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Author Topic: Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison  (Read 209 times)

Offline Shuckins

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Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison
« on: September 09, 2007, 12:32:36 PM »
The wife and I are discussing trading in our two vehicles for a truck in the small to mid-size category.   I've sorta, maybe narrowed it down to the Toyota Tacoma and the Dodge Dakota, both in club cabs only.

We're moderately concerned about our carbon foot-print, but I only commute about 300 miles per week, which will make up the vast majority of our driving.  V-6 is as big as we want to go in the power department, and we would prefer a truck that offers the most comfort on the highway, since trucking back and forth to the deer camp or to the lake will constitute only a couple of trips per month.

Of the two vehicles under consideration, which will come closest to meeting these criteria?  I'd like some input from those of you who have actually owned one or both.  How about it?  Which offers the best value and comes closest to meeting our requirements?

Regards, Shuckins
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Offline Maverick

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Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison
« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2007, 04:12:59 PM »
I had a Dodge Dakota with auto transmission. Of the small trucks it had the largest cab. I also had it in V-8 4X4 with the extended cab. It was a solid truck, never gave me any grief. My average mileage was 12 to 14 in town and 16 to 18 on the highway.

I know a buddy of mine that has a 1 ton Dodge king cab with the diesel and it gets 21+ average mileage. It's an older one so pretty noisy compared to the 03's and later.

Compare mileage stickers and how they feel to you.
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storch

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Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison
« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2007, 04:42:39 PM »
without a doubt the tacoma.  I have a 1999 tacoma that I use almost daily even after it being involved in three accidents one where the insurance company wrote it off paid me for it and I bought it back to rebuild under a rebuilt title and once catching fire but not completely burning.  the truck is strong the drivetrain is nearly bullet proof and the systems are also very very good.  it has 225,000 +- trouble free miles currently.  though I purchased a nissan titan about four months back I kept the toyota because I could not get a price that would induce me to part with it.

I use the nissan if I have to pull a trailer or to do estimates.  everything else it's the tacoma.
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Offline SteveBailey

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Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison
« Reply #3 on: September 09, 2007, 04:55:54 PM »
I have the Dakota, 89000 and not any trouble.  If it's a tie, buy American.  Storch's foolish purchace sent profits abroad.    :aok
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Offline Shamus

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Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison
« Reply #4 on: September 09, 2007, 05:57:45 PM »
Oh this outta be good.

shamus
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Offline texasmom

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Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2007, 06:00:07 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by storch
... and I bought it back to rebuild under a rebuilt title and once catching fire but not completely burning.  the truck is strong the drivetrain is nearly bullet proof and the systems are also very very good.


I'm sorry for the hijack. after this I'll leave the truck thread alone.
Storch: for a second there, I thought: 'oh, that must be the reason for his name.'  Of course, I was thinking of scorch, not storch.

And as for the truck thing, I won't be of any help. I've got an excursion. Bigger than you're looking for, I think.
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Offline 1K3

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Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison
« Reply #6 on: September 09, 2007, 06:43:56 PM »
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storch

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Small, Mid-size Truck Comparison
« Reply #7 on: September 09, 2007, 08:06:14 PM »
heh, ya mom after one of the accidents the power lead from the fuse panel to the trailer brake receptacle was somehow cut and vibrations caused it to short to the chasis.  not having run it with a fusable link it started a nice electrical fire.  all of it my fault for cutting a corner.  we ended up rewiring a good part of the electrical system this time purchasing a good fusable link for the trailer brakes as I should have done in the first place,

steve, in my opinion the japanese make the best motor vehicles in the world.  they are also very competetively priced.  I own nissans, toyotas and mitsubishis for trucks.  we almost bought some ford P/Us this year but decided to go with the mitsubishis.  in my opinion they just cannot be beaten for dependability and value.  for my digging gear I use kubota.  I hear that kubota is introducing a skid steer this year so I have held off replacing my POS bobcat until I see their offering.

as it now stands the only american truck I would consider is the excellent ford ranger but it is really a mazda.
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