Truck Advice

B00ger

B00ger

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So, I want to pick the brains of my more "truck knowledgeable" friends here.

I am in no hurry to purchase a vehicle, but here is the situation. My daughter is now of driving age and is more and more borrowing dads car. I have an old beater 2008 Ford Ranger that I have been tooling around in, problem is, it has started to develop a problem with starting, as in sometimes it wont. Battery fine, starter clicks, so I think something in the key area is jacked up. Anyhow, I am not sure I want to drop the money to go chasing problems with it.

So, I have been looking at trucks recently, and wanted some opinions. The Ford Maverick seems to click a lot of check boxes I need...I dont tow anything currently, so towing capacity isnt a big deal. I mainly use my truck for occassional trips to the dump, yard work, and light moving. The Maverick seems to get excellent car-like gas mileage, and its interior looks big enough to handle my needs. But its a newer offering and havent heard much about it.

I am also looking at perhaps Frontiers, or used F150's and the like. I have never been into cars or trucks enough to do the "Ford/Chevrolet" battle thing, so dont know what is what.

So...if you were after a general every day driver of a truck that needs to be able to fit 4 people and a price range of under $30k, what brands would you lean on, and what would you avoid?

Thanks
 
Can't help on newer vehicles, but I would say the intermittent starting problem is the ignition switch on the back side of the steering column
 
My wife is interested in a Maverick. I stopped at the lot Sunday to browse while they were closed. First, it doesn’t look like two can fit in the back seat unless the two in the front seat are short.

There were multiple rows of F150’s available.
Two Mavericks.

Base price is 20K but based on how this lower end model was minimally trimmed out, at $32K, I think that’s the price point you’ll be at, or more.

Hyundai now has a new small truck-like vehicle. I haven’t looked at it. I bought new Hyundais in 2013 and 2015 and while I was real happy with them early on, my dealer experiences with warranty issues, etc, and the Cary dealer in general has driven me to the conclusion I won’t buy another Hyundai.
 
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After getting jacked around by Ford and Chevy dealers, I bought a new Tacoma base model last year for $27K and I could not wish for more. If I had to replace it, another Tacoma would be at the top of the short list. Has an actual 6-foot bed (a requirement for me) and the 4-cyl is more than adequate for my modest needs. I do occasionally haul a motorcycle on a receiver hitch rack, no problem.
 
barf said:
This. They last forever and have the highest resale value of any other.
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We don't know yet if the new '24's will last forever. The V6 is no longer available. It's a turbo 4cyl. It has more power and better gas mileage. It remains to be seen if it will be a 300k mile plus vehicle or not. That's why I just bought a '23 TRD OFF ROAD V6.
 
After what a member here who adjudicates warranty claims for multiple makers said recently, I would try to figure out how to buy a yoyo.
 
SPST said:
We don't know yet if the new '24's will last forever. The V6 is no longer available. It's a turbo 4cyl. It has more power and better gas mileage. It remains to be seen if it will be a 300k mile plus vehicle or not. That's why I just bought a '23 TRD OFF ROAD V6.
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I agree. But I believe OP said 30k and under. So I was assuming used.

I wish we got the 4cyl Turbo Diesels they have overseas.
 
My beloved 5.0 Coyote V-8 is going away in the bigger Fords later this year.

Double lame.

Thank our EPA.

EDIT: APPARENTLY THIS WAS FAKE NEWS. or the executives at the blue oval changed their minds, again, this time for 2024.
 
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I don't know how much a 23 SR would be? I paid $40k even, OTD for my TRD Off Road.
 
Used Tacoma or Tundra would be at the top of my list. They regularly last longer than any other brand of truck and, as said above, hold their value.

I’ve spent a lifetime driving one beater truck after another. I’m a little hard on vehicles and I don’t place a lot of value on looks, just needs to run well and be 4WD. Once my 2003 Dodge starts failing, I’ll be looking for one of the above because of their reliability and durability.
 
@B00ger , if your Ranger is still mostly in good condition, have a reputable shop look at it. A repair will cost a lot less than a new truck. And, those Rangers will run forever. For your use, I think the Ranger would be the way to go. Especially, they way the vehicle market is at this time.
 
Love my Tundra, but it’s a big truck to drive daily. I wouldn’t trade it but might not like it coming from a Ranger. That ‘15 Taco on here doesn’t look bad at $20k. It’s harder to buy used now though. Lenders are getting spooked so the age premium is getting up there if you’re financing. 9% for a 15 from what I see locally.

Neighbor was selling his old ranger a while back. Wanted to buy it for MPG but someone beat me too it.
 
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Geezer said:
@B00ger , if your Ranger is still mostly in good condition, have a reputable shop look at it. A repair will cost a lot less than a new truck. And, those Rangers will run forever. For your use, I think the Ranger would be the way to go. Especially, they way the vehicle market is at this time.
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I agree. Unless I needed to upgrade for a good reason, I’d see what a repair might cost before I decided to shop for a truck in the current market. Those old Rangers seem to last forever and are desirable in the used market, don’t see that changing since they’re not making any more of them. I’d wait for the used market to cool off before I went shopping if you can affordably keep the Ranger running in the meantime.
 
heavydoc said:
Can't help on newer vehicles, but I would say the intermittent starting problem is the ignition switch on the back side of the steering column
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Thanks for all the replies guys.

Also wanted to mention that I had another mechanic mention it may just be this. To try to describe it: once I tried to start it in a parking lot and it just clicked quickly. I tried jumping it, nothing. I then removed the battery and went and had it checked, and it was fine. Put the battery back in and it fired right up. Figured a bad connection. Then the next time I drove it I parked it, and it would t start again. I rolled it back a few feet to get it into a better spot on in the parking lot and before I locked it up I tried it again and it works fine.
 
B00ger said:
Thanks for all the replies guys.

Also wanted to mention that I had another mechanic mention it may just be this. To try to describe it: once I tried to start it in a parking lot and it just clicked quickly. I tried jumping it, nothing. I then removed the battery and went and had it checked, and it was fine. Put the battery back in and it fired right up. Figured a bad connection. Then the next time I drove it I parked it, and it would t start again. I rolled it back a few feet to get it into a better spot on in the parking lot and before I locked it up I tried it again and it works fine.
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It has Oldtruckitis.

Maybe fine for you, but your kids will torture you with it if you make them figure this out at such a tender age.
 
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fieldgrade said:
It has Oldtruckitis.

Maybe fine for you, but your kids will torture you with it if you make them figure this out at such a tender age.
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My kids are perfectly aware that I have zero mechanical acumen...after all...I carry CZs and Sigs...they dont expect much machismo from their old man.
 
B00ger said:
My kids are perfectly aware that I have zero mechanical acumen...after all...I carry CZs and Sigs...they dont expect much machismo from their old man.
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I understand this. My entire family thinks I have some sort of superstitious belief that I actually have an idea of what might be going on with my vehicles.
 
Sounds like it could be a bad battery ot charging system to me. Pretty common problem. Though I am a happy Tacoma owner, I think @Geezer had some good advice above. My previous truck was a Mazda B2300 (Ford Ranger with a Mazda badge) and it was a great truck. Almost 300K on it when I sold it and still running great, used virtually no oil, no rust, etc.
 
The Maverick is the class leader in that segment. If you drive one and like it, pull the trigger.

I’ve decided to wait and see if Subaru brings back the Baja since I’m in no rush.
 
The cost of a vehicle is not what you pay for it. It's the difference between what you pay for it and what you get when you sell it. And repairs. While the Taco costs more, it also sells for more. My 2009 Tundra has almost 100,000 miles on it, and the only thing that has ever brought it back to the dealership is the tailgate lock.

And while I might be willing to drive an older car with some "issues", I would not want to risk having a young daughter sitting on the side of the road.
 
Oh, to be clear, my daughter took over my "good" car, the newer one. I just drive the beater when she is at school/work and stuff.
 
If you are hearing a click, and you have confirmed that it is not the battery or the battery cable connections, make sure you get the starter checked before replacing the ignition switch (keyed switch on the steering column). If you are getting a click, it usually means that the starter is getting power, which means the starter itself is the issue.
Has the starter ever been replaced/rebuilt? On all my vehicles, the starter has needed repair before the ignition switch wears out.
And the starter can act intermittent like that. It might not work one time, then can work if you keep trying it. But eventually it will stop altogether.
 
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MostWanted said:
The cost of a vehicle is not what you pay for it. It's the difference between what you pay for it and what you get when you sell it. And repairs.
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And fuel. And interest. And the opportunity cost of what you could have done with that money if you hadn't been paying for a vehicle. And it all comes with the possible risk of being flattened by a runaway excavator in the parking lot at a car wash and having to start the whole process over again with whatever pittance the insurance company decides you deserve.

Vehicles are not an investment.


MostWanted said:
While the Taco costs more, it also sells for more.
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And that makes a used one a terrible deal. Also there is no guarantee the used market won't tank in the future either. A used Tacoma could change from a golden goose to an albatross in the blink of an eye.

Toyota makes great trucks that last a long time, but you've got to be willing to swallow the high initial price, poor fuel economy and outdated technology that comes with them.



Four adults have to really like each other to cram into a Maverick or Tacoma for anything more than a short trip. IMO you're in full size truck territory at that point. I would be looking for an F-150 with the 3.5 liter ecoboost engine. The back seat is larger and more comfortable on those than Chevy until about 2014
 
If you have multiple kids or any kids in a car seat, I would only be looking at full size trucks with a crew cab.
 
B00ger said:
So, I want to pick the brains of my more "truck knowledgeable" friends here.

Battery fine, starter clicks, so I think something in the key area is jacked up. Anyhow, I am not sure I want to drop the money to go chasing problems with it.
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that was what my escape did it was the Starter. I pulled it and it tested bad at orileys. Pull the starter and have it tested
 
For context I drive a 2009 crew cab Silverado 1500. I attempt to fix my own crap and have done quite a bit of work since buying this truck at 140k miles.

If I had the money needed a truck and didn't tow anything id buy a Tacoma. I would avoid Ford like the plague mostly because turbos are an added expense and something else to break. New Silverados have quite a few recalls and issues with transmissions. Toyota for the most part just work but gas mileage sucks.

I would attempt to fix your current ranger unless you just want a new vehicle then get an "older" Tacoma. A 2014-2018 will probably be in your price range and you'll have money left over to buy 5 brand new tires (spare replaced if needed) and get a bed cover.
 
GoWolfpack said:
I would be looking for an F-150 with the 3.5 liter ecoboost engine. The back seat is larger and more comfortable on those than Chevy until about 2014
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At least with the Ford when you have problems the manufacturer took the time to circle the problem for you. Sorry couldn’t resist. When I went to buy a new truck in 2020 I had in my mind I wanted to stay at 40k so I then spent 55k. Of course that was brand new Ram 1500 crew cab 4x4 5.7. And that was before all the vehicle shortages. That same truck a year ago new was 65k. All that to say when it comes to buying a truck soccer moms have messed it up with the prices.
 
abraves said:
manufacturer took the time to circle the problem for you.
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abraves said:
spent 55k. Of course that was brand new Ram 1500 crew cab 4x4 5.7.
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Wait.... Hatred of Ford and you went out and bought a fiat? 🤣

Are new Chrysler products any good? I still have PTSD from a 95 ram, 00 xj and a (04?) pt loser. Not to mention working on a buddies Dakota CONSTANTLY
 
fieldgrade said:
My beloved 5.0 Coyote V-8 is going away in the bigger Fords later this year.

Double lame.

Thank our EPA.
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Got a link?
I keep hearing people say things like that with the mustang also. That just got proved false with the new seventh gen mustang.
I believe people get mixed up with dodge discontinuing the hemi.
 
Cannot speak if the 5.0 is actually gone but finding a non fully loaded 5.0 stock crew cab was basically impossible. It seems those buying new coyotes in the 2014ish days had lariat money.

Maybe I'm a boomer but I refuse to go twin turbo and deal with all that crap. Plus my wife wouldn't remember to leave the truck running for a few minutes after highway driving to let the turbos cool down.
 
Fullboost21 said:
Got a link?
I keep hearing people say things like that with the mustang also. That just got proved false with the new seventh gen mustang.
I believe people get mixed up with dodge discontinuing the hemi.
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Edit: Apparently they are saying now that the 2024 F150 will have an available 5.0
 
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Never had a new truck hell never had any vehicle that didn't require something to be fixed before I could drive it. I'm no mechanic and absolutely hate working on anything with an engine. But I seem to gravitate toward Fords myself and that might only be because it's what I've had the most of so I know how to keep them running most of the time. I've got the most use out of older dodge/Chrysler vehicles and I've got the least use out of gm products newer or older. I just wish we could go back to the days of people putting decent cars and trucks out in there front yard for sale 400 500 bucks. Now days you find a 2000 model truck with million miles and blown transmission and beat all to hell and they list for couple grand
 
Squanchy said:
Maybe I'm a boomer but I refuse to go twin turbo and deal with all that crap.
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Ford has gotten a lot of the issues worked out with their turbos. I don't think they represent the kind of liability everybody seems to think they do. I wouldn't buy one from Chevy yet.
 
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