Hi guys,

Just trying to pick your brains on a used pickup. I am looking to get a utility truck to do some occasional hauling (landscaping material, appliances, furniture, ...). I don't plan on towing anything. I used to borrow my brother's but he sold it. This truck would be parked most of the time and will only get used if I need to haul things. It may get some periodic use if, for instance, my car is in the shop for a few days. Because of this infrequent use, I don't want to spend a lot: around $5k.

Also, although I would personally prefer a manual, I will probably need to get an auto in case the wife has to use it (her preference). If a deal is there, though, I wouldbe OK with getting a manual. (She does drive manual. She just prefers AT.)

Any advice on what to get? Depending on the response, years that are good and ones to avoid?

Thanks.

 

Look first at a mid-1990's Toyota T-100, preferably with the 3.4 L 190 HP V6. The 4-cyl version might be underpowered with a load or on steep grades.
The T-100 was well-built and reliable, but it was introduced in 1994 into a pickup market dominated by the F-150, Chevy C/ K, and the newly redone (at that time) Ram and simply could not compete. It was marketed by Toyota as a full-size truck but was in fact a mid-sizer. Even today the F-150 and Chevy Silverado market is VERY hard to crack.
Anyhow, this truck will probably be a good buy used....for several reasons. Its lack of popularity new gave it steep depreciation so you can pick up used ones cheap. (though you might have to do some searching to find one). A 10-year old model with average mileage should sell in the $3000 to $5000 range you are looking for...maybe less. It of course has Toyota reliability, but make sure that the timing belt has been replaced if the engine has one.

If you want a domestic truck, look first at a Ford Ranger or F-150. (the Mazda B-series is a twin to the Ranger). If you look at a Ford truck, AVOID the Firestone Wilderness AT tires that were installed on many Ford trucks and SUV's ( if the truck still has them on ) They were the subject of a massive recall and were part of the Explorer roll-over investigation a few years ago. If the truck has those tires, REPLACE them.....a Ford or Firestone tire dealer might do it either for free or at a discount....not sure about that at this late date.
In general, apart from the Firestone tire problems, Ford trucks tend to be a little more reliable than Chevies and Dodges. I would especially avoid Chevy / GM trucks from the early 90's-on. They had numerous brake problems and defects from poor design....some of which were safety-related.

 

Hey Neo.

Mmarshall made some good suggestions. The T-100 is what came to my mind first as well. The NHTSA crash test yeilded a 4 star rating in 1995 for the driver and a five-star rating for the passenger(s) in the 35mph full-frontal crash.

Let me caution you against earlier domestic trucks (especially the Ford F-150).

Their safety record is pretty horrible.

Here's some F-150 (1997-2003) model year crash information:

IIHS Frontal offset: POOR


Ford Ranger (1998-2005)
IIHS Frontal offset: Acceptable


You could probably pick up a used Ranger on the cheap - around what you're looking to spend.

Don't even look at the older used Dodges - they are trash - especially the Dakota.

Of course the redesigned 2004/2005 truck crashes well (along with all recent redesigns EXCEPT for GM trucks which are still rated as poor in the IIHS frontal offset test).

Good luck.

M.

 

stay away from Ford trucks

we have a bunch of them where i work so from expierence i can say stay away

even the brand new ones have crazy problems

i like chevy they are easier to work on should a problem arise

but i would try to go with a toyota myself and from where you live i dont think you need 4x4

so you probably could get a good one for the b udget you have

not too mention all toyota trucks out here from the early 90's have some form bed rust

there is guy i my town selling a 88 toyota pickup with 188,000 miles with bad bed rust and he stil wants $3000

well im rambling but good luck

 

Correct me if I am wrong, but I have not seen much of a rust problem with Toyota trucks from about 1990 on.
That rust problem in the 1980's (and yes, it was bad ), was caused by an attempt to get around the 25% imported-truck tariffs at the time. The tariff did not apply to partly completed trucks, so the cabs and chassis were sent over on the boat from Japan and the beds were welded on here at the West Coast Toyota warehouses. Problem is...for years they used s - - -tty, defective welds that allowed the metal to rust from the inside out no matter how well you took care of the truck or how many times you washed it. if you look at almost any 1980's vintage Toyota truck you will see the SAME rust lines in the SAME places.....horizontal lines right along the top of the wheel wells where the beds were welded on, and a line under the tailgate.
That problem, as far as I know, was corrected after 1990.

 

^^^
agree w/ what everybody said so far...
would also recommend the smaller toyota pick-ups
if you're only doing part-time hauling, then the 4 banger will be fine.
toyota's 4 in the truck has been around (w/ slight upgrades) for the last 20+ yrs
same design - vertually bulletproof; will easily go over 200k miles
just got to change the oil regularly...
i had '86 sr5 turbo.. sold it to my boss at 137k.. he sold it to his brother-in-law at 200k... and he still has it and it top 250k last year... on the same factory turbo..! everything is original on the drivetrain...!!!

 

Thanks guys. I knew I could count on you.

I was looking at some F-150s since I've brainwashed by seeing so many of them around here. The ones in the late 90s seem to go at around my price. From the warnings though, I think I will stay away for now.

I was looking at Toyotas (gotta stay in the family) to but just was not sure which ones. That T-100 sounds good.

 

Test (rode) in the '05 Tacoma... wow... Lexus has a pickup truck!