Mini Trucks

Haoleguy · Nov 14, 2006

The used mini truck(Daihatsus, Subarus, Hondas, Mitsubishis, etc.) option seems very appealing to me as you can get significant functionality at a decent price. What importers/dealers are there in the eastern US that provide quality vehicles, modifications, & possibly delivery. For those of you who own these what are the pros & cons? Are parts available?

shvl73 · Nov 14, 2006

Try a search for TBN member DarinRay

Haoleguy · Nov 17, 2006

I have tried to reach DarinRay by private message and am not getting a return. I was trying to confirm that he is still in business. Anyone know if he is?

BeeFarmer · Nov 17, 2006

I purchased one from someone down south and had hit delivered. I drove it for about 12 months. I sold it about a month ago and have mixed feelings about selling it...

Haoleguy · Nov 17, 2006

BeeFarmer - Why did you sell and have mixed feelings about it?

Slacker · Nov 18, 2006

Haoleguy said:
Are parts available?

+1. Same question I have.

BeeFarmer · Nov 20, 2006

Reasons why I like the truck and reasons why not.

I liked:

FUN to drive
55 miles per hour
Could haul a lot of beehives or anything else ...
Heating
Radio
Great headlights
Did I say FUN TO DRIVE!
6 foot 1inch I fit well...

Didn't Like:

Hard to get parts
Couldn't get insured
Did get stuck a few times where my Ranger would not.
Wasn't as good on fuel as they say... of course I was doing 55 most of the time not 25.

Comments

I realize in many cases they sell them as NO TITLE. The distributor I got mine from said he would get me a title as he had some connections. Never happend. But thats another story. All in all I was always afraid something was going to break and I could get the parts. My engine was smoking and the oil light would come on when idleing.... I had replaced the tires, battery, spark plug wires, winshield wipers, as they had issues when I first bought it. The body was in very good shape and the other issue were expected except for the sparkplug wires. Filters were found but took some looking.

Found myself on the road doing 55 too much and if I ever got into a wreck... I would of really been had.

I asked several people who sold these units about parts and they didn't seemed to want to sell parts unless you both a unit from them.

If you want one of these units my suggestion would be to find a seller who has been selling a long time and has parts and easy access and quick to respond.

I know have a NEW Polaris Ranger and like it but haven't ridin in it as it has been getting cold around here. I can tell you that I have looked at every utility vehicle for a LONG time and decide to get the mini truck for 5000.00 dollars as it was a good price for all the features... Too bad they don't make a utv that is local in US and is half the vehicle as the mini truck is.......

If I had an extra 5000 and a dealer I knew I could rely on.... LOCALLY .... I would have another.. it was so much fun and turned a lot of heads... I do miss it but I don't... It sold really quick...

buppy69 · Nov 20, 2006

Ferguson Equipment in Virginia sells them. They are a large dealer and been in business for some time.

Eugene

Haoleguy · Nov 20, 2006

BeeFarmer - Thank you for answering the questions and giving me guidance on how to approach this market. Sooner or later I will locate someone in the northeast that is in the mini truck business. It sounds that your suggestion would be to get some form of title.