Recommend a pickup truck around 25mpg?

[JustinH]

After loading 12 8 foot boards into my Saturn Ion, I quickly realized that I would need a truck in short order.

I would like to spend about 6500 cash tops. I would prefer to spend less.

I want a pickup truck that gets 20+ MPG.. I really want an automatic transmission as well.

What do you guys recommend?

I have been looking at a 2002+ ranger/b series with either the 2.3L duratec engine, or the 3.0L v6.

Thanks..
Justin

 

[Paul2007]

At your price point, it's about the only thing out there. If you buy your lumber from a big box store, they have a sweet deal on a truck rental that would take many, many times to equal the cost of buying a vehicle.

 

[Steve S]

How about a trailer?

 

[pbm]

A used Ford Ranger 4 cylinder with a 5 speed manual.

 

[The_Jeff]

Pre-96 dakota. 4 cyl k-car motor, 2wd, 5 speed stick, 6.5 foot bed, regular cab.

They make faster dakotas but these old ones are nice. Squared off lines that fit lots of stuff in small space. They aren't jacked off the ground that highly either making loading easier. Should be able to get one for under $2000. I guess from your implications you want something newer/more reliable, so the ranger will do well.

 

[oliveoil]

Any ford ranger, toyota tacoma, with a 4 cyl engine would do the trick. An automatic in a small pickup is a waste and degrades MPG. I have a 96 V6 4x4 Tacoma and I get 21-23 regularly.

 

[panthermike]

Ford Ranger for sure, the 4cyl Duratech is a good engine. I have one and I average just under 26mpg w/ the Auto and 4.10's.

 

[JHZR2]

+1 on a trailer. Any mini pickup with a 6ft bed is not the best for 8ft boards.

AT will help kill mileage, and 25 is already asking a good bit from any $6500 special, IMO.

 

[Brons2]

If there was a truck that was out there that was not old and had some decent room in it and got 25MPG, I would already be driving it.

Instead, I have a Kia Rondo. I can get about fifteen 8 foot long 2x4's into it with the rear hatch closed, by folding down both the back seat and the passenger seat.

I got 24.5MPG on my last tank.

 

[Nick R]

Nothing wrong with automatic, You won't get quite as good mileage, but not horrible.

 

[JustinH]

I've been driving standard for the past five years, and I'm ready for a five year break.

Its no fun in traffic, or going up hills. Usually I don't mind it too much however.

 

[fdcg27]

A stick four cylinder Ranger would do well for you.
A stick Vulcan Ranger would be about as economical.
You'll give up some fuel and some fun, as well as some trouble free lifespan, with an automatic.
Really, for the money you want to spend, you can't do better than a Ford Ranger.
As reliable and durable as anything with an Asian badge, and better than anything else with an American one.
If I were in your position, I know what I'd buy.
OTOH, how many miles will you put on this thing each year?
If you aren't going to do more than 10K or so, fuel economy becomes pretty unimportant, and both Ford and GM made some really good full size half tons.
They were the highest volume vehicles sold for decades, so there are plenty out there to choose from.

 

[HM12460]

Another vote here for the Ranger. The 5R44E auto is not that strong. The 2.3 dura-tec is a running little machine that will run forever. I'd have the 5 speed.

 

[duaneb9729]

two years ago i was out looking for a small pu, I ended up with a 99 S10, with a 2.2 four cyl.with an at. I get a year around average of 22 mpg.

thats mixed 50/50 city highway driving, on the two trips i have taken out on the highway, when I drove 58 mph, I got 32, and on a much longer trip where I needed to cover a lot of ground, I got 27.

I would have rather had the Ford, but I wanted cruse control, and an extended cab, it was a very hard combo to find in a Ford.

 

[UNC017]

Restore a Jeep Comanche.

;-)

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: duaneb9729
two years ago i was out looking for a small pu, I ended up with a 99 S10, with a 2.2 four cyl.with an at. I get a year around average of 22 mpg.

thats mixed 50/50 city highway driving, on the two trips i have taken out on the highway, when I drove 58 mph, I got 32, and on a much longer trip where I needed to cover a lot of ground, I got 27.

I would have rather had the Ford, but I wanted cruse control, and an extended cab, it was a very hard combo to find in a Ford.


Wow, the LN2 in a truck, even a small one? Even more gutless than mine, I would imagine. Probably couldn't haul/tow very much.

 

[The_Jeff]

They put 4.10 gears, more or less, in those s10s. Not too bad really, except for the noise.

 

[JTK]

Going from a Saturn Ion to a Ford Ranger sized bed isn't much of an improvement in cargo hauling capacity. I just don't see the purpose of small pickups if your main need is cargo space. They don't have it. For $6500, you might be able to find a decent full sized Chevy 1500, 4.3L V6, automatic. You can get 18-20mpg on the hyway with them. The later model Chevy 4.8 and 5.3L can do 20-21 on the hywy as well, but unless it's got 120Kmi on it, it might be out of your price range. I don't know of a "truck" out there that's going to get the 25mpg you posted in your thread title.

Joel

 

[tig1]

I now have a trailer instead of a truck. It's not as convienant as a truck but much less cost. Also my trailer has the large fold down tail gate which makes it great for loading large items or large roll ons like mowers or such. I roll a Miller Bobcat welder(600lbs) and gas tanks on mine. For things like that a trailer is more handy than a truck.
Mine is 5X8. Lots of room.

 

[andrewg]

Based on your criteria, the only pickup in that price range would be the Ford Ranger. I have a manual 4 cylinder 2002 Ranger and it works great for what I need it for. A well taken care of Ranger will last many years (though in your area salt on the roads is extremely destructive). I would suggest getting some very aggressive tires for the rear before winter....and keeping some weight in the back. Should be fine.