NGC Ranger, Tacoma or Frontier ? +&-'s truck talk NGC

[fotoguzzi]

I never owned a pickup truck and it's now on my bucket list..

I want something like 2000-2010 smaller style truck, seems like they've all grown bigger lately and I can't afford anything newer..
I don't need a big box but probably want 4x4.. I do need a big cab so extended cab or better yet a 4 door.. the Ranger has a brother called Explorer Sport trac, I don't care for the looks of them.. the Ranger extended cab rear side windows only vent open if at all so not great for my dog, would at least need a split rear window then.
the Frontier and Tacoma have true rear doors and windows, how far down do those rear window go, all the way?
reliability? if I get one it will probably have higher mileage..  I'll guess the Frontier and Tacoma rate higher than the Ford?  I guess there might be a GMC that fits my criteria.. Canyon? oh and the Honda Ridgeline too, the Honda and Toyota seem to hold value higher?
so, looking for opinions and owners experience, is there anything to watch out for on some of these trucks?

I want to get rid of our Mazda Tribute, don't trust/like anymore. my other car is a 99 Camry built in Japan.. still NO leaks anywhere on my garage floor. pip of a car. I could sell that too but it's not worth much probably.

a couple examples ,
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/6088396047.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/6097266613.html

[Johncolleary]

I have a 2010 Honda Ridgeline and love it the storage under the bed is great.  I have 90,000 miles with no problems, 4 wheel drive, 4 doors decent gas mileage.  Take a look. I drove all of the smaller Pickups before buying the Honda.

[boatdetective]

I owned a first gen Tacoma. Very reliable. However, the 4 cylinder works much harder than the 6, so fuel consumption wasn't great. The seating position has your legs out pretty straight- which can be an issue- the seat can be modified, however. There was a frame recall with Tacomas- so make sure you know what you are getting.

I drove a ridgeline and the independent rear suspension really does work. You can tell when you take a highway off ramp- a conventional live rear axle will tend to hop to the outside of the turn.  I don't know about used prices- the original ridgelines were not cheap.

[eldoroddo]

What's wrong with the Mazda Tribute (Ford Escape)?

[canuck750]

I have had two Rangers, the current one a 2011 extended cab 4x4, previous 1998 extended cab 2 whl drive, both have been trouble free, very cheap to maintain. Aftermarket parts are available for low cost for most everything. My older son has a 2012 extended cab 4x4, he loves it.  The Ranger has been one of the best vehicles I have owned.

[Nolan Woodbury]

I bought this 2009 Ranger I-4 / 5-speed with low miles and in good condition three years ago after looking for that long. Most are V6 automatic, but I've had (older) Ford autos and didn't want another. Mine is 'pest control' spec with skid plates and heavy duty suspension. Terrible ride but good handling, and that's made better by the lighter engine. MPG is 24-26.   

My next truck with be a similarly outfitted Tacoma. Toyota is simply the best, most durable make on the market. I don't care about sexy or exciting, I want reliable and nothing falling off. This Ranger has delivered that beautifully. It's fun but a little pokey through the change up due to tall gearing.

Good luck!




upload facebook photos
 

[Cam Lay]

I put close to 200,000 miles on an 07 Frontier. 4x4, extended cab, long bed, 6-spd manual. Three teenagers learned to drive in it, at one clutch apiece. Replaced the brake controller at 160,000-something, and one wheel hub recently. It's lived on a really rough dirt road for the last 6 or so years, and had a good bit of use at or near it's rated limits. It's done everything I've asked of it, from pulling a big UHaul from SC to MT, a stock trailer full of yaks from ID to MT, and a host of similar chores. It drives well but is a bit light in the back end for rough roads on snow and nice. I suspect that's a general characteristics of pickup trucks. It's reasonably comfortable but it ain't no Buick.

YMMV, of course.

C

[Kev m]

I like the Rangers and Tacos, but I bet if you're talking older the Tacos will statistically do better.

Of course that probably also means more expensive initial cost.

The Frontier is probably the compromise. Bet generally they'll be cheaper than the Tacos as just as reliable.

But it's always a crap shoot.

[Captainjos]

I am getting close to 225k miles on my 07 GMC Canyon, first gen, I5 , 4WD, crew cab. Amazing, it just keeps going, but i do long distances, often towing my enclosed trailer, or picking up an engine in Tampa, see pic. Cannot beat the drive comfort of a Chevy/GMC. Sunroof, upgrades Seats and 6 speakers complete the package, going for my fourth set of tires. Planning a trip to San Diego in Dec, no hesitation to take this truck.

[Gliderjohn]

I picked up a 2013 Frontier six cylinder a couple of months ago to replace my 97 Nissan PU with a four cylinder. So far I like it very much. The 2013 with the six gets about the same milage ( 20-22mpg) to even a bit better depending on circumstances.
If you look at a Frontier six cyl. form about 2005 to 2010, check of the radiator has been replaced. The original radiators could leak fluid into the transmission, ruining it.
GliderJohn

[Rough Edge racing]

 MY brother in law has a 08 base model Tacoma 5 speed 4 cylinder. It's a not abused 80,000 mile truck.Yes, it has a new frame....I drove it and was not impressed..Poor seating position (I'm 6 foot 170 lbs), clumsy handling for a small vehicle and the power was just adequate..Of course this has nothing to do with the Toyota reliability reputation...
  Used Tacoma's sell for silly money.....The Nissan is less expensive, Rangers even more so....

[jpv7]

I have a 2010 Tacoma 4X4 with the 2.7L 4 cylinder in a manual.  That will probably be the cheapest Tacoma option in a 4X4.  It goes just fine and I pull a trailer sometimes too.  If you must have the 4 door, then you will be buying the V6.  The truck has been stone reliable and with the 4 banger, maintenance is so easy (although haven't done much) as there's lots of room under the hood.

[donn]

I inherited a '93 Ranger, which I guess would be an earlier generation than what you're talking about, but I will say it has worked out very well.  The one thing I wanted to mention, which I guess will be especially irrelevant, but it's a proven fact - with an automatic transmission, this vehicle is not up to towing a trailer of more than the slightest weight.

[LowRyter]

I don't think you can wrong with any of them.  I drove the little Nissan a few years back with stick V6 and found it a nice drive, even would work as a 2nd car.  I know a guy that liked the Chevy Colorado 5 cyl (no longer made) and pulled a boat with it. 

I think they're fine to drive around, camping, lite hauling and towing a couple of motorcycles.  Find the best bargain, perhaps check the consumer reports for hidden problems. 

[Noguzznoglory]

none of the vehicles you are considering are known for any major issues. IMHO any one of them will probably give great service for a long time with  normal maintenance.
you'll pay a lot more for the tacoma than the othersand maybe more for the frontier.
suggest you give strong consideration to the colorado/canyon. i have one with 310k and still going strong with no problems. they drive great and if what i hear about tacomas is true, you'll get better gas mileage with the colorado.
never been a GM fan but they got everything right with this truck.

[Noguzznoglory]

 :1:  on glider john's comment. frontiers, pathfinders and xterra's from 2005 are notorious for coolant leaking into the trans cooler in the radiator. nissan has extended the warranty on that part and provides assistance for transmission replacement but not sure that extends to 2nd or 3rd owners. internet search will give you the details. transmissions for them are 4 times more expensive than the rangers and colorados.

[rocker59]

Dodge Dakota...

[Ncdan]

There's a lot of old rangers still on the road with 300+ K miles on them

[Demar]

I inherited a '93 Ranger, which I guess would be an earlier generation than what you're talking about, but I will say it has worked out very well.  The one thing I wanted to mention, which I guess will be especially irrelevant, but it's a proven fact - with an automatic transmission, this vehicle is not up to towing a trailer of more than the slightest weight.

I had a '94 Ranger V6 that was pretty good, good cab, good power, good ride, but, the thing ate brakes. I think it had 14" rims and small brakes. In '95 or'96 they put 15" wheels on them and larger brakes.

[fotoguzzi]

Forgot to mention I was born in St Paul Mn. and that's where Rangers were built too, probably leaning that way because there are many more of them to pick from.

[antmanbee]

I would stick to a manual gearbox on which ever truck you get. The Ranger is probably the cheapest to keep running long term due to parts cost and availability. A Mazda truck of the same years is identical so that expands what may be available.

Look on fuelly.com to compare actual fuel mileage rather than EPA estimates for all the different models you are considering.

I was under the impression that a Mazda Tribute was a made in Japan vehicle and not identical to the Ford Escape, but I am not sure.

[siabeid]

The first new vehicle I ever bought is a 2004 Tacoma 4x4 sr5 with an extended cab, 4 cylinder and 5 speed. It has lived its entire life on the side of a mountain with 3.5 miles of potholed, washboard, dusty, gravel county road to get to my house.  I am a contractor and don't baby it. I also have a full size GMC, which I really like,  for when I need a "real" truck. I use the Toyota about 90% of the time. It gets around 20 mpg on the back roads and about 24 or so on the highway. I change the oil every 3000 miles and the coolant and gear box oils every 75,000 miles. It now has 170,000 miles and is on its second set of shocks, and its fourth set of plugs. It got front brake pads at 90,000, and a new battery at 9 years.  At 150,000 miles, I took it in and told the mechanic to check over everything on it, tune it up, change the fluids and coolant and replace anything it needed - u joints, steering components, belts, hoses, etc. It needed nothing. Even with the hellacious road I live on, it still has no rattles or squeaks. It has been depreciated for years, and every year I think about getting a new truck for the tax write off. I still haven't done it, it is too good of a truck. If I ever do replace it, it will be with another Toyota.

[Guzzistajohn]

I bought a one owner '99 TACOMA in 2000, It's been a great rig. I've actually had people pull in the driveway asking to buy it from time to time. Highly recommended by this 'YOTA owner!

[valval]

I have a 2002 Toyota Tacoma pre runner 4 door and 2.7 automatic 2 wheel drive. 204,000 miles and only replaced one oxygen sensor and the airbag module which I got from a recycler. Did get a paint job to make it look pretty. Seen a lot of black ones where the paint goes bad on front of roofline like mine. Gets about 19 mpg at 70-75 mph. Seems to get the same in town. Tows my trailer and two Vespas which is 1000lbs with no problem . Best vehicle I ever had and hope to get another 200,000 miles out of it. It should do it easily unless some crazy driver runs into it.

[old head]

At my work, we only drive Toyota Tacoma's in our fleet.  mostly 4 cyl, all automatic.   My first work truck went over 300k before they took it back and gave me a newer one.  other than a brakes, tires, and oil changes, nothing broke, except a rear wheel bearing at 160K and a Catalytic converter at 90k which they covered under warranty.  mileage was about 20 around town and upwards of 24 on the road.  Slow, rode okay, but very reliable.

My new one has about 150k on it now, nothing yet. Start it and go.

I had a  2004 frontier, lost it int the flood.  Lets see, an alternator, brakes, tires, a battery and a set of belts.  Thats it in 180k miles.  It was a 4 cyl with a 5 speed.  got upwards of 22 around town and about 27 on the road.  Not a lot of power to pull stuff, but I pulled my bass boat ok.

Had a 91 Ranger.  put about 200k on it before I sold it.  4cyl, 5 speed.  geared too high.  mileage about 17 around town and ab out 22 on the highway.  Low power, really struggled to pull anything.  Other than the EGR sensor nothing broke, very reliable.   My brother has a 94 ranger, it has upwards of 300k last time I talked to him, same experience as me. 

Hard to beat small trucks as run around town vehicles. 

Old Head

[NWrider]

04 Ford Ranger XLT bought at 18k miles now has 111k, oil, filters, air cleaner elements and batteries, and brakes for routine maintenance, at 100k installed new plugs, changed tranny fluid & coolant.  4.0 L V-6, usually tow a mc trailer with up to 3 bikes + cargo.   MPG from 16 loaded & towing with lots of hills, and 20 - 22 mixed driving lightly loaded.  Couldn't be happier with this vehicle.  Other PU owned, 71 Toyota HiLux, 71 Ford 3/4T w/460 Thunderbird engine, 77 Ford Extended cab and a 93 Dodge 1T dually with Cummins diesel.

[JoeW]

I have a 2000 Ranger 4x4 with 212000 on it. I got it with a melted motor at 140k, i installed a used 4.0 then replaced the valve body in the trans. Pulls my trailer, hauls mulch, lumber and bikes. It's just broken in. This winter I splurged and put vented rotors​ and ceramic pads up front, new shocks, sway links and tires.  Runs and drives like new.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk