Need help deciding on first truck

You should hold out for a 4wd. If that means a higher mileage vehicle to stay within budget I’d consider that to be worth it, these trucks go for hundreds of thousands of miles, a few more miles ain’t no thang...and it sounds like you’re planning on beating it up anyways. A 4wd will be pretty darn capable stock, especially for your first vehicle. You can then use that money you’d otherwise waste on mods to help your parents pay for the truck......

 

To put things in perspective, I only have about $18K combined total into both of these and they're both 4WD. I would never take my Taco out and do the stuff I do with my Ford. "Oh darn, I put another dent in the Ford."

 

If price and Mileage are the same , I d choose the pre-runner.
I have owned a 2nd Gen Pre-runner. Although, mine was 5-speed manual.
I loved it. Only sold it to “upgrade” to a v6, 4x4, Auto.

The only thing my Pre-Runner couldn't do was, get me “into” or “out of” places I probably didn’t need to be anyways.
And, yes. Yes I have managed to get stuck in my 4x4.
It was was in a place I didn’t need to be, but at least it got me there. Lol.

 

Putting a winch on the 5lugger to go offroading will likely result with you using the winch to bail yourself out from high centering on the parking lot speed bump leading to the trail.

 

my 5 lug gets stuck on wet pavement. gotta easy onto the accelerator.

 

if your budget is over 15 thousand you should definitely buy a 4x4, I see plenty of second gen trd 4x4 all stock with close to 100k miles with asking prices of 15. And from the sound of it you are going off roading anyway, so there is no point not to buy a 4x4

 

Sweet trucks! I certainly think I'll hold out for the prerunner now. Also, how long could I expect one of these trucks to last if I need to keep it through the rest of highschool and on through 4yrs of college? My dad is scared by high mileage because all his cars growing up were pos econoboxes and anything around or over 90,000 typically scares him away. But from what ive seen on these forums they should certainly last me what I need.

 

For some reason l always lean towards taking grandpa's old truck. I don't know why? Maybe the family connection with another generation. Having that what was once his is kind of special. But that's the sentimental side of me.

You gotta decide on what you are realistically going to use the truck for. Plus will you have more to do the mods you are thinking of now?
The other truck has more aftermarket goodies available for it from what I've read.

It's a tough choice, but you are the one that's going to drive it and have to maintain it..

Matbe sit down and do a Pros and Cons list for each vehicle and see what you come up with. This way you'll all the Pros and Cons listed out in front of you for each vehicle. .

Good luck and keep us posted..

 

Holdout for a 4x4 if you wanna mess around offroad. If you dont, you are soon going to want to sell the prerunner and get one. Just wait for the right deal and be ready to jump on it.
Mileage on my 4x4 2.7l 5 speed is about 22 combined with 32 inch tires. Although mine is a regular cab so probably lighter.

 

None in my area at or below my max of 15k sadly.. The Search continues!

 

I would be patient about it.. or be willing to make a day travel to buy. Theres a big market here in ca which is why I see them.

 

Thanks! Will post within next two months what I end up purchasing.

 

Thanks! I found a truck just like yours with only 48,000mi but my dad doesn't want me to get a single cab( he had a single cab manual t-100 many years ago and thinks it wont be enough room)

 

Get a toolbox!

 

Sadly Im on the East coast but I have been looking within 200mi of my area almost everyday online.

 

I might have to fly out and buy it if you don't want it

 

Great minds think alike! He wasn't very amused at the thought of that, but then again he is offering to pay for it so who am I to complain?

 

Only $13,000 if I remember right, single cab 2.7 5-speed 4x4 one owner. If I had the choice it'd be sitting in my driveway right now!

 

Good deal, especially if its as clean as the miles make me think it is. Plenty of room for you to mod if you get it cheaper too

 

I'm 6'2 and have plenty if room to drive comfortably. Having a cap on the bed gives me lots of secure storage space for things I wanna keep on me all the time. I also like the short wheelbase for offroading. Very easy to maneuver. I like my truck but also understand single cabs aren't for everyone!