quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Nissans Pickup is really nice and doesn't sell well so another option for a good vehicle with room to negotiate.

I wonder why the Frontier doesn't get much love. When people talk about the small pickups, it's Tacoma far out in front, probably the GM and Ford Ranger seem to be a distant second while the Ridgeline is third and Frontier hardly gets mentioned.

They discontinued the Nissan Titan. You might find one that is heavily discounted due to this. While the interior and design is a little dated. It is a solid truck.

The achilles heel of the newer Nissan Titan and Frontier is the 9 speed transmission. My neighbors went out at 30k miles.

armedmd--brother--if you're rejecting the Highlander because of it's small third row be sure to check out the Grand Highlander. It is a much roomier vehicle; there are several engine options; and it's a Toyota. I bought a Mazda CX-90 PHEV because I wanted to give the plug-in hybrid a try; but I'm a little sorry I didn't wait and get the Grand Highlander.

I’d be looking at a v8 Silverado or a Tundra.

I was in the market for a truck as my car was Just totaled by deer damage. ( Not a dent in any metal.) I would stay away from the 3.0 Duramax I've heard nothing but bad news. I also have a VW Jetta diesel and drive it for road trips I did the math and even with the Jetta getting 41 mpg it was break even to drive the gas car due to diesel being nearly a dollar more per gallon.
I just bought a Chevy Blazer with the V6 . It gets 27 highway and will tow 5000 lbs. I have an aluminum trailer that I can use whenever I need to haul anything that won't fit inside.

Silverado and a Tahoe would be a nice pair to own. I have had good luck with many of both. But I would stick with the 5.3L

A new Ram with the BIG discounts they are offering would be tempting. Several friends drive Ram's and they are happy with them.

I just bought a Silverado 1500 with the 5.3. Dealer discount of $8k. They were offering an additional $3,500 in rebates but not with the 1.9% financing. I looked at trucks from every brand. I thought Dodge would have offered the most discounts, but surprisingly Chevy was the cheapest.

I agree with the above posters about the Chevys with the big V8 naturally aspirated gas engines. I've never known anyone with a lick of trouble from those vehicles, personally I don't think you can beat them with a stick. I'd be all over those models if I were in your shoes.

SUV wise, I just bought a new to me (2021) RAV4,
bought it at 63K,
4 cyl, 8 spd trans, 31 + MPG,

will seat 4 comfortably, 5 if the back seat users are smaller,

and will tote a load,


my shop van was a Diesel, avg 15MPG (2005 E350 6.0 V8 4 spd auto) that did well until it did not,

replaced it with a 2023 Foad T-250, which is avg 18 mpg with a V6 gas, same load capacity, basically, and no loud ass diesel,



I sometimes tow a trailer, and have not done so , nor have I loaded the new van for a show, but don't expect any major issues,


I had to rent a few Uhauls for gunshows and the GMC/Chevys were adaquate, with a big V6 and avg the same mileage,

Spring is traditionally let's trade cars. Tax checks and cabin fever but it may be a bit different due to the sorry state of the economy. I've had extensive experience with high mileage 5.3l gm and I find them to be bulletproof, gm transmissions used to be suspect but seems they are now solid.

Skip the diesel, stinky, more expensive and harder to find fuel.

I bought a Ridgeline new in 08 and am still driving it, now has 68k and 3.5l is tried and true. Mine has been trouble free and I still enjoy driving it.

Baby trucks like the Maverick are the latest thing, Toyota has one coming as does Subaru. They seem to be popular and that might bring $ down a bit on full size. Good luck.