Quick Q On Cheap Pickup Truck

[jyl]

Want to buy a pickup truck to carry stuff for a building renovation project then sell it after, like in less than a year. Price range is a few thousand bucks, don’t care about spending a little more if if gets me something that will be easier to sell later. I looked at Fords just because I’ve owned Fords (e.g. F250 back in the day). Facebook Marketplace is showing me stuff like 1999 Ford Ranger or Mazda B, 1997 Ford F150. Toyota Tacomas cost more. I don’t know Chevy, Dodge - never owned one.

What would you look for? Would you buy a compact or a full size?

This is a purchase I don’t think I’m going to study and mull and hunt for - just want to pick something up quickish then move on to the next task. You guys are probably all the research I’m going to do :-)

[unclebilly]

Toyota will be the easiest to resell. Get a Tacoma, you will get your money back.

A dodge will be a total POS and require repairs and will be more difficult to sell.

[Steve Carlton]

I looked on CarGurus and CarMax and the cheapest trucks they have start at $15k. A few grand will probably buy you a few grand of trouble, maybe more. You almost have to know someone you trust to go dirt cheap. Any alternatives? A van?

[look 171]

Agree with Unclebilly. Toyota will allow you to get your money back out. I always like a full size truck for that type of usage. Small trucks are just a bit too small for hauling materials. I need my truck to haul a full sheet of 4x8 plywood flat. I have had small toyotas before and they worked ok for me in my youth. Once I bought a full size truck, there's no going back. I will never buy a work truck with a short bed. that requirement is a must.

[look 171]

My next question is how much will you really use this truck? Rent (pita, having to go to the rental yard often)or buy a small trailer to haul the heavy bulky items. Leave it at the site until its needed. Doing what I do, I really don't need a truck. We have most things delivered. If they drop it, they owe me a new one.

[LWJ]

John. This is serious. Why don't you borrow my F250 a few times. I don't really use it that much. It does have a short bed but it can haul a very large load. It is a 2002 7.3 diesel. Damn beast.

Do it.

[KFC911]

^^^ Generous offer !

If my old POS F150 is more convenient ... you can borrow it anytime... but it's not for sale for just a few thousand bucks either

It's not worth it .... (for me).... nor you imo... just borrow or rent one when ya need it. Less hassle probably.... good, cheap trucks .... I'd buy another one if they were even out there

[rfuerst911sc]

Depending on what type of project/s you are doing most lumber yards/box stores will deliver . They will offload in your driveway and you have your materials .

[oldE]

Save yourself the hassle. Delivery is the easiest and if you feel the need to handle materials, rent a truck or trailer. I had cheap pickup trucks for years to haul the horse trailer but I realized after we sold the trailer I didn't need the truck.

[onewhippedpuppy]

The other guys make some good points about occasional use.

If you’re determined to buy and it’s for a home improvement project, get something full sized with an 8 ft bed. Considering the use I’d be looking at condition more than any particular make, it sounds like you won’t be putting many miles on it. Any 2000+, domestic, V8 model will be fine. You may be able to find a first generation Tundra with an 8’ bed but will likely pay more.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Any 2000+, domestic, V8 model will be fine.

They made trucks in the 90's as well.

Early to mid 90's F-150's are not bad for work if not rusted.

(Of course, I have one)

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

They made trucks in the 90's as well.

Early to mid 90's F-150's are not bad for work if not rusted.

(Of course, I have one)

Fair point, I was generalizing a bit. If you go a little newer they’ll all have EFI and adequate power for whatever you need to do. Back in the old days I had a 1991 Ram with a 318 that totally sucked, a 1995 F150 with a 351 that was better but still a dog, then a 2001 Chevy with a 5.7 which was a pretty decent truck. But like I said earlier, I would take good condition over anything else.

[recycled sixtie]

I am a big fan of my 2008 Ford Ranger, single cab, regular box size. I bought it about five years ago for $7000 cdn. It has about 60k miles on it. No big issues. A leaky rear differential and that is about it. Toyota were a lot more money and older ones were rusting. My Ranger has a four cylinder and gets 30 mpg.

An F150 probably carries a bit more but is heavier on gas but don't know anything about them. Good luck on your search.

Cheers, Guy.

[flatbutt]

Do you have the means to tow a trailer?

[Cajundaddy]

I did this last year and while looking for a Toyota Tundra they seemed priced to the moon or were totally rung out heaps. I found a 2010 Chevy 1500 series Z-71 4x4 that seemed well maintained with 94k miles @ $12k. I have owned pickups all of my life running a service business with a fleet of 20 at one point. We were 90% Toyota with a few Ford and Chevy along the way.

The Chevy has worked out to be a pretty nice truck that has exceeded my expectations.

[Dantilla]

If you get a full size with 8' bed, you'll never say "gee, I wish this truck was smaller"

Get a small truck, and occasionally you're going to wish you had just a bit more room

[Cajundaddy]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

If you get a full size with 8' bed, you'll never say "gee, I wish this truck was smaller"

Get a small truck, and occasionally you're going to wish you had just a bit more room

Hehe, actually I do say that often. It's pretty rare when I need a full 8' bed but I was unwilling to spend 2x the cash on an equivalent year and mileage Toyota when I no longer run up the miles on my PU truck. I figure this 2010 Chevy will last another 10 years or so and that is plenty. Everything is a tradeoff.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

If you get a full size with 8' bed, you'll never say "gee, I wish this truck was smaller"

Get a small truck, and occasionally you're going to wish you had just a bit more room

Especially if you are buying a truck for home improvement projects. Anything much longer than a stud and you’ll be breaking out a bed extender, assuming your truck has a receiver hitch. If this were a daily driver my answers would be totally different, but a working truck should have a big bed.

[Arizona_928]

Originally Posted by flatbutt

Do you have the means to tow a trailer?

+1


No one really loads down a truck when they can abuse a trailer.

[Scott Douglas]

Here ya go...

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/d/los-angeles-legendary-1993-toyota/7879613251.html