Best truck under $10k?

[Jstpssng]

With smaller trucks being so popular, I have seen Tundras for less than similarly trimmed Tacomas. I usually search in about a 500 mile radius.

As of this moment, the cheapest Tacoma with 4x4 within 500 miles of me is a 1999 single cab, $10,999 and has 289k miles. It is considered a 'great' deal. smh

Just switching the parameters from Tacoma to Tundra, the cheapest is a 2002 SR5 extra cab (cab and a half), $7850 and has 214k miles. Also a 'great' deal. Even with today's gas prices, the $3000 difference can get me at least 7800 miles ($5/gal at 13 mpg).

I have to check the Carfax, too. I lived near the salt infested north long enough to know better than to buy an old truck from up there (or the coasts). I'd probably try to buy this Tundra as it is actually pretty close and has not been in salt-prone areas much (a few years in Kansas). Unfortunately, the home-boss put a cap of 150k miles.

Tacomas are stupid high. When I bought my Colorado I looked at a 20 year old (whatever Tacomas were called in 2000) with less than 100k miles in it;nothing special about it although it did have the TRD package and they wanted $20,000 for it. It was a consignment sale at a small dealer. I saw it for sale again this spring, but didn't stop to check the price.

 

[Hay Dude]

03-07(Classic) Chevrolet/GMC GMT800 full-size; I've owned 4 of them, and intend to buy another one day.

Rust free, with a Duramax & Allison, arguably the best line of trucks ever built.
Dream of a ‘07 crew cab, shorty d max/ally 3500 for plowing & small trailer. Or a reg cab dually cab & chassis dura/ally 3500
Impossible to find and when you do, crazy expensive.
Had a ‘07 3500 crew cab longed dura/ally & sold it.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Rust free, with a Duramax & Allison, arguably the best line of trucks ever built.
Dream of a ‘07 crew cab, shorty d max/ally 3500 for plowing & small trailer. Or a reg cab dually cab & chassis dura/ally 3500
Impossible to find and when you do, crazy expensive.
Had a ‘07 3500 crew cab longed dura/ally & sold it.

My unicorn is an ~04 Suburban or Yukon XL 2500 with Quadrasteer, but yeah the insanity of the market has made even these old trucks ridiculously expensive.

I loved every one I owned though.



That's the one I miss the most, an '03 Yukon XL half-ton.

 

[Hay Dude]

Yeah, we’re talking about used trucks selling for $40,000 if in ex condition and low miles.

 

[California]

Maybe its been said already, but nearly anything can pull a small utility trailer, and that does most jobs a 2wd Ranger can do, with a few advantages.

Works for me. 20 years with this rig - Subaru and a 1 ton trailer - and I haven't felt the need for another vehicle to register, insure, maintain. The low loading height of a utility trailer is a back-saver. And I can drive these little tractors off after tilting the deck.
Aso, take the trailer down to the family trees in the back of the apple orchard, then hitch it to the car to carry fruit to friends in town.

 

[Torvy]

Works for me. 20 years with this rig - Subaru and a 1 ton trailer - and I haven't felt the need for another vehicle to register, insure, maintain. The low loading height of a utility trailer is a back-saver. And I can drive these little tractors off after tilting the deck.
Aso, take the trailer down to the family trees in the back of the apple orchard, then hitch it to the car to carry fruit to friends in town.

I never considered that with my Outback. The maximum towing capacity is less than even the smallest tractor I would consider. On an unbraked small trailer like that the towing capacity is only 1000 lbs. Maximum is only 2700. Of course, mine is a few years newer, maybe they used to tow more?

2018 Subaru Outback Towing Capacity (& Charts)

The 2018 Subaru Outbacks are usually known for their reliability and great traction in the snow, but they also have a fantastic towing capacity attached to them that I was not aware of myself, before

letstowthat.com

 

[Oaktree]

Tacomas are stupid high. When I bought my Colorado I looked at a 20 year old (whatever Tacomas were called in 2000) with less than 100k miles in it;nothing special about it although it did have the TRD package and they wanted $20,000 for it. It was a consignment sale at a small dealer. I saw it for sale again this spring, but didn't stop to check the price.

I never got that either. They're not especially good trucks...cramped, woefully underpowered and rust like a brillo pad. They were big with the mud kiddies who'd rice 'em out with lift kits, etc. for a while back in the 90s, but you don't even see that today. Nothing I'd ever consider.

 

[WilliamBos]

Let's just say, best general use pickup truck under $10,000 in the current market.

Factors to consider:

Reliability (starting from the age/mileage)
Features/performance
Practicality
Value

You are getting worn out scrap for $10,000.

 

[IndyIan]

I never considered that with my Outback. The maximum towing capacity is less than even the smallest tractor I would consider. On an unbraked small trailer like that the towing capacity is only 1000 lbs. Maximum is only 2700. Of course, mine is a few years newer, maybe they used to tow more?

2018 Subaru Outback Towing Capacity (& Charts)

The 2018 Subaru Outbacks are usually known for their reliability and great traction in the snow, but they also have a fantastic towing capacity attached to them that I was not aware of myself, before

letstowthat.com

Legally you can probably tow 2900lbs or so, unbraked with any vehicle. I can in Ontario and most states are similar. My tractor is 6000lbs though with the average implement, so if you are following manufactures ratings, I don't know if any $10k ranger can tow it with a decent trailer. Even a few 1/2 tons aren't rated for 8k. If you look up your highway traffic laws you'll probably find that manufacturer ratings aren't mentioned anywhere. Also I had a talk with a fellow who builds trailer hitches, does trailer inspections, etc. and asked him why there's all these 2990lb GVW single axle cargo trailers with no brakes, and almost no vehicles are "rated" for that from the manufacturers? He explained that anything with 4 wheels can tow a single axle unbraked trailer with a max GVW of 2990lbs in Ontario, the manufacturers ratings are for warranty and lawyers.
Also a data point is that I've never had to take my tractor to the dealer yet and I'm over 700hrs now, so unless you plan to move your tractor between properties, having your own tow rig may not be needed much if at all.

 

[IndyIan]

Works for me. 20 years with this rig - Subaru and a 1 ton trailer - and I haven't felt the need for another vehicle to register, insure, maintain. The low loading height of a utility trailer is a back-saver. And I can drive these little tractors off after tilting the deck.
Aso, take the trailer down to the family trees in the back of the apple orchard, then hitch it to the car to carry fruit to friends in town.

How heavy was the tractor in the 5th picture? closer to two tons? I like our little trailer too, its more of a half ton model but its a handy size for behind the atv in the woods, but also carries the atv as well. I pick up 800-1000lbs of firewood round somewhere, tow it home, drop the trailer in the driveway and then get the atv to take it to the backyard to split and stack right by the door nearest to the fireplace.