Recommendation? I need a new pickup

S

Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
5,250
I have a 2015 Nissan Frontier. I need to put way more money into the truck right now than I'm willing to invest into this truck I don't even like. I've already been contemplating getting something new so if I put the $2,000 into it I'll still be looking next year so why bother.

So I need a new truck. I probably won't buy used. 4X4, auto, crew cab.

Main issue is of course cost. Also, I drive a lot so fuel economy while not the biggest issue is not unimportant. I don't tow. But I use the truck all time for light duty truck stuff (lawn mowers, trash, mulch, etc). Probably 3-4 days a week my truck bed is full of stuff like that. Rarely will get a load of stone for driveway, etc.

I have no need for a big truck but it seems like there are better deals on full size. The Honda Ridgeline actually fits the bill of what I "need" but I don't know if I'm up for the ridicule. Frankly, if Subaru still made the Baja I'd get one of those. Also I have two Mastiffs and getting them up into a high cab doesn't work. They can jump into the Frontier but I don't think they can get into the higher full size. I will probably have to get a ramp.
 
For a midsize truck I love my Tacoma and I have owned Chevys Fords Dodges all full sized except one Ranger ...

the Tacoma is a true midsize and would handle your tasks and more if needed. I get around 22MPG highway ... the newer models may get even better.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Tacoma.
 
I have a 2014 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi I bought new. 19.5 mpg around town and 22-23 on the highway. Lots of power 4wd/quad cab. I'm 65 and have owned p.u's my whole driving life and this one is the best by far.--KV
 
I got a 2017 Nissan Titan 4x4 on the final day of last year... cost was better that Ram, my other consideration, and it was restyled last year. Comes with a 5 year/100k mile warranty. That meant a lot to me. Sounds like you won't need a 4x4. I like it after almost a year of driving. Horsepower greatly improved over former model.
 
I can’t believe you need to put $2,000 in a truck that is only 3 years old.

That sucks.
 
jeepin said:
I can’t believe you need to put $2,000 in a truck that is only 3 years old.

That sucks.
Click to expand...
Yeah, one of the reasons I'm bailing now. I might lose a little on the trade in but I'm not going to get stuck in an ever increasing expense.
 
Go for the Ridgeline. I've had a few of them since 06' and it's the best package for a mid size truck. If you don't need to tow a 5th wheel or carry F150 sized load it can't be beat. Family, dogs, bikes, motorcycles, tools, yard waste, dirt, whatever it's solid.

On paper the new Ranger is looking great but that's just on paper.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DRM
If entry height is a concern, your only choice may be something like the new Honda Ridgeline.
 
sadly anymore new or used anything goes wrong $2000.00 is cheap ... wish I could find a good old pre 1985 Chevy ... one I could still work on at home ... and didn't have to take the frame apart to change the oil ... or need a computer to reset it after changing a battery ... hell could change the whole engine for less ...

I stopped working on vehicles with these damn computer boards now days ... and a sensor that costs $5 costs you $750 to have it put in ....
 
If used was an option, I was actually going to suggest a Baja. I love my 03 classic. She’s old, she’s bruised, and she doesn’t like going up steep hills very slowly, but I love her all the same. The 30 mpg is a huge plus and mechanically she’s sound as I could ask her to be at 165k. I fully expect 300k out of it at a minimum. It’s my daily driver, keeping the Ford just as a tower(and backup dog limousine). The Baja is a very underrated truck if you don’t need a lot of towing capacity. They tend to hold their value better than most as well.


Though my lonely Husky much prefers the F-150 Crew Cab to my Baja, so fitting two Mastiffs in any Baja would be a challenge.
 
When I was ready for a new truck last fall I sold my faithful Dodge Ram and purchased a Jeep Unlimited Sahara which seats 5. When needed I pull a single axle 7'x12' trailer that hauls more than my Dodge Ram did. Also, the Jeep is easier to get in and out of and a blast even at my age! If you definitely want a pickup then a pickup it is..
 
As funny as it is to see an F-250 as a "big truck" here, you guys get kinda screwed that the smaller trucks don't end up in the US. As much as it pains me, the new ranger/raptor is actually looking decent, and it would seem that mazda is not pulling punches now that they are on their own. Toyota and nissan are on the back foot, but still the benchmark, and as the cheap chinesse trucks fill up the bottom of the market they are helping the big boys bring the price back to a reasonable level. (although toyota's lead truck designer is still a committee of prius drivers) But at the very least there is some level of competition in the market.
 
McFeeli said:
If used was an option, I was actually going to suggest a Baja. I love my 03 classic. She’s old, she’s bruised, and she doesn’t like going up steep hills very slowly, but I love her all the same. The 30 mpg is a huge plus and mechanically she’s sound as I could ask her to be at 165k. I fully expect 300k out of it at a minimum. It’s my daily driver, keeping the Ford just as a tower(and backup dog limousine). The Baja is a very underrated truck if you don’t need a lot of towing capacity. They tend to hold their value better than most as well.


Though my lonely Husky much prefers the F-150 Crew Cab to my Baja, so fitting two Mastiffs in any Baja would be a challenge.
Click to expand...

Used Baja's command crazy prices. I think the Ridgeline is kind of like the modern day Baja, but the Baja had a funky vibe to it. The more I look the more it looks like the Ridgeline fits my needs perfectly, except it seems like the minivan of trucks.
 
Shann said:
Used Baja's command crazy prices. I think the Ridgeline is kind of like the modern day Baja, but the Baja had a funky vibe to it. The more I look the more it looks like the Ridgeline fits my needs perfectly, except it seems like the minivan of trucks.
Click to expand...

They really do. They’re a bit of an oddity. I think that’s what drew me to them. I believe that there were only 40,000 Bajas built from 03-06. That may be part of the value staying where it is.


If I could go back in time I think I’d still get one, only maybe one with a turbo. It’s a heavy truck so that little Boxer 2.5 needs some help pulling it around. I tend to tell people that it drives more like a truck when you’re below 40, but more like a car when you’re going faster. It’s a funky truck for sure.

mUOnVVv.jpg


I just thought I’d try to bring you over to the Baja side. We’re a weird but proud people, haha.
 
McFeeli said:
They really do. They’re a bit of an oddity. I think that’s what drew me to them. I believe that there were only 40,000 Bajas built from 03-06. That may be part of the value staying where it is.


If I could go back in time I think I’d still get one, only maybe one with a turbo. It’s a heavy truck so that little Boxer 2.5 needs some help pulling it around. I tend to tell people that it drives more like a truck when you’re below 40, but more like a car when you’re going faster. It’s a funky truck for sure.

mUOnVVv.jpg


I just thought I’d try to bring you over to the Baja side. We’re a weird but proud people, haha.
Click to expand...

Love it! Looks to be in great shape.
 
I looked at a Ridgeline over lunch. It is way smaller than I thought it would be. I was just not comfortable in it although the bed looked plenty big for my needs. I don't know if it is physically smaller on the inside than my Frontier but it felt it.
 
Shann said:
I looked at a Ridgeline over lunch. It is way smaller than I thought it would be. I was just not comfortable in it although the bed looked plenty big for my needs. I don't know if it is physically smaller on the inside than my Frontier but it felt it.
Click to expand...
Ridge has more headroom less leg room. Not sure what model you have but in pics online look like your center console is a lot narrower too.
 
I'd say go with a 4 cyl Toyota Tacoma with the added doors to access behind the drivers seat. Get the step and your dogs should be able to get up into the pickup. You only haul light stuff. I would go with 2 wheel drive, but the 4x4's are really nice. I believe with the standard tires, the two and four wheel drive models are the same height off the road. Get the V6 version if you want a bit more power and slightly poorer gas mileage.

I have one with the access cab that I bought late this past December. Dogs would have trouble getting behind the seat.
DSC03192ced.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top