# Let's talk small pickup trucks.

**URL:** <https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797>\
**Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\
**Created:** [February 27, 2010, 10:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797 "2010-02-27T22:58:14Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Boomin99GT](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/boomin99gt/32/7306_2.png) [@Boomin99GT](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Boomin99GT)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/41 "2010-02-28T13:09:29Z")

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Colorado’s front brakes are a PITA compared to most front brakes but they’re nothing crazy. Lots of front ABS wheel speed sensor problems I’ve found. GM already has changed the part because they keep having issues with them.

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**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 1:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/42 "2010-02-28T13:21:37Z")

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Wow, a lot of really useful information in this thread. Thanks guys. :tup:

Double J - I said that I wouldn’t want to do any hard off roading. I would still want to do some. And the it’s not like I would lift the truck a foot, maybe just a couple inches if that to make it look better.

Fry - I want a pickup truck because of the ease of just throwing shit into the bed without worrying about what it might do to the interior of the truck. Plus if I’m only bringing one bike, I can throw it into the bed of the truck, strap her down and roll out. Trust me, I’ve certainly thought about the SUV route, but I’ve never been a fan of them.

The VQ30 argument is compelling. I know those motors are stout. Hmmmm… I’ll def have to take you up on the offer of driving your truck, though. 🙂

Ian - What you are saying about the colorado interiors really turns me off of them. I HATE when interiors are cheaply made and rattle early in the vehicles life. One thing I loved about the BMW was that it was still whisper quiet when it was 13 years old. (F I miss that car :()

Josh - The valve problem definitely seems a little whacky for a truck with \<30K on it. Let me ask this; Can you honestly say that this truck drives as comfortably as the other options? Or is your opinion fairly weighted by the fact that Colorados are usually a shitload cheaper?

Will - you stop it. How else am I going to move all my things down to Florida to live in your spare bedroom?

This thread is definitely swaying my opinion of the options. I think right now the Frontier is taking the lead because it seems to be the balance between cost and quality from the other two. I really can’t wait to start test driving these bitches.

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**Author:** ![rugsr](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/rugsr/32/7474_2.png) [@rugsr](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rugsr)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 1:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/43 "2010-02-28T13:26:18Z")

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if your gonna drive a mini- truck  
do it right  
[http://minitruckzone.tenmagazines.com/articleImages/28452.jpg](http://minitruckzone.tenmagazines.com/articleImages/28452.jpg)  
[http://www.allterrainminitrucks.com/images/home/mini-truck-field.jpg](http://www.allterrainminitrucks.com/images/home/mini-truck-field.jpg)

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**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 2:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/44 "2010-02-28T14:11:54Z")

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> [@Paulo](#):
>
> Meh, Don’t really see myself getting into an SUV. And for a truck, I would want it to be automatic.
> 
> EDIT - and when I say bike, I mean motorcycle. lol

Quoting this since everyone keeps bringing up Manual Transmissions for some reason.

I know people feel the Tacomas have a ridiculous resale, but isn’t it high for a good reason? Like its an amazing truck with great out of the box capabilities. If you have it with the Off road trim, you probably wouldn’t need to worry about getting a lift for light to moderate off roading at all.

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**Author:** ![NYstanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@NYstanger](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/NYstanger)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 3:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/45 "2010-02-28T15:35:55Z")

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> [@IanK](#):
>
> Not what im judging upon, but it is what they all share. They just dont stand up to rivals from Nissan and Toyota IMO. They are cheap though I’ll give em that. I know Paulo pretty well though and i doubt thats ultimately what he is after.

They don’t stand up how? If your judging then you clearly have experience with all the trucks listed to make such a judgment.

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**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 3:44pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/46 "2010-02-28T15:44:59Z")

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> [@NYstanger](#):
>
> They don’t stand up how? If your judging then you clearly have experience with all the trucks listed to make such a judgment.

I would guess because he does valet parking, that he has driven these models and made comparisons based on that. But I’m not sure.

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**Author:** ![llink78](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/llink78/32/8037_2.png) [@llink78](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/llink78)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/47 "2010-02-28T16:08:37Z")

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> [@NYstanger](#):
>
> They don’t stand up how? If your judging then you clearly have experience with all the trucks listed to make such a judgment.

He does valet. And we drive tons of there every week. I’d say buy the toyota with the off road package and never look back.

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**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 4:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/48 "2010-02-28T16:09:48Z")

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The Nissan makes more power than the Toyota too. 😉 VQ40, not 30. It’s a stroked VQ35.

Oh, and if you give a shit about safety you would run screaming from all of the domestic trucks. Check out their crash test ratings.

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**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/49 "2010-02-28T16:17:13Z")

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Sorry, I meant to type 40. I actually looked it up to be sure too. lol

I put a search into Autotrader with the things I want. 05+, 4x4, 4 doors, v6, \<75k miles and less then $17k. Got a whole bunch of Frontiers. Did the same thing for Tacomas, and the only thing that came up was a wrecked one. lol

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**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/50 "2010-02-28T16:21:33Z")

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ha yeah stupid Toyotas and their insane lack of depreciation. Nissan’s aren’t bad, but they probably depreciate fastest of the Japanese brands. Toyotas, Hondas, Subarus. You’re usually better off just buying new if you’re looking for a \<4 year old model.

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**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2010, 4:28pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/51 "2010-02-28T16:28:04Z")

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> [@Paulo](#):
>
> Josh - The valve problem definitely seems a little whacky for a truck with \<30K on it. Let me ask this; Can you honestly say that this truck drives as comfortably as the other options? Or is your opinion fairly weighted by the fact that Colorados are usually a shitload cheaper?

As far as the ride is concerned mine is a little rough. It wasn’t that bad before the lift though. I chalk it up due to the short wheel base. Factory it wasn’t that bad, I’d say it was on par with my Cherokee.

The interior of ours doesn’t rattle at all. The stereo is pretty good, good enough that I’d never think about changing it out. The interior is a little simple though. You get the good old simple GM HVAC controls with no real bells and whistles.

I’ve been in the longer wheel base Nissan, which did ride better. I think long wheel bases almost always ride better though. Neither the Nissan or Toyota seem worth the extra money to me. I mean it is a truck.

I drove our Colorado across country with Bridget pulling a 4K lbs trailer and it was comfy enough that we both slept like babies in the passenger seat while the other was driving. If I needed a super smooth ride I’d buy a car.

I’m not sure what the suspension set ups are on all the trucks, but knowing there is a 8.2" solid rear axle with a modified dana torsion axle up front, with a pull frame under the truck ensure me that when I need the truck to work it’ll be able to.

Side note, I’ve owned a ranger and an Isuzu truck. The 3.0 in the Ranger sucked so bad. Slow and horrible MPG.

If you care about price to value I’d seriously consider all trucks and look for the best deal.

My best deal happened to be the Colorado. Had all the options I wanted, in a nice color, capable easy to mod chassis, and 5year 100K warranty.

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**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 2:15am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/52 "2010-03-05T02:15:43Z")

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Been putting more thought into this. I think if I go the newer truck route, I’ll likely get a Frontier. Quality is there, performance, style, and the bill for that won’t be what it is for a Tacoma.

However, I’m also toying with the idea of spending much less on a truck so that I can have a “fun” car sooner rather than later. This would mean I’d be shopping in the \<$7k range and holy shit are trucks ugly pre-2004. Jeep Grand Cherokees come into play. Reliable, comfy enough, nice interiors. So we’ll see. It’s all going to come down to test drives I think.

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**Author:** ![Superium](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/superium/32/7405_2.png) [@Superium](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Superium)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 4:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/53 "2010-03-05T04:06:48Z")

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If you can find a Tacoma x-runner 6spd, I would recommend test driving it. Its the only pickup I would consider buying just cause it didnt feel like a pickup so it might not meet your offroading expectations.

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**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 5:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/54 "2010-03-05T05:50:22Z")

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> [@Paulo](#):
>
> Been putting more thought into this. I think if I go the newer truck route, I’ll likely get a Frontier. Quality is there, performance, style, and the bill for that won’t be what it is for a Tacoma.
> 
> However, I’m also toying with the idea of spending much less on a truck so that I can have a “fun” car sooner rather than later. This would mean I’d be shopping in the \<$7k range and holy shit are trucks ugly pre-2004. Jeep Grand Cherokees come into play. Reliable, comfy enough, nice interiors. So we’ll see. It’s all going to come down to test drives I think.

If this is the case buy a 2000ish cherokee and call it a day. \<$3K and super reliable. I loved mine.

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**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 6:02am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/55 "2010-03-05T06:02:17Z")

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> [@Superium](#):
>
> If you can find a Tacoma x-runner 6spd, I would recommend test driving it. Its the only pickup I would consider buying just cause it didnt feel like a pickup so it might not meet your offroading expectations.

2WD only, 2 door only, lots of low hanging plastic and sport suspension, better suited to autocross than off roading. Sounds exactly like what he’s looking for!

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**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 6:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/56 "2010-03-05T06:04:14Z")

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> [@ultradriver10000](#):
>
> If this is the case buy a 2000ish cherokee and call it a day. \<$3K and super reliable. I loved mine.

I like this idea. Get a cheap utility beast and a fun car. Two cars are always more reliable than one, and you get to have one car you don’t give a shit about in the winter and one fun ride. That’s the thing about trucks/SUV’s: They’re cool and useful, but they’re not fun to drive.

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**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 6:09am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/57 "2010-03-05T06:09:59Z")

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+1 to fry

I rock 2 cars and I love it. Xterra for utility, mazdaspeed 3 for DD/fun

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**Author:** ![Joe](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/joe/32/7219_2.png) [@Joe](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Joe)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 6:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/58 "2010-03-05T06:12:25Z")

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> [@Fry](#):
>
> That’s the thing about trucks/SUV’s: They’re cool and useful, but they’re not fun to drive.

Speak for yourself nissanfag 😛

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**Author:** ![Paulo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/paulo/32/7328_2.png) [@Paulo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Paulo)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 6:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/59 "2010-03-05T06:17:17Z")

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Cherokees are pretty damn cheap too. Ugh. Sometimes I wish I wasn’t a car guy at all. This would be a lot simpler.

With the exception of the past 2 years, I’ve normally had 2 vehicles as well. It’s certainly handy. Especially when the fun car needs some downtime for upgrades etc…

So it’s either ~$15k on one truck this year and no fun car for a while.  
Or $5k on a Jeep or similar, fun car mid season-next spring for the sub $15k range.

Hmmmmmmmm.  
I think I can probably live without an 05+ Frontier/Tacoma.

This thread is certainly serving it’s purpose, though. :tup:

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**Author:** ![boardjnky4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/96bed5/32.png) [@boardjnky4](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/boardjnky4)\
**Post date:** [March 5, 2010, 6:22am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/lets-talk-small-pickup-trucks/79797/60 "2010-03-05T06:22:10Z")

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You can probably get 00/01/02 xterras pretty cheap too

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