mid size truck recommendation?

[rattlsnak]

Thinking of consolidating my vehicles and getting rid of my e46 328 and my all original '94 Z 71 and buying a truck that I could daily drive but I really don't want a full size truck anymore. Need something that is more "nimble" so to speak and doesnt take up 5 parking spots. I want an extra cab but not a crew or 4 door cab. Was thinking of a Tacoma or Colorado or something like that probably in the 2010/12 and up year range. I do want 4wd and some type of off road package like the TRD or Z71 style.

Any recommendations?

And anybody want to buy either one of my current cars? lol..

[IROC]

Can't go wrong with a Tacoma. My F-I-L up until recently was the used car manager at Riverside Toyota in Rome, GA. He came from a GMC dealer years ago and had never owned a Toyota, but bought a Tacoma since he was working at that Toyota dealership. He is now back at a new dealership in Cartersville (a GMC dealer). I asked him a couple of weeks ago if he was going to have to trade in his Tacoma on a Canyon (Colorado) and he basically said "no way". He said he's driven the Colorados and they just don't drive as well as the Tacoma.

[vash]

my 2006 tacoma is damn near trouble free.

about to hit 150k miles. i bought it used in 08 with 32k miles. mine is the TRDoffroad package, so i get the cool locking rear diff. it's stupid how i can only switch it on, when i am in 4lo. but in 4lo, locked, it is confidence inspiring. it feels unstoppable.

on the downside, the truck is so trouble free - i get to watch the new models come and go..and go. i made a promise to myself to drive this thing until something un-repairable happens. might be awhile.

i think the new third generation is a very nice nice truck!!

[jwasbury]

I just traded my 2014 Sierra 1500 4x4 crew cab on a new GMC Canyon with the 2.8L BabyMax diesel. Similar reason as you, wanted a smaller footprint. I tow my racecars around, so I needed something that can do a good job pulling. The truck is real nice, and I love the little diesel...damned expensive though.

[vash]

You get the ZR2 package?

[Seahawk]

Some consumer-type reports which you have probably seen:

https://cars.usnews.com/cars-trucks/rankings/compact-pickup-trucks

https://www.caranddriver.com/flipbook/medium-done-well-mid-size-pickups-ranked#1

https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/5-year-cost-to-own-awards/best-cto-mid-size-pickup-truck/

https://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/best-resale-mid-size-pickup-truck/

I have owned two small Toyota trucks. The first a 1991 SR5 that I gave to a friends of mines son and now has well over 300K on it. The second a 2000 Tacoma TRD with 200K plus that my son owns. I bought them both new.

The have both been absolutely trouble free with the exception of the clutch in the 2000 that was replaced in 2016 when my son loaned the truck to an inexperienced manual transmission driver.

Cost of owner ship, resale, etc. should play into your decision.

I now own a 2015 Tundra with 84K trouble free miles.

Toyota may no longer be the only option in small trucks, but they remain solid.

[-Levi-]

Toyota.
you cannon go wrong.

[jwasbury]

Originally Posted by vash

You get the ZR2 package?

ZR2 is Chevy Colorado package. I got the GMC. Its SLT trim, so pretty loaded, but I didn’t go for off road or Denali. Truth be told, the diesels are few and far between. I bought only one they had on the lot. It had been used as service loaner and had 1800mi on the clock, so I got a better deal than ordering fresh.

[vash]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

ZR2 is Chevy Colorado package. I got the GMC. Its SLT trim, so pretty loaded, but I didn’t go for off road or Denali. Truth be told, the diesels are few and far between. I bought only one they had on the lot. It had been used as service loaner and had 1800mi on the clock, so I got a better deal than ordering fresh.

sorry, my reading comprehension is off today..GMC..check!

what is your real-life MPG so far?

highway and towing?

[aigel]

Careful on the Colorado. It drags the transmission very low, probably to make more room in the cabin. It is not terribly capable off road as a result.

G

[jwasbury]

I will never take my Canyon off road.

Cumulative average mpg so far is ~28. Unloaded highway my best mpg over 50 miles distance according to the truck’s computer is over 34. Towing 3500# of trailer and racecar I have gotten between 18-20mpg. Typically cruise at 70 mph whether towing or not. The little diesel will pull pretty decent grades towing the 3500# in top gear @1800 rpm. Gruntly little engine.

[vash]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

I will never take my Canyon off road.

Cumulative average mpg so far is ~28. Unloaded highway my best mpg over 50 miles distance according to the truck’s computer is over 34. Towing 3500# of trailer and racecar I have gotten between 18-20mpg. Typically cruise at 70 mph whether towing or not. The little diesel will pull pretty decent grades towing the 3500# in top gear @1800 rpm. Gruntly little engine.

that is excellent!!

[aigel]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

I will never take my Canyon off road.

Yes, but OP says he wants 4x4 ...

I am done with diesels. Too complicated.

G

[pdxfj]

I'm on my second Nissan Frontier. Bought my first one new in '06 and traded it in late 2016 on a new one. The '06 had 120k+ trouble free miles on it.

Nissan is the best bang for buck right now. I currently have a 2016 Pro 4x Crew Cab with the luxury package. With trade in and negotiating my drive away price was less than $25k. No cash out of pocket other than title and registration.

4wd, off road package (Bilstein shocks, full skid plates, locking diff, a/t tires, etc). Same package is available in the extended cab. 6 speed manuals are out there if you want, just a bit more difficult to find. I don't mind an A/T for a daily driver.

Just another option...

[aston@ultrasw.c]

Originally Posted by -Levi-

Toyota.
you cannon go wrong.

my experience also

[vash]

Originally Posted by aigel

I am done with diesels. Too complicated.

G

Oh o! Really? The honeymoon is over?

Dang.

[crb07]

Originally Posted by jwasbury

I will never take my Canyon off road.

Cumulative average mpg so far is ~28. Unloaded highway my best mpg over 50 miles distance according to the truck’s computer is over 34. Towing 3500# of trailer and racecar I have gotten between 18-20mpg. Typically cruise at 70 mph whether towing or not. The little diesel will pull pretty decent grades towing the 3500# in top gear @1800 rpm. Gruntly little engine.

I have met a few people with the Canyon diesel. They love them. I have a duramax transplanted into a 2500 suburban, it has been great. Like others said, big footprint. Seriously looking at a canyon with the diesel.