# Need compact 4WD truck **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 19, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184 "2003-05-19T05:00:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![galen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecc23a/32.png) [@galen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/galen)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2003, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/1 "2003-05-19T05:00:29Z")
I plan to buy a used early to mid-nineties compact 4WD truck with an automatic transmission with a 6 cylinder engine. Possibilities include the Ford Ranger, the Chevy S-10, Toyota Tacoma as well as others. All experiences and ideas will be greatly appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Cowgirl\_Jules](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@Cowgirl\_Jules](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cowgirl_Jules)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/2 "2003-05-21T15:50:01Z")
How compact do you need it? I once owned a Toyota, and was pretty happy with it, but it was _small_ inside! Have you looked into Dodge Dakotas? I’ve never owned one, but I had to rent one for a while. It was surprisingly nice, considering that I’m used to a much larger truck. The 6 cyclinder had quite a bit of get-up-and-go, the extended cab version didn’t make me feel claustrophobic, and it got good mileage. I mean good compared to my 1/2 ton anyway. I never did put it in 4 wheel drive though, so I can’t comment on that. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/3 "2003-05-21T15:58:55Z")
“the Ford Ranger, the Chevy S-10” Not these two. A mid 90s would have about 80-90 thousand miles on it & at 100,000 miles you can expect to put some big parts in. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/4 "2003-05-21T16:26:35Z")
I also would caution against the Ford or Chevy. The Chevy V6’s are not a _good_ engine. The Fords also have had problems. I would defintely recomend the Toyota. As per the Toyota being “small”, 'tis true, but the Ranger and S are about the same size. I don’t have much experience with the Nissan truck, but the VG30 engine is good. You very rarely see used Toyota trucks up here for sale even though there are several on the road. They’re a damn good truck and a great 4x4. It has my vote. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/5 "2003-05-21T16:58:24Z")
One thing about the Dakota. Decent truck. I know a few people with them. Universal complaint with all of them though: The milage sucks. Not much better, if at all, than a full size 1/2 ton. Upside though (as with any other North American truck): They usually don’t hold their value worth a crap, so you might get a good deal. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/6 "2003-05-21T17:44:55Z")
I’m a big fan of Toyota trucks. IMO they’re practically bullet-proof. (Unfortunately they’re not Ford LTD-proof, as I found out just after high school.) It depends on what you want it for, of course; but if I were going to buy a pickup truck today, it would be a **Toyota Tacoma** Extended Cab (not the Crew Cab, as they have shorter beds) with a _four_-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission. I have the Cherokee for towing, so I don’t need more power in a truck. FWIW, my dad had a **Dodge Dakota**. I think it was an '88. He called it the “Gutless Wonder”. Seriously, that V6 was underpowered. All he was hauling was a pair of JetSkis on a trailer. It was a joke. I wouldn’t keep a Dakota if it were given to me. ---
**Author:** ![bernse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@bernse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bernse)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/7 "2003-05-21T20:09:42Z")
> [@](#): > > FWIW, my dad had a Dodge Dakota. I think it was an '88. He called it the “Gutless Wonder”. Seriously, that V6 was underpowered. I’ll buy that. Although, if the OP looks for a mid to late 90s they have very good power. If you really want one with guts though, pick one up with a 318. Yowza. Although as my grandpa used to say though, it’d pass everything but a gas station. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/8 "2003-05-21T22:04:10Z")
Mazda is also nice. ---
**Author:** ![Howard\_Juneau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/bb73d2/32.png) [@Howard\_Juneau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Howard_Juneau)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/9 "2003-05-21T22:09:30Z")
Isn’t the Mazda another nameplate for the Ford Ranger? ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2003, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/10 "2003-05-21T22:59:11Z")
Nissan!!! We have one (but ours is 4 cyl and 2wd, but they make what you want) and it is the best vehicle I’ve come across in a while. We have 9 cars/trucks and this one is **absolutly** trouble-free. Just turned 120k and so far done nothing to it but oil changes and belts. (they weren’t too bad, but cheap and easy to replace). Very easy to maintain and all-in-all a very well thought-out truck. When we get another vehicle, Nissan is high on our list. (But I said that back in December, and ended up with a BMW anyway. Too good of a deal to pass up.) Check out Nissan. Quality stuff. * * * Fagjunk Theology: Not just for sodomite propagandists anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Jaade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dfb087/32.png) [@Jaade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaade)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/11 "2003-05-22T01:26:42Z")
You said “truck”, but I have an option you may not have considered. I personally own a 1986 Toyota 4Runner that I LOVE. It does have 4WD but is of course larger than a standard truck, yet not monster truckish. It’s not quite like the new 4Runners, which are somewhat preppy. It really depends though, on how you plan to use it. ~J ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/12 "2003-05-22T01:48:26Z")
> [@](#): > > Isn’t the Mazda another nameplate for the Ford Ranger? Once upon a time they were different, (my 92 Mazda is an actual Mazda) but now they are the same. I think they merged around 94-95. ---
**Author:** ![mudcrutch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/2bfe46/32.png) [@mudcrutch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mudcrutch)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2003, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-compact-4wd-truck/176184/13 "2003-05-22T09:27:24Z")
Mazda B-Series = Ford Ranger