Getting started looking for a truck

chiefjason

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Currently in a 99 Toyota Tacoma extra cab I've had for 13 years. Second owner. Been a good truck.

What I want...
4x4
Crew cab, 4 door for the kids
V6 preferably but milage on some v8's seems nearly identical
Leaning towards full size

What I don't do, tow anything heavy or haul a lot of stuff. Longer bed is nice but I've dealt with the Tacoma just fine.

Going to look low milage used and possibly new old stock that's been sitting around. Not interested in brand new, prices are nuts. Not terribly brand loyal. And IMO Toyota holds too much value, high milage used trucks are nearly $20K!

Leaning towards Dodge Ram. Nissan Frontier was in there too but the transmission issue is something that would make or break certain trucks.

What say you? Recommendations? Things to stay away from?
 
Newer RAM trucks are fine. However given the current market on used trucks for that price it would be an older one that you would want to stay away from.

Best thing I will tell you. Expand your search radius. Trucks new and used drop 1000s once you get towards VA and TN. Don't be afraid to drive 2 to 3 hrs for the right deal.

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk
 
I also went from a 98 4runner, to a 2005 F150, then back to a Toyota 2013 Tacoma.

Personally, I have less issues with Toyota, and I do not mind spending extra money for a powertrain that has fewer issues than other brands. Every vehicle has its quirks. With my experience I have had better luck with Toyota vehicles.

I personally stay away from models with newly introduced motors and transmissions. I normally give them at least 3 years to know that the factory has worked out some of the issues that surface within the first couple production years.

For example we had a 2011 Chevy Cruise, within the first 60k miles, the car went through 3 different water pumps. It was traded before the warranty expired.
 
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Having had an 07 Frontier and now an 07 Xterra (both autos), don't let the transmission thing scare you away. There are a couple easy fixes to avoid turning the transmission to toast and 2011+ and all manuals no longer have that issue.
 
My company truck is a 2016 Nissan Frontier ext. cab. I wouldn't recommend it to my worst enemy! Dang thing doesn't have enough power to safely pass on the interstate with the A/C on! I don't complain too much about it because I don't pay for it, but if I did...It only has 20K miles on it and the brakes squeak, interior rattles, material already coming off of the steering wheel cover, radio only half works, etc. Keep in mind when I say work truck, I don't mean real work, I work in sales so I just drive it. No way it would make it in a honest day's work role! It is just a slight upgrade from complete junk in my opinion.
 
I have a '12 f150 super crew with the larger first gen Ecoboost engine. I love it. Not great mpg - 17-19 combined, but the space and ride is fantastic. If I were you I'd probably look at the smaller Ecoboost in the '16 models.
 
I've been driving a 2016 Nissan Frontier for a few months now, and I've had no issues. Really like it! And they typically aren't overpriced like the toyota. Mine is a 4x2 crew cab with the 4.0 V6. Plenty of power, over 100hp more than the 4 banger that the standard cabs get. I average 23mpg on the interstate, and 19 around town.

I'm friends with several nissan techs, and they say the transmission issues primarily affected the 2006-2008 trucks, and all the bugs have been worked out of the most recent few years.
 
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Dodge automatic transmissions were junk for a while.... don't know about newer ones.
 
I like my Ram. '03 quad cab (Hemi) that I bought in '07 with ~45K miles. Now has ~140K.

Only two real complaints are:
1. Gas mileage (~13)
2. No rear seat headrests

Would prefer a mega cab, but it's been good for me for 10 years. Previous owner put a camper shell on it, something I'd never had before. Really like having one. Definitely more times I'm glad I had it compared to the times it's inconvenient.
 
http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ram/1500/ (stay away from the 2013 and 2014 models)

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Tacoma/ (something happened in 2016!)

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Frontier/ (either people aren't reporting their problems or these are really good trucks!)

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/F-150/

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Silverado_1500/

The Nissan transmissions had the Strawberry Milkshake of death. They had an intercooler in the transmission that would leak and destroy the transmission. 2005-2010, but looks like it might be a touch more limited than that even.


You gonna sell your truck or trade it in?

Neither. Daughter is 16 so I'll probably keep it around for a while, whether she likes it or not. lol

Any thoughts to the V8 getting better actual gas milage than the V6's? Getting several comments about that when talking to folks. Seems some of the V6 engines are pretty weak.
 
The Nissan transmissions had the Strawberry Milkshake of death. They had an intercooler in the transmission that would leak and destroy the transmission. 2005-2010, but looks like it might be a touch more limited than that even.



Neither. Daughter is 16 so I'll probably keep it around for a while, whether she likes it or not. lol

Any thoughts to the V8 getting better actual gas milage than the V6's? Getting several comments about that when talking to folks. Seems some of the V6 engines are pretty weak.
I know a fact that a 5.4 Ford Expedition get better mileage than a super cab F150. Both were 4wd and 1 yr apart. V6 is a waste of money if your buying for fuel savings. Only exception is the newer Ford eco boost
 
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http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ram/1500/ (stay away from the 2013 and 2014 models)

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Tacoma/ (something happened in 2016!)

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Frontier/ (either people aren't reporting their problems or these are really good trucks!)

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/F-150/

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Silverado_1500/

Yep the new production Tacomas have had people complaining of engine and trans problems. However they love the boost in MPG. Up to 23 from 21.5 with the old 4.0 v6
 
The Nissan transmissions had the Strawberry Milkshake of death. They had an intercooler in the transmission that would leak and destroy the transmission. 2005-2010, but looks like it might be a touch more limited than that even.

If I remember correctly, it was the bottom of the radiator that the fluid went through before it got to the transmission cooler that was the issue. It would usually fail between 85-100k miles, mixing the radiator and transmission fluid. One easy fix was to swap 2 hoses to bypass that part. Easy 5 min fix and perfect if you didn't tow much or lived in hot climates. But you could add an external cooler for $20 and be fine again. The other fix was getting a new radiator (and what upset all the Frontier/Xterra owners). As long as one of these steps were followed before the crack formed, there were zero issues.

The VQ40 is a great engine with plenty of HP and TQ for most users. The 4banger, though, was only good for the gas mileage :)
 
Currently in a 99 Toyota Tacoma extra cab I've had for 13 years. Second owner. Been a good truck.

What I want...
4x4
Crew cab, 4 door for the kids
V6 preferably but milage on some v8's seems nearly identical
Leaning towards full size

What I don't do, tow anything heavy or haul a lot of stuff. Longer bed is nice but I've dealt with the Tacoma just fine.

Going to look low milage used and possibly new old stock that's been sitting around. Not interested in brand new, prices are nuts. Not terribly brand loyal. And IMO Toyota holds too much value, high milage used trucks are nearly $20K!

Leaning towards Dodge Ram. Nissan Frontier was in there too but the transmission issue is something that would make or break certain trucks.

What say you? Recommendations? Things to stay away from?


What's wrong with your truck? If you love it, fix it. My 88 f150 is getting a little worn out. The body is beat up and the 5.8 is just worn out. Im thinking 460 swap. I like a beat up truck. I can put her in the ditch and might make an improvement.
 
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It seems that Chevy Silverado is always a safe bet, as well as F150 and Tacoma. Everything else is def a crap shoot.
 
My dad has a 15 5.0 F150 and my brother has a 15 Ecoboost F150. Ecoboost has a little more get up and go than the 5.0 and they get about the same mileage.
 
We just bought a 2017 crew dab 4wd GMC Canyon with a Duramax diesel. A customer has had a similar truck for over a year and sang its praises.

Fuel mileage is supposed to be 30 on the highway. It's rated to tow 7700 lbs.

Too early for a report, but the research that I did was all positive.
 
What's wrong with your truck? If you love it, fix it. My 88 f150 is getting a little worn out. The body is beat up and the 5.8 is just worn out. Im thinking 460 swap. I like a beat up truck. I can put her in the ditch and might make an improvement.

I have an extra cab. You know, the little cubby hole with seats. Now that the girls are older I would like to have something we can all ride in. I have actually broken the tie rod in the van going hiking in the mountains. So we don't take it too far back in the woods. I'd like to get back to some of those spots. But always worried about tearing something up on the van getting there. And this last vacation my wife sat in the bed of the truck with one of the girls to ride around in Cataloochee. She said that won't happen again.

The Taco has life left in it. So if my daughter gets it we might get it painted and need to replace a seal on the top side of the engine that is leaking. That's about it. And it's got 175K miles on it. Or I might drive it on the occasion still.
 
If I was in the market for a nice truck, I'd stay away from anything that has a diesel and requires DEF fluid. But that 's me. I'd be looking for one of the last models of a Chevy or GMC with a 5.7L that has roller lifters and a one piece rear seal. A crew cab HD2500. I bet if you looked hard enough, you could find a few nice ones out there.
 
I have an extra cab. You know, the little cubby hole with seats. Now that the girls are older I would like to have something we can all ride in. I have actually broken the tie rod in the van going hiking in the mountains. So we don't take it too far back in the woods. I'd like to get back to some of those spots. But always worried about tearing something up on the van getting there. And this last vacation my wife sat in the bed of the truck with one of the girls to ride around in Cataloochee. She said that won't happen again.

The Taco has life left in it. So if my daughter gets it we might get it painted and need to replace a seal on the top side of the engine that is leaking. That's about it. And it's got 175K miles on it. Or I might drive it on the occasion still.

That's actually decent mileage for a 98 model. My 4runner had 225k on it when I sold it and I wouldn't have hesitated to drive it cross country. If you do get rid of it please let us know. I'm sure it would be a quick on forum sale.
 
I've got a 2013 ram 1500 quad cab that I love. Enough power to pull or haul anything most families need moved, roomy enough to carry 6 adults comfortably. I average around 18mpg, best I've got was 22 on a trip to Hilton Head SC. I haven't had any issues and have 87,000 on it right now.
 
My buddy just got rid of a 2015 Frontier 4x4 top of the line. It only had 20k miles on it and the automatic transmission blew up. It was replaced under warranty but he sold it since he has a F-350 and 2 Jeeps.
 
I hear there's a lot of used trucks going up for sale in Texas. Just saying...

The next 3 years is not a good time to buy unless the location of the vehicle is documented. Even then I'm sure there's places that will falsify that.

-R
 
I've had a 07 Frontier since new. Crew cab, long bed, 6spd manual. 105K mi & runs/rides like new. 19mpg avg & can still light the tires grabbing 3rd when I'm feeling froggy.

Find a manual trans if you can- it's a whole different truck.
 
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