the lower-powered 4-cylinder Ford and Chevy. One thing we'll have to admit about the Japanese pickups, they are not ashamed of their fuel consumption figures and publish them in their catalogs. I wish the American companies would do the same.