Compact Trucks

If you want resell and reliability. Tacoma. If you want creature comforts and more "technology". Colorado.

But, the new Colorado with the diesel motor is pretty awesome.

Edit: If you get a Tacoma that's 2015 or older (2nd gen) they don't have direct fuel injection. Which is a big plus.

Edited by impulse418 - 06 September 2017 at 2:33pm

Direct fuel injection sucks. For nominal the MPG increase, you now get to clean valves at 70-80k miles due to fouling.

Test drive them and see. The Frontier is a decent truck, though it is outdated. I'm not sure what the aftermarket is like if you plan to modify it. I was looking at the new Colorado with the 2.8 turbo diesel, but since you can't get it without getting a crew cab and because I need 4x4, starting price was something like 35k for me so I opted out. Ford is also bringing the Ranger back to the US for 2019 I think and are supposedly offering a diesel with it as well. If you're open to used, you can get a 1st gen Colorado with a 5.3 V8. My Colorado is an 05 with a 3.5 i-5. Limited aftermarket options for those trucks though. Jeep is bringing the commando back with a diesel option for next year I think. Anyways, shameless pimping of my truck to follow:

Are you looking for 2wd or 4x4?

Crash test ratings on the Frontier are crap. They're the least safe small pickup according to the IIHS and NHTSA BOTH! But, it all comes down to what you like.

FWIW, I'll be picking up a Tacoma TRD Offroad in about 5 years so long as they don't turn to crap between now and then.

Edited by tallen702 - 07 September 2017 at 12:28pm

I understand full-size trucks are expensive but a short bed regular cab is an option.

Roomy for two, unique, still really small, etc.

Had an SBRC as a daily driver for years and still do on occasion. I love it.

Edit: buying a 60s 70s 80s truck is an option as well and it screams DeTrevni

Edited by SSOK - 08 September 2017 at 3:47am

If you want a good economical truck. Look for a older Chevy S10. The ones before the ecotec motor are bulletproof. (ecotec are fine, except make sure the timing chain adjuster has been updated).

My buddy picked up a 5 speed, extended cab S10, 2.2 motor. I was extremely jealous, great little truck.

And if you can wait, there will be a plethora of used cars hitting the market soon. Seeing as there is $1.3 trillion dollars in sub prime auto loans.

Update: in spite of the love for Tacos, I wound up with the Frontier. I love the damn thing. Just feels right. It's an SV King Cab model with the 4.0 motor and Arctic Blue paint. I wish it were that bright blue that Nissan uses time to time, but I still like it. Came with all the usual accoutrement, i.e. bedliner, towing package, mudflaps...

It's absolutely obvious that the truck was last redesigned in 2005, but honestly, that's why I love it. It's a familiarity. It has everything I need and I feel absolutely comfortable with it.

As for more objective opinions, I'll do a bit of a first impressions thing.

The V6 is noisy but plenty peppy and responsive. It gets up and goes when it needs to, and it doesn't struggle on the freeways like the I4 has been reported to do. The seats and interior are comfortable to me, and at 6'3", I'm a bigger dude. Plenty of adjustability, leg room, and head room. All the controls are easily accessible, and it comes with Bluetooth, USB, and 3.5mm auxiliary input.

The most obvious issue is with the materials. I've heard reviews that the plastics used in the interior feel cheap. I'll echo that sentiment, though I don't really see anything breaking because of it. The seats are an aesthetic sort of cloth mesh, which is good for comfort (I hate leather seats), but I worry it's gonna collect grime. I can objectively see why the lack of features and the spartan interior are viewed as a negative, despite being what I wanted. Many standard features in new cars are conspicuous in their absence here. The back seats are an absolute joke. Not much more room back there than in my Scion. But I didn't get it to haul butts. The engine is clunky and the 5 speed auto is slushy, but I want to reiterate: it feels like a TRUCK and I like that. I'm a big believer in character. The most unforgivable complaint is the turn radius. Hoo whee... K-turns everywhere. Makes for smoother freeway cruising, I guess...

All in all I love it, and I paid around $5k less for it than the Taco.

Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

Here's my stock '05:

Edited by StormyKnight - 15 September 2017 at 7:45pm

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DeTrevni Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group b-YOU-ick. Was that so hard? Joined: 19 September 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 11957	Post Options Post Reply Quote DeTrevni Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Compact Trucks Posted: 06 September 2017 at 10:26am
	I live! Welp, Harvey did in my FR-S, so now I'm in the market for a smaller truck. I've always had a crush on Tacomas, but it seems the new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are pretty consistently better reviewed. I was wondering if you fine folks have heard anything about these or any other models that I should keep in mind on this search. I suppose used is indeed an option as well.
	Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

impulse418 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group off the hook four days early <3 <3 <3 Joined: 25 November 2010 Location: Phx, AZ Status: Offline Points: 3361	Post Options Post Reply Quote impulse418 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 2:26pm
	If you want resell and reliability. Tacoma. If you want creature comforts and more "technology". Colorado. But, the new Colorado with the diesel motor is pretty awesome. Edit: If you get a Tacoma that's 2015 or older (2nd gen) they don't have direct fuel injection. Which is a big plus. Edited by impulse418 - 06 September 2017 at 2:33pm

DeTrevni Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group b-YOU-ick. Was that so hard? Joined: 19 September 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 11957	Post Options Post Reply Quote DeTrevni Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 2:55pm
	Are you saying that not having direct injection is a plus, or that direct injection is a plus? I honestly don't know much about that.
	Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

impulse418 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group off the hook four days early <3 <3 <3 Joined: 25 November 2010 Location: Phx, AZ Status: Offline Points: 3361	Post Options Post Reply Quote impulse418 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 3:18pm
	Direct fuel injection sucks. For nominal the MPG increase, you now get to clean valves at 70-80k miles due to fouling.

DeTrevni Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group b-YOU-ick. Was that so hard? Joined: 19 September 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 11957	Post Options Post Reply Quote DeTrevni Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 8:39pm
	I need y'all to talk me out of the Nissan Frontier. All the car rags say that it's clunky and outdated, but that's exactly what I like about it. It's a TRUCK. It's also cheaper than a Taco and Colorado.
	Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

Eville Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group More than 'evil' but not quite 'eviller' Joined: 19 September 2008 Status: Offline Points: 3473	Post Options Post Reply Quote Eville Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 10:14pm
	Test drive them and see. The Frontier is a decent truck, though it is outdated. I'm not sure what the aftermarket is like if you plan to modify it. I was looking at the new Colorado with the 2.8 turbo diesel, but since you can't get it without getting a crew cab and because I need 4x4, starting price was something like 35k for me so I opted out. Ford is also bringing the Ranger back to the US for 2019 I think and are supposedly offering a diesel with it as well. If you're open to used, you can get a 1st gen Colorado with a 5.3 V8. My Colorado is an 05 with a 3.5 i-5. Limited aftermarket options for those trucks though. Jeep is bringing the commando back with a diesel option for next year I think. Anyways, shameless pimping of my truck to follow:

DeTrevni Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group b-YOU-ick. Was that so hard? Joined: 19 September 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 11957	Post Options Post Reply Quote DeTrevni Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 September 2017 at 10:53pm
	have no plans to upgrade. I just want a truck to haul my motorcycles or outdoorsy stuff, and I just dig trucks. I would like it to be road-trippable, so if it's too cramped and janky I may just pass. And as such MPG IS an issue, I guess. I'm really interested in that 4-banger diesel that Chevy has, but that's a $30k truck... Too rich for my blood.
	Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

impulse418 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group off the hook four days early <3 <3 <3 Joined: 25 November 2010 Location: Phx, AZ Status: Offline Points: 3361	Post Options Post Reply Quote impulse418 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 September 2017 at 10:16am
	Are you looking for 2wd or 4x4?

DeTrevni Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group b-YOU-ick. Was that so hard? Joined: 19 September 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 11957	Post Options Post Reply Quote DeTrevni Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 September 2017 at 10:34am
	2wd.
	Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

tallen702 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Hipster before Hipster was cool... Joined: 10 June 2002 Location: Under Your Bed Status: Offline Points: 11856	Post Options Post Reply Quote tallen702 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 September 2017 at 11:25am
	Crash test ratings on the Frontier are crap. They're the least safe small pickup according to the IIHS and NHTSA BOTH! But, it all comes down to what you like. FWIW, I'll be picking up a Tacoma TRD Offroad in about 5 years so long as they don't turn to crap between now and then. Edited by tallen702 - 07 September 2017 at 12:28pm
	<Removed overly wide sig. Tsk, you know better.>

DeTrevni Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group b-YOU-ick. Was that so hard? Joined: 19 September 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 11957	Post Options Post Reply Quote DeTrevni Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 September 2017 at 12:34pm
	Man, the thing is, I objectively know I should stay away from the Frontier. Like, there's not a single reason to choose it over a Colorado/Canyon or a Tacoma. I'm just a bit of a luddite, and all the fancy new stuff they cram into new cars scares me away. I suppose it would be smart to try to understand it instead of shun it, but hey. This is me we're talking about.
	Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

SSOK Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group The Savior of Christmas Joined: 01 September 2005 Location: PRNJ Status: Offline Points: 5919	Post Options Post Reply Quote SSOK Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 08 September 2017 at 3:46am
	I understand full-size trucks are expensive but a short bed regular cab is an option. Roomy for two, unique, still really small, etc. Had an SBRC as a daily driver for years and still do on occasion. I love it. Edit: buying a 60s 70s 80s truck is an option as well and it screams DeTrevni Edited by SSOK - 08 September 2017 at 3:47am


DeTrevni Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group b-YOU-ick. Was that so hard? Joined: 19 September 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 11957	Post Options Post Reply Quote DeTrevni Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 September 2017 at 2:40pm
	The thing is I don't really like any of the current full-size offerings. Besides, after a test ride, I actually really like the Frontier. It's no-nonsense. It has everything I want and nothing I don't. I even fit in it comfortably. It met all my expectations. The biggest potential problem (MPG aside [which isn't a super big deal as I don't really have to stack up miles]) is the turning radius. It steers like a boat, but it's comfortably sized enough to where I don't see that being a MAJOR issue.
	Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

impulse418 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group off the hook four days early <3 <3 <3 Joined: 25 November 2010 Location: Phx, AZ Status: Offline Points: 3361	Post Options Post Reply Quote impulse418 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 September 2017 at 12:52pm
	If you want a good economical truck. Look for a older Chevy S10. The ones before the ecotec motor are bulletproof. (ecotec are fine, except make sure the timing chain adjuster has been updated). My buddy picked up a 5 speed, extended cab S10, 2.2 motor. I was extremely jealous, great little truck. And if you can wait, there will be a plethora of used cars hitting the market soon. Seeing as there is $1.3 trillion dollars in sub prime auto loans.

deadeye007 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Has Mod powers, isn't able to use them. Joined: 12 June 2002 Location: Your Face Status: Offline Points: 13822	Post Options Post Reply Quote deadeye007 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 13 September 2017 at 3:30pm
	Thanks to Harvey, I would avoid buying a used vehicle in your area for a while. I had an 06 Taco 4x4 TRD and loved it.
	Face it guys, common sense is a form of wealth and we're surrounded by poverty.-Strato

DeTrevni Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group b-YOU-ick. Was that so hard? Joined: 19 September 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Status: Offline Points: 11957	Post Options Post Reply Quote DeTrevni Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 September 2017 at 7:38am
	Update: in spite of the love for Tacos, I wound up with the Frontier. I love the damn thing. Just feels right. It's an SV King Cab model with the 4.0 motor and Arctic Blue paint. I wish it were that bright blue that Nissan uses time to time, but I still like it. Came with all the usual accoutrement, i.e. bedliner, towing package, mudflaps... It's absolutely obvious that the truck was last redesigned in 2005, but honestly, that's why I love it. It's a familiarity. It has everything I need and I feel absolutely comfortable with it. As for more objective opinions, I'll do a bit of a first impressions thing. The V6 is noisy but plenty peppy and responsive. It gets up and goes when it needs to, and it doesn't struggle on the freeways like the I4 has been reported to do. The seats and interior are comfortable to me, and at 6'3", I'm a bigger dude. Plenty of adjustability, leg room, and head room. All the controls are easily accessible, and it comes with Bluetooth, USB, and 3.5mm auxiliary input. The most obvious issue is with the materials. I've heard reviews that the plastics used in the interior feel cheap. I'll echo that sentiment, though I don't really see anything breaking because of it. The seats are an aesthetic sort of cloth mesh, which is good for comfort (I hate leather seats), but I worry it's gonna collect grime. I can objectively see why the lack of features and the spartan interior are viewed as a negative, despite being what I wanted. Many standard features in new cars are conspicuous in their absence here. The back seats are an absolute joke. Not much more room back there than in my Scion. But I didn't get it to haul butts. The engine is clunky and the 5 speed auto is slushy, but I want to reiterate: it feels like a TRUCK and I like that. I'm a big believer in character. The most unforgivable complaint is the turn radius. Hoo whee... K-turns everywhere. Makes for smoother freeway cruising, I guess... All in all I love it, and I paid around $5k less for it than the Taco.
	Evil Elvis: "Detrevni is definally like a hillbilly hippy from hell"

impulse418 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group off the hook four days early <3 <3 <3 Joined: 25 November 2010 Location: Phx, AZ Status: Offline Points: 3361	Post Options Post Reply Quote impulse418 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 14 September 2017 at 8:55am
	I also hate leather seats. Coverking makes awesome seat covers. If it's what you like, that's all that matters.

StormyKnight Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 28 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3129	Post Options Post Reply Quote StormyKnight Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 15 September 2017 at 9:54am
	Here's my stock '05: Edited by StormyKnight - 15 September 2017 at 7:45pm