Smaller Trucks - I Know, I Know

[GH85Carrera]

https://www.mgprestigecar.fr/2025-chevy-el-camino-release-date-confirmed-with-price-details/

The new El Camino has been announced.

I may go look at one, but I can't imagine I will get one. My 86 El Camino has been paid for for 30+ years, back in the last millennium. It is dirt cheap to operate and maintain.

[jyl]

How are the first-gen Ridgelines? I like the looks of those.

[javadog]

If they've been maintained by the service schedule, they should be fine. I don't think any of the model years had the VCM nonsense but you'd have to double check that. Honda had some paint issues during the years the first gen Ridgelines were built. They were sued in a class action suit for 2013 and later vehicles but they had paint issues before that. I have a sister with a 2010 or 2011 Pilot that's had endless problems with paint. White colors seemed to be most often problematic but I think other colors had issues too.

The internet is your friend...

[aschen]

We had 13 odyssey, which is basically the same vehicle. 140k miles, ran perfect but I did have to replace the timing belt tensioner 2 times, cylinder deactivation never gave us any issues.

My wife made me get her a new car because all the paint fell off it. Look around and you will see a bunch of otherwise nice condition taffeta white Odysseys missing half their paint.

[Racerbvd]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

https://www.mgprestigecar.fr/2025-chevy-el-camino-release-date-confirmed-with-price-details/

The new El Camino has been announced.

I may go look at one, but I can't imagine I will get one. My 86 El Camino has been paid for for 30+ years, back in the last millennium. It is dirt cheap to operate and maintain.

I’m with you, for the $50k, I would rather have a 68 SS and retro mod it .
Same thing with a small truck, get a simple vintage truck, one that is .
When I was “considering” replacing my 99 Suburban 2500 4x4, (yea, wasn’t my idea) . Well, since GM doesn’t even offer a comparable model to mine, and it costs more than the 1st house in a nice area, it just didn’t make sense, so after seeing how solid the body was when it was repainted, I’m the same mindset as Glen, cheaper to replace the engine with a crate motor with warranty and stay simple.
If I didn’t already have a 1990, Toyota single cab truck with the 22R engine, that I’m planning on getting back on the road, I’d probably be looking for another Datsun 620 king cab like I owned in high school.

I’d be looking for another diesel Rabbit truck if they were not too small to haul stuff I do, but I’d really like to get a Mazda Rotary Truck, they are so cool.
But sadly, like the 620, finding a solid one is a bit of a challenge


But considering that compared to the modern version of these, they are much smaller, but not as small as what I think of as small.






Years back, my cousin Billy was faced with the situation of having to replace his daily driver, as it got hit and totaled, so he was driving his 55 Chevy truck (he wasn’t going to use his 62 Vette, having owned both since he was hanging out with Ronny Vansant) but the truck would sometimes break down, and his wife had enough of having to go pick him up, or bring something to get the truck going and told him to go buy something new. Well, he didn’t like anything on the market, so he went to the shop that restored his 62. After talking to them, he told his wife that for less than the price of a new truck, he could have his truck restomodded, and since he was never going to get rid of the 55, that was what he did. So why not look into that? Find one that you like, and see what happens.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Paul, you need a 1986 El Camino!

I do, except:

I learned to drive on our '59 El Camino: Tres on el árbol, a clutch throw longer than a bad movie, and all the creature comforts of a stone wall.

I loved it...but I was 12 and agile

From ER: Reasonable MPG, quiet, drives like a car and pretends to be a small truck when needed. In bed trunk is a game changer and I really enjoy the in bed audio.


Exactly what I am looking for.

I haven't small truck shopped for 25 years!

[jyl]

I’ve been thinking about picking up a beater Ranger or Mazda for Home Depot runs, but a Ridgeline seems more versatile.

I had a F250 back in the day. 460 ci, bored out to 500. Drank gas. I kept premium in one tank and cheaper regular in the other. Don’t really want another full-size truck, especially not when they cost as much as they do.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Sadly an old full sized truck is in many cases smaller than a new compact truck.

[JackDidley]

Under $30k.

https://www.slate.auto/en

[rfuerst911sc]

I really like my 1998 S10 single cab pickup with a 5.3 Vortec . For around town it is perfect . Truck is lowered and rides on 18 " wheels/tires . I have a color matched cap it's a good looking rig . Tromp on the go pedal and hang on . AC of a meat locker which is important in the south . I think it would fit in the back of my dually

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by jyl

I’ve been thinking about picking up a beater Ranger or Mazda for Home Depot runs, but a Ridgeline seems more versatile.

I'll continue to DD the LC when we get to SC. I am looking at new since we'll be on the road a lot with the small truck, all over the map we hope.

[ErVikingo]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

I do, except:

I learned to drive on our '59 El Camino: Tres on el árbol, a clutch throw longer than a bad movie, and all the creature comforts of a stone wall.

I loved it...but I was 12 and agile

From ER: Reasonable MPG, quiet, drives like a car and pretends to be a small truck when needed. In bed trunk is a game changer and I really enjoy the in bed audio.


Exactly what I am looking for.

I haven't small truck shopped for 25 years!

I learned on a 47 Cadillac also tres en el árbol!

I really like the Ridgeline. Its a no drama, reliable transportation appliance! Looks pretty cool also!

[1990C4S]

Originally Posted by jyl

I’ve been thinking about picking up a beater Ranger or Mazda for Home Depot runs, but a Ridgeline seems more versatile.

I was headed there, then diverted to a station wagon with a hitch, and a utility trailer. Zero regrets. Can you haul 18' boards on a pickup? I can do it no problem on my trailer.

[jyl]

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

I was headed there, then diverted to a station wagon with a hitch, and a utility trailer. Zero regrets. Can you haul 18' boards on a pickup? I can do it no problem on my trailer.

It makes sense if you have the space. I have no place to park a trailer, though, and towing a trailer in narrow streets and city traffic through suicidal pedestrians is not my idea of Good Times.

[javadog]

FWIW, I have two good friends that have decades of experience with Toyota products (Tacoma, Tundra, FJ40) and have had really good luck with them One of them has a couple in his driveway with 300k and 400k miles. No idea of their current offerings although one friend has suggested they are phasing out the good ones and going to more hybrid systems. I have no idea, I don't follow the car market at all anymore.

[911boost]

I cannot comment on the small truck ask, since they don’t do what I need in a pickup.

However I’m glad to hear you aren’t selling the LC, I will never get rid of mine.

[vash]

Originally Posted by 911boost

However I’m glad to hear you aren’t selling the LC, I will never get rid of mine.

I was poised to ask my wife, "can I buy it???"

nope

[911boost]

It’s in such sweet shape Vash I don’t blame you!

[gacook]

I have a Colorado with a 6ft bed. I like it, it does its job. Had our 2 kayaks in it just this past weekend; plenty of room.

[Seahawk]

I get an offer every few weeks on the LC...like 911Boost, it will stay in the family.

I am in SC this week and had some time while my wife and daughter were out and about.

Went to the Honda Dealer and test drove a Ridgeline for about 40 minutes...I wanted to get on the interstate so we did 8 miles of I-20.

Very impressed with what was a fleet average Ridgeline, FWD.

I can see it. On to the next test drive but the R is solid.

Colorado looks great, btw.