What would be the low-priced "beater" small truck to 'get by' with?

So, as I've noted, Betty is no longer with us and I have need of transportation.

Now, I'm not going to shell out full price for a new Taco or even a recent used one just yet...I'm waiting for the divorce to finish up. But that might take a while...lawyers suck and judges are worse.

So, in the meantime, I'll need a beater truck. Something to bomb around town in, go back and forth to work. The lower the price, the better, until I get my feet underneath me again. I'm not going back to a car...I'm just not. I got too used to having a truck, and that's what I'm staying with.

I'm looking for cheap and dependable first and foremost.

What would be YOUR 'second choice' beater truck? Any particular make, model, flavor, etc?

 

Apparently Colorado's are cheap. Not bad looking either, $8k or so? Or an S10 for most cheap.

 

I am guessing you don't need 4wd?

I would just look for a 2wd 4banger reg cab taco if I was in an area where 4wd isn't needed. They are pretty cheap around here (sub 5k).

 

No. At least not yet. I'll prolly get it on the next Taco, but I don't need 4by just yet.

 

You get what you pay for. My work has a Colorado. It's constantly breaking down. I would get an old yota pickup with the 22re. As long as the body is in decent shape, it should last for a long time.

 

I would love to get an older 1st gen and use it. But the Taco's here....even 200K used ones are north of 15,000$.

 

Maybe you tell us what's available in.your price range then, and suggestions can come based off that list?

 

I would be all over a 22re toyota pickup like white on rice.

 

Those were 81-96ish, right?

 

85-95. Some 85s and 86s might still have the 22r so you gotta watch out for that. Fuel injection is the way to go. I would under no circumstance buy a 3.0l. I would rather drive an s10. That's just me.

 

Don't knock them to you've tried them. I had the same feelings. When I couldn't find a 22re, I "settled" for the 3.0. While it's not the most fuel edficient, it's not the bad engine that some say it is. I have 261k on mine and it still runs like a top.

 

My first choice would be a 96-04 2wd regular cab Tacoma with a 5 speed. But they are hard to find. 2nd choice would be a base model Ford Ranger with the 2.3 4 cylinder.