If one can't afford a Taco, what is the next best option?

Ford Rangers I guess, but I'd still try to get a tacoma. They are worth what you pay for, and will probably last you twice as long as any other small truck. My taco has 255k on it, my friends has 345k on it my uncle just sold his, it had 370+k on it, and thats all on the original motor. Of course my dad's ranger, had about 390k last time I seen it, not the original motor...and my friends ranger, something like 400 on it, crazy, but i have no clue if thats original motor or not. Just go with a tacoma. Keep looking and you'll find a deal

 

Got my basic 5 lug 2.4 2001 with 150k for 1100. Not bad for a first vehicle

 

I got my Extra Cab V6 TRD from Colorado (no rust) with 76K miles for 14.5K

It was more than I wanted to spend, as I had NO IDEA how popular this trucks are. Yes I guess a Frontier will work on a pinch. For what I saw firsthand 4Runners generally sell for more than Tacos if they are 4WD, and remember 2WD runners don't come TRD like Tacos, but if you know how to wrench...


I would recommend to expand your search, have your financing secured and be ready to pull the trigger.

I searched FL, TX, AZ, CO and GA in that order as I wanted a ZERO rust chassis. You being in Cali helps with that.


Good luck!

 

To the OP, an older higher mileage tacoma!!!

 

I had a chevy s10 Zr2 before my taco and I loved that bad ass truck till I took her apart
piece by piece, now she rests all over the US.

 

older 4runner definately

 

Banks aren't too keen into lending money for old high mileage trucks...

 

Dodge Dakotas have been good to us. My brother sold his 92 with 150K on it, still see it running around. I had a 95 that I bought used with only 30K on it. Traded it for the Tacoma. Dad has had a 93, 96, and now an 03. He traded the 96 for the 03 when the 96 hit 130K. The 03 has 115K on it now. They all have had minor issues that for the most part could be fixed by a shadetree mechanic in a few hours. The 03 has some wacky issue with the temp gauge that we can't figure out. It will peg on hot shortly after it's started. Turn the key off, then back on and it goes away. Still runs great. None of these trucks has had a major drivetrain component go out. For the money they are hard to beat. I bought my 95 for 5300 bucks, drove it for six years and got 2000 out of it.

The resale value on them is terrible. That's great if you are buying one used.

 

I've always heard really good things about the danger rangers. I have friends and family that have driven every small truck out there and between the Taco and the ranger, they wouldn't buy anything else; it's all what you have luck with really.

 

Wow. Zombie thread bump. Woot.

 

Colorado, my friend has a lifted one that i love and they look good too.

 

you will just have to keep looking. i had been casually looking for a 4x4 for more than 4 months...i saw maybe 2 or 3 that fit my price range, options, miles, and condition. then after months and months of waiting i pulled the trigger on my 96 in fantastic condition with 122k for 7200. if you find one that checks out on the auto check sites and fits your criteria, you better go drive it within 3 or 4 days its on craigslist and be ready to write the check the day. time and time again it shows people have an obsession with these things and they get snatched up very quickly, and the better the condition guess what, the quicker it goes. just dont get anxious, make sure you do a car fax, thoroughly inspect the engine, suspension, drivelines, crawl over the interior, and ask the owner any and all questions that pop into your head. good luck

 

I have had 2 Rangers and 1 Dakota and now my first Taco. I would really recomend and of the three but I do have to say the Taco has been the best.

 

Just get an older Taco.