In Which I Explain Why Small Trucks Were Mostly Shit, And We Shouldn't Miss Them

"Swayze Train GTi" (swayzetrain) 02/04/2016 at 23:59 • Filed to: None

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Here on Jalopnik and Oppo, people love complaining about how trucks these days are too expensive, too luxurious, and, most of all, too big.

LET’S GO!

Ok first of all, when was the last time any of you drove/rode in a truly small truck, like an S-10 or a Ranger? It was probably in highschool, when your body was made of rubber and your wallet was full of it. Illegally trespassing with a couple of buddies in planned subdivisions ruined by the financial collapse, gravel service roads and cleared fields containing the ghost of a dream of a crooked real estate developer. You were there to go out for a rip, with five Woodchuck Ciders liberated from the liquor stash of someone’s parents, a Creedance Clearwater CD, wearing your finest plaids and pre-ripped jeans purchased from the local mall’s Pac Sun. One pack of cigarettes from whoever knew a guy at the convenience store, a joint, hand sanitizer, and eye drops.

Looking back on these times, you don’t even notice the rose tinted glasses slipping over your eyes as you overestimate everything that you did in that lovable shitbox Sonoma. Small puddles become Lake Huron, 18 MPG becomes 29, that knoll you ascended was actually a Black Diamond face run of a reputable ski resort, and the top speed was 175 MPH.

Later on you grow up and start doing adult things like going to work, where some asshole makes you drive a 1st generation Colorado for two hours, and it’s nothing like you remember it. It might be because the magic and carefree nature of highschool is gone, or it might be because you weren’t drunk off the ole ‘Chuck Cider this time. But in all reality, it’s because small trucks honestly suck.

Even if they do look undeniably cool with a bit of lift and some chunky tires

Let me break the original Colorado down for you. I had a 2WD Z71 LT, and I don’t remember the model year exactly but looking back I’m inclined to guess it was a 1995, because the stereo was taken directly from that era. That’s not off to a good start, but after that it gets worse faster than a Daniel Tosh joke about a baby falling off a skyscraper. It’s got a inline 5 cylinder engine mated to some archaic four speed autobox that is older than your dad’s fashion sense, which means that whenever you put your foot down you end up in first gear, because the gears are so long you can, no shit, do NINETY FUCKING MPH in SECOND. Not that you’d want to, of course, because anything more than 80 and you start to see the Reaper in your rearview mirror. But it does mean that whatever power that I5 is making is as inaccessible as self-fellatio, and somehow less gratifying. So the truck sprints like it has a pulled hamstring (If you don’t know what that feels like, try that thing I just mentioned above), but some of you will say that’s not what a truck’s about. Sure, whatever, tell me that when you’re stuck behind a geriatric, blind member of the “greatest generation” in his Buick doing 45 in a 55 and you don’t feel safe passing because him would still take half a mile. You’ll be wishing you could pass him, because the less time you have to spend in this torture chamber, the less money you’ll waste on a chiropractor. The seats are so low you feel the driveshaft tickling your testicular hair. But while the seating position is low, the pedals are far away and the steering wheel is too close, which means you’ll have the seat all the way forward. As such, you’ll be steering with your pectoral muscles, and your knees will be up against the kick panel. In the event of a crash, you’ll have an explosion inches from your chest, but that won’t be the worst of it, because you’ll be kneecapped like an Irish drug dealer, although these circumstances are probably less painful than the feeling of a moderately long highway journey in this truck. It’s loud, slow, and you disembark feeling like a wizened old man with back problems who can forecast the weather using only his left knee.

Yeah. The new Colorado is expensive, and it’s big. And if you don’t think that’s a good thing, you must be some kind of self-harm enthusiast.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:04

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The 4 speed auto thing is very true.

Berang > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:09

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I’m not sure what any of this has to do with small trucks being awesome.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:10

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Honestly, trucks are tools for lugging shit, and bigger trucks can lug more shit. What the small truck thing boils down to is we want a car with a truck bed. So we should be begging for utes.

Although I still totally would buy a Mahindra Pik-Up. It was too good for this world.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:11

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i DD an f350 diesel right now and its not that big. you get used to the size

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:14

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Dude?

Jonee > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:15

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Small trucks rule. End of story.

I actually sold my Ranger a year ago and I’m well past high school. I loved that truck and miss it dearly. If I had the room, I’d still have it.

TheOnelectronic > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:24

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Okay, see, you titled this like you were explaining why small trucks are awful, but I’m pretty sure you just explained why the Colorado was awful, which was because it was a budget-engineered piece of utter shit. The running joke for a long time was that a Colorado forum was the only car forum where the members would recommend against getting their car.

I mean, most of your points boil down to “The Colorado was an awful vehicle” and not “Small trucks are bad.”

That would be like saying that all hot hatches are shit because I drove a Mk V GTI for a month.

I do still hold a strong prejudice against the GTI family, however.

Swayze Train GTi > Jonee 02/05/2016 at 00:27

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Friend had a Ranger. It leaked everywhere, the transfer case was broken, it was completely rusted, the seat didn’t move back far enough (not to mention the rail lock was broken so it slid around all the time), the driveline felt like it had about 3 inches of play in it, but it did have an awoogah horn!

Even that was more comfy than the Colorado though.

Swayze Train GTi > TheOnelectronic 02/05/2016 at 00:28

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Maybe I should turn it into a series, I could rail on the S10, Ranger, and Dakota almost as hard as the Colorado

Berang > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:29

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For their being too truck for you to handle?

TheOnelectronic > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:30

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Don’t get me wrong, I have no love for any of those, either. If you want to take down small trucks, you need to go right for the heart:

boxrocket > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:30

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I agree that the S-10/sonoma and Colorado/canyon were crap. They totally were, and I pity the postal worker who had to drive the Grumman mail trucks that are actually rebodied S-10s with RHD. But a Frontier, Tacoma, Dakota (arguably small, at least until the last two generations, along with the Mitsubishi Raider twin), and Ranger/Explorer Sport Trac are fun, honest, truly utility-focused vehicles, and I have a soft spot for how they are, and how they feel. My favorite of the bunch - the extended cab Ranger FX2 and Explorer Sport Trac - I endearingly describe as “plucky”. Not too big or too small, no-nonsense functionality, reliable as heck, and with a sense of an eager-to-please puppy that just wants love and attention. They’re great, and I wish Ford had done more to update them over the years, and still made a version today that isn’t as bloated as the global Ranger or gm twins have become.

Jonee > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:30

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The later Ranger buckets were actually really nice seats. Those trucks may not have always aged well, but they’d sure take a lickin’.

Swayze Train GTi > Burn-Spaz1966-Burn 02/05/2016 at 00:31

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I mean there is no right answer to that question obviously. I might be insane, but I do know that small trucks are pretty bad vehicles overall. Although I have yet to try the Toyota offerings, I hear those are good.

dailydoseofmindlessness > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:31

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Toyota Hilux. Small Truck.

Would totally buy it again if I manage to wear out the one I have.

Swayze Train GTi > Berang 02/05/2016 at 00:33

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I seriously would love to hear your reasoning on why they’re not terrible. I’ve driven every small truck since the 90s that I can remember being sold in the US except the Toyotas. The Colorado just happened to be the worst example.

Burn-Spaz1966-Burn > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:34

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In your opinion.

DrJohannVegas > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:35

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I have motorcycles I occasionally need to schlep around. (Or I buy more motorcycles...) I don’t want a fucking F150, or a trailer.

I used to borrow a buddy’s shitbox B2000 to make runs to EWR Cargo terminal and back all the time. The truck was slow, noisy, rattly, and generally uncomfortable. But, it cost nothing to run, was good on gas, and was exactly the size I needed. Would I DD a small truck? Heck no. Do I want one? Yep.

But, I also want to post this:

Swayze Train GTi > Jonee 02/05/2016 at 00:36

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Yeah it didn’t quit on him aside from a dead battery one time, so it was at least reliable. And the V6 wasn’t terrible. Not sure how many miles though, 5 digit odo. Felt like it’d been driven to the moon and back though.

Swayze Train GTi > dailydoseofmindlessness 02/05/2016 at 00:37

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It’s the last small truck from the 90s era I haven’t driven, but I do hear those are actually decent.

Swayze Train GTi > DrJohannVegas 02/05/2016 at 00:38

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If you use it as a tool that’s fine, tools are made to be... uhhh... well. Character building, is the nicest way I can put it.

+1 for MXC

Swayze Train GTi > boxrocket 02/05/2016 at 00:40

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The Dakota wasn’t terrible in terms of comfort, it’s just that every one I’ve been in has been broken in almost every way possible. Including one that blew a diff on the highway while I was in it.

I don’t mind the Sport Trac, but it’s more of an SUV than a truck, wouldnt you say?

Swayze Train GTi > Berang 02/05/2016 at 00:45

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No, mostly for being rattling, broken ass, uncomfortable piles of rusty shit that are actively trying to kill you or cause you severe bodily harm most of the time.

sdwarf36 > TheOnelectronic 02/05/2016 at 00:47

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I’d prefer Datsun/Nissan—but yup.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 00:59

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This post is easily the most inaccurate post I’ve ever seen on here. The only shitty small trucks were the Canyon/Colorado and Dakota(which was a midsize).

Berang > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:07

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You’re speaking of pickups in general.

Swayze Train GTi > slipperysallylikespenguins 02/05/2016 at 01:14

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So many rustled jimmies in the comments section. I haven’t driven the Toyota offerings, but all the other ones are only good at one thing, hauling stuff. They’re exceptionally good at that, but nothing else. The Ranger is almost comfortable for what it is, but even that was made like crap, aside from the fact that the essential components (i.e engine and transmission) wouldn’t break no matter how much you wanted them to.

Small trucks are the new brown diesel manual wagon on Oppo. They’re actually not that good, but because we can’t have them anymore, everyones getting all misty eyed and nostalgic about them.

Swayze Train GTi > Berang 02/05/2016 at 01:15

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No, not really, no. I’m actually quite a big fan of modern full size pickups, if you’d like the proof, here you are: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/new-silverados…

Berang > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:18

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Maneuverability. Economy. Ease of loading and unloading. Not feeling embarassed when you’re just hauling some mulch or lawnmowers around. Driving a huge empty truck is like a fat guy who can’t swim wearing a speedo. It’s embarassing for everybody except the guy who’s deluded himself into thinking it’s really awesome.

If you want comfort and toys, buy a sedan.

Swayze Train GTi > Berang 02/05/2016 at 01:29

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No, no, no, and no. Modern fullsizes aren’t hard to maneuver, mostly because their steering racks last more than 5 years without developing any play, and they’re really not that wide for American roads. Sure, a 4 door long bed isn’t the easiest to park, but most trucks aren’t in that spec.

Those old small trucks got about 20 MPG on average, which is what new fullsizes get with big NAs or medium sized turbo engines, and clearly you didn’t read the article, because there are plenty of people who only need trucks a few days out of the year, but make it worthwhile by not holding anyone else up when they’re towing boats or horses or windmill blades or whatever.

How does one get embarrassed by what someone else is driving? Honestly if we’re going to say image is a problem, better toss out the Miata, Camaro, that one Infinity that’s a good car but only douches drive, and the Mustang along with the truck.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:29

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Im 22, and I drive a 1993 Ranger.

In the right configuration, small trucks rule! Mine has the 4.0 V6 putting out 165hp/225lbft mated to a 5 speed manual gearbox with a limited slip 3.55 final drive. Oh and did I mention its curb weight is only 3,000 lbs? It’ll do 0-60 in 8 seconds, that’s not too shabby for a truck as old as me. Dont tell me small trucks are not fun.

Heres my truck now, she only has 121,000 miles on her.

Berang > Jonee 02/05/2016 at 01:32

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Speaking of small trucks:

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5424159685…

You should nab this!

Swayze Train GTi > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 02/05/2016 at 01:32

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I mean yeah it’s fun to roast shitty tires at the stoplights, but it becomes a lot less fun when you can’t take a gradual highway turn at 65 MPH when it’s slightly wet out(an experience I’ve personally had) . Although the Ranger I drove was a few years older than yours with who knows how many miles.

That 4.0 engine isn’t bad though, it just doesn’t break and it puts out more than enough power for what it is, and if you need to move things cheaply they work well.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:35

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My truck handles just fine at or above highway speeds in the straights and the curves. Ive taken it on the parade lap at high plains raceway and hit 70 in the chicane. Where are you getting your information?

Swayze Train GTi > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 02/05/2016 at 01:37

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From driving various small trucks? I live near a rural area, plenty of them around. While I don’t doubt that your truck probably handles better, being a newer generation and apparently in better nick, I’m pretty sure you’re overestimating that cornering speed.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:38

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Small truck drivers are very passionate about their love. Small trucks are terrible cars, but excellent vehicles. Reasons:

1: They are very reliable compared to the cars produced by the same companies at the time and they are dead simple to work on. An idiot in a Walmart parking lot could do an engine swap in an afternoon. However a lot of people don’t bother to maintain them properly because its just a truck and they reach a point where everything fails at once.

2. Massively useful, no explanation needed.

3. Fun. I had a 2wd S10 with the 4.3 and a 5 speed. Cruised comfortably at 85 while getting 22 mpg. Dump the clutch and spin on command. You can swap a 5.0 into a ranger or a 350 into an S10 over a weekend for under a grand and kill yourself with it on Monday.

4. Cost. Cheap to buy(excluding Toyota), very cheap to insure, and you can buy most of the replacement parts with lunch money.

They are crap cars, but excellent vehicles. Some people actually prefer roll up windows, cloth interiors, and plastic interiors.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:41

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I still have the I beam front suspension. Its mechanically and structurally the same as the 89-92 ranger. And Im not overestimating its cornering ability, trust me I know my truck. Btw heres a pic from my passenger on the track

I had to watch my speedo because one of the rules of the parade lap was to keep it under 75

Berang > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:42

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You’re forgetting the basic physics of the thing. Two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time. Plus even the smallest F150 has a turning circle over 40' in diameter. And the bed height is nearly 3', which is silly.

Swayze Train GTi > slipperysallylikespenguins 02/05/2016 at 01:43

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Yeah it seems as though I’ve rustled every jimmy in the United States of Oppo with this post, but I stand by my words.

I wouldnt disagree with anything you’ve said, but they’re very specific use.

Also the reason why you can spin tires on the big engined ones is because they have incredibly hard tires made for longevity. Not that it isn’t fun, but still.

The thing is, while they are useful for moving things like motorcycles and snowmobiles, or as business vehicles for general contractors and the like, as a daily for someone without a ton of stuff to move on a budget, they’re not great for regular driving, which is what most people do 95% of the time. They have their place, but I’m not a fan of the compromise.

Swayze Train GTi > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 02/05/2016 at 01:46

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I was thinking the chicane was a bit more drastic than that. I suppose that’s possible, but if the gauges are the same type as the one I drove, they’re not exactly trustworthy.

Jonee > Berang 02/05/2016 at 01:47

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I love the homemade canopy. I’d much rather have a van than a pickup, but the pickups are way cheaper and that thing looks great. I just bought a Le Car parts car, though, so that’s my excuse for not bringing it home.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Berang 02/05/2016 at 01:47

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Maneuverability is a big one, I can make a 90 degree turn from one alley to the next in my truck. Its so nice

slipperysallylikespenguins > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:48

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Modern trucks are terrible to maneuver. I drive a 2015 GMC 3500 quad cab longbox for work. I put about 100k in them a year. They are comfortable and fast, but I had a short bus in high school that would embaress those trucks in a u turn contest. You need a 4 lane road to do a uturn and they become impossible to park anywhere in a city.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:50

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Agreed, for most people a Honda Civic is a superior daily vehicle, but OPPO folk are the type that have things to haul for the most part.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:51

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My gauge is cable driven and it has been serviced in the past 2 years, I trust it and that wasnt the chicane. The chicane was down hill with 110 degree curves. But if you look, I’m keeping up with a Porsche doing 75

Swayze Train GTi > Berang 02/05/2016 at 01:53

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How many new trucks have you driven? I’ve put about 3000 miles total between all truck based GM vehicles made since 2007 during the last year, and while I can’t explain how they’ve done it, they don’t feel anywhere near as big as they are. Sure, turning radius isn’t great. But I’m one of those people who knows where they’re going, so I don’t make U turns often. And I’m not exactly a big guy, but I worked with my uncle in general contracting with a modern Ram 1500, and loading that thing up wasn’t very hard, and nowadays I fill up the back of an 07 Silverado with a large vacuum, a carpet extractor, and all manor of other detailing equipmenta few times a month. It’s honestly not that bad. If you can get something 2 feet off the ground, you can get it 3 feet.

jdonahue > TheOnelectronic 02/05/2016 at 01:53

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Friend of mine has an '84 Toyota pickup with an extended cab and 8' bed. Still a dinky truck. Hauls nearly anything.

Swayze Train GTi > slipperysallylikespenguins 02/05/2016 at 01:54

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I have driven a few dually 3500s, and those are pretty uncomfortable both to drive and to place in a lane, parking space, garage, really anything. But they’ve got ridiculous leaf springs and are considerably wider. Plus the dual axle seriously hurts the turning radius.

slipperysallylikespenguins > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:57

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The dually Dodges we have maneuver better than the standard GMCs we use, I’ve never tried a dually GM.

Swayze Train GTi > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 02/05/2016 at 01:57

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Even correctly working speedos from that era aren’t generally precise. My Miata was about 3-4 MPH off. And obviously you can keep up with a Porsche if you both have a limited speed.

I believe you that it’s a practical vehicle for hauling things, but don’t try to convince me it’s a track monster.

Berang > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 01:58

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Depends on what you’re moving. If you’re just shoveling mulch out the back, then no 3' isn’t a big deal. But if you’re moving a bunch of furniture, it’s kind of stupid.

I’m willing for new small trucks to come back.

Swayze Train GTi > slipperysallylikespenguins 02/05/2016 at 01:59

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I’ve never driven one of the Dodge ones, the dealer I do most of my business with doesn’t like FCA products. It’d be nice to try some day

Swayze Train GTi > Berang 02/05/2016 at 02:03

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If someone could do one as a more rounded vehicle, I would be all about it. But they haven’t, and there’s got to be a reason for that.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 02:03

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Keep in mind, I live in colorado. I am at a very high altitude, my truck still can accelerate past 80mph. Even with its NA V6 at altitude. And I have tested my speedo up against roadside radar detectors (you know the “show me my speed” ones, as well as my phones internal accelerometer. Trust me, its accurate.

Swayze Train GTi > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 02/05/2016 at 02:09

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No doubt it can go over 80, like I said, that engine is great. And whoever did your speedo repair did a good job.

I took the Ranger I drove past 80 one time and almost rolled it, but to be fair the roads are shit here and I hit a massive pothole.

If your truck works for you, that’s great. As I’ve admitted, they do have their place, but it’s rather specific. And people like cars that aren’t always the most practical options for them. For instance, I would love to have an old Fiero even though I know they’re made poorly, are impractical and slow, and people would laugh at me all day.

Swayze Train GTi > TheOnelectronic 02/05/2016 at 02:14

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I woudl like to drive one of these some day, because everyone loves them. Michigan, though. No one buys them furrin trucks over here.

Swayze Train GTi > slipperysallylikespenguins 02/05/2016 at 02:17

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Really though, aside from stuff like motorcycles, what can’t you fit in the back of an SUV, hatchback, or van (although I know trucks look way better than vans)?

TheOnelectronic > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 02:17

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Well, it’s Michigan. All the Toyota Pickups rusted away 20 years ago.

Swayze Train GTi > TheOnelectronic 02/05/2016 at 02:19

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There is some guy in my neighborhood who has a relatively good condition one, without too much rust. I’d really like to meet him, but I’m not about to go knocking on his door. Guy next to him has 3 Corvettes and an AMG Merc SUV

slipperysallylikespenguins > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 02:25

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oily/ dirty items you don’t want inside, dirt, rocks, engines as they have to be lowered in, a pallet of materials, long items you can go past the bed with, tall furniture, mattresses( can be put on top of vehicles but is sketchy) a friend covered in vomit, a camper, a matress (can sleep in some hatches and sedans with folding seats)

you can fit these in a full size van as well but they ride and handle the same or worse than a truck

garagemonkee > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 02:47

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For most of my early years, my parents worked split shifts, with my Dad getting watch-the-youngest duty during the morning/day. All of my earliest memories in a vehicle is in his 1988 Mazda B2200. It’s still the best little truck. Even though he moved into a 2003 Tacoma, they still have the Mazda for dump-runs. Even if it’s slow, rough-riding, and requires some muscle without power steering, its brilliant.

That truck move so many yards of dirt into and out of my parent’s yard, and it still does just fine.

fhrblig > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 04:00

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I owned a 2009 4-cylinder manual 2wd Ranger for 5 years. Did perfectly well in the snow, and I regularly got 27+ mpg. That’s better than my 2013 Kia Optima does. Also, it was plenty fun on twisty mountain roads. I miss it.

Just because you don’t like a thing, that doesn’t mean the thing sucks; it just means you don’t like it.

boxrocket > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 06:41

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IIRC the first generation Sport Trac was essentially a crew cab Ranger, much like the Dodge Durango Quad Cab, and the 4-door S-10/Sonoma models. The frame and rear suspensions were different for the actual SUV models (Explorer, Blazer/Jimmy, Durango) since they were designed for passengers and had an edge on comfort. The second generation Sport Trac I believe moved to the Explorer platform, which by then had evolved a fair amount from its humble Ranger-based beginnings, as evidenced by the fuel door being on the passenger side of the truck, as well as having the availability of the V8 engine, like the Explorer. A bit of a pity that they axed the Ranger when they were doing so much to the similar Explorer, although now that the Explorer is on a car-based, Volvo-developed platform, perhaps not (though some would point out the Ridgeline as a fairly successful unibody truck, and apparently Hyundai/Kia are coming out with one as well).

jariten1781 > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 07:00

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Small trucks are not great primary vehicles for the everyman, but they’re amazing second or third vehicles. City vans are going to take over that spot eventually though if all the Rangers die off and no one puts out something comparable.

-this space for rent- > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 07:08

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That’s every old truck.

Conan > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 07:22

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I saw more 500,000 mile plus Rangers than anything else while working for Ford. Since when do most pickup owners need/utilize the capacity of a full size?

CalzoneGolem > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 08:12

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Wait ... why are they shit again? I must have missed that part.

Aaron M - MasoFiST > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 08:12

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My high school experience with mid-90s pickups was that all the domestic ones were horrendous shit, small or large. I knew a guy with a 1985 Toyota truck though, and that thing was a beast as well as screwed together nicely.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 08:22

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Übel > boxrocket 02/05/2016 at 08:31

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Glad to see someone mention the Frontier. The first generation was a really lovely small truck.

It’s still a really lovely truck, just not small anymore.

Dash-doorhandle-6 cyl none the richer > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 08:43

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Rides like a box of rocks, has heat or defrost. never both at the same time. the only option on this vehicle is that it was once red. it marks it’s territory. it was rusting on the boatride over from Japan. its not for everyone. these things aside it’s the greatest vehicle to ever pollute god’s grey earth and will still be leaking and rusting when far superior cars are being melted down.

TheRealBicycleBuck > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 08:54

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Small trucks make great daily drivers. Most of them have more than adequate horsepower to keep up with traffic. They handle the slick stuff about the same as a large truck. They are small enough to fit into tight parking spaces without much worry. If you don’t buy the wrong brand or the bottom-of-the-line model, they are comfortable and convenient. If you need to haul something, they have a bed that is more spacious than most of the four-door full-size trucks and which is easier to load and unload because it is closer to the ground.

They aren’t the best handling vehicles on the road, but they are better than an SUV and hey, everything can’t be a Miata. They don’t do so well hauling families around, but then again, neither does any sports car. They get decent fuel mileage without being a sedan, or for that matter, a Prius. They typically don’t have infotainnavigator systems, but we did fine for 100 years without them.

I admit some bias here. I’ve driven small trucks for many years and still have one sitting in my driveway. It isn’t my daily driver any more, but it did the job for over 20 years and 269,000 miles. I was smart when I bought it and made sure it had comfy seats and all the power accessories.

Why didn’t I replace it with another truck? Because I could get the best of both worlds - a truck at home for hauling stuff and a daily driver that could carry my growing family and scratch my itch to go fast. If I were stuck with choosing just one, I’d go back to a small truck.

Nonster > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 09:22

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Sorry, small trucks are still awesome. Its slow, the ride is rough as hell, it gets mediocre (great given its age/tech) mileage, but dammit I can haul everything I need and its not a nightmare to parallel park it downtown.

I agree the new Colorado is great, but my only gripe with it and most other “mid-size” trucks is that they’re too damn big. I don’t expect a small truck to be able to pull the damn moon.

WiscoProud > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 11:46

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A friend of mine’s grandpa has a mid-80s Ranger with a manual transmission like this one. Its in great shape and fun to drive. You just need to remember that most automatic transmissions sucked, especially during those years. Manuals brought them to life.

WiscoProud > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 11:48

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I think that would be funny. Go for it

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Swayze Train GTi 02/05/2016 at 12:20

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It would seem a lot of people on here disagree with you.

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/where-are-my-s…