| Author | Message | ||
     Geforce |
Well, I'm gonna have to sell my Turbocharged Silverado SS pretty soon. Not because I HAVE to. What I need is a haul asset/capability in truck form. I don't NEED all the power in the world, just something that will run really well, gets good fuel efficiency and you can put stuff in the back of it or even tow a small trailer. I want to sell the truck so I can put my money and time into my Grand National and get it back on the streets again. As it is now I spend all my time on motorcycles or truck cleaning. The GN sits sadly in the garage awaiting it's driveshaft and front bumper fillers.  I have been really leaning towards a S-10/Colorado type of truck, 4 door, standard, inline 4 engine, etc. Anyone have any experience with the smaller trucks? Rangers, Colorados, S-10s? Can I get the little one and the wife in a 4 door model ok with the car seat? Will the greyhound fit like he does in the SS? Just figured I'd prod for some feedback here and see if any of you Buellers own/operate one of these. Thanks. | ||
| Andymnelson |
You will all fit just fine in the 4-door S-10....but don't get it for the fuel economy! I had an ext cab 2000 S-10 LS, 4.3l V6, auto, 4x4...got about 13 mpg. My neighbor has a 2001 4 door LS, V6, auto, 4x4 and gets about the same. Nice trucks, but I now get better mileage out of my 2001 Yukon XL with 5.3l V8, auto 4x4...and I can haul around 7 people! | ||
| Fast1075 |
Ford Ranger....stay away from Gubmint Motors....and if you get a Dakota...remember it sez "Dodge"  | ||
| Geforce |
Good grief. Well I had "heard" that the inline 4 engine was the way to go for fuel economy sake. Again, for me, this truck will drive 20-30 miles a day round trip for work in the colder months and carry stuff. That's about it. I really hate to sell the SS after all the custom work that has been done to it, but I gotta face reality. I have fast toys, might as well find her a good home and someone who can dedicate more time to finishing what I started. Worst part is, I can get a rough value for it, but how do you calculate for the 7k in modifications or the time spent fabricating plumbing and fuel system upgrades. :S | ||
| Fast1075 |
My ole Ranger (4 banger/auto) gets 21-26 mpg depending on if I am using the A/C or not...best mileage was open road A/C off (29mpg)... | ||
| Firstbuell |
I loved my late-90s 4.0 Ranger max-cab XLT auto - fully trimmed, plenty o'pep, 16-18mpg | ||
| Froggy |
Ooh a Turbo SS. Does it happen to be blue? Post some pics and your asking price  | ||
| Hootowl |
If you only need to pull a small trailer, get a car, and buy a trailer for it. You'll be happier with the fuel economy of the car. You can pick up a half ton trailer from HF or Northern Tool for $300. | ||
| Crackhead |
Why are you looking into a truck? what are you going to do with it and what are your requirements? A Subaru Outback can do what you listed and get better MPG. I can get 32mpg on long high way trips. 28 in normal mixed driving. If you need to have a truck look into a Toyota Taco, with towing package you can town 7.5k, have 4 real doors, and they ban be made into off road beasts when they are done as a DD. The Ranger is left over from the 80s. As much as I am a Ford fan, I am ashamed of the Ranger. The weird front suspension, the bad mpg of the 4.0, the exploding auto trans, the lack of 4 doors (thanks to the Exploder sport trac), and the list continues. Now, Ford could make up for it if they dropped the 3.5 ecotec under the hood, updated the frame and front suspension. | ||
| Zane |
You most likely don't want to hear about overseas trucks but I loved my Toyota Tacoma. It was a 99 and had 170,000 miles on it when my older son wrecked it. It ran great right up until the he hit the tree. In all those miles the only repairs were a new starter and 02 sensor. I got 17-18 mpg around town and 22-24 on the road. I'd be driving it still if it was still in one piece. Get a Tacoma. | ||
| Buellkowski |
I routinely got 25+mpg mixed city/hwy and 30+mpg hwy in my '01 S-10 2.2 I-4 w/ 5-speed. I wouldn't suggest towing anything over 500 lbs. with it, though. The I-4 "Atlas" engine in the Colorado/Canyon truck has as much hp (but not torque) as the old 4.3 Vortec did, with better mpg. | ||
| Pwnzor |
Fords rule. Solid, reliable vehicles.  | ||
| Pwnzor |
The F150 in the background on the left had 340,000 miles on the original motor, trans and rear end. She was a '97 and held her value very well. Sold her for $3500 and the only parts that ever failed were the water pump and alternator. 4.2L v6 got 18mpg on a good day. | ||
| Satori |
GeForce Well heres things as I see them. First the new vehicle. The ford rangers/ mazda trucks are probably to small for the people/ dog combo. The s-10 4 door would probably work, as would the colorado, which by the way is a straight 5cyl, decent power and mileage. the dodge extended might, but would probably be a tight fit, and definately dont think it will get mileage, your ss is probably as good or better there. One thing you should ask to do is put the wife, kid seat and dog in anything you are looking at. As far as getting the 7k you put in to modding the truck, well most of that is gone. The reason being the business, including the banks wont consider it for value. If its not in the list of 'the book" their attitude is I dont care. It comes down to the bank wont loan money for that so you would have to find someone that will buy it, and pay cash. They look at what loan value is(considered wholesale) and loan based on that number. Ok enough of the professional opinion. I would say drive anything that appleals to you, and go from there. Sell your truck yourself, youll put more money in your pocket that way. Oh and so you know why I say what I do, Ive spent 2 decades in the cage business. 10 doing wholesale, and currently at a large used lot at a franchise dealership. Feel free to pm me with questions, I'll answer as quick as I can. | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
If you're looking for reliability, economy, performance, space & allround usefulness. Diesel, Volkswagen Passat or Jetta wagon & a trailer. Plus it'll actually go round corners like a real car should. Alternatively if you want bigger, Dodge Sprinter, yeah it says Dodge but it's really a Mercedes. Diesel of course. (Message edited by mr_grumpy on June 02, 2010) | ||
| Just_ziptab |
98 S-10,4.3 V-6,5 speed manual,2wd,neart 200K and very little in problems. Best mileage was 28 when driving strictly for mileage. Average is 23 on real gas,20 on ethanol.Neart exact same truck,2001 Sonoma,except it's a 4x4.19-20 mpg in the Winter. Do not really drive it in the summers except for weekend exercise. Both easily pull a tandem trailer with over a ton of cargo. Just hope when they crap out I can find a decent used replacement as nothing new excites me at all.  .  | ||
| Froggy |
Says the man with a Dodge truck older than my parents. | ||
| Luftkoph |
4.3 suck fuel everyone I've know that has had one,mine is in a 4x4 blazer,pushing a snowplow and at over 200k lucky to get 13mpg,what a pos,it should get 28mpg and go for 400k like them jap trucks all do  | ||
| Johnnylunchbox |
Not saying you should buy one of these. There is way too much x-factor here and no reliability data, not to mention squat about dealer network but..........if an American or Japanese company offered something like this (no frills, good ground clearance, small diesel motor, real 4X4...) for sale in the US, I'd be there check (checque to you foreign types) in hand tomorrow. http://www.mahindrana.com/indian-cars-and-trucks.h tml  | ||
| Mbxb12scg |
I had a 94 Ranger Extended Cab 4x4 4.0 V6 manual. The extra room with the extended cab basically served as a trunk, but wasn't any place for a person to ride for more than 20 minutes. It had the fold out seats, and I don't think it had child seat capability. MPG was 17-18 if I remember right. I now have an '05 Colorado 4x4, 3.5 5cyl, automatic. It hauls my XB12Scg fine with the tailgate down (I think the tire was touching in the bed, but the back of it prevents the gate from closing). I'm looking for a ReadyRamp / extender, which would work perfect for this. I also tow a 2000lb boat/trailer regularly. MPG is a solid 16-19, even when towing, but the peak is only around 22. Granted, I tend to be in the 75mph range on the highway, and I have the truck loaded up with something since highway driving is usually a trip somewhere. It is our regular vehicle for trips with my wife, the dog on the 60% side fold down rear seat, and the bags, cooler, etc go in the passenger side rear seat area. I haven't had any problems with the Colorado other than minor annoyances like changing more turn signal bulbs than the rest of my cars combined...not sure why that is. Also had a intermittent fan switch that was a common loose connection that was easy to fix. I bought the Canyon for exactly the reasons you pointing out. Smaller than a full size, 4 real doors, can haul 5 adults for a short trip, and 4 very comfortably, reasonable MPG, etc. Very happy with it.  | ||
| Augustus74 |
So are you looking new or used? Whats your budget? | ||
| Slaughter |
Yeah - there are LOTS of questions about your intended usage, miles to drive, towing. Heck, a LOT of us that live close to Willow Springs have a fleet of $500 pickups that just last for freaking ever but we're not pulling trailers, just load up bed full of bike, gas, generator, popup, tools - toss leathers, boots, gloves, helmet and ice cooler in passenger seat. Hell, I've had that little pissant SR5 Toyota for 15 years now and it refuses to die. Bought it for $1350, put over 150,000 miles on it since then. Aint purdy but gets it done. Saved THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of dollars on costs and insurance and when we actually NEED a real truck once or twice a year, we just rent. (Message edited by slaughter on June 03, 2010) | ||
| Geforce |
Ok, sorry about the long delay, had no idea I'd get this many responses... Here are my requirements. Size - I don't need a tank, I need a compact truck that can move around and about easily and over improved or unimproved surfaces. Towing - I don't have a boat or tailer, but in the next 5 years I plan on buying an enclosed trailer large enough to tow a Grand National in it, or motorcycles. *Short Distance trips* Think car shows, drag strip... Capabilities - 4 doors, AC, power windows and locks. Anything else isn't required except that I would REALLY like USB connectivity for music...I know I know...but the ability to simply plug in my MP3 player into a factory unit and play music is kick @ss. Truck Bed - large enough to carry a motorcycle while upright with the tailgate up or down. 1125r/XB12Scg Drivetrain - I just need enough power to pull/haul things 1-2 times a month. Be it a new appliance, small load of gravel, military gear, motorcycles, fishing poles or scuba gear. Not too concerned with fuel economy in the long run, I just need a smaller truck that does what my current truck does and I can be a little rougher on it. By this I mean, big trucks are an OCD nightmare for me to keep clean and maintain. A car or smaller truck is much easier to wash, clean fit in the garage, etc. Wife has a Ford Fusion, after I get this truck deal situated we are looking at selling/trading hers in for an Equinox or similar SUV for long road trips and more room. As for the truck specifics Froggy. I'll post pics and info tonight. | ||
| Bott |
Dakota QuadCab V6 13 MPG and underpowered. | ||
| M2statz |
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| Geforce |
Oh...and as far as new or used goes... It doesn't matter so long as I can find what I'm looking for. I am leaning towards a slightly used vehicle, late model, low mileage deal. Brand wise... not a super big deal either. One of the toughest trucks I've ever seen was the Toyota HILUX in Afghanistan... cheap, lightweight and efficient. | ||
| Delta_one |
I had a 93 ranger splash (my first vehicle) 2wd stick that with the stock 4cyl (8 spark plug version) would haul firewood bricks and even broken concrete piled to the top of the cab (I only went from the front yard to the back with that much in it) without trouble. I miss that truck, never should have sold it; it was the most reliable trouble free vehicle I have ever owned. some friends still have rangers and the 3.0 seems to get worse MPG than the 4.0 for some reason, they are both 4x4 and of the same generation. the guy with the 3.0 drives like grandma and the 4.0 guy drives normal on road and like he stole it in the snow and off road. (I don't think he counts the lead foot tanks for his ave MPG) | ||
| Spdrxb |
+? on the Tacoma. I get blasted for owning a "chick" truck all the time.I say screw them because it may not be a 4 door, have tons of power, but it is an extra cab with plenty of room and does everything I need. I have even sat in the sideways back seat, its ok for a short hop. Ive had my XB and My dirtbike in it with all the gear for a week long trip,plenty of room and enough power for getting thru mountain passes. I commute 120 miles round trip a day to work so good mileage is a must. I consistently get 29 mpg who can ask for more than that! The only negative and its a big one depending on where you drive it is it sucks in the snow but only cuz its two wheel peel. Good luck! (Message edited by spdrxb on June 03, 2010) | ||
| Xb9er |
I don't want to be debbie downer but your going to hate going from a full size truck to a mid size truck. Mid size trucks after having a full size just feel cheap, flexible, and gutless. Not to forget that most full size trucks get better MPG's than mid size trucks. | ||
| Crackhead |
xb9, that only applys to GM and Ford small trucks |
