this post was submitted on 05 Dec 2023
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If I want to get a small truck or something similar what can you recommend that's available in North America? (Serious)
Basically have to import something due to the silly laws around new trucks. Kei trucks (the cool one in the picture) now cost a lot but are great.
Ones readily available include but are not limited to: Ford Maverick (getting great reviews), Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger.
Tbh I wouldn't mess with much of anything else because they tend to be of questionable quality and/or look stupid.
Yikes?! A Ford RANGER is considered a small truck to you?? They're part of the growing plague of stupidly large trucks in my part of the world!? :-/ I mean I knew the US had big trucks but I never thought the Ranger would be considered the small alternative?! We're so screwed?! :-(
I saw a 90s ranger next to a new one and the new ranger looks like the size of a 90s f150.
It's so shocking?! I'm looking at a Ranger out in the car park right now and trying to imagine something bigger parked out there?! It wouldn't fit within the bounds of the parking space?! Already if there were two Rangers parked next to each other there wouldn't be enough room to walk between them, even if you turned side on :-/ Let alone having room to be able to open the door and get in & out?!
In fact I can see that it's had a flow on effect whereby every other parked car has had to park on the extreme edge of their space to allow room to open the door and get out. If there was one more Ranger anywhere along the line someone would be likely blocked from getting in or out of their car!
Yea all thes suggestions are huge compared to an s10 or ranger or other light truck up til the late 2000s. I hate it so much.
The Ranger in the 80s and 90s was a perfectly reasonable size. The new ones are gigantic next to them, but they're still smaller than almost anything available in the North American market.
As I stated...it's what's available in the US. It's only bigger from there.
The Tacoma is definitely not a smaller truck.
It is one of the smallest available in US. Of course I'm referring to Tacoma with a standard cab, not the People Hauler 5000 it's basically a minivan crew cab configuration.
The Tacoma would actually be my pickup of choice. I hate the modern styling, but the Toyota build is just so solid & Ford as of late has been disappointing. To say the least. The green movement is not only based on size, but how durable a product is & if it can last for many, many years of reliable operation. Unfortunately we do not have Hilux, but Tacoma is America's version of Hilux.
Check out the Hyundai Santa Cruz. It's a smaller truck, but it can pull 3500lb.
Now this is just personal taste, but I really don't like the looks of that truck. Cosmetically, I put it on the same level as the Chevy Colorado. Generally speaking, Hyundai isn't known for quality builds like Toyota, not even close.
That said: the new Hyundai Elantra makes the short list of vehicles I'd be interested in, buying new. Scotty Kilmer praises its naturally aspirated, non-turbo engine & traditional build components. Thinks it could last a long time. 👍🏻
You can buy a really old small truck.
Really really old. I hope you are a capable mechanic.
They ain't made em small for decades.
My neighbor spent about $20k buying a late 90s model Tacoma.
Loved me my '86 Ford Ranger. 4 cylinder, 5 speed, am radio, jump seats in the back, extended box. Cost C$3000 in 1998.
My dad bought a 2021 Ranger. It's bigger than the F-150 from 1998. Insanity.
True, but the older ones are so much simpler to work on.
The Ford Maverick is the smallest, if that's what you're thinking. A bit larger, but with better towing and off-road ability, you're looking at Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, Toyota Tacoma, and Nissan Frontier.
Nah mate. I have a Colorado that I've actually used a lot and it's still not good enough
Hyundai Santa Cruz (which I own), or the Ford Maverick.
How do you like the Santa Cruz. I'm really interested in it.
I love it so far, especially now that I got a bed extender so I can haul full sheets of plywood and such.
It's got a ton of power under the hood. I average around 26/30mpg, but my wife averages 28/32-35mpg
It's really roomy inside too. I'm 6'3 and this is the first vehicle I've driven where I didn't have to move the seat all the way back. And people are able to sit comfortably behind me.
I highly recommend trying to get one with the tourneau cover on the bed, because it's amazing. But don't get the trailer hitch from them. You can save $3-400 having a local mechanic do it.
My only real gripes are that the AC blows too hard on its lowest setting (for me) if just the upper vents are blowing. The ride is also pretty smooth, so I often catch myself speeding without realizing it. Also that the steering wheel controls don't have a play/pause button.
Nice. ok, I'll probably check it out next week.
Ford Maverick or Hyundai Santa ~~Fe~~ Cruz are basically the only 2 options
I think you mean Santa Cruz? The sante fe is/was an suv
*Santa Cruz
I'd skip the Santa Cruz largely since Hyundai/Kia are experts at cost-cutting that blows up big in customer faces down the line. (anti-theft, engines, warranty work, wiring, etc.) but your options are already limited so I wouldn't blame you for getting it. I'd get the base engine/transmission though if you anticipate stop/go traffic or off-road use since the dual-clutch in the upper engine option is better than dry clutch models but IMHO still suspect.
I would lean towards the Maverick but neither are really "small" since they're still pretty long.
There's the Transit Connect if you want a cargo van that's compact.
New? Hyundai santa cruz is probably your best bet.
If you are okay with older/used vehicles i would look for a japan import garage/dealership
(Im in canada but have seen many of these types of places across the country that import those small trucks)