Opinions on trucks

[larso1]

My wife and I are in the same situation as far as needing a pickup. We don't want anything big, don't need it. It's pretty well come down to the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 or the Toyota Tacoma, same configuration. We drove them both and to us the Frontier handles so much more like a sporty car. The Tacoma seemed to handle somewhat ponderous like a full size. I'm sure my past experience with a Datsun KC that went 250K miles with little trouble also helped to color my opinion. But that Frontier's V6 has 265 HP and it flat moves out. We'll probably get the LE trim with all the bells & whistles to eliminate the need for our 5-passenger car.

Bill

 

[canoetrpr]

Wow. Lots of ideas to consider here.

One of the worries I have about a third vehicle is that I have always been under the impression that if vehicles sit outside without being used, they tend to rust in the weather, things seize up etc. I don''t know if this is true or not but a friend of mine has a GMC Astro van that he uses only once a week we we go dog training and he finds that time and time again the brakes etc. seize up. He blames it on the vehicle sitting outside not getting used.

That was part of my rationale for thinking of using a truck that had decent mileage as a daily driver. 18-20 MPG is not bad at all! If I wasn't driving it to work then I would pick a daily driver like a Honda CRV given our weather in the winter and it would probably give me no more than 25 MPG. So I was thinking that the difference in fuel costs would not be enough to justify having a third vehicle to maintain, insure, register etc. My mum's 2005 CRV is coming to the end of its lease in August and she won't be keeping so I would consider purchasing it.

If it was not for those few days in the winter when the roads are really crappy and full of snow, I would have considered purchasing a little Toyota Yaris hatchback or something as my daily driver. I guess I can always go this route and just take the truck to work if the weather is looking like it might storm. I'm just not a huge fan of really little vehicles. I don't feel safe in them on the highway.

I think I proposed selling the van at some point to my wife and she flipped!. I don't blame her. It is nice to be able to seat 7 some times when relatives are visiting. It is also an incredibly comfortable vehicle and in great condition. I bought it new, maintained it well and the only way to get my money out of it is to use it and use it and use it. So that is out as an option.

The good thing is that I've got the luxury of time. Neither of my vehicles is dead so I don't have to make a decision right a way. My wife wants me to keep things as they are for a year or so so I guess I can use the time to look around for a good deal.

I've considered getting one of the smaller trucks like the Frontier. I like them a lot but I think I've decided that if I'm getting a truck, I'm getting something bigger. You never know, I might find a great deal on a nice tractor with a CAB stateside in the future and it would be nice to own a vehicle you can haul with.

 

[NuBota]

Once a week should be plenty to keep a vehicle lubricated, etc as long as it is not just to the mailbox and back. I only drive my truck on the weekends and occasionally after work. But I drive it wherever I go when not commuting to work - keeps it in play plenty.

 

[canoetrpr]

Hmm.. NuBota. I guess as long as I get me a truck that I am happy taking to my dog club and to dog trials and such, it will probably stay in decent shape.

I take my dogs to the club at least once a week and it is a good 45 min drive there and back. In the summer it is more frequent and I attend trials and such.

I guess I will still keep fuel efficiency in mind and it seems like a diesel might be best suited for this if it is a 3/4 or 1 ton.

 

[NuBota]

Hmm.. NuBota. I guess as long as I get me a truck that I am happy taking to my dog club and to dog trials and such, it will probably stay in decent shape.

I take my dogs to the club at least once a week and it is a good 45 min drive there and back. In the summer it is more frequent and I attend trials and such.

I guess I will still keep fuel efficiency in mind and it seems like a diesel might be best suited for this if it is a 3/4 or 1 ton.

IMHO you are dead on - your situation is identical to what mine was 6 years ago. I do not regret for 1 second going with a bigger truck - even though I thought it was serious overkill at the time. Now, I would never go back to gas or a half ton - ever. You will find little things that will constantly re-affirm your choice. Bulk mulch and top soil instead of cramming bags in the van. Grocery shopping - throw the big bag of dog food in the back. Gas cans, don't have to worry about leaking in car/van. I think you will find the dog club thing perfectly suited - maybe get a cap - my situation was kid's sports, but same thing.

And go to the nursery or gravel pit on a Sat morning - you will see all kinds of shenanigans with the weekend warriors with 6' half tons (or smaller) getting bulk loads. Nursery I deal with will turn some away that want to overload.

My favorite was going to the nursery one day after a couple of days of heavy rain - ordered 3 buckets of top soil. Guy looked at me funny and said - "You know this stuff is soaked and heavy - might want to stick with one scoop" - I said "Nah - I should be fine". He grumbled something and gave that "What an idiot" shrug - walked out, saw the F350, smiled, apologized, and asked if I wanted six scoops.

 

[LBrown59]

1* I also can't imagine why anyone would want to drive one to work everyday unless they needed to.
2*As much as l love my truck (got two of 'em) I would never want to pay for the gas or go through the hassles of parking one for daily use.

1*My Nissan Toyota and Dodge D-50 pick ups are a pleasure to drive amd easy on gas.
2*They must be the Big cumbersome bulky and awkward US pick ups that I just don't care for.

Some good suggestions with regard to the truck/third vehicle.
3*I have two trucks and have had them since new:
1986 F250 4x4 6.9 diesel
2002 Dodge 3500 1 ton 4x4 dually with the 5.9 Cummins engine.
Jim

3*I have a 1989 Nissan I bought new.
Have almost 38000 miles on it but it's taken me over 19 years to do it.
Second truck is a Cream Puff 1992 toyota long bed .
Has all of 26000 miles on it. 1992 is the last year the long bed was available in the USA.
My favorite for pleasure to drive and ease of handling is my 1986 Dodge D-50 long bed pick up.

 

[jimmyj]

A truck is just a tool to me. Get the best one suited to the job you have at hand.

I say go full size CT!

If you were blending uses, like commuting and hauling or you were a low mileage guy, a smaller truck may work. But I know your commute, and with dogs and a farm, you gotta go full size man!

Sorry all, but I am totally convinced about this. I LOVE my full size truck and you would too. Drive it 1x a week and it won't rust out on ya.

Oh, and my tractors of course!

 

[LBrown59]

My wife and I are in the same situation as far as needing a pickup. We don't want anything big, don't need it. It's pretty well come down to the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab 4x4 or the Toyota Tacoma, same configuration. We drove them both and to us the Frontier handles so much more like a sporty car. The Tacoma seemed to handle somewhat ponderous like a full size. I'm sure my past experience with a Datsun KC that went 250K miles with little trouble also helped to color my opinion. But that Frontier's V6 has 265 HP and it flat moves out. We'll probably get the LE trim with all the bells & whistles to eliminate the need for our 5-passenger car.

Bill

I love the Toyota and Nissan pick ups.
You can't go wrong with either one.
I've had 2 Nissan trucks a 1979 and the 1989 I have now.I also had a 1970 Nissan car.
Only have owned 1 Toyota the 1992 i have now but it's a dream.
There is a 1993 Nissan auto with air and under 30000 miles advertised in the paper for $3500.
I ought to buy it and probably would if I didn't need a bigger truck for trailering the BX23.

 

[jimmyj]

Hey Ct. I sent you a PM.

If you want to borrow my Ram 1500 to test, just let me know.

 

[AKfish]

Reading LarryRB's comments about the Dodge criticisms made me smile... I've got a 2003 Chevy Duramax (prone to injector problems) and (knock on forehead) never had a problem in 100,000 miles. Had to hold my comments with all the Duramax bashing, too. (I also own a Ford 7.3l PS.)

That Chevy has made 5 trips up and down the Alcan hwy. pulling loads from just over 6,000lbs to nearly 14,000lbs. Not a burp.. Averaged 14mpg with the horses and 11mpg pulling 14K thru the mountains along the Frazier River in BC (don't go there if you're towing or driving a big RV: really!) .

I'd vote for a '05-'07 GMC-Chevy Duramax with the 6sp Allison.

Or, you could wait for the new Cummins powered - Allison transmission - Toyota body/interior truck soon to be out - built by the newly "restructured" GM-Chrysler-Toyota motor company...

AKfish