Looking for a new ride...

[Dropy]

... well a second vehicle really. The diesel only gets 13-14 mpg, so we looking for something a bit more economical. Here is a list of our criteria....

1. NON GMC/CHEVY! this is nonnegotiable.
2. 4x4 is a MUST!
3. better than 20 mpg highway. more is better.
4. Pric around or below 5,000$.
5. extend cab/4 door plz. need to be able to put 4 adults inside the cab area.
6. truck or suv is fine here.

Wish the old dodge d50 made an extend cab.. =/

I am looking at Nissan xterras, and jeep liberty as possibles. also ford ranger or dodge Dakotas. There are other possibilities depending on price an bang for the buck.

Thoughts?

[bacpacker]

Toyota Fore Runner comes to mind, same with a 4 door toy truck. A smaller model is the Rav 4.

[Dropy]

yeah been thinking along those lines also. Want something reliable as well. usually yotas are had to kill.

[bacpacker]

The only one I have killed (wife actually) was a 85 Corona. The tranny died at 350,000+.

[helomech]

I don't believe any of the nissans or toyotas will get above 20mpg. Maybe if you baby them, but getting a 4X4 above 20mpg is not very likely.

[bacpacker]

You sure won't in a newer model. But for the $5000 limit the OP mentioned would put you in an older model. The older Toyotas had 22R 4 bangers and most of them would do 20+ in stock trim. Driving style will play into that as well.

[Sniper-T]

been running toy trucks for over 25 years... not known for mileage... REKNOWNED for longevity! I run my rides hard! and rarely, if ever have any issues other than consumables...

This week, I replaced tires, and will pick up parts tomorrow to do rear universal, hanger bearing, and lower ball joints...

I have 305000 km on the truck, and am still running EVERYTHING else original, including brakes and battery!

Out of my last five toys, I have over 2,000,000 km and counting (and one I wrote off at 300,000 and one I popped the engine at 300,000 due to a faulty oil pump)

I cannot extol the virtues of a toy truck enough... but mileage does not apply

kinda crowded for 4... but I have done 6 adults inside at times. (best if at least 3 are cute and cuddly!)

[ElevenBravo]

Jetta TDI for economy, end of story.

No 4X4 meets your criteria, end of story.

Drop your MPG expectations and a slew of options become available.

EB

[mitunnelrat]

I love my Ranger, but I can tell you from my search and experience it gets no better mileage than a full size truck, jump seats are tight for adults, and (at least in this area) 5g is almost scraping the bottom of the barrel in condition. I had to wade through a lot of shit to find a good one and went over budget to do it.

[Stormfeather]

Do some searching on craigslist, I have also found that there are quite a few buy/sell/trade/barter forums popping up on facebook, although I belong to quite a few, as others have said, you have to wade thru some shit sometimes to get to the good stuff.