Truck Recommendations

[partyman66]

I need a truck or SUV for the upcoming winter. Something with 4WD and at least a 6-cylinder(don't care if it's full size or just a pickup).

I want to spend no more than $6500, but don't really know too much about what trucks are good.

Can anyone make any recommendations on what are some good vehicles that might fit that description?

[Lardoggy]

I know you can get some good deals on a 2 door Explorer Sport or the Explorer Sport Trac (pickup/SUV hybrid). If you want to step up in quality (like a Tacoma or Frontier) it's gonna cost more money.

[GZire]

Unless you are hauling something, I'd suggest an SUV. I'd suggest a truck is if you want something for a short time period, but don't expect a 4x4 to be cheap. If you really want a truck........Dodge is good but expensive, Chevy is solid but the ergonomics suck, Ford has good ergonomics but everything else pretty much sucks (especially brakes which might be history after one year in the de-icing salts). Nissan Titan is appealing, but will probably be extremely expensive. In the end I'd say go for a used Chevy if you just want the winter vehicle (all trucks will get crappy gas mileage).

SUV's..........I'd stay away from Dodge and might actually suggest a Japanese one that's based on a car platform. Best of both worlds for ride, quality, & gas mileage.

[Hot Foot]

I have owned trucks since 1973 and they have come a long way in that time. The 4-door crew cab would be my choice with a bed cover for dry storage that removes easily. Finding something used in your price range should not be to difficult.

Nissan Frontier

[partyman66]

Hey Hot_Foot...

Do you know of any specific trucks in the genre that I'd likely be looking at (Most likely 1995-1999), that are good, and ones that I should steer clear of?

[Hot Foot]

The ford trucks have had a lot of recalls lately and their 1998 to 2004 F-series body styles have been classified very dangerous in an accident. That's mainly why their body style changed in 2005. I really think that most trucks out there are built well due to the heavy-duty components. The hard part is finding a used one that no one has abused too much. I really think Nissan builds a good truck but they just recently came out with a larger truck version, however I like the mid range size just fine.

[SmokeG305]

um, how about a toyota t100 for a pick up


or a 4 runner for SUV

[Memphis]

partyman: If you are looking at those years (95-99), the Toyota 4-Runner SUV and pickup/Tacoma Trucks are excellent. I have a '91 4-Runner 4x4....it has 204K miles on it and it looks and runs fantastic......I could get in and drive to Alaska and back with no worries. Last Thanksgiving, I felt comfortable enough letting the girl I was dating drive it up to her parents' place in Ohio.....she made it round trip with no problems and had nothing but praise for it. They are made to last a long time. Hotfoot is right about Nissan Trucks as well......the older ones (Hardbody & old-Frontier style) are great mechanically. I have found that their interiors fall apart quickly but the mechanically they run a long time.

[GTO2050]

I have a 96 Eddie Bauer Exploder and it works. Had a tranny problem and some minor stuff but it fills the bill. I have put 30K miles on it in 3 years.

[SmokeG305]

Originally Posted by Memphis

partyman: If you are looking at those years (95-99), the Toyota 4-Runner SUV and pickup/Tacoma Trucks are excellent.

thank you for supporting my recommendations

[jl9618]

Very cool this topic came up as I am looking for exactly the same thing as Partyman. Unfortunately most of the vehicles mentioned are gonna be more than $6500, at least here in Colorado. Any other suggestions people?

[GTO2050]

But......$6500 is the key. I couldn't find any less than 10 year old Toyota or Nissan for anywhere near $6500

[dholly]

Why do you need "at least a 6-cylinder"? With proper gearing, even a 4cyl has some towing capability. What is your GVWR towing requirement and how often do you intend to tow?

[Memphis]

Remember that my 4-Runner is a '91 and it has held up great.....so don't be afraid to go a little outside your year range requirement in order to hit your price requirement. I think it was said earlier, just look the vehicle over good to make sure that it was maintained and not ragged out. Just as a point of reference, I was selling my truck last year and was asking $5,500 and had a buyer with $5,000 cash.....I ended up not selling it because I bought my G and wanted to keep the 4-Runner as a reliable back-up vehicle.

[Hot Foot]

I sold my Maxima on this site, mabe you can find what your looking for hear.

Cars.com