Best midsize truck?
Posted by Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit | askcarguys | View on Reddit | 51 comments
I’m starting to look into getting a mid-size truck. The plan is to get some land and create a little homestead so I will need it to haul around stuff and tow some stuff but nothing crazy like a 5th wheel trailer. I live up in Canada so the roads can be bad at times.
What are your guys suggestions? I don’t feel to inclined to get a North American made vehicle as the big 3 all seem like they fall apart quicker.
I used to have a 2010 Rav 4 and loved it. Never did a thing to it other than regular maintenance after driving it for 12 years. But I’ve seen in some areas of the internet, newer Toyotas aren’t as good these days. I could care less about interior stuff. More focused on it handling what I need it for and a good chance of no major issues with regulr service.
Do you guys like Tacoma’s? Ridgelines? Frontiers? Anything else that I’m missing?
Thanks in advance.
Ok_Affect3957@reddit
I have owned a 2nd generation, 3rd generation and now a 4th generation tacoma. All great trucks but the 4th generation is by far the best when it comes to driving and power. Almost 10K with zero issues aside from an AC compressor issue which tacoma replaced under warranty with no hassle. The 4th generation is still too young to say if it will be as reliable longterm, but I bet they will do well.
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
Thank you. With the prices I think I’m just gonna get a 4th gen
mike_tyler58@reddit
I’d look for the previous generation Tacoma or a Honda ridge line
captain_brunch_@reddit
Get an F150 2.7L ecoboost. Even better if you find a 2015-2018 so you get the aluminium body and 6 speed tranny, they switched to a 10 speed in 2019 which were problematic when they first came out.
Historical_slayer@reddit
I don’t have 3.5 twin turbo eco boost. I wouldn’t even recommend buying a eco boost for his situation. Especially if he’s far up north in the middle of nowhere
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
Any reason you like the 2nd gen better? I was liking the room in the 3rd gen
HerefortheTuna@reddit
I’d get a 2nd gen Tacoma but if you have more money and space maybe a newer full-size
nissanfan64@reddit
I love the Frontiers. Both the pre 2020 models with the old 4.0 and the newer 3.8 models. Cheap to buy. Cheap to own. Reliable. Get the job done.
I kinda like the third gen Tacoma overall but was horribly disappointed by the interior comfort. I literally could not find a way to sit that was good enough for me to buy it. Pedals too close, wheel didn’t telescope far enough out, absolute garbage leg and head room. Very cramped cabin.
Not overly surprisingly to be honest. I’ve been constantly disappointed by Toyota interiors for years. Love the V6 RAV4. Can’t fit in it. Love the pre 2017 Sienna. Can’t fit in it. Tacoma. Above.
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
Seems like the biggest complaint. I had a 2010 Rav 4 and it was definitely cramped but I’m just under 6’0 so it was never an issue. As long as it has as much room as that I will be fine as I don’t need a lot of space. I found a couple that are 23’s and are under 40k with low KM. They obviously have no bells or whistles but I’m also ok with that too
PhotographStrong562@reddit
A new Colorado is a nice rig. But you should also look into a new maverick. They drive well and have great gas millage. IMO Tacoma’s just aren’t worth the premium they cost.
Dakens2021@reddit
Is it a bad idea to lease a truck like this? I usually buy, but I'm thinking of leasing my next vehicle since I don't put much miles on a truck and mostly use it to haul around my kayak and stuff for the garden like mulch and occasionally rocks. Some big stuff in the back it's nice to throw in the back, but not a lot. Would a lease be a good idea since the low mileage?
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
My personal opinion is to always buy, especially if you are getting a Toyota which holds its value. It’s more of an investment but then it’s yours and you can sell it down the road if you wish. Plus Toyotas don’t have too many major issues minus the lemons. I think leasing some vehicles makes sense if they don’t last or break down after a certain amount of miles.
Dakens2021@reddit
I have a 2022 Silverado right now that's not quite paid off. I've heard so many things are wrong with this model I'm considering getting rid of it while my luck is still holding up and getting something better, and maybe just going lease so I don't have to worry about that stuff anymore. Usually I hold on to my vehicles way to long, my last Silverado I held onto for 20 years!
ProfitEnough825@reddit
The Tacoma is perfect for you, preferably a 2023 with a V6. These are well built mid sized trucks with very strong axles for a midsized truck. The engine makes plenty of power and is overbuilt for the stock power level, meaning it can take some abuse. There's the stigma that Toyota isn't as good as it used to be, but the Taco is still an old school design that's perfect for rough roads.
Ridgelines are great, but the chassis isn't overbuilt like the Tacoma. Great for riding on decent roads, but if it takes a beating, knocking it back into alignment is a bit more challenging.
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
Ok thank you. That’s what I was thinking. I thought it would have enough versatility and power to do what I need. It would also be reliable and not fall apart on me.
I also think, eventually down the line, if I need more power/payload I can buy a used 2000’s truck and just use it for those specific tasks
ProfitEnough825@reddit
You're welcome, just don't go over the limit of the tires or rear axle and you'll be fine. One of my friends has two Tacomas and they do half ton jobs with them. One is like 20 years old and is used to tow a 4000-5000 lb camper into the mountains 1-2 dozen times a year.
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
What range of years would you suggest? I see the 3rd generation is fairly old. Like a 2021-23?
ProfitEnough825@reddit
I'd probably aim for the 21-23 since you have the coin for newer. The 23 would probably be ideal. My cousin just picked up a 23 to have the newest V6 Tacoma he could buy, he's in love with that thing.
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
Thank you
CareMay1313@reddit
Toyota Tacoma hands down.
PracticableSolution@reddit
I’m going counterintuitive here and recommend for an inexpensive rugged vehicle to go with a standard cab Ford Superduty. They’re dead bones simple, largely made of pig iron, and cockroach level unkillable. They’re dead bones have big dumb solid axles, a big dumb V8, and they’re explicitly designed for easy fleet service, which is why every fleet buys them. They’re superior to a mid size truck in every conceivable way except that they seat three people uncomfortably instead of four people uncomfortably, and the gas mileage is slightly worse. A fleet spec F250 standard cab is also about $5k-$10k cheaper than a crew cab short bed Tacoma that a dealer won’t negotiate on, anyway. And yes, they’re reliable. I buy a new one every 20 years or so. The last one I had was a 2000 I sold in 2019 before I got a new one, and the landscaper I sold it to still uses it to tow an excavator all over town. We wave when we cross paths
ZovioTV@reddit
Get a new Tacoma and drive it for 25 years
Anhyzr1@reddit
2023 Frontier SV will give you the best value with decent reliability. If you dont care about gas milage at all theres also the Titans and last gen Tundras and F150s.
505backup_1@reddit
A Ridgeline isn't a truck and Nissan is garbage
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Nissan trucks arent garbage, Frontiers are notoriously reliable and well built trucks.
K9WorkingDog@reddit
The Ridgeline is a minivan with a bed, but the Frontier is awesome
505backup_1@reddit
A maverick is not a truck either, unibody and IRS and 4 cylinder
Lower_Kick268@reddit
So by your standards what are they?
505backup_1@reddit
A CUV
chibicascade2@reddit
A ute?
Sudden-Consequence16@reddit
As in youths?
chibicascade2@reddit
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ute_(vehicle)
Sudden-Consequence16@reddit
Lol! Im sorry, I had an intrusive thought and went with it. I know what a ute is. I was referencing a scene from the movie My cousin Vinny where Joe Pesci's character is in court talking about youths, but because of his strong accent, it sounds like he's saying utes. There's no way anyone could have known what the hell i was talking about lol.
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
Sorry if I’m ignorant… but it looked like a truck and has a tow package. Would it still not work like a truck?
ReasonableYak1199@reddit
It would absolutely work like a truck for most tasks. Hondas are great vehicles, and I think the Ridgeline would be suitable for most people.
I would recommend looking at full size trucks too. I was looking at Tacomas and Frontiers but ended up getting an F150 STX with v8 & fx4 package for less than the mid size trucks I was shopping.
505backup_1@reddit
It's built on a crossover chassis, meaning there's no c channel or box frame and no solid rear axle. It's made to look like a truck but not made like a truck
oldncrusty68@reddit
My Ridgeline has a higher payload than my tundra
No_Explorer721@reddit
I bought one of the last V6 Tacomas to come off the production line in 2023 just to avoid the new turbo 4s.
I’ve heard very good things about the Honda Ridgelines.
ibefreak@reddit
I like the Colorado personally. Especially given the v8 and diesel options
SamoaDisDik@reddit
The Colorado hasn’t had a V8 option in like 15 years.
TaeyeonFTW@reddit
Tacoma or ranger
glink48@reddit
I bought a ranger a couple of weeks ago. Couldn't be happier with the truck.
J-Rag-@reddit
Just get an early 00s American truck that has been taken care of. They're built well to be a farm truck and overall pretty reliable. And you'll save yourself a shit ton of money
chibicascade2@reddit
I'd look for a low mileage Tacoma with the V6, personally. Going to be close to the price of a new one, but I'm not sold on the turbo 4 in the new ones.
Accurate_Brief_1631@reddit
What’s your budget? I also wouldn’t rule out a full size like the Silverado with the 2.7 turbo gasser or 3.0 diesel. I was dead set on getting a Taco when I was truck hunting. I drove a couple of them and wasn’t impressed and they’re super small inside. I got an already modded Silverado for about the same price as a TRD pro Taco.
Good luck finding the Taco 4 banger extended cab 6’ bed too, which would be the utility truck you need. And when upper tier midsized trucks are about the same price as a lower tier full size, that’s a tough decision. And all the brands have their issues. The new Toyotas just seem cheap, overhyped, and overpriced.
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
I edited it but around 50K. I’m not too concerned about budget. More just something that won’t break down and can help me do all the things you need a truck to do
Accurate_Brief_1631@reddit
Well, if you want to keep the same truck for 20 years, the Taco or Tundra are your best bets, but their new turbos still have some kinks to iron out. If you don’t care about mpg, a 21 Tundra with that bulletproof V8 is what you should be seriously considering, and they’re going for about 40-50k still. Are you planning on lifting it or get oversized tires? And if you don’t care about having a real BOF truck, the Ridgeline would be bulletproof too, but they have a much lower payload and tow rating.
Careful_Ad_9189@reddit
Tacoma or Frontier if you plan to take it off road or tow more than 5,000 lbs. Tacoma is the bestselling and will have the best resale value, the Frontier is often overlooked and is underrated. Ridgeline isn’t as good off road. Ridgeline is car like. Many people who hate on the Ridgeline will say it’s not a real truck because it’s a unibody.
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Budget?
Massive-Fisherman-57@reddit (OP)
I was hoping around 50k CAD which is pretty much what new tacomas and used ones go for
Lower_Kick268@reddit
Do not buy a new Tacoma, those are junk. Buy a Frontier or Turbomax Colorado