Thinking of buying a used mid-sized 4x4....

[shooter1201]

...and I'm considering the following:

Chevy S10
Toyota
Nissan
Dodge Dakota
Ford Ranger

I'm wanting something to hunt/camp in, not more than 10 years old and hopefully have less than 120K miles. Whether it's a 4cyl or V6 isn't a concern....neither is tranny. Any info on what to AVOID would be appreciated.

[Mike Tx]

Any of them except the nissan or toyota, as they are to expemsive to fix.

[shooter1201]

Yeah...I remember having to buy/replace a torque convertor for my '87 Mitsu. 10 years ago, it cost me $1600. And then there was the $400 alternator....TWICE.

Thanks for the 'memories'.

[Mike Tx]

One thing you may want to consider is one of of those extra long 1 ton vans like ford chevy and chrysler make. I have a 91 model at the shop now, fixing the c6 trans in it, and it is huge. I'd not mind having one of those for camping.

[SpecOpsWarrior]

Shooter, you disapoint me, why do you want a girlie little truck?

Get a full size Ford or Chevy, then get you a lift kit, some Mickey Thompson tires, and a push bumper, be a man for Christ's Sake!!!!

[FLLawdog]

I had two S-10's. My '89 was a victim of The Storm of the Century and my '93 never gave me a day's trouble. Both were 2WD's, though.

I'd stay away from the Dakota unless you get a great deal on it. Their fit and finish sucks! They've gotten better over the past few years, but it still lacks.

[Mike Tx]

Shooter, you disapoint me, why do you want a girlie little truck?

He's a girlie man?

[shooter1201]

SpecOps....

My daily commute truck is a 2001 FULL-SIZE Ford F150 SuperCab, flare side. It's BLACK, with DARK tinted windows, P255/70/R16s and SVT suspension.

I want something to bum around in the woods with.

[CinaC]

How about a Humvee?

[207]

Originally posted by shooter1201:

I want something to bum around in the woods with.

Then get a REAL 4 wheel drive, a Unimog, they'll just about climb trees. As you can see by the air intake they love water too for those fishing trips.
Most even have roof hatches for late night hunting expeditions. LOL. http://www.unimogusa.com/sales.pic23.htm

[Don]

Well Shooter, I'm going to have to break with my tradition of Ford here. It'll probably **** off Mike too, but what the hell does HE know, he just works on trannys!

From the list you posted, I would have to choose the Toyota P/U or one of their SUVs. They ARE expensive to buy, and to fix IF they break, but they don't break often. I can't tell you how many old Toy 4X4s I saw, in the few months that I was selling used trucks, that had close to, or over 300,000 miles on them. They all looked like schidt, but they all ran like tops!

But why don't ya get real and by a Wrangler instead?

I have had one Ranger and a couple of S-10s. I'll leave those for other folks to buy.

[ 05-27-2002: Message edited by: Don ]

[runolfsonkl]

Just got a new dodge dakota myself. I really like it. Are you planning on sleeping in the bed? If you are, the dakota has a 6.5 foot bed, the Tacoma 6 ft, and the ranger and s10 either 5 or 6ft. That is part of why I chose the dakota, not quite a full size, but bigger then the others.

DO NOT get a V4. That would be worthless in a truck, might as well get a car. You wouldn't be able to go where you wanted to go with that little power, especially if you are looking at something several years old. Stick with V6 or even V8.

[jellybean40]

I will also have to buy a new truck by late summer/early fall. i dont wannnnna

I LOVE my Toyota 4-Runner, i bought it new in '91...it has over 250K miles, and on it's second engine. it doesnt even look like schidt yet Too many other things are going wrong for me to keep it...just old age i guess. i need something really dependable as i drive on back roads in the middle of the nite after work.

I am trying to decide on a Dakota or a Ram. i guess the difference in amount of payment will help me decide! Also not sure if i need 4WD as we get maybe 3 snowstorms a year, and it doenst help on ice. The process of buying this truck is making me nervous already...

[ 05-28-2002: Message edited by: jellybean40 ]

[THE BRONZE]

While the Dodge products look nice, from my experience, they don't hold up over time. If the powertrain doesn't fail, the interior parts and suspension will.

[Royce]

Get the Chevy. Can't go wrong with that.