time to replace momma’s vehicle

my wife's van is starting to get tired. probably has some more life left in it, but it is time to start thinking of another vehicle.

we got a lightly used chrysler pacifica about a year ago. i got it to replace my truck, but w/ the understanding that when her van quit, she would take the pac and i would go get a truck - the truck prices where we lived were just out of line, but car prices were ok; thus, the reason her vehicle will be replaced w/ one for me... make sense? dunno...

anyway, been kind of watching the used truck market around here, and found a couple possibilities i like; curious to your thoughts. i need either a truck or suv. i haven't looked real close at suv's, yet. i don't really need a full size truck, but i want a full size truck. wife is indifferent. anything i need a truck for can be accomplished w/ a dodge dakota sized pickup, but aesthetically, i like full size better. i'd pay a hefty mileage premium, though, w/ a hemi 1500 over a 6-cyl dakota. i rarely tow anything, but do occasionally put some weight in the box (seed, chemicals, rock, and bricks). ya think it is better to spend my time and energy shopping the compact truck market, or full size?

gas prices are low now, and will probably remain that way for the next year, but in 2010... my guess is anything goes. mileage is a consideration, but not a major consideration. biggest 3 priorities are off road capability, durability, and agility... what'cha think?

Dak;

I'm not sure just what your total situation is, but here's a thought.  Think of it as either a "hedge your bet", or "have your cake & eat it too" strategy.  Get the full size pickup.  They're cheap & loads of selection.  You'll be able to get what you want, in the color you want, etc., at a bargain price.  Bargain hard because you're also looking for an acceptable mileage-mobile.  And that can be literally anything. 

Just throwing out some possibilities:  Older Subaru wagon in good shape.  Six cyl Camaro or Mustang fun-mobile.  And my Camaro gets pretty good mpg.  Check with BEAR about what his 6-cyl 'Stang gets.  One of the itty-bitty 4WD's like the Suzuki whateveritis.  Motorcycle maybe, don't know if you ride.  There are a lot of possibilities if you keep an open mind about what's out there.

I'm thinking the truck is actually a limited use vehicle.  There's no substitute when you need it, but how often is that?  So get a very affordable truck that's going to be a low-miles use vehicle, and then shop for a high mpg that's going to get driven.

My personal vote is for a fun car like the Camaro.

900F 

 DK

 Ya'all know I'm a Chevy guy through and through,probaly why the Nova is still my baby. As far as trucks go since 2000 I've had  an 88 GMC it blew in 2002,I got it into a dealer on it's last leg,motor was shot. It was a Dodge dealer so I gave a 2002 Dodge Ram with the Off Road package a try,crank blew while it was still under warr. egg shapped jornels,10k miles later the trans started to go,so with less than 45k on it I got out from under it and went back to GMC with my 2000 4x4.

 One of my youngest sons buddys wanted the GMC bad and kept bugging me till I sold it to him. Gas prices started going up and I've had great luck with all my Toyota 4 Runners,they climbed like billy goats ,(I've had 2 1994's and one of them is still my hunting rig. Momma drives a 2004 and it's a dream,one of my sons out west had a Tacoma that has seen it fair share of wheeling and still goes from abuse to a city  cruser like it's never been off road.

 All this just to sayI bought a 2006 Tacoma and couldn't be happier,I will go as far as to say it's the best truck I've ever owned and I've been driving and building cars and trucks since 1969.

Dakota,

If it were me I would go with a 1/2 ton full size. I am a chevrolet guy. Mine is an 03 1500 Silverado. It gets around good in snow storms in town. I havn't had it out muddin or hunting yet cause I kept my old 1987 3/4 ton Chevrolet for any odd situations or hauling stuff.  But I really like it. and it gets around 19 or 20 mpg on the highway and 15 or 16 in town. (I usually drive like a wildman) so I think most people could do better.

Hope that helps.

Wing master

 I've settled on keeping my 93 f150 around for the times I need to haul something or take it in the woods. It will fill that role for many more years to come. Daily driver vechicles are smaller higher milage cars. We do a lot of commuting so it only makes sense. I'd love a new truck but just can't justify it, especially in todays economy. The old truck is paid for, runs well and does everything I need it for.

 My work truck is a 94 Dodge Cummins 3/4 ton. It's been used and abused and keeps on ticking. I think the new dodges have moved past the old fall apart/ strong drive train rep about 15 years ago. They're not as refined as Chevy but sturdy. If money was no object a new Chevy duramax would be a no brainer, great truck but pricey.

dakota !!! tell you what with the way im feeling right now ill make you on 2 i say again 2 ford bronco 's !!!!!!!  1 is a 90 and the other is a 96.. ill be up front with you and the 90 is a stump jumper now , havent seen any pictures of it since christmas and i dont want to. and the other is sitting in the front of the house with a crushed roof and a cracked windshield .. i think the water will dry by spring , but the mud smell might be there for awhile... 

 if you want you can have them for nothing !!!!  just send a hauler and get them both out of here befor i kill a kid or 2 !!! nathan and timmy!!!!!!  he rolled his tonight .. pissed me off. they were at the gun club dinner with the wife and me . they left 5 min. ahead of us and geuss what we found standing in the road in the middle of a blizzard ???

 6 years old.....Never had a problem, Dont expect one!