Thoughts on new truck

[DTro]

I think the planets have finally aligned and I think I'm ready to pull the trigger on a truck.

For discussion sake let's use these numbers for a reference:

Budget of 20K or less (less is always better )

Married with no kids

Drive approx 15-20k/yr

Small alum 14ft boat

No other toys to haul around yet (possible 4 wheeler purchase later this year)

4x4 for sure

I'm thinking I would like an outside box (non SUV) for the unmentionables that a catfisherman totes around

I'm leaning heavily towards a double cab Tacoma. I've also eyed a few Ford Explorer Sportracs. The options/creature comforts you can get on a domestic vehicle blows away the Tacoma. On the other hand, none of my Toyotas have seen the repair shop yet.

I haven't ruled out a fullsize truck. Is the MPG gain worth the sacrifice in space?

Obviously this will have to be a used vehicle with my budget.

Opinions?

[Big Dave2]

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You guys are all refering to "quad cab" as a huge cab.

The dodge quad cab is no more than an extended cab with 4 REAL DOORS. They open from the outside, not suicide doors.

Dodge does make a mega cab, that is the one that all of your friends will want you to drive them to red lake in.

I am no Dodge salesman

and I like all the brands but it just sounds like you are in a similar situation as me and I think that for the money I bought the perfect truck. Not too big, not too small but just right. IMO you should at least go down to your local Dodge dealer and take a look at what I mean.

And BTW, you can buy a new truck for under $24,000, or at least you could in '04 but I think there are still deals like that now.

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I feel the need to change this quote since I AM now a salesman at a Dodge dealer in Shakopee. I start on monday, it will be a big change for me. I hope to sell a lot of those HEMIS!

Dave

[Jeremy airjer W]

Apperently you're the only exclusively silver Toyota dealership as well.

That 4 runner will be a nice ride for you!!

Email sent.

[311Hemi]

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I tend to think it is quite a bit driving style thing. The harder you accelerate and more stop and go driving you do the worse it is gonna get.

I have never personally talked to anyone that had a Dodge truck that was happy with the gas economoy. That was the reason I went with Ford, that and I have some pretty bad things about the trannys too.

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I am happy with mine....I average about 18 MPG and on the freeway around 20. I got 20mpg pulling a 16' boat to Canada last year, and was loaded with gear! That was doing around 70 mpg.

2003 Dodge 2500- 4x4 - Diesel - 35" BFG tires

Nice roomy cab in back for passengers (4 door), can tow pretty much anything I would ever want, can haul pretty much anything I want.....and get good mileage (IMO) to boot.

oh....and I traded in my 2003 Hemi (same exact truck only reg cab- 1500) and that thing never got over 12 mpg with the 35" tires on it. It was fun to drive though!!!

The tranny issues are a thing of the past.....that was the mid to late 90's 2nd gen trucks.