What used truck to get. Not a Toyota.

I had a friend in grad school with a Fit. It seemed to get him around really well, and protected him that one time he tried to play pinball with the jersey barriers.... Good cars for sure.

 

Shit I wouldn’t buy my kid one Tacoma over there either with the prices. Typical CL ad
2002 Tacoma
Body is okay one window no roll up. Get small kine stains on the seat. 290k miles with 10in lift kit LED headlights. Needs wheel bearings and new tires registration 2 years past safety 2 years past but no matter AC blows cold. This truck is cherry. Asking 15500 no low balls. Will trade for Bentley

 

Exactly. You think I was happy with my 93 Camry, 4 banger, automatic and baby blue. Fuck! But I could only be thankful cause my dad bought it for me and I was 17 working for $5.25 and hour. You gotta start somewhere. And earn what you really want. And yes, I could probably afford to buy him a 2020 tacoma, but what would that teach him? Just fuck around and do whatever and rely on dad?

 

Also going back to being an 17/18 year old male, I did shit like ram trash cans and attempted to drift with McDonald’s trays under rear wheel with the e brake locked etc etc with the Camry. He’s gonna beat it to death and I won’t get as mad.

 

2012+ frontier. They are pretty close to 2nd gen tacomas without paying toyota tax, and 2016+ frontiers are better than same year Tacoma's

 

I have never seen a good used truck at a good price. They're probably out there, but I have never seen one.

 

How's the price on used F150s on the island? Is shipping an option from say the southwest?

I'm thinking jeep, frontier, ranger, Colorado. In that order. Could a Subaru AWD handle the fishing trails?

Pretty cool what you're doing for your kid, OP.

 

I agree with what has been said. The Frontier is pretty trusty depending on the year. But they've been making the same one since 2004 (they changed the engine for 2020) so parts are easy to come by.

An older model Ford Ranger is definitely good too. I'd probably drive one of those if I could. Keep in mind that the Mazda B3000 is the same truck. Very reliable.

I'd avoid Dodge Dakotas and Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyons. I had a 2008 Canyon, but it kind of went down hill. It still ran and drove good, but lots of little electronic issues and rust was forming pretty good. A Chevy S10/GMC Sonoma may not be bad if you can find one. But I'd stick with Nissan or Ford/Mazda if you can't find a decent 1st or 2nd gen Taco.

 

IMHO.....you are FN up.

This is time for a LIFE lesson. Let the boy shop for his own truck, financing, insurance.....the whole 10 yards of the car buying/owning experience.

You can guide him through the process. Don't make a decision for him. Let him make the choices. Your purpose is to guide and counsel.

Once he has the truck, he is responsible for maintenance, license, insurance, violations, fuel.......His truck = His responsibility.

One very important point to protect you. Make sure the title and insurance are in HIS name.

There are many models of good used trucks. Yes, some are better suited for a specific task than others.

 

the reality of toyotas having a good reputation leads to a ‘ mystique ‘

ive owned 3 yet i shopped around for a year

i looked at them all & bought an SR ................ no regrets

truck wise/$$$$ wise i got agreat deal ..............so far a damn good truck

so heres my 2cents

toyota/frontier or all the rest

first find a good truck at the right price...........pull the trigger

by example Ur kid will like the truck

no less he will enjoy it

no less the bond will be strong between U 2

dad bought him a damn good truck

later on that example & bond will lead him to buy a damn good truck !!!!!!!

sans ‘ mystique '

 

there is no bus system here, well there is but it’s so shitty it doesn’t count. No bike lanes. Walking is not within distance. How does he get started for himself if he can’t even save any money?

if you are saying let him make the decisions and I pay, then that’s seems like a bad plan. I am trying to talk to him now about why I would make a certain decision, But I have the final call and maybe he’ll be less pissed with me if I make a decision he doesn’t like but I tried to teach him why I made that decision.

 

Thank you

 

I apologize because by my own comments I made this a parenting advice thread. Don’t want that. I steered it there sort of.

Sounds like 2004+ frontier or old ranger are the main recommendations in this class. Thank you. I can get on board with both of those trucks

 

You sound like a great dad. Your kid is lucky to have you looking out for him.

 

Sacrilege!

Please stay where you are, you are being tracked and monitored, a TW official will be with you soon to repossess your Toyotas.

 

I don't know your kid or what is the cool shit is in Hawaii but at his age I'd have probably wanted the Frontier over a Ranger. I imagine either truck will have some problems and he may well crash it at some point, so I wouldn't stress too hard. Good on you for wanting to hook your kid up without spoiling him. I'm sure he'll be stoked just to have some wheels whatever it is. Good luck!

 

Don't have any.

 

Nissan or Ranger. Even a well kept S10 or S15 from the late 90s, with the Iron Duke isnt a terrible choice.

But no truck in your price range will get good MPG.

Not sure why one has to have a truck to be a fisherman, unless you are carting around a jon boat or kayaks. Even then, a trailer behind an econo box is a cheaper choice.

Is it a 4wd for use on the beach or something? Didn't think you'd be allowed on beaches in HI

 

Older Frontiers are generally good reliable trucks. My family members have had a pile of rangers over the years with excellent luck. One of my buddies had almost 300k on his "Prerunner" Ranger in the early 2000's with only normal maintenance. Maybe lacking the cool factor, but something like a Subaru outback is actually a really great 'truck' and I happily fished out of one for many years. Course I also fished out of a late 70's Buick le sabre happily too so maybe that says more about me than the car.