Tips on Buying Cars: Need Information, compact trucks, size trucks

Question
Hi,
My name is David, I need your opinion. I want to buy used small truck like Chevy S-10,Ford ranger or maybe other brand. Which one is a better one Chevy or Ford? I need an efficient in gas & liable truck and not for towing or heavy duty truck.
Would you give me some advise please.
Thank you.

David


Answer
My experience has been that compact pickups such as the S-10 or Ranger with a V-6 use nearly as much fuel as full size trucks with a small V-8.  The reason is that even compact trucks in spite of the size difference, are relatively heavy and aerodynamically challenged. The V-6 engine have to work much harder than the V-8 engines in the larger trucks.  

As an example, I had a 2001 Ford Ranger extended cab two wheel drive truck a few years ago with a 4.0 V-6.  My coworker had the same year extended cab F-150 with a 4.6 V-8 and two wheel drive.  I got 14-15 in town and he was getting about the same or better.  At the same time, my dad's 2000 Silverado was getting about 16-17.  The only money I saved was on the cost of the truck.  Now, if I had a standard cab, 4 cyl. 5 speed manual Ranger or similar S-10, I would have likely seen around 18-19 around town.  

Again, I don't know what drive train you're looking at but if I were buying a 4 cyl truck, I'd go with the Ranger.  Their 4 cyl, 5 speed trucks are great, even with the extended cab.  I'd never have an automatic with any 4 cyl truck though.  As far as V-6 automatics, I'd go with the S-10.  I havn't owned an S-10 pickup but did have a late '90's Blazer 4x4 V-6 auto that got about 16 or so in town.

No truck is going to do much better than 19-20 on the road because of their shape.

The only ones that I'd avoid are any V-6 full size trucks and any 4.0 Rangers/Mazdas with the overhead cam system.  That is a junkpile of an engine.  The early/mid/and some late 90's Ford 4.0 pushrod engine was great though. I'd also avoid the late 80's and early 90's 2.8 V-6 from Chevy.  The 4.3 V-6 in the Chevy is bulletproof.

Do keep in mind that small trucks in general, in spite of their full frame, do not do very well in any type of crash and if you have any kids to carry, the jump seat setup is very unsafe.

This may all sound confusing but there are good and bad versions of both vehicle.



Good luck!