Midsize (or compact?) Trucks

[Cloned]

Looking to buy a midsize truck but there doesn't seem to be a lot of options. Tacoma, Colorado, Ridgeline, etc. Looks like Ford is bringing the Ranger back in a couple of years.

Leaning towards the Toyota, any experiences with the new Tacoma? Or Colorado?

 

[Bret44]

The only Toyota Truck you should buy is this:

 

[Cloned]

The only Toyota Truck you should buy is this:

Looking for something younger than me

 

[isu2014]

I know a lot of people hate on them, but I bought a used 2007 Ridgeline at the beginning of this summer and I absolutely love it. Lots of neat little features, including 4 lights in the cargo bed, dual action tailgate, and a lockable, sizable, watertight trunk. The trunk would have to be my favorite feature, and I'm not sure how I'd do without it now that I've had it. Sure, they look weird as heck, but I made the right decision for me. They tow a little funny sometimes on dual axle trailers in my experience...or the U-Haul was a piece of ****. Mine hauls my boat fine though. 5,000 lb towing capacity. They shift quite a lot on hilly terrain, but it hasn't ever had any trouble puling modest loads.

Back seats flip up and out of the way for more storage...I can fit my MTN bike completely assembled standing up in the back with them folded up.

Not sure how many features like this they retain on the new ones, but I love my older one.

Oh, and the V-Tech AWD is awesome. Hella traction.

One more thing: I know the new one comes with this neat external speaker system that uses the bed wall itself as an amplified speaker. Might be cool if you tailgate a lot.

 

[BCClone]

Looking to buy a midsize truck but there doesn't seem to be a lot of options. Tacoma, Colorado, Ridgeline, etc. Looks like Ford is bringing the Ranger back in a couple of years.

Leaning towards the Toyota, any experiences with the new Tacoma? Or Colorado?

What you just described to me is more compact pickups. Many half tons are now basically mid sized pickups.

Just get an el Camino. Chicks dig them.

 

[isu2014]

I know a lot of people hate on them, but I bought a used 2007 Ridgeline at the beginning of this summer and I absolutely love it. Lots of neat little features, including 4 lights in the cargo bed, dual action tailgate, and a lockable, sizable, watertight trunk. The trunk would have to be my favorite feature, and I'm not sure how I'd do without it now that I've had it. Sure, they look weird as heck, but I made the right decision for me. They tow a little funny sometimes on dual axle trailers in my experience...or the U-Haul was a piece of ****. Mine hauls my boat fine though. 5,000 lb towing capacity. They shift quite a lot on hilly terrain, but it hasn't ever had any trouble puling modest loads.

Back seats flip up and out of the way for more storage...I can fit my MTN bike completely assembled standing up in the back with them folded up.

Not sure how many features like this they retain on the new ones, but I love my older one.

Oh, and the V-Tech AWD is awesome. Hella traction.

One more thing: I know the new one comes with this neat external speaker system that uses the bed wall itself as an amplified speaker. Might be cool if you tailgate a lot.

EDIT: Apparently the new one also comes with a 400 watt power inverter in the bed as well.

 

[Cloned]

What you just described to me is more compact pickups. Many half tons are now basically mid sized pickups.

Just get an el Camino. Chicks dig them.

Fair enough, compact trucks. I had an F150, hauled a lot of air with it at 15 mpg.

 

[Cloned]

I know a lot of people hate on them, but I bought a used 2007 Ridgeline at the beginning of this summer and I absolutely love it. Lots of neat little features, including 4 lights in the cargo bed, dual action tailgate, and a lockable, sizable, watertight trunk. The trunk would have to be my favorite feature, and I'm not sure how I'd do without it now that I've had it. Sure, they look weird as heck, but I made the right decision for me. They tow a little funny sometimes on dual axle trailers in my experience...or the U-Haul was a piece of ****. Mine hauls my boat fine though. 5,000 lb towing capacity. They shift quite a lot on hilly terrain, but it hasn't ever had any trouble puling modest loads.

Back seats flip up and out of the way for more storage...I can fit my MTN bike completely assembled standing up in the back with them folded up.

Not sure how many features like this they retain on the new ones, but I love my older one.

Oh, and the V-Tech AWD is awesome. Hella traction.

One more thing: I know the new one comes with this neat external speaker system that uses the bed wall itself as an amplified speaker. Might be cool if you tailgate a lot.

EDIT: Apparently the new one also comes with a 400 watt power inverter in the bed as well.

Have looked at these as well, the remodel basically looks like the CRV my wife used to drive but with a bed on the back. Do like the features they have though.

 

[dmclone]

I know a lot of people hate on them, but I bought a used 2007 Ridgeline at the beginning of this summer and I absolutely love it. Lots of neat little features, including 4 lights in the cargo bed, dual action tailgate, and a lockable, sizable, watertight trunk. The trunk would have to be my favorite feature, and I'm not sure how I'd do without it now that I've had it. Sure, they look weird as heck, but I made the right decision for me. They tow a little funny sometimes on dual axle trailers in my experience...or the U-Haul was a piece of ****. Mine hauls my boat fine though. 5,000 lb towing capacity. They shift quite a lot on hilly terrain, but it hasn't ever had any trouble puling modest loads.

Back seats flip up and out of the way for more storage...I can fit my MTN bike completely assembled standing up in the back with them folded up.

Not sure how many features like this they retain on the new ones, but I love my older one.

Oh, and the V-Tech AWD is awesome. Hella traction.

One more thing: I know the new one comes with this neat external speaker system that uses the bed wall itself as an amplified speaker. Might be cool if you tailgate a lot.

V-Tech AWD is not a thing. VTEC has to do with the motor.

I agree that the Ridgelines are nice though

 

[dmclone]

The problem with the Tacoma is that they're so good that the resale is strong on used ones and the new ones cost as much as a fullsize with gas mileage that's not much better.

 

[Cloned]

The problem with the Tacoma is that they're so good that the resale is strong on used ones and the new ones cost as much as a fullsize with gas mileage that's not much better.

Yes, the price is a bit crazy, especially as you go up from the base model. On the other hand the strong resale is a good thing once you own one.

 

[ripvdub]

Love my Ridgeline.

 

[dmclone]

If you're buying new it would be hard not to choose the Ridgeline. I haven't drove the new ones but here is what I like about the old ones.

Ride/Quiet-They have the same V6 that Honda/Acura uses for a ton of their vehicles. These are dependable, quiet, and get decent mpg (cyclindar deactivation helps). They ride a lot better than your average truck.

Cool Features-For $35k in the new one you'll get power everything, leather, android auto/apple car, plenty of legroom, tons of technology, etc. Since it just got redesigned, everything is up to date. Perfect vehicle for tailgates with all the bed features.

Reliable-It's a Honda. It will also hold it's value

Downside-Small rear bed and only pulls 5k lbs

 

[VTXCyRyD]

Best compact truck I bought was my F350 Crew Cab Long Box 4x4.

 

[Cloned]

Best compact truck I bought was my F350 Crew Cab Long Box 4x4.

Sounds perfect for hauling my push mower in for service and navigating the lots at Jack Trice.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Get a compact, throw a topper on it and drive 10 mph under the speed limit. Just seems to be a trend I noticed.

 

[KnappShack]

Drove a new Colorado at the auto show. Came away very impressed.

The Tacoma will hold its value and should be more dependable than anything out there. Hard to not recommend a Tacoma.

 

[Acylum]

Get a compact, throw a topper on it and drive 10 mph under the speed limit. Just seems to be a trend I noticed.

I'm guessing "trend" means one or two.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I'm guessing "trend" means one or two.

Roughly 1000.

 

[DJSteve]

My dad has a 2011 (I think) Tacoma and has been happy with it.

It is a base model V6 4x4. The cloth seat upholstery seems like a weak spot... he carries pliers on right thigh (pliers pocket) and has worn a hole in drivers seat climbing in and out. Most of his driving is short trips <15 miles so he's in and out quite a bit, but only 50k or so on the pickup. Zero mechanical problems as far as I know, though.