What is a good small 4x4 pickup?

[deezler]

I've learned it's better to plow and maintain the driveway proper than to have to use 4x4 the few times it snows. A 4 cyl small car can get double the mileage of a small 4x4 truck.

Exactly. Any front wheel drive car with super knobby snow/ice tires should scoot up a steep (plowed) driveway like a mountain goat. And then you are talking about using and paying for HALF as much fuel.

Or, park on the road. Or, make a little parking area down next to the road. Or grade out the steepest parts of the drive. Etc.

 

[Dmace]

I've learned it's better to plow and maintain the driveway proper than to have to use 4x4 the few times it snows. A 4 cyl small car can get double the mileage of a small 4x4 truck.

Exactly. Any front wheel drive car with super knobby snow/ice tires should scoot up a steep (plowed) driveway like a mountain goat. And then you are talking about using and paying for HALF as much fuel.

Or, park on the road. Or, make a little parking area down next to the road. Or grade out the steepest parts of the drive. Etc.

Obviously none of you two have actually had to get out of a "steep" driveway in a snowstorm. Even with Bridgestone Blizzak's (best snow tire IMO), I've had many days where I needed to take my personal 4x4 as the 2wd trucks and little cars just couldn't do it. My driveway climbs to the road then takes a 90 to the road which continues to climb to the highway. ONE time stuck in a 2wd car/truck is all you need to say to yourself "I should have got a 4wd...". Stop pushing your little diesel cars, they're not for everyone. You mention using "half" as much fuel but that fuel cost 25% more plus the maintenance...

 

[gilbertmsg]

I'd buy the highest fuel mileage older small car for your commute and bank the money you save on gas. In two years when your daughter is old enough to drive you will have a good down payment for her 4x4 truck. Gas prices are down a few cents now but will go back up soon (election).

Good Luck!!

Eddie

 

[bearcreek paul]

David how about a Subaru Baja 28 mi a gallon highway seats four and all wheel drive. Nice little vehicle don't know how big a bed your looking for. My neighbor had one and his daughters loved it.

 

[jeffsw6]

ONE time stuck in a 2wd car/truck is all you need to say to yourself "I should have got a 4wd..."

Especially true if you are stuck in nasty, cold snow instead of just mud on a nice day. Being stuck in snow is dangerous and if you are stuck, you can bet a zillion other drivers are too, and it will take a LONG TIME to get a tow.

Honestly, my $0.02 on this topic is, MPGs aren't everything. Sure, a commuter car might have more leg room and get better MPG and get to town and back just fine 330 days a year, maybe it's every day if you have time to plow and salt your driveway. But if you are used to driving trucks, you like driving trucks, and a truck is what you want to drive, then maybe it's worth it to you to get 25 MPG in a 1/4-ton P/U instead of 35 MPG in a Honda Civic. I mean, the poster probably has a full-size 4x4 he COULD drive when it snows, but if he does not WANT to drive a Civic, Jetta, or whatever, and he can afford the fuel, why do it.

I used to drive 35 miles to work and 35 miles home 5 to 7 days a week. I had a Suburban and a Nissan Altima (mid-size sedan.) I had to MAKE myself drive that Nissan 3 or 4 days a week. Sure, I saved fuel. Sure, I didn't put quite as many miles on my Suburban. On Wednesdays and weekends I allowed myself to drive the Suburban to work because I liked driving it more than I disliked buying gas.

I am really glad I don't have to commute anymore.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

David how about a Subaru Baja 28 mi a gallon highway seats four and all wheel drive. Nice little vehicle don't know how big a bed your looking for. My neighbor had one and his daughters loved it.

What years was it made?

I'd be open to it, but honestly I am looking to spend VERY LITTLE Cash on a THIRD car (7th vehicle if you count the 4 Harleys...).

I've been looking a $2000 and lower Rangers...

My daughter also specifically told me once that her dream car was "a monster truck" and I've had a vision of building her an older Ranger 4x4 mini-monster truck ever since then....

David

 

[Dmace]

I've been looking a $2000 and lower Rangers...

For that budget, maybe look at older 95-98 Rangers. Still a good 2.3l 4-cyl or 3.0l V6 engine and modern styling inside and out.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

For that budget, maybe look at older 95-98 Rangers. Still a good 2.3l 4-cyl or 3.0l V6 engine and modern styling inside and out.

What year did they start putting in Driver airbags?

I actually LIKE the old boxy 1980's ones that looked exactly like mini F-150's...

David

 

[Dmace]

What year did they start putting in Driver airbags?

I actually LIKE the old boxy 1980's ones that looked exactly like mini F-150's...

David

1995 was the first year of airbags.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger_(North_America)

 

[IslandTractor]

I'll add my vote to the non truck option. Small pickups are about as unsafe a vehicle as is on the road these days. They don't handle as well or stop as well as passenger vehicles. About the only thing they beat in economy are the full size pickups and SUVs.

I just sold a 98 Subaru Outback. Solid vehicle with decent mid 20's all around mileage. Those are very popular up here in NE so pricey but I would guess they are cheaper in mid Atlantic states.

A VW diesel Rabbit/Golf or other gasser FWD car with proper snow tires will do almost as well as a 4x4 pickup on snowy roads. Put chains on until you hit pavement for the one or two days a year there is real snow. I also hate the idea of an Accord but I'd still say that a similar sedan would do the job better than a pickup 99% of the time. Maxima, Altima, Camry etc etc. Hard to beat them as plain ole efficient transportation devices.