My turn for a what vehicle thread

Gone too long without a truck so now looking. SWMBO says now is time. Our needs are hardware store stuff and light towing. Primarily just me in the truck, sometimes a passenger so I've narrowed it down to Tacoma or Colorado/Canyon Extended Cab w/V6. Don't need crew cab and would rather have the longer bed. Crew cab beds just are too short to do anything with but look like a truck, sort of. SMWBO wants new so looking for nicety options but not too loaded down with gadgetry. 2WD is what we're focusing on, 4WD only if same price. I like the Tacoma and price. Felt good sitting in it. Colorado is slightly roomier and slightly more options, built in trailer brake controller and hill hold. Hill hold with a auto trans? Sitting in it didn't trip bells, just blasé'. I'm soliciting opinions on which way to go. Colorado/Canyon is also a bit more $$. Not an issue if worth the extra $$. Did some looking today, will do more Saturday.

Sad part is I can't justify keeping the RX8 so it's going. Starting to have issues anyway, constant coolant level light and A/C went out (compressor I think) and the heater temp selector rarely works. So either spend money on the RX8 or get rid of it for a truck needed for our house w/1-acre yard.

After I get a truck I'll look into a light trailer for hauling my Miata autocross car and/or 70 Opel GT to distant shows/events. Which would be necessary when we start looking for a Class B motorhome closer to retirement. In less than 10 years.

I have chosen this moment to announce to the world that, henceforth and forever, I am responding to all "What car?" posts with the same answer, no matter how irrelevant it may be to the actual question.

Subary Justy 4WD

In reply to EvanR:

Datsun 310GX

Isuzu Trooper

I just can't like the tacoma.

Or the Colorado.

Look into a fleet package full size chevy or ford. Should be cheaper and more useful, with less gadgets. Easily do everything you need it to. And still be nicer than most stuff from the 90s.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

Second that. Full size trucks are so cheap and SO much more capably than smaller rigs. Unless you deliver auto-parts for a living just go ahead and get the F-150/Silverado and never have to worry about it again.

Put a trailer hitch on the RX8 and get a utility trailer? I kid, but seriously, would your needs be better suited with a car/crossover/suv and a utility trailer for those few times you actually need the cargo capacity? Then you'll have more interior space for everyday stuff it'll likely get better mileage, be more comfortable and so on.

reg cab, long box, ecoboost F150

So your needs are hardware store runs, light towing, and potentially towing a Miata.

Enter the Buick Roadmaster Estate Wagon. With the 2nd and 3rd row folded flat, you can stack 4x8 plywood and sheetrock with the hatch closed. Want a tailgate? Sure, it opens down. Want a rear door instead? Guess what. It opens outward too.

Towing? You betcha. With a 5,000 lb rating, it'll handle most any trailer/racecar combo you can throw at it. In style and luxury Plus you won't feel bad about getting rid of the RX-8. Trade in your twin doritos for an octave of glorious 90s LT1 thunderbooms.

For even a pristine low-milelage example, you will likely have extra cash in your pocket after selling the RX-8. It might even drink less oil too!

Sounds like the OP is looking for new or warranty if keeping for 10 years.

The full size vs mid size truck pricing is a tough call. You can get a much larger truck for similar $.

Really depends on what you're comfortable with and possibly parking space requirements. Also check into any incentives offered. The mid sizers tend not to have any significant deals but the full size trucks end up with plenty just to keep them moving off the lot

F150 2.7 Ecoboost. Tows like 8500 lbs, does 0-60 in under 6, rated in the high 20s for MPGs supposedly, 'Lumnum body that won't rot. I was floored when I first heard those numbers from someone on here. If you would have told me 5 years ago there was a truck capable of that on the market I would have told you to go eff yourself. Unreal.

If choosing between your original 2, Taco all day because resale.

I usually do go with a couple year old rather than new. Had a 81 K5 Blazer I bought in 83 and drove it till 97 when someone ran a red light and put it in the junkyard. Then bought a 95 F150 XLT Extended Cab in 97 and drove it until about 2-3 years ago when I sold it. When SWMBO found out that new midsize was about the same price and 3-4 year old used she said new midsize. I'm not sure about other areas but new full size isn't even close to midsize price, like $8,000 more and up. And yes, plan on keeping it a while. I usually keep vehicle till they aren't worth much. The 2004 RX8 is about the newest I've ever replaced and it's 11-12 years old now. Don't need a full back seat but want the extra space of a extended cab. Know about F150 EcoBoost, have several friends with them. Only mid-20's for MPG without a load, half that with a load. 'Lumnum body is more $$. SUV doesn't haul tall stuff very well. Done the SUV thing, want something that can carry anything I want. Kids are grown and gone, just me and SWMBO. And maybe a 6lb dog (toy poodle).

Taco all the way. If you're going to keep it a while, they have great resale, and are very good on the reliability.

might want to look at a frontier as well.

Taco for reliability of drivetrain, resale and rust. GM Little truck because you don't like how a Taco drives and probably cheaper.

Or just buy a full size standard cab for cheaper than either above and not worry at all about capacity or capability.

As much as I am a Taco guy, what about a used Colorado or Canyon with the 5 cylinder?

The Ecoboost F150 reg cab gets my second vote.

I dislike large cars or trucks. When I needed a truck I chose the Tacoma Access Cab 4x4. There is a reason they have high resale. Notice the deeep discounted prices on full size pickups lately? Just adds to the depreciation of trucks purchased earlier in the year.

outasite wrote: I dislike large cars or trucks. When I needed a truck I chose the Tacoma Access Cab 4x4. There is a reason they have high resale. Notice the deeep discounted prices on full size pickups lately? Just adds to the depreciation of trucks purchased earlier in the year.

I would love a Tacoma but the math doesn't work. I can get a one year old full size in the high twenties that gets better gas mileage than the same year and appointments Taco that would only be a $1k less than a new one. (unless we are talking 4 banger but those seem really hard to find). So I am in the truck for less money. I use less fuel (5.0 F150 4 door shop truck got 23 on the highway and 18 in town, that Coyote is a beast, Taco EPa is 16/21 which you should do better but you should do 20% better because it is alot less truck than the Ford, EPA has the Ford at so lets just call it a wash), and how I would use a truck now, I would have it for 10 years so the difference would $3k vs $6k for a truck that cost me that much more,and to be honest, unless you are pushing well into the 200k club really isn't any more reliable than a domestic. (Ford and Chevy know how to build a 200k mile truck)

And I can actually do things with the bed. lots of things. This is the argument Ford had about bringing back the Ranger. There wasn't enough of a price difference to justify it.

Wish that was so here. Around here 1 year old full-size trucks are almost the same price as new, mid to high 30's and 3 year old full-size are still low 30's. A new 2016 Taco is less than 30, saw for myself at a dealer yesterday. New 2016 taco extended cab with the desired options stickered for 29 and that's before my Korean wife would start her negotiations. She takes great pleasure in negotiating, Korean custom. She found out CarMax doesn't negotiate and refused to go there. Only couple year old full size for same price have high mileage. For some reason I tend to shy away from a 2014 with over 70,000 miles on it.

You could buy one heckuva nice Ford Ranger..

As much as I love the Taco, Flight service nailed it.

A full size offers the same gas mileage with better towing and hauling capacity. There's a reason the Ford F150 is the best selling vehicle in the world...

But I do love my old Toyota.