Started a new gig that will be a lot of time on the road between client homes. Looking for an affordable, higher gas mileage light truck or SUV with manual transmission. I am a bigger guy, but do fit comfortably in a Tacoma, which is all I have tried on for size so far. Though had a Kia Soul for a rental many times in the old gig and fit in it as well. Recommendations?

Have you tried the Chevy Colorado diesel? My buddy has one and he really likes it!

Tacoma and T4R's are both awesome trucks and will last forever, but what you save on maintenance you'll spend on gas.

Had not thought about diesel as it will be mainly short trips between homes and the starting and stopping frequency. How are diesels these days given all the new environmental regs? Worth the extra maintenance costs?

Not sure on your questions regarding diesels - probably better for a few folks on this board to answer that. Maybe check the maintenance schedule and what's required? There's a number of YouTube videos on the review of the truck - I would consider one if I was looking mid size truck and I had a taco before. The taco is IMO uncomfortable for long distances and frequent driving. Loved the reliability but hated the ride.

I'll getting my VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen for sale in the next couple weeks. Dual Clutch, not manual, though. Can get 40+ mpg highway, generally get low 30s in stop and go. ~65-70 cubic feet of cargo area with back seats folded down. Has 85k miles, warranty on turbo, engine, and emissions until 120k miles. No emissions testing in Texas. Completely optioned out. Pano sunroof, navigation, heated seats, keyless entry and push button start (both really rare to find in this for some reason.) I took out the Nav system to put in an Android Auto/Apple Carplay system that looks stock, but it would be easy to swap back.

I'm a bigger guy also. Bought a Tacoma, put some seatjackers from Desert Does It on the front of the seats and it is the most comfortable truck I have driven.

Guitarsoup said:

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I'll getting my VW Jetta TDI Sportwagen for sale in the next couple weeks. Dual Clutch, not manual, though. Can get 40+ mpg highway, generally get low 30s in stop and go. ~65-70 cubic feet of cargo area with back seats folded down. Has 85k miles, warranty on turbo, engine, and emissions until 120k miles. No emissions testing in Texas. Completely optioned out. Pano sunroof, navigation, heated seats, keyless entry and push button start (both really rare to find in this for some reason.) I took out the Nav system to put in an Android Auto/Apple Carplay system that looks stock, but it would be easy to swap back.

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Interesting, what kind of price are you going to be putting on it?

I'm not that far, but it would be 10k or less.

White exterior, black interior. Also has the roof racks but they can be removed easily. Have a rear view camera that I never installed, too.

I also added a couple of USB charge points in the front seat and the back seat has a 110v 2-prong plug you can use to power a laptop.

All rims have road rash from owners prior to the buyback and the back corner of the rear window tint has some ugly bubbles in one corner that I can't see when I drive, so I didn't fix it.

Sounds like a great starter car for my kids. Can you hang on to it for another 2 years, please.

sts7049 said:

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you probably should start by listing which trucks you can buy with a manual trans. i dont think there are many.

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This. There aren't many left. I believe Tacoma is the only truck left that offers a manual transmission.

Tacoma and frontier both do, but that is it. Not much for SUVs either. So finding that is not as big a deal as the affordable, reliable, and good gas mileage.

Why a truck? Is there a job related reason to have a truck?


I feel like a broken record, but the Honda Fit is an amazing vehicle. If you are putting down a lot of miles the Fit could conceivably pay for itself in fuel savings in about 2 years. They are easy to find in manual, and they are a blast to drive.

Plus they actually have a ton of room inside.

Doeant have to be a truck, small SUV works as well. Being a bigger man, I need extra room inside, particularly head room. Trucks are my first option because I use the bed a lot on my 3/4 ton for various things, many of which I could do with better gas mileage in a smaller truck, but it would not pull my camper. Now that i am in need of a second vehicle that gets good gas mileage for a new job, figure kill two birds with one stone and go small truck. But an SUV would work as well as they tend to have more interior room. Not familiar with the Fit, but if it is anything like a Prius or similar not interested.

Very limited if you need a handshaker.

FWIW, I added a Ford Fusion Hybrid to my fleet a few months ago.
43mpg is great and is large enough to seat 4 adults reasonably, but its just me 98% of the time.

I rented a Fusion Hybrid 2 years ago. I'm 6'4", 200# and had plenty of room.

I appreciate all the sedan enthusiasts opinions, I did ask for opinions, but I am definitely looking for truck or SUV options primarily because of other uses, just trying to find the options with the best gas mileage, affordability, and most importantly reliability. As for size, head room is important, I am 6'2" but only have a 32 inch inseam. So all my height is seat up. One reason why I liked the Kia Soul, having driven it as a rental many times.