A former co-worker of SWMBO is looking for a crew cab 4x4 manual pickup for $10k all in. Needs to have 4 doors for 2 car seats in the back. I warned them that its going to be a few years old and have some miles on it. A search locally turned up Dakotas, Frontiers, high mile Tacos and a couple Explorer Sport Tracs. I know the Frontiers are decent trucks but how are the Sport Tracs and Dakotas? Search would be in eastern PA..
The Explorers presumably have the SOHC V6, which I've heard have big problems with timing chains. I can't speak to how bad this problem personally however. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cologne_V6_engine#SOHC
(They made a few Sport Tracs with the V8, but I don't know if they could be manual-equipped)
slowbird said:The Explorers presumably have the SOHC V6, which I've heard have big problems with timing chains. I can't speak to how bad this problem personally however. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cologne_V6_engine#SOHC
(They made a few Sport Tracs with the V8, but I don't know if they could be manual-equipped)
The 4.0 SOHC is a terrible engine, I'd avoid it and the several timing chains it has at all costs
I have a 08 Mitsubishi Raider( rebadged Dakota) 3.7 v6 auto 4dr 4x4 and a coworker had same generation Dakota 4dr 4x4 4.7 v8 auto. I know there not manuals but I can comment about everything else.
Mines been dead reliable minus the auto trans self destructing at 150k but I threw a junkyard one in and I'm at 167k. Only normal maintenance besides it liking to go threw front brakes. It fits 2 adults and 2 child seats no issue. I don't tow but use it for hardware store, feed store, and fire wood stuff all the time without complaint. It just started rusting in the bed fenders and one door corner but I live in PA so rust is a must. Gas mileage is a blistering 15mpg avg.
my buddy had the opposite luck with his as he went threw a motor, then a trans, then a motor. He did use it to tow a decent size camper and the 4.7v8's aren't know to be that great.
GMT800? I saw a few in the spring when I was looking for a similar vehicle.
Everyone here hates the SOHC 4.0, but my family had a ‘98 Explorer until last year and the engine was never a problem, other than it sounded E36 M3ty because the tensioner needed to be replaced, which we never did.
It did everything we asked of it for 22 years and 160k and never needed anything other than an O2 sensor, fluids, and brakes.
Im not saying I’d search one out, as I hate the sound and the thought of what’s happening in there, but it was basically rock solid. Just another data point.
I’d be after the Taco, but they command a HUGE price premium around here. This makes the Frontier appeal to me. I think the Dodge would be good in MT form as most of the issues I hear about are with the AT.
Here is what I have found so far:
Subaru Baja (hey its a truck in a roundabout way) :https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/813577167/overview/
Frontier: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/816448933/overview/
Dakota: https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/815371858/overview/
In reply to dxman92 :
Holy long shifter on the Dakota! Looks like it’s almost as high as the dash haha. For those quick shifts a la an EP3 Civic Si. I kinda dig it.
That Frontier looks nice but seems kinda like a lot of money for that many miles.
Your price would get you a gen 1 nice 4 door tacoma crew cab. Too bad they don't come in manual trans
only 2nd gen on you can get a taco crew cab in manual. Going to be way above that 10k budget for a decent one
I would say Ridgeline, but no manual????
Is there anybody in the Lititz area who could put eyes on the Frontier in person?
I'd definitely lean toward Frontier in that lineup.
I'm like 45 minutes from lititz but I'm working a 8 day stretch and work is busy busy.
At least he isn't asking for a diesel too.
He needs to be prepared to travel. He also needs to be prepared to walk away if the truck is in crappy condition for the asking price. BTDT - and paid dearly for my inability to walk away.
Good luck. Previous posters seem to have covered all the choices. I was looking for the same thing for a while. The Frontier was top on my list but there were always only 1 or 2 available for sale in the entire country. Eventually I just gave up and bought a stripped out base model manual Gladiator.
Any idea why they want a manual? I like shifting my own as much as the next guy, but that eliminates 98% of the available trucks out there.
That said, this Tundra fits the bill.
If I had 2 kids in car seats, a high mile stick truck would be pretty far down the list of vehicles that make sense.
I think the person looking for it is okay with travel. They've already looked at trucks in the Poconos and walked away due to damage.
The truck is for my wife's former co workers dad. He wants something to cart a couple bikes around in and teach some grandkids how to drive stick in the truck. For what the situation sounds like, I think the Baja I posted would be a good fit. Probably the best bet safety wise, its local and from the ad, it appears to have had a chunk of maintenance done to it.
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