Mini-truck Questions

I plan on becoming a home owner for the first time later this year and I could use a different daily driver. Therefore I'm considering the purchase of a small truck and I want something good on gas, nice to drive, etc etc. My budget is about $6k total, I'd like to put $5k towards the vehicle (less is fine) and then I figure $1k on maintenance & upgrades. I don't want 4WD, I'd like a manual trans and a 4-cyl for ease of service and economy.

In looking around online the Toyota Tacoma seems like a great truck but I have yet to see an extended cab (not 4 door, just the stretched "xtracab" for some added space & locked storage area) in 2WD with the four cylinder and a manual trans. It seems like these were made to be a nicer place to be in 2001. I've seen Frontiers like this and they seem more inline with my desired price range. What else am I missing? The Ranger/B-series trucks from around 2000 are improved over what came before but they don't seem that great, the GM stuff like the S-10 don't have a drivetrain that I really like (I don't want a V6 and their 4-cyl seems a little weak for this application) and I've no interest in a Dakota.

So, what else is out there that I haven't considered, and is my pricing in line with reality? I am okay with traveling a bit to get the right truck but if I can stay in KS to get one of these that would be nice, OK would be acceptable as well. Eventually I'd like to lower whatever I get by an inch or two (like what GM did with the S-10 Extreme basically) with a good wheel / tire package, maybe swap in a torsen style LSD some day too. This is for street use.

Thanks!

Get a REPU!!!

Don't look back.

I don't think a RePU gets the MPG I'm hoping for (30mpg on the highway would be really nice, 27 is acceptable) with the cab space I want. If I could find a 1992 B2200 with FI that would be nice but they're rare on the ground as well.

If I didn't care about mpg or rust I'd probably look for an 88-98 Chevy/GMC full size. RePU doesn't really turn me on in any way.

Dodge d50+GM trans+adapter plate+ 4g63t. GO NOW.

TRD T100?

whatever you currently drive + utility trailer = better than a solid rear axle on leaf springs.

pres589 wrote: RePU doesn't really turn me on in any way.

That is because you haven't driven one!!! A 77 model with the big cab would be sweet. The mileage is an issue,but the bark of a 4 port 13B would make up for it. I know a few guys who auto-x theirs so it can be done.

Chris

No offense but these are all horrible suggestions. TRD T100? Does that even exist in reality? Some kind of horrible turbo swapped D50 with a GM trans behind it, what? And then, THEN, we have someone suggesting I keep my 130k mile Olds Intrigue and tow with it?

I'm a little surprised. Maybe the next weekend with decent weather I'll go test drive a Frontier and see what that's like or something.

No offense but these are all horrible suggestions. TRD T100? Does that even exist in reality? Some kind of horrible turbo swapped D50 with a GM trans behind it, what? And then, THEN, we have someone suggesting I keep my 130k mile Olds Intrigue and tow with it?

You seriously have a problem with this? TRD T100? You MAKE one, duh. You know, lefty loosey, righty tightey, you do turn wrenches right? T100 is a great truck. d50 with 4g63 swap is a known, proven quantity. Go fast, good mpg. And you mention 130k on the intrigue like that has ANY relevance to towing with it? The intrigue is just as suited, if not far more, to towing a light load than a mini-truck is. It'll be more stable and have more brakes, in all honesty. Towing with compact trucks sucks. Heck, its better for towing than what i towed my car to the challenge with in 09, and that was 3k+miles, and for the record that dodge dynasty tows better than my 96 dakota too.

Maybe you dont want us to have too much fun in your thread, but if those are BAD ideas than probably so are the ones you're thinking of. More like, those are 'not what i meant' ideas.

Look past the 70'stastic stripes,and this truck is sweet. The 77's are the best of the bunch by the way.

http://img257.imageshack.us/i/imag0517.jpg/

Chris