Midsize Truck Recommendation

[Yorkie]

Following the excellent advice from the brain-trust I picked up a couple or dirt bikes for me and my boy (TTR250 and a TTR90) and after using a trailer for a few months I want to buy a mid-size pickup as storing the trailer is taking up garage space. I have a budget of about $15K and was wondering what you guys recommended. The Toyota Tacoma seems to be the no-brainer (but you get a high mile one for $15) but what about Nissan Frontiers and Ford Rangers? I could use a couple of jump seats and since I have to head up some long steep climbs to get to the high desert a V6 would be nice. Thoughts?
Thanks
Kevin

[JavaBrewer]

Does a full size truck not fit in your garage? Most folks look at mid-size thinking they are better MPG but I don't think that has ever been the case.

[berettafan]

those are compact pickups. not sure what on earth would be smaller?

for mid size at $15k i'd absolutely without question by a pre '07 Tundra.

[J P Stein]

My 05 Tacoma has 87K miles. Take your time, they're out there. $15K ought cover it.

[porsche4life]

Just get a half ton. Similar MPG, more capacity, more availability.

[look 171]

Get a GM or Ford full size truck with a 6' bed. They are that much larger then a Toyota. Around here, a good Toyota is going to be expensive and difficult to find but it will be one heck of a truck if you get one that hasn't been abused.

[ckelly78z]

Are you sure your bikes will fit in the back of a downsized pickup. I know that my KLR250, and my son's XR200 fit nicely in the back of my F250 shortbed/supercab, but with not much room to spare.

[Joe Bob]

Ford 150 or the 'yota.....bigger is better.

[Yorkie]

I was so hoping you guys would not point me towards a full size. I see those things running around town and for what I want (8-10 trips out with the bikes per year) it just seems overkill. I see quite a few midsize pickups with the rear wheel of the bikes sat on the tailgate so maybe that will work.

[Joe Bob]

So why ask us? You already made up your mind.....

[speeder]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Are you sure your bikes will fit in the back of a downsized pickup. I know that my KLR250, and my son's XR200 fit nicely in the back of my F250 shortbed/supercab, but with not much room to spare.

That's with the tailgate down, right?

[Yorkie]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

So why ask us? You already made up your mind.....

I had made up my mind for a midsize but was looking for opinions between the three midsize trucks I mentioned. no worries.

[LakeCleElum]

Tacoma would be perfect for you. BUT:
I shopped hard when I got rid of my late Toyota PU, wanting a '05 or newer Toyota with the 4.0 engine over the 3.4. All were over $15K and I searched with a 800 mile radius.

Ranger had a 4.0 and was much cheaper. 2 friends Luv theirs.......In the end, I got a Mazda 4.0 V6 for $8K, about 1/2 the price of a Toyota. It does all I need it to do and it's my 4th Mazda PU. A V-6 Import will do what you are asking, be more fun to drive and take up less space...

Frontiers: Read the reviews........

[ckelly78z]

I don't think you will regret getting a full sized truck, i'm pretty sure you will regret getting a truck too small to handle your needs, that costs more, and gets the same fuel mileage.

[Seahawk]

All the trucks you are looking at are fine.

My son drives a 1999 Tacoma, a friend of his just bought a '12 Ranger and another buddy a '12 F-150. All three have been excellent.

I would go with the extended cab (two doors with a small sing door) F-150 like the one Jack's bud has. Your son's are going to grow. When they all go out together they take the F-150 since the other two trucks are smaller and much less comfortable.

Plus, there will be more room for gear.

Not what you wanted to hear, but I have been driving a 1/2 truck as my DD for over 12 years without any issues with parking in DC, maneuverability, etc. I am also 6'4" so the smaller trucks are not nearly as comfortable for me.

I have never thought. "I need a smaller truck..."

[berettafan]

the 2.7 4 banger I had in my '01 taco was an excellent motor.

[gogriz91]

If you buy a used Frontier make sure it's had its radiator replaced. The transmission and the engine share the same radiator on the automatics and they leak between compartments sharding out the transmission. If you find a 5 or a 6 speed manual grab it, they're bulletproof with manual transmissions.

[jhynesrockmtn]

I DD a 2014 Tacoma double cab with a 6 foot bed. Not a ton smaller than a full size but enough to make a difference to me. I carry two full size dirt bikes with the tailgate down frequently. I need to get a bed extender thing like below. I did have a Ranger back in the 90's and then an Explorer with a 4.0 6 for several years. Both were great vehicles. No experience with the Nissan product.

[93nav]

4x2 or 4x4?

Older Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon come in 4cyl, 5cyl, and v8. 2 door, extended cab, or crewcab (4 door). Mostly a basic pickup, not fancy. Extended cab is supposed to sit 5 people. They have more space than a Ranger.

My experience is with the 2011 4x4 extended cab 5 cyl. Running around in warm temps, get 21 +/- mpg. have gotten as high as 25 mpg leisurely rural driving. Power band is on the high side, but they can get up and go.

[Norm K]

Give it a couple of weeks and the looks of a Ridgeline will grow on you. Failing that, you can take solace in knowing you own the mid-sized truck that has a higher payload than its competitors, can tow a 6,000 lb trailer of alfalfa (although it's rated at 5K) up a mountain (a real, Colorado mountain), gets similar mediocre fuel mileage as the others and that rides far, far more comfortably compliments of its unibody design. Although officially an AWD vs 4WD truck, it does have a hub-locking feature and is actually quite capable off-road. Then there's the clever large, lockable, water-tight trunk under the nearly indestructible composite bed. In short: unless you demand form before function the Ridgeline is the way to go.