Truck comparison question

[rflnomad]

Hey all. Am looking at a USED Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10 truck.
Requirements are as follows.
Extended cab, but not the full 4 door models. Prefer 4 cylinder but a SMALL 6 cylinder is ok. Automatic trans so all could drive it.
Not used for towing or anything like that. Need the room for taking the Boxers for runs. I just have NO room in my Saturn ( I do not fit) and was looking for something else.
Budget? about 3500 - 5000. Mid 90s year is ok.
Any recommendations?
Thanks.

[jussmatt]

If you're looking for a small truck, I would suggest going w/ a Nissan or Toyota.... simply put...they'll last longer than the Ford or Chevy will usually... Of course...Jeep's are pretty good too if you can find them.... Not sure what you'll find around the $3500 range...but more towards the $5K should be something that'll work. Check your local car/truck Trader advertisements. Craigslist is always a good place too..... M2CW....

Really, you could not give me an S-10, and the Ranger (while better) is still a loser when it comes down to it.

If you have to pick one of those two, I'd get the Ranger. Otherwise, I'd either save up some more money or look for a low mileage foreign truck with cosmetic issues.

Now for $3500 you could probably get a real nice sidecar for the bike.... ;)

[bugman]

i've owned nissan extended cab and gmc s-15 (little bigger than s-10) and now i went back to a nissan frontier,, i like nissan better, more reliable in engine and body

[beezer]

get a Jap truck and get better mileage as well as longevity

[misunderstood]

If you get a ranger with a 6 cyl. Lean towards the 3.0, the smaller 6. They're bullet proof. Got one in my aerostar with 307,000 miles, doesn't leak or use any oil. I'd go with a standard Tranny as the auto ain't as reliable.

[texasfisherdude]

Over 200000 miles on my Exploder and runs as good as it did the day I got it. It had 100000 miles when I got it. I think it has a 4.0 mazda motor. Just stay away from the OHC motors in a ford there junk.

[dantama]

My 4.0 Ranger only got 17 mpg. For the fuel economy you might as well have a full size truck.

[texasfisherdude]

I get a little over 20 but its a 5 speed. My brother has a full sized chevy an gets almost the same (4.3)

[misunderstood]

Aerostar van with the 3.0 gets me 18 - 20.

[fish]

I had 1 toyota and I'm on my 2 nissan, all were 4 bangers. 95000 on my 01 frontier extra cab with a cap on back with an automatic but a little slow, the 5 speeds are suppose to be peppy. For me to sell it you would have to hit the lottery . My oldest son wants to buy it when his car dies. Would I buy another?? I sure as hell would.

[ponch]

I had a 1994 Mazda B2300, which is the Ford ranger. I leased it for 39 months, put 60K miles on it, and never had an issue with it, but it really didn't have anything to have an issue. Manual tranny, steering and no AC. It got 20mpg around town and 25-28mpg on the highway. Toyota would probably be the best bet, something with the 22RE engine would be good. They last 250-300K miles as long as you change the oil. :)

[rflnomad]

Thanks for the replies. We had a 01 Tacoma and loved it. 2.4 four cylinder and auto. But, no extended cab.
And, down here the Toyotas are reselling at stupid high prices.
I am sniffing around in the Trader and Craiglist too.
The Saturn was my Moms older car that she gave us. So... free is great but it is limited.
I'll keep my eyes open. Thanks again.

[coacha]

I had a Ranger for awhile before the boys got too big to tote around in it. Had a 5 speed extra cab with V-6 in it. It got around 20 or so MPG. Loved the ride.