If you needed a truck....

HilltopDaisy · #1 09/06/10, 02:37 PM

I think I might have to stop pouring money into my old truck and consider buying something else. I need a truck, and I'd have to finance it through the credit union where I work.

I would like to hear your advice on where to begin. I've never bought a used vehicle before. Should I go with a dealer or look at private sellers? Any suggestions on a make of truck that has served you well?

I love my old Mazda, but it's got around 180,000 miles on it, and it's costing me a fortune lately and I still can't seem to keep it running. I really don't have anyone to help me pick a new-to-me vehicle so I appreciate any words of wisdom. TIA

Sanza · #2 09/06/10, 03:29 PM

I've had great luck with fords, but that's just my opinion. Theres all sorts of problems depending on the year, make and model so go to a auto repair forum and read up and eliminate the ones that seem to need more work then others.
Good Luck!

Jokarva · #3 09/06/10, 03:40 PM

We have a 2002 Toyota Tacoma (bought new, extra cab 4 door) that we love, big enough to haul stuff but not super big. Gets decent gas mileage and no problems with it so far.

We've bought from dealers and private owners, but always had our own mechanic check it over first. A friend who's husband sold cars did tell me that the dealer price on a used car is the absolute top dollar price they could ever hope to get for it - so there's a lot of bargaining room, esp if you're willing to walk away. That was years ago - but in today's economy it might be even more true.

Good luck on your hunt!

NTRotty · #4 09/06/10, 03:43 PM

We have a 1998 Toyota Tacome , extended cab 4x4 long bed, 4 speed transmission with v6 engine. Low mileage 78000 bought it new. Now on the small place, it is perfect. Can tow small trailer and plenty of power for what we need. I hope to buy a new one and limit this one to the farm. Bullet proof and toyota quality hard to beat.

oth47 · #5 09/06/10, 03:53 PM

I have a 2009 Toyota Tacoma I bought new..it's not for hauling.2 small tractor scoops of mushroom compost makes it squat like a girl dog.A load of dry firewood level with the sides of the bed makes it squat worse.Get my son and his son,both over 6 feet,300+ pounders sitting on the tailgate and it looks like it's gonna flip over backwards.Bought it because of Toyota's reputation and previous experience with a '77 Corrolla,but this is my last one.

PhilJohnson · #6 09/06/10, 05:21 PM

If I needed a truck it would be one I could work on myself. If I had plenty of cash I'd buy a late seventies Ford F-250 with a 4 speed and a rebuilt 300 six. Parts are super cheap and they are well built simple vehicles. Plus with an inline engine working on one is super easy.

oneokie · #7 09/06/10, 05:58 PM

Look on AutoTrader. Put in the year and make and how far from your location you want to look. Bought my last Nissan PU from a listing on AutoTrader.

Ramblin Wreck · #8 09/06/10, 06:03 PM

I've had good luck with Ford, GMC, Nissan, and Toyota, but no so much with Dodge's...but that could be my bad luck/choices. For mileage and multi-tasking, you might want to consider a more fuel efficient vehicle that could also tow a trailer. I recently bought a Subaru Forester with a tow package. It seems to be a good mix of wagon/truck/SUV, and the all wheel drive could be handy in the Northland. It's also rated very highly on safety issues, but you hope never to need that.

Best wishes finding something that works for you.

plowjockey · #9 09/06/10, 08:11 PM

I have had a low end 97' ford Ranger, for 5 years now. My high school aged DS now drives and has not manage to destroy it, so I'm sold.

In 5 years I have put shocks, tires, normal tune up stuff and a muffler on it. That's it.

Try to find one with less than 100K miles on it.

HilltopDaisy · #10 09/06/10, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plowjockey

I have had a low end 97' ford Ranger, for 5 years now. My high school aged DS now drives and has not manage to destroy it, so I'm sold.

In 5 years I have put shocks, tires, normal tune up stuff and a muffler on it. That's it.

Try to find one with less than 100K miles on it.

plowjockey, my truck is a 97' Mazda B2300, same as a Ford Ranger. I've got a lot of miles on it, and have put a ton of $$ into it these past 2 years, but I sure love my truck.

Almost forgot to say Thanks!! for the responses. I looked up the Toyota Tacoma, nice truck!

GoldenCityMuse · #11 09/06/10, 08:46 PM

Buy another Mazda truck. I have a 90 MPV 4WD and really like it.
The best thing ever is that it has an access plate under the floor behind passenger to get to the fuel pump, filter, etc. Don't have to drop the tank.

**clovis** · #12 09/06/10, 09:11 PM

I love our Chevy S-10. Awesome little truck.

If I were buying though, I'd take a hard look at a Chevy Colorado that replaced the S-10, or even better, a real truck, like the Chevy Silverado. Those trucks just take a beating, and keep going, and going, and going, and going.

Then again, I live in Chevy country. If I was looking to save some cash, I'd consider a F-150. They just don't seem to have the resale values that Chevy does. Probably not true for other places. I've seen used Fords sell for outlandish prices in Ford dominated areas.

My friend has an 08 Tacoma bought new, but now says that he should have bought a full sized Chevy...and he is an ATE UP fan of Toyota.

MO_cows · #13 09/06/10, 09:38 PM

How much truck do you need? If you have been getting by with a "mini truck" which I assume the Mazda is, the comparables would be Dodge Dakota, Ford Ranger, Chevy S10. The only one of those we have any experience with is S10's. We have owned 2 of them and both of them ran forever.

HilltopDaisy · #14 09/06/10, 11:40 PM

I don't need to tow anything, don't need an extended cab, just need to be able to haul a dozen bales of hay at a time (or a few goats, etc).

Can't thank you enough for taking the time to offer your experience and suggestions.

wogglebug · #15 09/07/10, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HilltopDaisy

I don't need to tow anything, don't need an extended cab, just need to be able to haul a dozen bales of hay at a time (or a few goats, etc).

You can do that with a box trailer behind a car - maybe a dual-axle trailer. You'd have lower loading height, and you'd get much better fuel economy and comfort the rest of the time. I'm not saying that's the right answer, but if you really don't need the carrying capacity much of the time then it's definitely something to think about.

Homesteadwi5 · #16 09/07/10, 11:44 AM

If you like the mazda buy another,I had a 89 mazda b2200 for years,could not kill that truck(believe me i tried) we used that thing for work that ppl could not believe.

Belfrybat · #17 09/07/10, 05:32 PM

I have a 2002 Chevy S10 bought used in 2006 and love it. I've not spent anything except routine maintenance and a set of tires. I used to have a 1990 Mazda and loved that too, but back problems just made an automatic easier than a stick so I traded it in. I understand the Chevy replacement, the Colorado, is not as powerful as the S10 since it only has a 5 horse engine, but I'd think it would get better gas mileage. I wouldn't own a Ford if you gave me one. Never had one that was worth anything.

foxtrapper · #18 09/08/10, 05:59 AM

If all you want is to haul some goats and hay at times, the venerable old Toyota trucks are all but unstopable. Cheap too. Too old to be carried by any dealers, but quite common in the classifieds and such. Craigslist.com, autotrader.com, ebay.com, etc.

I've had several 86 Toyota 1-tons, quite a truck, especially for its size. My only lament is the bed won't fit a 4 foot wide sheet of plywood between the fenders.