Justin Wants a DD...

[JustinG]

OK, so im looking into getting a DD within the next month or so.

I am not open to anything other than a Midsize truck or a SUV.

I want a truck/SUV because, since we have bought a house, you never realize how many trips to home depot and shit you have to take. My car can carry a box of nails and that's about it, her focus, can carry some things but again not much. So I feel the need for the hauling capactiy of a Smaller truck/SUV. So i don't wanna hear any WHY THE HELL DO YOU NEED AN SUV/TRUCK comments.

I don't want a Fullsize truck because I don't want the burden of navigating it through town, getting as much gas mileage as I can and the added cost.

Stipulations

V6
4 door/crewcab
4x4
under $25k
Mileage is negotiable.....

The cars I have considered are...

Nissan Frontier (crappy interior)
Xterra (same as above)
Toyota Tacoma (Like but dont know if i necessarily need the bed)
Toyota FJ (these things caught me off guard, i was very impressed, and kinda like it)

I am leaning more towards a Tacoma or the FJ, cause the interiors are nice and the prices can be had. I have ruled out all Domestic trucks/SUVs for the following reasons...

Ford Sportrac just don't like it
Dakota is ugly
Colorado i like but the interior is just tooo GM

Input and thoughts are welcome.

Here is the FJ im considering
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I hadn't even considered these til I drove one and got to play around with it, it caught me off guard and the looks have grown on me since I saw them.

I AM OPEN TO REASONABLE OPINIONS

[Steve85]

Ridgeline?

[JustinG]

thanks, hadn't thought of those..

[WRXtranceformed]

4runner?

[Mike]

don't get an fj. every single one i've ever seen has been driven by an asshole (yes, in the 15 seconds i see them, i can determine that). i don't think you're an asshole, are you?

[Goodspeed]

Used 2007 crew cab Tacoma's are at $25k and below, 2006's for less, etc.

/thread

[.RJ]

Used 2007 crew cab Tacoma's are at $25k and below, 2006's for less, etc.

/thread

You can get NEW for less than that.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://fitzmall.com/">http://fitzmall.com/</a><!-- m -->

[Dave]

I really think you should consider an F150. You can get a used one for a LOT less, they're great and easy to maintain and I've really enjoyed the numerous experiences I've had with them.

I really like Tacos and 4Runners, so those are both good choices, but I still think an older F150 would be your best bet. If you get an older one for cheap, you won't care as much about keeping it "pretty" and you will be more inclined to use it as a truck to.

For the record, I love my 00 F250, but considering how expensive it has become to drive and therefore how little I drive it, I really wish I had gotten an older one. Maybe you should consider that as well...

[Evan]

the newer (titan based) frontier that i drove has a pretty nice interior, just as nice as the tacoma i drove. and the frontier was MUCH cheaper so i imagine that translates to the used market as well.
the frontier handles much better, and the bed rail system is so friggin' useful when hauling stuff that after using it for a while, i would never buy a truck without one.
cant go wrong with the tacmoa either, but i think the frontier is a better truck all around

if you do actually plan on hauling/carrying stuff, dont get an SUV. they arent as useful for that as you think they are, and you will tear up the interior

[JustinG]

the new tacomas have the side railing system in the bed, i didn't test drive a frontier cause they didn't have any crewcabs on the lot with the features i want. But thanks for the input Evan, ill look into them more.

[Nis01]

I must say I loved my Tacoma, but for much less you can basically get the same exact thing with the Frontier. I've seen a few really low mileage '05+ Frontiers for for a solid 5k under what you will pay for a similar mileage Tacoma. On the other hand, the resale value of the Toyota is going to be the great equalizer when it comes to getting a vehicle for cheaper. I loved all the features of the Tacoma and especially the bed rail sliders that Evan is talking about. The Tacoma does seem to sit you up a bit higher than the Frontier, which I appreciated... it also seemed much more smooth and stable although without a load in the truck bed the bilsteins (TRD package) would be a bit bumpy. Interior was modern, sporty and everything was convenient. I think the 4Runner is an excellent vehicle and really versatile, MPG isn't horrendous considering its size... I'm sure the Pathfinder is right along the same lines. I like the FJ, but you will pay a lot for it and its just an overglorified Wrangler considering its cargo load is pretty minimal. I really like the Ridgelines, I think they look a bit funny but functionality they seem to be a great choice. I like that they have a locked storage area under the truck bed, although if you have anything in the bed you can't get to any of it. I say just get a hidden hitch for the Eclipse and tow away. :lol:

[JustinG]

don't get an fj. every single one i've ever seen has been driven by an asshole (yes, in the 15 seconds i see them, i can determine that). i don't think you're an asshole, are you?

Ive been trying to change my image anyway....

[.RJ]

I really think you should consider an F150. You can get a used one for a LOT less

Yup - if you want/need a V8 you can get a steal on the 04+ F150's, they're very nice.

[Goodspeed]

I must say I loved my Tacoma

Loved? Past tense? What are you driving now?

[JustinG]

I really think you should consider an F150. You can get a used one for a LOT less

Yup - if you want/need a V8 you can get a steal on the 04+ F150's, they're very nice.

Ill look into it, i just dunno if i want/need a fullsize or a V8, and the resale is crap. in all honesty this prob wont be in the stable but for a couple of years.

[JustinG]

I must say I loved my Tacoma

Loved? Past tense? What are you driving now?

oh you just don't know son....it is "BAWLIN"

[WRXtranceformed]

Even an older Toyota pickup would suit your needs just fine. Especially if you're only going to have it for a couple of years. You can get a 2000-2002 V6 Tundra for under 15 grand... I think I sold mine for like 10k? That was a GREAT truck man, even though it was 2WD. The V6 had plenty of power and torque, I hauled a lot of construction materials with that thing. The extended cab interior was awesome too.

[ScottyB]

no Ford Ranger? they've been around forever and are pretty reliable/cheap....

my '03 Xterra is not luxurious or anything but has been rock solid and is very useful. got it for a good price too. the newer nissan trucks have the VQ engine which is pretty much unanimously considered to be one of the best V6's ever.

x2 on Mikey's FJ observations. plus blue ones look like porta-potties.

[Dave]

Another thing I would recommend you really considering is if you REALLY need a 4x4 and if you REALLY need a 4-door. Getting the double cab could seriously limit your bedspace/overall size issue, where you could get an extended cab with the full bed and not really notice the difference.

Also, I would really encourage you to evaluate if you really want to max the budget out for something that you're going to own it for the short term. I intend to keep my truck for another 10 years (hopefully) so I didn't mind shelling out the money (though I paid $15k), but it might be worth it to get something a little older and cheaper and more utilitarian that has already depreciated. Just food for thought...
On that note, it sounds like a Taco or Frontier would suit you well in your price range and an F150 might be a good alternative for less $$. I'm really not a domestic fanboi, but all of the Ford trucks that I have worked with have been top-notch in my book.

[JustinG]

Scotty, Ranger doesn't come in 4dr/crewcab, thats where the Sportrac fills in.