I have been trying to research this as I think a truck is my next vehicle purchase. I need the utility for buying things for my house, car projects etc. I also want something with 4wd so we can go up to the mountains and what not in the winter. As it stands I have 2 fwd cars and the S. Our Honda Fit would possibly go but that's not really important right now. My question for everyone is some kind of direction here. Prices seem all over the damn place.

So must haves
4x4
4 door
Reliable

Nice to haves
Decent interior (leather would be great)
Decent mpg (for a truck)

I do like the Tacoma and Colorado however they seem to cost nearly the same as a full size truck like an f150 which is somewhat insane to me considering they are "smaller" trucks. It also seems insane some are in the $25-30k range but then a seemingly identical truck is $40k+. These are new prices. Used prices for the small trucks seem the same as new prices or really damn close. Any concerns with buys a used truck other than the normal stuff to look for in a used car? I have mainly looked at the Tacoma, f150, and a little at gm/Chevy though not as much. Not a fan of dodge products. The full size Japanese trucks are all due for a refresh or if be looking at those. So thoughts? Experience? What did you buy?

Probably looking to seriously consider this end of this year beginning of next year.

 

2017 Ridgeline. AWD, torque vectoring in the rear. Looks to be a solid product. Reviews should be out in the next month. I may buy one myself.

 

Any idea on the price? Because of it is close to a real truck then I don't see the point. Less towing, not able to carry as much. Not true 4x4. Seems like a lot to compromise on. Now if I can get a pretty loaded one for around $30k then I maybe in.

 

Dodge Ram diesel. You might not be a fan but they are nicer then the other domestics.

Ridge line isn't a truck.

 

Can't go wrong with a Silverado, F series Ford, or Ram series trucks.

American companies do trucks right.

I've owned mostly Chevy trucks and 1 old beat up Ford van. They all treated me well.

Depending on towing rating, I'm looking at a 2017 Raptor. I hope it can tow 8000 pounds!!

 

Raptor would be killer but yeah that's way out of the price range. I'll have to look into the ram trucks. They just aren't a brand I have any respect for and haven't for a long time.

 

I've had my 1999 GMC Sierra Z71 since 1999... It was a first model year truck, but for the most part has been relatively reliable - no major issues with the motor, trans, or electrical. I've had to do a few random repairs here and there (thermostat, starter, locking mechanism for seat slider, etc. etc.). It has seen countless mountain trips (i used to get 25+ snowboarding days a year at my peak/prime). It has spent a year in Chicago, which at the time was the worst winter recorded in the past 60 years.

The OEM battery supplied from the factory was amazing - lasted 8 years. it only died because a friend had to drive it home from a snowboarding trip (after i broke my leg), and left my radar detector on.

I haven't really done any towing with it, so that might have helped on the transmission reliability part. If i was in the market for another full size truck, I wouldn't hesitate to go the GMC (Chevy) route. I'm currently in the market for something a bit more DD friendly for MPGs and parking... Still require the utility as far as awd and half way decent cargo space.

All of that said, the new Ridgeline has peaked my interest ever since I became a Honda fanboi after owning the S2000 for the past 5+ years.

 

You seem to be looking at pickup trucks, but I'd recommend a large SUV unless you plan to constantly be hauling messy crap around. The ability to secure cargo inside the vehicle is huge imo.

 

I have gone through a lot of trucks in the past few years and every time I look at one I always look into used diesels. It's a lot of truck for what you will need but they don't depreciate all that much of you get the right one. I prefer the f250's but like the 5.9l cummins motor. I even sold my diesels more then what I paid for them after years of use

 

My son bought a used Silverado diesel. I was shocked at the price, but when I researched it I learned that is what they cost.

I'd like to get one that can tow around 7000 pounds. I'd buy used and it would not have to be a long distance vehicle as I would use it mostly for towing boats and runs to the HD or other lumber yard.