After thinking long and hard, I'm ready to sell my Mustang and get a pickup. I'm thinking in the $7k range. I don't care for crew cabs and four door trucks, so just the old fashioned standard truck. Prefer full size, but the smaller ones would work too. I don't plan on doing any towing. I'd appreciate any advice on which ones are reliable and which ones to stay away from. I realize buying a used vehicle is risky, no matter what it is, but any help would be appreciated!

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Misty

Girl, I don't have any advice on which truck is best, 'cause its all cars in my family, but I can tell you this; If you're in the market for a used vehicle, join Carfax for a month. You get unlimited usage for around $30, and what you find will amaze you. My wife and I were in the market for a little 4 door a couple of years ago, and every other car we saw wound up being a Katrina-kar. All nice and spiffy and sitting on car lots here in KS! One Camry she liked turned out to have been in four wrecks! That $30 will be the best insurance you ever buy.

I got good service from three Ford Rangers I owned before going to the full-sized F-150.

+1 Carfax is a good idea. Please consider at least an extended cab version of any pickup, as that "back seat" area is incredibly useful. If not towing or hauling huge loads, a "half ton" is what you need, as the ride will be much better. I would not recommend a smaller version, as their mileage is usually only marginally better, and their capabilities are much less. You will find that there are Dodge, Ford, and Chevrolet die-hard fans, so it is really more about the individual truck than the brand. Do you need four wheel drive? Carefully consider that, as it adds considerable expense. Find a truck that pleases you, and have a trusted mechanic check it out before purchasing. Good luck...we'll be waiting for pictures!

Older trucks... GMC or Chevy with the 350. Parts will be available, and cheap, forever. I'd watch the gear ratios! Big diff in gas mileage! 3.08 is just super if you aren't going to do any towing.
I like a full size LWB truck - Ride is very good and you can carry full sheets of sheet rock or ply wood when necessary. Also a full size motorcycle fits with the gate up.

If you Google "Chevy RPO" you'll get all of the build codes, including rear end ratios. The build sheet is glued into the glove box on GM trucks, btw. The higher number (i.e. 4.56) the better the truck will pull, but it will drink more fuel all the time! The 3.08 will get you very good fuel mileage but will NOT like to pull anything heavy from a stop. Once it gets going it's fine though.

I second the vote for the CarFAX.

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In dog years I'm dead.

I f you can find the history of the truck (regardless of make) that shows regular maintenance as oil changes etc... where the owner took care of it, I think you'd be ahead of the game.

I would have bought a Ford Ranger except everyone I get into I bang my head on the door entry top when I get in. If you get a Ranger or Chevy S10 get the extended cab. There is no room up front especially if there' a second passenger. If your not adverse to standard shift I'd buy that.. If you do a lot of driving then I guess auto trans would be the route. If you get any snow in the winter and live in hilly country you need standard trans. I bought a new Chevy Colorado in '08. I would avoid that. If you live in an area where everybody has a pickup (like I do ) you won't find many deals. Any full size truck over 6 years old is not gonna get any kind of MPG. I had a Dodge Ram I bought new in 2001. I'd avoid Dodge like the plague unless you enjoy having to do a daily OBDII reading for each new issue. If I were you I'd look for a Ranger/S10/Toyota with 4 cyl. standard trans.

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SOS USA

If you have kids a back seat is generally safer for them
so don't rule out Pickups that have back seats

Best bet would be to buy one from someone you know and trust who bought it new.

If you can't do that, then definitely do the Carfax thing. Also, don't overlook CarMAX as a source. I have a couple friends who have been very happy in their dealings with CarMax. I think they have a 30 day return policy.

If you're buying from an unknown individual or sleazy car lot, be very careful.

I would avoid automatic transmissions. I've had nothing but bad luck with them.

At $7k, you'll probably be in the 100,000+ mile range but not to worry--virtually anything will go 250,000 to 300,000 these days, easy.

http://www.samarins.com/check/simplecheck.html

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SOS USA

Consumer Reports give the Ford Ranger/Mazda (same thing) top ratings

Extended cab 3.0 v-6 automatic 2000-2002 should fall in your price range.

Carfax for sure.

I have had good luck with my 92 Dodge Dakota.
It is a Mid-size pick-up.

<I don't care for crew cabs and four door trucks, so just the old fashioned standard truck.>

I will suggest that you consider a truck with an extended cab. It will only have two doors. Mine has a fold down seat back there, but the seat is almost always folded up. You have inside carry/storage area for quite a bit of stuff. Can you borrow a standard cab truck for a couple of weeks. Think you would miss the storage/carrying space you now have in trunk or back seat.

Bought my first extended cab, F-150 with eight foot bed nearly thirty years ago. LOVED all the space behind the seat that I had not had in other trucks. Will NEVER buy another standard cab truck again.

Bekeart

The downside of that is that they are about as nimble as a Union Pacific locomotive in parking lots.

Misty, I know this doesn't answer your question, but I vote you keep the Mustang! I've owned trucks, four in the past as a matter of fact, but I didn't haul enough for them to pay for themselves in payments OR gas. Mustangs are my PASSION. One of the best cars on the road as far as dependability goes, and honestly, the mileage ain't too bad, at least on my 2005 G.T. with a five speed. Anyway, just my two cents!

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MARK

Don't let them talk you out of a standard cab/full sized truck.Are you thinking short bed?Gotta be a V8 after driving a Mustang.
I'm guessing its gonna be your daily driver and not worked to hard,so it may as well look good and be fun to drive.
I picked up a '04 GMC last year for about 13 grand.Short bed standard cab with a V8.Low miles,35,000.
My first GM and I love it.I've always been a ford man but couldn't find a Ford that would match my specs.
I think all of the big three make pretty good trucks these days.
Your price range is gonna be the issue but cash talks.The private sector is where the deals are,be careful and do your homework.

Best of luck,DG

For $7000 or less you should be able to find a decent Ford Ranger or Toyota. Better gas mileage too.

I was never a fan of 4 door trucks and was skeptical of a 5 cylinder engine but I had a 2005 GMC Canyon 4 door and I have to say I loved that truck. It was like driving a nice car and I've hauled 1200 lbs in the bed as well as pulled a trailer with 4700 lbs of construction debris up the hill at the landfill with no problem. I also got about 21 MPG when it wasn't loaded down. I would still have it if work hadn't slown down so much. I have a couple friends with Ranger's and personally I wouldn't have one for regular driving. They're basically the Pinto of trucks.

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sticks-n-stones&hollowpoints

Had salesman at local Ford dealer try to tell me same thing when I turned down a F-150 extended cab with the short (6 1/2 foot) bed because it wasn't eight foot. He kept telling me that such a truck would be impossible to get around with in town - I would ask if he was sure - He was absolutely certain (In fact several times). After he had dug his grave deep enough, I pointed to my truck and told him that I had been driving the F-150 with extended cab and the eight foot bed for thirteen years. Then asked him "When do you think that I might finally notice this problem??" Watched the snake slither away ...

In seventeen teen years of driving it I NEVER had a problem with maneuvering it. UPS and Fed-Ex drivers seem to do fine with their delivery vans. Heaven forbid that someone would ever to drive a limo ...

Met a contractor from Paris TN who had a Crew-Cab (four doors) with an eight foot bed. We had some good laughs about the misconception that such truck were too long to be able to maneuver. He had trouble even getting his truck special ordered because of "know-it-all" salesmen.

Bekeart

I'm on, I think, my fifth Toyota compact --- they've all been economical, reliable, and most have gone from 130-200K without major repairs, just routine maintenance. The last two have been extended cab version, which I heartily endorse --- I don't know how I got along without it.

Misty,

After leasing a new 2007 Dodge Ram Quad-Cab 4x4 for 29 months, I gave it back and was without a truck.

After much looking, I bought a 1999 GMC 1500 Sierra "three-door" extended cab 4x4 with the 5.7L (350 c.i) engine. I bought it from a private owner, he had all maintenance records and it was well-cared for.

I LOVE it! GREAT truck!

All my mechanic buddies told me to get a Chevy/GMC and I decided to listen (for a change).

I've always had either Ford or Dodge trucks, bought new, I guess I just wanted something different for a change. Like somebody else mentioned...parts for the older GMC/Chevy are plentiful and will be forever.

I second the CarFax suggestion...I was looking at a 2001 Dodge 4x4 short-box "Sport" model. The seller said it was a Pennsylvania truck....that's a selling feature here in New York because we salt the roads up here in the winter-time...I did a CarFax online and found that the truck was NEVER registered in Pa....it had only been registered in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, New York...even though I liked the truck, I didn't buy it because I wondered what else he was lying about.

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'Merica!

Well, to start with, I'd make sure that I bought an American made vehicle. I bought a 2002 chevy S-10 that had 25K on it in 2004. It has the 4.3L V-6, 5 speed transmission, and the 3.08 rear axle. I travel quite a bit down into Okla. and at 117000K miles on it I still get around 25 to 26 MPG. I do maintain my truck like I do my weapons, and so far so good with both. I think that ford rangers look like phone booths on wheels but they are probably OK. I got my low mileage S-10 for 8,450. and I love it. It doesn't really matter what you buy as long as it is maintained regularly.
Peace,
gordon

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better have that checked

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I'll add a couple things I didn't mention in my OP. I don't put many miles on my vehicles. Depending on how often I go to Michigan, yearly miles are probably around 5k. No kids. Sometimes there will be a passenger, but I also have another car available if need be. The reason I mentioned not wanting a crew/extended cab was merely looks. I just can't get used to the looks of them. Maybe that would change if I owned one. So no, I don't do a whole lot of driving, but most of what I do is city driving. With that in mind, I'd probably opt for an automatic, although I can drive a stick. As for the Carfax, I did that with my Mustang, and yes, I'd do it again. I also have a friend who is an ex race driver/mechanic, so I'd ask his opinion before I bought anything.
Mark, I also love my Mustang! One of my first cars was a '69 Mach I and I've loved them ever since! I wish I could keep the Mustang and get a truck, but it's not in the budget. I don't want/can't afford a car payment, so the only way is to sell the pony. I hope I don't regret it! Who knows. By the time I find a decent affordable truck, I might change my mind!

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Misty

After driving an 18 wheeler, I have no problems with my '93 F-350 Crew Cab long bed. I'd bet that salesman would tell me I can't parallel park my big truck, too.

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Insert short witty words here

Another one to consider, if you hadn't already, is the Nissan Frontier. The non-supercharged 3.3L V6 isn't a screamer, but it's a sturdy motor. An '02-'04 model should be right in the price range you're looking for.

I've driven pickups pretty much my whole driving life (I rented a mustang for 2 days for a vacation in FL last week and loved it loved it!) and after driving regular, extended, and crew cab/4 doors, I will tell you as a friend to seriously look into at least an extended cab. You will carry much, much more in the cab then you ever will in the bed and you will be able to ride much more comfortably if it's in the back seat instead of next to you. A short bed extended cab is the most popular in america for a good reason, it works great! Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide on.

I've mentioned before that I'm a mechanic for the city I live in. We have about 50 or 60 pick-ups in our fleet. We've tried most of them. Ford, Chevy/GMC and Dodge. The Ford F-150 is far and away the best of the bunch. We've had less problems out of them than any other brand. Its now the only pick-up we will buy and its what I own for myself.
+1 on the extended cab. If you ever buy one, you'll never go back to a standard cab again.

What do you think of the superduty fords? I am thinking of getting one to replace the dodge I'm driving now.

Misty, Have you ever thought about just posting an add? "Wanted good man with a truck, Please send picture of truck."

lol. Now there's a great idea!

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Misty

Toyota Tacoma's last foreever, and are classed as a mid-sized truck.

KSCARDSFAN, we also have a large number of Super Duties in our fleet. Mostly crew cabs and ambulances. Again, I'm sold on them.
My own work truck is a 1995 F-477 with a 7.3 diesel. Its set up with a fuel/service bed and weighs in at 14,000 lbs. 15 years and still going strong.
With the rest of the Super duties we've had excellent service. Very few major problems.
Bear in mind that we service our vehicles regularly. That's the real trick to a long and useful life.

OTOH - With so many Americans laid off (or worse) buying any foreign vehicle just seems WRONG...

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In dog years I'm dead.

I agree with buying American and creating American jobs and though Toyota is a Japan based company, Tacomas are produced in San Antonio, Texas. At least that's what Wikipedia says.

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sticks-n-stones&hollowpoints

Every item of clothing I own comes from Walmart. It's all labeled made in China. Do you want me to go nekkid? I used to buy plain jane Toyota 4X4's till they priced them out of my reach.

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SOS USA

I'm really surprised at the lack of reponse from people with full size trucks. I suppose Rangers and S-10s are OK if towing capacity isn't an issue. If looks are a major consideration, I wouldn't let folks dissuade you from a standard cab. Of all the vehicles I've owned in the last 45 years, the one that got the most favorable comments out on the road was a steel-gray '96 GMC Sierra standard cab, short-box PU with aluminum diamond plate running boards and matching tool box. I really liked that truck, but moved to a quad-cab so as to have room for the grandsons. Currently, I'm driving an '06 Dodge Dakota SLT Laramie with full leather interior and the V8 engine...a mid-size truck but still has 6500 lbs towing capacity.

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Rick, W0FG
CTR2 68-72

Here you go Misty,It's all about looking good.
Plenty quick and dependable to boot.

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I think Misty is going to buy her first truck. I believe she lives in an area where trucks hold their value pretty well. Full size trucks are gonna bring a premium. The full size her budget will allow is gonna be an older gas burner. So hence a mid size or compact. Or maybe a Jeep Cherokee instead

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SOS USA

Agreed,Something I need to ad here,Financing anything more than 5yrs. old is a bear so the cash buyer has a good chance to score.Private sales might be the trick.Check out CarMax,they auction off the ones that cant be financed and there is some good deals to be had.

DG

Locally there are several shops that buy autos, and a few pick-up, at auctions, bring them to their shop. Clean up and these cars. Generally they take them to another auction to sell. Two years ago I needed a car. Bought a 2005 Impala for less than the online pricing guides showed as TRADE-IN value. Do not know if you have any shop like this in your area. Did run CarFax and had mechanic check it out.

Bekeart

IMO, Honda Ridgeline, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra.

Quote---Please consider at least an extended cab version of any pickup, as that "back seat" area is incredibly useful. If not towing or hauling huge loads, a "half ton" is what you need, as the ride will be much better.------I agree on this 100%. Stay away from Chevy S-10 versions. They had some engine/intake problems with the 4.3 V6. They also are prone to electrical gremlins. Same with the new Trailblazers. Consider your power needs and the room you want(inside the cab and out), then try to buy from a trusted friend/relative or take a drive through some small towns in your area. You can find a new lunch spot and see some sights...Good Luck.............Sprefix

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Go big or stay home

Depending upon how new of a truck you buy, the area behind the seat on a conventional cab can be quite big.

I have two trucks, an '03 Dodge Ram standard cab and a '98 Ford Ranger extended cab. There is quite a bit of room behind the seat on the Dodge, in fact there is even a little tray back there. I've carried all kinds of stuff behind that seat. The Ranger has a little more room, but not much.

I own a 2002 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner with extended cab and V-6. I have had absolutely zero problems with this truck and would highly reccomend a used one. Try and get a certified used one if you can. Turning this truck is not a problem. It has the power of a small V-8 and gets a lot better gas mileage.

The only problem with Ford Rangers are transmissions. My best friend has owned 3 rangers. The last 2 have given mucho automatic transmission problems. The standard shift ones seem to be ok.

Tacoma made right here in the USA

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Sure you did

Strato said -" Tacomas are produced in San Antonio, Texas".

Where they are made makes no difference, the money still goes back to Japan.

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Lost in Penn's Woods

Not all of it. At least they're making a U.S. payroll, more than you can say for some of the U.S. manufacturers.

I think all the people who are employed there would say it makes a lot of difference.

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sticks-n-stones&hollowpoints

The only reason we now have quality cars/trucks made in this country these days is the influence of foreign auto makers. In 1978 I bought a Chevy half ton short bed step side PU new. In less than three years all four fenders rusted through. The paint slarted pealing off the rear fenders revealing gloss black paint underneath. (my truck was solid silver, so the factory repainted black to silver with no sanding or primer) The well cared for straight six was pretty much done at 60K. The only thing worth anything on that truck was the granny gear four speed trans. My next three trucks were Toyota Delux they called them 4X4. They did rust but were considerably cheaper than comparable American products. Other than normal maint I had to replace a clutch on the '90 and a thermostat on the '87. I traded the '90 Toy off on a new 2001 Dodge 1500. Big mistake. The Japs are insidious retailers. They offered cheaper cars/trucks with greater reliability, and then once they had a following raised the prices. They did the same thing earlier with motorcycles.

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SOS USA

Another vote for the crew cab. I don't find the extra length or so-so looks big problems and that platfrom in the back is a great perch for the dog. Also, having dry, convenient storage that can be locked is nice. Don't carry five often but it will in comfort if need be.

Mileage for me isn't an issue as use is errands around town with an occasional road trip. Savings with a compact truck or car just isn't enough to matter to me.

But, this makes me happy. You need to get what makes you happy.

Bob

I have owned a number of full size and mid-size PUs; Ford and Chevy. Last Chevy was an S-10 that blew up at 60K. Replaced the engine and drove it down to the Nissan dealer and traded it off. Have been driving a 2000 Nissan Frontier SE king cab V6 since. It has had one set of breaks put on it and now has 102K. My Toyota SR5 has 131K and one set of breaks. Carfax is a good idea, but also a through maintence record and inspection by a good mechanic. Do not fall in love with your car! it is a tool and it will last a long time if maintained properly. There is a lot of good advice on this thread.