Ask the Zone question

Forums:

Newer models trucks. Age old question. What's the best these days?

 

Ford, Chevy or Dodge.

I'm looking for recommendations. 

Quality wise.

Heavy trucks? Dodge. Light trucks? Toyota. When you say newer, you buying new or used? Do you mean newer like the last 20 years or last five?  Gas or diesel? Do you know yet? What will the purpose for this vehicle be? Budget? Tell us about your driving habits.

ditto all the questions above. toyota tacoma is the answer unless you need capabilities beyond what the tacoma offers. if the tacoma fits your budget and needs, tacoma all the way.

Just don't get anything bigger and noisier than you really need.

Shiny big pickups with tinted windows ravaging urban settings are annoying as hell. 

 

IMHO, of course. 

The new Toyota Tacoma trucks are all supersized. Looked at buying one about 5 years ago and it wouldn't even fit in our garage

If you're going to be actually using it as a truck on nasty roads where 10 ply tires don't always save your ass, then you're better off w/ the first 3 you mentioned...  Toyotas are great town trucks 

Models 2010 or newer can use the new Tier 3 gas, correct? Less emissions. https://www.epa.gov/gasoline-standards/gasoline-sulfur

Toyota if you want to get over 100,000 miles with no issues

2000s ford ranger. 

Hey Jaz!

 

Bought a Nissan Titan brand new in '04 (even though "they" say never buy a 1st-year model), and haven't had one problem-  still running strong with 115K, and no payment for 14 years has been nice.

 

I buy for looks (never claimed to be a genius), and  imho Ford is the best-looking 1/2 ton right now all the way.  

 

Carry on... 

My apologies for being so vague in my op. Thanks for all the inputs. I have learned enough pertinent information from all the posts to lean in the right direction for my pre-shopping needs.

 

Really, thanks. I want to purchase perhaps my last or next to last vehicle.  I don't  travel much .

 

Zoners rule.

I'll let ya'll know in a while. 

What's the zone's thoughts on a 2017 nissan frontier sv with only 8000 miles? Is it worth buying?

If it's a king or crew cab and if the price is right you should jump on it. From what I understand the Nissan is not the quality they used to be pre- mid 2000s. This is the reason they offer that great warranty. 

I think they are good vehicles just not what they used to be.

My above statement would not stop me from buying the truck.

8000 miles is new to me.

 

If,,,,,,,, the price is right.

Toyota Tacoma would be my vote. I own a 2018 Tacoma TRD Pro, and it's a great truck.

The Chevy Colorado ZR2 is worth checking out, and Dodge trucks are really kicking ass these days.

When I get too it,  in a couple of weeks I think  I'll be leaning towards the Toyota.

 

Thanks Jazz, its a King cab, 4wd one, owner.

Looks like the previous owner never used the back of the truck under the cap that comes with it. I don't think they even put groceries back there.

Inspecting the truck, the cap has 4 fishing rod holders built into the ceiling 

 

Funny i found it while looking  at the toyota dealership

So In the last couple Months I've driven my old Chevy 3/4 Ton HD (really a 1-ton suspension) and a couple Nissan vehicles.  Chevy got wrecked by a Dumb Driver that rear-ended it at high velocity.  It drives,  but frame damage.

The Nissan Frontier from the rental company handles like a car;  back seats plus a little short bed.  Never tried the 4WD out in the Mud,  but it cornered nice and we moved a couple refrigerators on the short bed.  I doubt it would be good at moving Gravel or Slate.  Won't be happy with 1200 lbs. in the bed.

Now I'm driving a borrowed Nissan Xterra,  which is a station Wagon with 4WD and a back seat.  It's not capable of hauling Gravel,  but Husky likes the back seat.  It has dual cupholders for the back seat,  so he can have plenty of water.

I think it really comes down to  "How often do you take the Dogs out fishing?"
And  "Do you haul Gravel,  Firewood,  Building materials? "

XTerra with the back seat folded down would haul several Dogs and a couple coolers.  It comes with a sturdy Roof rack.

My ancient Toyota Tacoma was really quite reliable in its tenure,  but more of a Mountain Climber compared to a gravel hauler.  In general,  I still think modern-day Toyota trucks are better than Nissan trucks.  Take your time visiting the Dealers and road-testing the various models of each,  and see how they feel to you.

Thanx Stu

also test drove a ford flex with 127,000 miles that had a dealer warranty for a year.

half the price of the nissan

luxurious driver seat, awd, roomy in back

but not much clearance

 

Brother in law picked up a 2020 Jeep pickup. Tows his bikes to race at Loudon every weekend. Loves it

I've had a Tacoma, couple of Fords and I have a Dodge Ram now. I like the handling on the ram the best. Tacoma gets good gas mileage. If you can't find a Ford with a triton engine they are very good trucks. Most of the new trucks are good but you really just never know with fords transmissions. They seem to be having issues some issues with some of their newer models. Don't get the cheapest truck on the lot though. Worth bringing a friend who is a mechanic

My bad, back at ya, Earl.

Thanks again for the most valuable advice and suggestions.  Around a couple of weeks I will be doing some serious shopping. 

>Toyotas are great town trucks <
 

that's just silly. Go to Mexico or Central America. It's all Toyota's there. They are the toughest most dependable truck on the planet.