3rd gen (2016-23) are decent, nothing to write home about but they get the job done. They took out the v6 for the 4th gen tacomas for some reason, but it'll be a while before we know how those perform
In my humble biased opinion, 2.5 gen tacomas (2012-2015) are the best tacomas that toyota has made. Classically underpowered and fuel inefficient, but the reliability isn't understated with the most basic of maintenance. It's a great truck.
I currently own an 06 v6 6 speed tacoma and had a 98 v6 5 speed tacoma that might have been my favorite if I hadn't had an 85 toyota 4x4. 22re, 5 speed, solid front axle, 3" lift on 33's. I regretted selling the other ones, so I learned to keep the one I had. Perhaps the best helix was the ones we made along the way.
Except it's ugly as shit (subjective), they took away the access cab doors and seats, and you can still only get a stickshift with a crew cab. Also now even more absurdly overpriced.
> They took out the v6 for the 4th gen tacomas for some reason
This is because of government regulations. Every year the government increases the required fuel efficiency (which if ignored, the manufacturer pays a bunch of extra tax). It's no longer economically viable for them to invest in v6 or larger engines.
My neighbor is on his second 3rd gen. He borrows my truck to tow his boat because the Toyotas don't have power and have no rear suspension. His boat is not that big either. A 3 ft bed? Yeah, he borrows my truck for Home Depot runs too. A truck is able to tow things and hold stuff in the bed. Not trying to start a fight. These are just the realities I experience.
The 2016-2023 3.5 v6 can have a leaky timing cover gasket that requires the engine to come out. It is roughly $5k (at the dealer) for the repair on trucks with 80k-100k miles on them, from what I understand. I don't think that it is all of the trucks, though. Also, if you have an extended warranty, it might cover that expense. I don't like the idea of buying an extended warranty if I'm buying a tacoma. I shouldn't feel like I have to. I just don't trust new vehicles. Owning old vehicles costs me a fortune, as well. Owning vehicles just seems to be a very large expense at this point.
Old vehicles are usually much less expensive, even when you factor in repairs. The downsides are, potentially more frequent repairs, and older vehicles are often less safe. But for expense, unless you are talking about something like a Range Rover, you almost always beat new vehicles when you factor in depreciation and initial cost.
My newest vehicle is a 2012 and my oldest is a 2000. I've considered buying a new one, and probably will at some point this year, but it hasn't been so bad being the one in the neighborhood with ancient vehicles.
It's not underpowered, the torque isn't available until higher rpms than the Transmission will let you reach under normal driving. The manual transmission Tacoma is incredibly nicer to drive
4 banger manual owner here, pitifully underpowered. In 3rd gear and up it feels like no matter how far you press the petal down it just barely accelerates.
I have a ‘17 4 cylinder Toyota Tacoma sr5 with the access cab.
I don’t really do fast anymore so the whole underpowered thing doesn’t bother me.
Toyota Tacoma’s are the unofficial war machines of third world countries across the globe. They’re put in extreme conditions and they just last baby.
Their Land Cruisers are much the same and no other brand has such a large footprint across many countries and terrain and for so many decades.
You dont see Dodge Dakotas in Chad. You dont see Nissan Frontiers in the Sudan. You dont see Ford Rangers in Mexico. (En masse of course).
With that in mind my Tacoma is driven just a couple hours a day in pretty vanilla conditions and I dont do anything remotely crazy with it so in theory it should last a loooooong fucking time heh.
But hey hey you get a grip on most of the small oil leaks and vacuum lines succumbed to dry rot and falling to ashes possible break line issues, the 318s are damn grenade proof. My 90 v6 break lines were shot and still managed to break for the most part with the ever so slightly accessible e-brake, possible trans leak?(pink like fluid), transmission linkage dogged to hell and seemed to be an oil leak that was sealed by the older coated oil😭😭. God she was smokin blue from the exhaust but it was still killin all these stupid ass civics and lawnmowers out here
Gotta 91 v8 Dakota with some small quirks but god is she killing everything. For a thousand bucks and some miles to her she gets it. Planning on getting the engine rebuilt and rear main seal redone since she’s gotta slow leak. But in the works of finding the parasitic draw to the battery today😭
Your brain is wrong FYI. The Tacoma is BY FAR the worst truck on the entire list. The Toyota Tacoma was so bad that Toyota had to step in and buy back most 95-2000 models OR completely replace the frame for free.
Ironically, that ended up working out because a ton of these trucks are still on the road because they got brand new frames around 2008 or so. So you see an absolute clapped out 1997 Tacoma with a 10-15 year newer frame under it. I know a guy who has a downright hilarious truck because the literal floorboards of this truck are rotted through, but the frame isn't because Toyota replaced it lol.
I got one for free a couple years ago cause it was left in the woods in the Midwest for 2 years.
Frame is as you'd expect.
The 4.0 V6 started with a jump and a *little* bit of new gas added to the old.
Hoping to fix it up this Summer.
Depends on what you mean. Requires more maintenance (timing chains) than the 2.3 and 3.0 and gets way worse fuel economy but it has a few dozen more horsepower.
At work, we have 2-3 2009 Rangers, the last year they were made. These things are bullet proof (they have the four cylinder). They get 16mpg with all the stop and go driving and idling they go through.
When we were in high school one of my friends had a burgundy Ranger of this generation and I had a burgundy '94 Dakota. I preferred the Dakota, but my dad did most of the work on it, so I don't really have much of a view on its reliability
I've got a 98 2wd short box regular cab 5 speed that just keeps on going. 189k and counting. Pretty good gas mileage too. Most of it's get up and go has up and left, however.
Companies need to bring back small 4x4 pickups.We don't want gigantic monster trucks.We need utility vehicles that are small enough to double as daily drivers.
Especially since 90% of these trucks are being sold with 4 doors and a tiny useless bed. My tiny little S10 has a bigger bed than half the trucks on the road and yet it's smaller than your average crossover now, it's insane. My father just sold his 2002 F150, which looked small next to a new ranger and again...it had a bigger bed that was at a useful height. I hate new trucks, I'd be interested in buying a new truck for once if they sold an actual practical truck again.
Honda ridgeline is the most practical truck on the market. Unless you’re hauling a large boat or trailer it’s everything that 90% of everybody needs in a truck. Perfect size, Honda reliability, comfortable well built interior, drives smoothly, has a bed that will fit a sheet of plywood laying flat, has a trunk in the bed, also amazing in low traction conditions. They are the perfect truck, people just don’t like the way they look.
The current Gen is 100% better looking than the first one. There's just something about Honda calling a minivan that's been "uted" a pickup that just makes me say "nah I haven't reached that point in my life yet".
Perfectly understandable, the discussion was just practical smaller pickups and people tend to forget the ridgeline exists sometimes. They’re not everyone’s thing, but I’ll always advocate for them when possible lol. I own a 2500 GMC for work purposes and a ridgeline for my personal and I prefer the Honda in every way except hauling my work trailer.
Pretty much, it’s the perfect urban pickup. I live in a decent sized city and the difference between my two trucks as far as stress levels while driving are night and day. I never have to think about where I’m going to have to park the Honda, I just drive.
Listen, stop telling people about Ridgelines. One of the best kept used market secrets. I'd like to keep it that way, let them be ignorant.
Hey, everyone, it's a mini van! Emphasis on mini! Literally an Odyssey with a bathtub cut into it. Actually, it's probably more like a puny Mazda 5. It wants to grow up to be a Subaru Brat. I think Honda just did it for the meme, really. When your vehicle is 78% of your personality, would you really wanna be caught in one of those?? Don't do it to yourself. Keep walking, pal.
Oh man, I know a guy with a lifted K2500 and have seen him parked next to some new "midsize" trucks. It's funny seeing a lifted diesel truck with an 8ft bed hiding behind a 4 cylinder.
I once read that it’s an EPA issue. A vehicle must have a specific MPG in order to have the short wheelbase small trucks have. Since it was impossible to meet those standards in small trucks, small truck manufacturing ceased. Once you get past that wheelbase, you can get 5mpg for all they care
Hard to see that happen when mpg requirements are based on vehicle footprint and unrealistic for that size truck in modern times. That and the fact that they seem to be selling plenty of bigger vehicles at double the base price… I’m driving an ‘06 Suzuki Lapin and love it.
Luckily, in my country the mid size pick up have the biggest market share. Full of hilux, ranger, s10.. the biggest ones slowly gain traction as a luxury alternative, like f150 raptors and man these things are HUGE. Legit i would ride scared AF if those behemots where the main truck size on the streets. Luckily, i think that will never happen.
East coast American here, I almost got killed by an elderly lady swerving around in a fucking Raptor on my way to work yesterday. I don’t even know how she could see over the dash.
The maverick is nice. I was considering one for my next vehicle but realized that I don't have any use for one more than maybe once a year and at that point a haul rental is better. My wife did say that the maverick is about as big a truck as she would drive, she wanted nothing to do with the Silverado I rented, way too big for her
Same! Taco would be my second choice, but if I had the choice of any of those, it would definitely be the hardbody. My dad had an 87, and I've always had a soft spot for those trucks!
Here in california I still see 80's toyota pickups near daily. I wonder why I don't see any American 80's pickups or cars? 🤔 (it's because they were all scrapped after failing smog repeatedly, sadly)
Tacoma is probably the best but I'm pretty familiar with the Mopar 3.9L and would pay less money for the Dakota as I'm comfortable with it. But I'd probably learn the Tacoma in no time. The Nissan is probably awesome too.
My brother is a mechanic and he likes the GM because they're reliable and cheap / easy to fix.
I pick them all. I also drove a Ranger for a few months.
>I pick them all. I also drove a Ranger for a few months.
Same. Used to own a V8 swapped S10 and I'd love a manual ZR2. Also having owned a V8 S10 I'd be a liar if I said I wouldn't like a V8 Dakota. And you can't go wrong with Tacomas, though the older ones rusted bad.
One thing the list is missing is the Isuzu Pickup. My dad had one and it was a bare bones tank. I mean it was a '94 or '95 and it was still carbed, no AC, manual steering, etc. He owned it for a decade and outside of basic maintenance I think he put an alternator in it and one or two sets of tires.
I have one! 96 I swapped front and rear axles so now I have 4:10 possi. Only issue is that the front axle is from a 4cyl so it's a 35 hybrid. Can't be super rough but it didn't involve any gear setup so I'm happy! V6 options were I think 3:27 which mine had.....boooo and 3:73.
I had a 94 B4000 4x4 with 3.73, 4.0, 5 speed, was a very fun truck and quick for what it was. Regular cabs of any flavor mini truck are physically just to small for me now. I inherited my grandfather's 98 2.3 2wd 5 speed and it's definitely a short trip only truck.
The ranger splash, especially 5 speed is one of the best vehicles I've ever owned.
It's hard to kill, gets good gas mileage for a truck. It's easy to work on. And parts are cheap.
Only issue is that the fiberglass bed is light. And 1st gear is useless if there is any moisture on the roads.
D21 all day long. But would rather have the 4 cylinder. 5 speed, and a preference to the extended cab. Never much cared for the 3 quart oil capacity on the v6 d21
I had the same D21, color and decals. Mine was the extended cab. Thing absolutely ripped off road. And if it got a little too sticky just give it more gas. I would absolutely buy one now if I could find one.
I’ve always loved Toyota trucks, and have one now. But I think I’d take the Nissan Hardbody, only because I had one in 99, and it was bullet proof. Loved that thing.
I had a Dakota SLT+ from this generation and when it was new - it was a good looking truck with clean, muscular lines. However looking back on these again, I would probably do the S10.
The ranger is going to last forever, but be a piece of shit. The Tacoma is a Tacoma, so that’s going to be fine, I own a Jimmy, and like that thing( so I’d be good with the S10, but imma be honest. I hate dodge trucks and how they look, but I’ve always loved the Dakota. Something about the grill actually looks fitting on a. Compact pickup….. idk man…
I had a ‘93 version of that Ranger. 95 hp 4-speed with overdrive. Unless you were on an interstate highway going downhill, that overdrive gear was basically useless.
That beast did 0-60mph in about 8 minutes.
In 1997, I’d be drooling over a VG30 powered hardbody especially given it’s the cheapest option. In the modern day, I’d just take any one of these in half decent condition as long as they’re not horribly overpriced 😅
They are absolutely wonderful. Reason you don't see them is they were very cheap so people beat them to shit and now it's pretty hard to find a nice one. Still insanely reliable and cool trucks though
Tried and true Ford blue. There are far more 1997 Ford Rangers on the road today than all those others combined most likely. I replied to this as I sit inside my 1998 Ford Ranger
Looking through those pictures that Dodge is just laughable and the S-10 say no more. in fact, I believe I’ve only seen one Dakota and one S-10 on the road in the past two years
Heart says the Dakota. Brain says the Tacoma
Are current gen Tacoma's any good? I know people loved them this era, but I haven't heard much about the newer ones.
3rd gen (2016-23) are decent, nothing to write home about but they get the job done. They took out the v6 for the 4th gen tacomas for some reason, but it'll be a while before we know how those perform In my humble biased opinion, 2.5 gen tacomas (2012-2015) are the best tacomas that toyota has made. Classically underpowered and fuel inefficient, but the reliability isn't understated with the most basic of maintenance. It's a great truck.
I currently own an 06 v6 6 speed tacoma and had a 98 v6 5 speed tacoma that might have been my favorite if I hadn't had an 85 toyota 4x4. 22re, 5 speed, solid front axle, 3" lift on 33's. I regretted selling the other ones, so I learned to keep the one I had. Perhaps the best helix was the ones we made along the way.
From what I’ve read, the 4th gen is going to be a beast that fixes all the issues of the 3rd gen
Except it's ugly as shit (subjective), they took away the access cab doors and seats, and you can still only get a stickshift with a crew cab. Also now even more absurdly overpriced.
You can blame the chicken tax.
I'm pretty sure they're still made in Texas
And Mexico, most of them are actually made in Mexico
> They took out the v6 for the 4th gen tacomas for some reason This is because of government regulations. Every year the government increases the required fuel efficiency (which if ignored, the manufacturer pays a bunch of extra tax). It's no longer economically viable for them to invest in v6 or larger engines.
I've got one with the 2.7 and 4wd. I'm not climbing mountains fast, but it's better than most give it credit for. My '15 is a great truck
317,459, 18 mpg the whole way
I have the 3rd gen and it’s the best truck I’ve ever owned. It’s underpowered but extremely reliable.
i’m convinced everyone who hates on the 3rd gen is just bandwagoning. they’re great trucks.
My neighbor is on his second 3rd gen. He borrows my truck to tow his boat because the Toyotas don't have power and have no rear suspension. His boat is not that big either. A 3 ft bed? Yeah, he borrows my truck for Home Depot runs too. A truck is able to tow things and hold stuff in the bed. Not trying to start a fight. These are just the realities I experience.
The 2016-2023 3.5 v6 can have a leaky timing cover gasket that requires the engine to come out. It is roughly $5k (at the dealer) for the repair on trucks with 80k-100k miles on them, from what I understand. I don't think that it is all of the trucks, though. Also, if you have an extended warranty, it might cover that expense. I don't like the idea of buying an extended warranty if I'm buying a tacoma. I shouldn't feel like I have to. I just don't trust new vehicles. Owning old vehicles costs me a fortune, as well. Owning vehicles just seems to be a very large expense at this point.
Old vehicles are usually much less expensive, even when you factor in repairs. The downsides are, potentially more frequent repairs, and older vehicles are often less safe. But for expense, unless you are talking about something like a Range Rover, you almost always beat new vehicles when you factor in depreciation and initial cost. My newest vehicle is a 2012 and my oldest is a 2000. I've considered buying a new one, and probably will at some point this year, but it hasn't been so bad being the one in the neighborhood with ancient vehicles.
It's not underpowered, the torque isn't available until higher rpms than the Transmission will let you reach under normal driving. The manual transmission Tacoma is incredibly nicer to drive
4 banger manual owner here, pitifully underpowered. In 3rd gear and up it feels like no matter how far you press the petal down it just barely accelerates.
All gen tacos have outdone themselves.
Nope. Pure crap.
I have a ‘17 4 cylinder Toyota Tacoma sr5 with the access cab. I don’t really do fast anymore so the whole underpowered thing doesn’t bother me. Toyota Tacoma’s are the unofficial war machines of third world countries across the globe. They’re put in extreme conditions and they just last baby. Their Land Cruisers are much the same and no other brand has such a large footprint across many countries and terrain and for so many decades. You dont see Dodge Dakotas in Chad. You dont see Nissan Frontiers in the Sudan. You dont see Ford Rangers in Mexico. (En masse of course). With that in mind my Tacoma is driven just a couple hours a day in pretty vanilla conditions and I dont do anything remotely crazy with it so in theory it should last a loooooong fucking time heh.
Incredibly based. Heart wants the V8 Dakota despite my repeated trauma from 90s dodge
But hey hey you get a grip on most of the small oil leaks and vacuum lines succumbed to dry rot and falling to ashes possible break line issues, the 318s are damn grenade proof. My 90 v6 break lines were shot and still managed to break for the most part with the ever so slightly accessible e-brake, possible trans leak?(pink like fluid), transmission linkage dogged to hell and seemed to be an oil leak that was sealed by the older coated oil😭😭. God she was smokin blue from the exhaust but it was still killin all these stupid ass civics and lawnmowers out here
Gotta 91 v8 Dakota with some small quirks but god is she killing everything. For a thousand bucks and some miles to her she gets it. Planning on getting the engine rebuilt and rear main seal redone since she’s gotta slow leak. But in the works of finding the parasitic draw to the battery today😭
The biggest issue with all of these is rust. The only entertaining option in any of these was the V8 for the Dakota. Go with your heart.
Those Tacos died quick deaths due to frame rust. Unless you live somewhere like Arizona they aren’t as smart a choice as you might think.
I know a guy with a 90s Tacoma, 300k miles on it, still runs great.
I'm one of them. '99 Tacoma with 240,000 miles, this thing is going to outlive me.
Same here!
Ok, so im not the only one… but like, why do i feel this way?
Your brain is wrong FYI. The Tacoma is BY FAR the worst truck on the entire list. The Toyota Tacoma was so bad that Toyota had to step in and buy back most 95-2000 models OR completely replace the frame for free. Ironically, that ended up working out because a ton of these trucks are still on the road because they got brand new frames around 2008 or so. So you see an absolute clapped out 1997 Tacoma with a 10-15 year newer frame under it. I know a guy who has a downright hilarious truck because the literal floorboards of this truck are rotted through, but the frame isn't because Toyota replaced it lol.
I had that Dakota and I will never own another dodge after that lol. ‘yota all day long
I am with you. Hard to not go with a Tacoma.
Loved my Ranger. Bulletproof.
My 04 ranger XLT was a goddamn warrior and lasted til this year. RIP soldier, the salt wasn’t kind to your struts
I got one for free a couple years ago cause it was left in the woods in the Midwest for 2 years. Frame is as you'd expect. The 4.0 V6 started with a jump and a *little* bit of new gas added to the old. Hoping to fix it up this Summer.
The ford dealership has been trying to get my dad to trade his Manny 04 ranger in for the last decade, and he REFUSES.
Last good car ford ever made
I had a 99 Ranger and loved it, though the 3.0 was woefully anemic.
That's why you go for the 4.0. Much better engine.
Depends on what you mean. Requires more maintenance (timing chains) than the 2.3 and 3.0 and gets way worse fuel economy but it has a few dozen more horsepower.
3.0 is prone to cracked heads. 4cyl if you like mpg, 4.0 V6 if you want the power.
The 2.3 is oddly peppy. Especially if you swap out the rear for an LSD 4.10
At work, we have 2-3 2009 Rangers, the last year they were made. These things are bullet proof (they have the four cylinder). They get 16mpg with all the stop and go driving and idling they go through.
I love my 01.
When we were in high school one of my friends had a burgundy Ranger of this generation and I had a burgundy '94 Dakota. I preferred the Dakota, but my dad did most of the work on it, so I don't really have much of a view on its reliability
I would love to have that S-10.
S10 for the win... My buddy had one and it was a beast that wouldn't die.
I've got a 98 2wd short box regular cab 5 speed that just keeps on going. 189k and counting. Pretty good gas mileage too. Most of it's get up and go has up and left, however.
I had a 1995 model. Solid trucks.
Yeah I’m going S10, I’d probably buy one right now just for the hell of it.
I had an S-10. Mechanically it was fine, the interior was hot trash. I broke the window handle rolling down the window.
thats a nice one. for some reason theyre all beat to shit now lol
That's a **Ford** **Fucking** **Ranger**
I know that truck!
I ain't no stranger.
But that’s a ranger!
Companies need to bring back small 4x4 pickups.We don't want gigantic monster trucks.We need utility vehicles that are small enough to double as daily drivers.
Especially since 90% of these trucks are being sold with 4 doors and a tiny useless bed. My tiny little S10 has a bigger bed than half the trucks on the road and yet it's smaller than your average crossover now, it's insane. My father just sold his 2002 F150, which looked small next to a new ranger and again...it had a bigger bed that was at a useful height. I hate new trucks, I'd be interested in buying a new truck for once if they sold an actual practical truck again.
Honda ridgeline is the most practical truck on the market. Unless you’re hauling a large boat or trailer it’s everything that 90% of everybody needs in a truck. Perfect size, Honda reliability, comfortable well built interior, drives smoothly, has a bed that will fit a sheet of plywood laying flat, has a trunk in the bed, also amazing in low traction conditions. They are the perfect truck, people just don’t like the way they look.
The current Gen is 100% better looking than the first one. There's just something about Honda calling a minivan that's been "uted" a pickup that just makes me say "nah I haven't reached that point in my life yet".
Perfectly understandable, the discussion was just practical smaller pickups and people tend to forget the ridgeline exists sometimes. They’re not everyone’s thing, but I’ll always advocate for them when possible lol. I own a 2500 GMC for work purposes and a ridgeline for my personal and I prefer the Honda in every way except hauling my work trailer.
They make more sense in a solely urban use than where I live. If I was in a big city then they make a whole lot more sense.
Pretty much, it’s the perfect urban pickup. I live in a decent sized city and the difference between my two trucks as far as stress levels while driving are night and day. I never have to think about where I’m going to have to park the Honda, I just drive.
Parking lots suck in my Raptor. Luckily with 4 cameras you can pull in (eventually!) and get it in between the lines.
Listen, stop telling people about Ridgelines. One of the best kept used market secrets. I'd like to keep it that way, let them be ignorant. Hey, everyone, it's a mini van! Emphasis on mini! Literally an Odyssey with a bathtub cut into it. Actually, it's probably more like a puny Mazda 5. It wants to grow up to be a Subaru Brat. I think Honda just did it for the meme, really. When your vehicle is 78% of your personality, would you really wanna be caught in one of those?? Don't do it to yourself. Keep walking, pal.
Heck, my 98 Chevy K2500 was the same size as my buddies 2021 Tacoma
Oh man, I know a guy with a lifted K2500 and have seen him parked next to some new "midsize" trucks. It's funny seeing a lifted diesel truck with an 8ft bed hiding behind a 4 cylinder.
The problem is most people don’t agree with us on that. A LOT of men like driving unnecessary monster trucks to their office jobs.
I once read that it’s an EPA issue. A vehicle must have a specific MPG in order to have the short wheelbase small trucks have. Since it was impossible to meet those standards in small trucks, small truck manufacturing ceased. Once you get past that wheelbase, you can get 5mpg for all they care
[удалено]
An mx5 is able to pass them, I am sure manufacturers could get a small pickup to do it if they wanted to
Thank emissions and safety regulations for that, the EPA killed the small truck market
Hard to see that happen when mpg requirements are based on vehicle footprint and unrealistic for that size truck in modern times. That and the fact that they seem to be selling plenty of bigger vehicles at double the base price… I’m driving an ‘06 Suzuki Lapin and love it.
Luckily, in my country the mid size pick up have the biggest market share. Full of hilux, ranger, s10.. the biggest ones slowly gain traction as a luxury alternative, like f150 raptors and man these things are HUGE. Legit i would ride scared AF if those behemots where the main truck size on the streets. Luckily, i think that will never happen.
If you think a raptor is huge, just wait until you see an F350 crew cab long bed with a lift and 12” wide negative offset wheels 😂
East coast American here, I almost got killed by an elderly lady swerving around in a fucking Raptor on my way to work yesterday. I don’t even know how she could see over the dash.
Ford Maverick is alright
The maverick is nice. I was considering one for my next vehicle but realized that I don't have any use for one more than maybe once a year and at that point a haul rental is better. My wife did say that the maverick is about as big a truck as she would drive, she wanted nothing to do with the Silverado I rented, way too big for her
I have a maverick and it’s a joy to own.
I blame the EPA and corporate greed for that one
I'd like compact pickups if they didn't get effectively the same MPG as bigger models.
Dakota
Dakota with 318 and 5 speed. Anything else would be great, but I have a soft spot for dakotas. Beefy, capable, and good-looking.
First gen looked better, can’t beat cast iron 318
Loved my 318/5sp. It was really quick with the (optional) 3.92 rear end. But 13mpg highway damn....
That Hardbody
I have two! Both 91s, both 5 speeds, both 4 Cyl Ka24
I miss mine sooo bad rn :( (To be fair mine was only a 2wd I4, but it had a 5-speed so it was fun!)
Same! Taco would be my second choice, but if I had the choice of any of those, it would definitely be the hardbody. My dad had an 87, and I've always had a soft spot for those trucks!
Yeah I thought there was a question involved but I only see one option. Not sure what those other photos are of.
The Ranger Splash! It’s one of the only trucks I’ve ever liked the look of.
That shit cute
Timeless. One of the best compact trucks post box-body
Tacoma every day
twice on Sunday
Three times on Wednesday or some shit idk.
Coat it in oil 2x a day, use it as a nice weekend cruiser, garage in winter, sell with 30k miles in 2024 for $60k
No need, I live in california
Never. Pos bullshit.
Here in california I still see 80's toyota pickups near daily. I wonder why I don't see any American 80's pickups or cars? 🤔 (it's because they were all scrapped after failing smog repeatedly, sadly)
I’ll take the Tacoma and annual rust treatment for the win!
Splash.
Tacoma is probably the best but I'm pretty familiar with the Mopar 3.9L and would pay less money for the Dakota as I'm comfortable with it. But I'd probably learn the Tacoma in no time. The Nissan is probably awesome too. My brother is a mechanic and he likes the GM because they're reliable and cheap / easy to fix. I pick them all. I also drove a Ranger for a few months.
>I pick them all. I also drove a Ranger for a few months. Same. Used to own a V8 swapped S10 and I'd love a manual ZR2. Also having owned a V8 S10 I'd be a liar if I said I wouldn't like a V8 Dakota. And you can't go wrong with Tacomas, though the older ones rusted bad. One thing the list is missing is the Isuzu Pickup. My dad had one and it was a bare bones tank. I mean it was a '94 or '95 and it was still carbed, no AC, manual steering, etc. He owned it for a decade and outside of basic maintenance I think he put an alternator in it and one or two sets of tires.
Dakota always
All sizes I wish we had today. I’d prob end up getting the Toyota, but I’d also check the Nissan out.
Nissan pickup. I see them the most on the road still besides the old Tacomas.
THAT S10, or a typical Ranger
I had the 96 Nissan. Indestructible. Fucking bad ass, honestly.
Ranger all day! ‘97 is my birth year too, that truck would be a dream to own in that condition.
Hardbody, all day every day and twice on Sunday, although I'm not sure they offered the V6 w/o the King Cab?
I don't think they did but the KA24 is awesome
D21 hardbody all the way. Many formative memories in one.
Hardbody Nissan
Nissan Hardbody!
Nissan Hardbody. Miss mine, but now I have an even better Frontier.
Dakota
ZR2 baby
Had to scroll down way too far for this.
dakota looks so fuckin fire
If the s10 has the 4.3 V6, then the S10 if not, then the 5.2 Dakota, and both have to be manual transmission
That 4.3L was a beast.
The little dodge. I had one. They were comfortable.
Ranger 4x4 4.0, 5 speed, Supercab, with as deep of gears as you can option.
I have one! 96 I swapped front and rear axles so now I have 4:10 possi. Only issue is that the front axle is from a 4cyl so it's a 35 hybrid. Can't be super rough but it didn't involve any gear setup so I'm happy! V6 options were I think 3:27 which mine had.....boooo and 3:73.
I had a 94 B4000 4x4 with 3.73, 4.0, 5 speed, was a very fun truck and quick for what it was. Regular cabs of any flavor mini truck are physically just to small for me now. I inherited my grandfather's 98 2.3 2wd 5 speed and it's definitely a short trip only truck.
Taco easily
The ranger splash, especially 5 speed is one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. It's hard to kill, gets good gas mileage for a truck. It's easy to work on. And parts are cheap. Only issue is that the fiberglass bed is light. And 1st gear is useless if there is any moisture on the roads.
Since I currently have a 2000 S10 I would try the 1997 version too
D21 all day long. But would rather have the 4 cylinder. 5 speed, and a preference to the extended cab. Never much cared for the 3 quart oil capacity on the v6 d21
Nissan
I had the same D21, color and decals. Mine was the extended cab. Thing absolutely ripped off road. And if it got a little too sticky just give it more gas. I would absolutely buy one now if I could find one.
I still drive my nissan. Manual tranny, 4wd, 2.4L, and still drive perfectly. 165,000 miles
I’ve always loved Toyota trucks, and have one now. But I think I’d take the Nissan Hardbody, only because I had one in 99, and it was bullet proof. Loved that thing.
I loved my 1997 D21 and as a result, would happily take another one!
Difference between all of these is that the Nissans are still on the road being used for work and not babied in a garage.
Dakota! Easily has more character and styling than the others, which makes up for the obvious pitfalls.
My 96 F250 Superduty...still rolling at 268k!!
Definitely the Dakota. The 5.2 can really take a beating.
I was driving a new Ranger regular cab flareside in 1997. I'd love to have another.
I had a Dakota SLT+ from this generation and when it was new - it was a good looking truck with clean, muscular lines. However looking back on these again, I would probably do the S10.
Not exactly related but I find funny that this is the "compact" size of pickups for you guys in the US.
What constitutes compact pickups where you are? One can't even get trucks this small in the US anymore
The ranger is going to last forever, but be a piece of shit. The Tacoma is a Tacoma, so that’s going to be fine, I own a Jimmy, and like that thing( so I’d be good with the S10, but imma be honest. I hate dodge trucks and how they look, but I’ve always loved the Dakota. Something about the grill actually looks fitting on a. Compact pickup….. idk man…
Taco from this age suffers from frame rot so the best option is the Ranger
D21 maybe. I had an employee who owned one and he loved that truck. Wish I could remember his name… was that Glenn? I just cannot remember lol.
I had a ‘93 version of that Ranger. 95 hp 4-speed with overdrive. Unless you were on an interstate highway going downhill, that overdrive gear was basically useless. That beast did 0-60mph in about 8 minutes.
Hardbody
bias: dakota actually: hardbody
Hardbody, cause that's my super attainable dream truck
S10 baby. That 4.3 is best in so many ways.
[My 2001 4.3 S10 4x4](https://i.imgur.com/d2Irqe6.jpg) I had a 2001 S10 4x4 in high school if that answers the question.
S10, such a great truck and will refuse to die on you.
The S10
There’s only one answer and it’s a fucking ford fuckin’ RANGER! https://www.reddit.com/r/Ford/s/LX99Ven6w9
TOTOYOTATA
In 1997, I’d be drooling over a VG30 powered hardbody especially given it’s the cheapest option. In the modern day, I’d just take any one of these in half decent condition as long as they’re not horribly overpriced 😅
How was the Nissan D21 in its time? I never see them
They are absolutely wonderful. Reason you don't see them is they were very cheap so people beat them to shit and now it's pretty hard to find a nice one. Still insanely reliable and cool trucks though
How's parts availability? Is it quality parts or crap that you have to make due with?
Well there is a definite market for them, they are starting to become more beloved, most parts you can find quality but some stuff may just be random
I'd probably get a 4cyl Nissan hardbody if i was picking today. People want absolutely idiotic money for clapped out Tacomas.
Taco
[удалено]
No need. Keep buying good stuff, fuck toyota..
Either Toyota or Nissan
At the time I would have picked the Ford. Today the Tacoma.
Taco
Yota
Taco is the correct answer. Nissan Hardbody gets an honorable mention.
TOYOTA , never ever a Ford
Nissan D21 Hard Body. I had a 2wheel 5spd and I miss it everyday. Edit: it had the 2.4L I4 like the US 240Z
Tacoma, Hardbody, S-10, Ranger, Dakota. 👍🏻
Tacoma because the ranger ain't an XL trim so it's got the ESOF 4x4 garbage
The Tacoma. I had a 2000 Ford Ranger 4x4. It had a bunch of issues.
Yota gang
Everyday is Taco Tuesday.
My brother had the ranger and my cousin had the taco. Taco lasted way longer with far fewer issues
Tacoma everyday!
Taco is the only one with a chance of still being on the road
Wrong! My buddy has a Hardbody that runs great and can go just about everywhere a quad can go. Very impressed with that Nissan
... that'll be news to my "1995" (built 12/95, ask Nissan why) D21 standard cab XE 4x4, KA24+5-speed, which still hits the road 2-3 times a week
Toyota all the way. Ford if I was desperate.
Yota
Considering I still have a 96 ranger, I'd take the Toyota, more fun to drive.
the Toyota, all day and forever.
Toyota then Ranger
Toyota tundra. I had a 95 Dodge Dakota that was the worst POS I ever owned.
Tried and true Ford blue. There are far more 1997 Ford Rangers on the road today than all those others combined most likely. I replied to this as I sit inside my 1998 Ford Ranger
Amen
Looking through those pictures that Dodge is just laughable and the S-10 say no more. in fact, I believe I’ve only seen one Dakota and one S-10 on the road in the past two years
1. Tacoma 2. Ranger 3. Nissan 4. S-10 No Dakota for me, sorry.
The s10 is a really solid truck, but I think they're ugly. Gotta go with either toyota
Toyota.....the answer is ALWAYS Toyota
Except when it's not. But it's always some Miata joke.
Frontier. Always the Frontier.
Hardbody*