erik

Normally not a big fan of these threads, but I'm venturing into a place I've never gone before. I think I'm going to look at picking up a pickup as my next vehicle. Needs to be a crew cab, but from there, where do I go? It will be used and want to stay in the $25k area or below. It's going to haul a lot of different type of sports equipment, maybe haul a trailer from time to time but it's certainly not a work truck and a SUV would be fine, but not a big SUV fan and thinking just to go down the truck route.

What are thoughts of a Ram 1500 V8 vs the GMC Sierra/Ford F150 types? These would have to be a little older with more miles to stay around my budget vs say a GMC Canyon/Chevy Colorado types vs even the Honda.

Never having bought a truck but over 25 cars in my life, what should I potentially be considering?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

engifineer

First thing, trucks cost a lot. But you have probably already found that out.

We have a '13 Tacoma (2 years ago blue book on the TRD Off Road pkg we have was $32k, I paid $26k, so yeah ... trucks cost a lot) and love it. Not a surprise as it was replacing a 2001 4Runner which has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned with exception to a 400,000 mile 1978 Toyota I had years ago. Kept the 4runner as well.

Ours is a crew cab, drives well and I have towed the S2000 on an aluminum trailer upwards of 600 miles in a shot multiple times without any issue. We are 100% happy with it so far.

May get some flack here, but after seeing tons of Dodge pickups go through the shop in our family with ridiculously stupid issues and failed transmissions, I will never own one... ever. Even my friends with the newer ones spend way too much time in the shop.

If I were shopping for a full size truck today, it would be a Tundra, F150 or Chevy in that order personally. The newer fords have been having some issues too, but overall have been pretty good trucks. There is a reason they sell so well.. I am not fan of a full size truck unless I NEED one since they take up too much space. Plus, the truck is my wifes daily, and she absolutely did not want a full size truck

On the mid sized route, besides the Tacoma, I have heard decent things about the Nissan Frontier, but I have no experience with them. And the newer Colorado is supposed to be good, but I think on those you likely would want the newer one and the price may not fit.

Those are my thoughts anyways. It is hard to pull me away from Toyota (I own the 01 4Runner, 13 Tacoma and an 05 Scion) obviously. I have had such great experience with reliability on every Toyota I have owned and that plays in heavily for me. A cool car means nothing to me if not reliable. The 01 runner has cost me around $1000 in repairs and has over a quarter million miles on it, which is why we kept it when buying the truck. Hard to give up good reliable cars like that.

erik

Thank you sir. Yes, trucks are freaking expensive!! I've been amazed. Definitely don't really need a full size truck, so thanks for the thoughts.

sam_spider

We've got a '16 Silverado Hight Country. I really don't care for it, it's got the 5.3 in it with the 8spd tranny. It's lazy, steering isn't great, doesn't ride particularly well, or even tow that well either.

I'd shoot for a Tacoma or any of the midsized trucks if you don't need it for towing.

rwheelz

You should consider a Ridgeline. It suits your description perfectly.

darcyw

Ridgeline all day long. or, just rent one when you need one.
With a truck, consider fuel costs. Consider they are annoying to park, handle like shit, ride all rolley polley like- they are not a sports car...but, that being said, I'd buy a used, manual shift ram v10.

darcy

Chuck S

Ford F150 or Expedition with the 3.5 EcoBoost engine will put most V8 engines to shame. Year old ex-rental Expeditions sell for half their MSRP. My '17 Expedition can tow 9200 pounds (but I don't) and some F150s another ton.

-- Chuck

rob-2

Ram 1500 eco diesel all day long.

rwheelz

I would second this except that he doesn't require anywhere near its capability and the Ridgeline will be nicer to drive.

rob-2

Ridgeline isn't a truck....