'05 F-150 with 241,000 miles has been good to me but time for a new ride I want to go a bit smaller. Any thoughts on these models? Colorado LT, Tacoma SR5, Ridgeline RTL, Frontier SV, Ranger XLT.

Currently leaning toward the Frontier and Ranger.

Tacomas and Frontiers.

If the Frontier is one of your two favorites, then get it. Nissan sedans and small SUVs are very hit and miss, but the Frontier is a very solid and reliable vehicle.

Honda Ridgeline if you're not doing any off roading (and even then it can handle the easier stuff).

The new '24 Tacoma has addressed a lot of the "asks" and issues folks had with the 16-23 (third) gen.

Worth looking into too.

Was the gutless nature addressed?

Maybe? They're addressing it, but I'm sure it'll still be reliably underpowered.

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The new Tacoma also diversifies its powertrain choices, with two options that improve both power and efficiency. The turbocharged i-FORCE 2.4-liter engine produces up to 278 horsepower and 317 lb.-ft. of torque. The available i-FORCE MAX hybrid is a showstopper, producing up to 326 horsepower and a massive 465 lb.-ft. of torque, the most torque in the mid-size truck segment.

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Once you see the cost of midsizes, you might be inclined to stick with a full size.

The answer is always a Taco for midsize.

New '23 Tacoma if you can find one, with the naturally aspirated V6, or previous years with low mileage in good or better condition.

That or a new Nissan Frontier. Also naturally aspirated V6.

I have a '20 Tacoma TRD Off-road and love it. Plenty of power for sane driving. Not a sports car, nor meant to be. Pulls my boat, and a fully loaded 12' utility trailer at highway speeds with no issues.

I would have repeated the purchase without question should something like a totaling of it, and still would if I could find the same with low mileage in great condition. However if I had to go new, the Nissan Frontier would get my first test drive and like purchase if it were as comfortable as my current Tacoma. (Added the DDI seat jackets and it transformed the seats. Most comfortable vehicle ever owned since).

Others like the poster above may like the direction Toyota has taken, but it makes me sick to my stomach.

Taco by a mile

theJonatron said:

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Once you see the cost of midsizes, you might be inclined to stick with a full size.

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As the AB saying goes…. 5/8ths the truck for 7/8ths the cost.

But a taco fits in my garage!

I don't get the turbo hate. They give you a huge increase in torque (useable horsepower) and over a much bigger RPM range. Far superior to an NA engine. Reliability is yet to be seen, of course. It's a truck, not a performance coupe.

It's a fact that the more HP and Torque you put per liter the less reliable the engine. Euros always made fun of American big blocks and their very low HP:Liter ratio but they just last forever.

With that said, most turbo engines will outlast ownership. 90% of people trade their new ride in before 200k miles.

Was on my OG turbo when I sold my Volvo at 185k and that's an 04. Turbos need high quality oil and high quality fuel and good filtration. They get those three and they'll run forever.

Tacoma, mother f'er is bulletproof. It will last forever.

Had a 2001 Sport Trac 4.0 SOHC. The engine made it to 270,000, but everything on that truck broke and needed to be replaced 15 years later.

Water pump, engine fan, power steering, transmission, AC compressor, hoses galore, window motor.

I have a Tacoma going on 7-8 years but only 70,000 miles. No problems, knock on wood. Id nudge towards a 2024 Tacoma.

You really can't go wrong with Tacoma (N/A) or Frontier. Test drive both and get the one you like best.

I love the look of the new Colorados but would be hesitant to buy one.

Turbos have been normal car tech for 40+ years.

Nobody stresses about the turbo reliability in a turbodiesel.

But put a turbo gas engine in a pickup and the people want to wring their hands about the newfangled technology.

It is like people have forgotten how often US made pushrod V-8 engines needed a rebuild under 100k miles.

Trinity Ag said:

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Turbos have been normal car tech for 40+ years.

Nobody stresses about the turbo reliability in a turbodiesel.

But put a turbo gas engine in a pickup and the people want to wring their hands about the newfangled technology.

It is like people have forgotten how often US made pushrod V-8 engines needed a rebuild under 100k miles.

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Turbos are more complex and there is more to break or fix. Sure there are examples that have high mileage, but the odds of problems are higher.

In the carb days where engines ran rich and the oil got diluted, perhaps V8s tanks before 100K. But fuel injected push rod V8s with decent care routinely will go 200K miles or more. Even in the carb days, if you changed the oil regularly, you could make well over 100K.

Texasclipper said:

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Trinity Ag said:

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Turbos have been normal car tech for 40+ years.

Nobody stresses about the turbo reliability in a turbodiesel.

But put a turbo gas engine in a pickup and the people want to wring their hands about the newfangled technology.

It is like people have forgotten how often US made pushrod V-8 engines needed a rebuild under 100k miles.

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Turbos are more complex and there is more to break or fix. Sure there are examples that have high mileage, but the odds of problems are higher.

In the carb days where engines ran rich and the oil got diluted, perhaps V8s tanks before 100K. But fuel injected push rod V8s with decent care routinely will go 200K miles or more. Even in the carb days, if you changed the oil regularly, you could make well over 100K.

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I disagree a bit. Material science and bearings have come a long way. Manufacturers make conscious decisions to reduce engine weight with lighter metals, increase compression for better efficiency on top of adding a turbo. The boosted psi today is higher than what had been normal 20 years ago.

So yes they are a little more complex, but could easily be designed to be as long lasting.

I'll second what Agracer said. I had a Ridgeline rental for about a month and it does everything better than the other midsize trucks for what 99% of people use them for. It drives better, it's more comfortable, has more room, and has a sweet in bed trunk.

I love the Ridgelines for what they are. I have also heard some of the 20-22 model years had iffy parts in them due to covid shortages/different sub-contractors used. No clue if this affects any decisions here.

Also, the Ranger/Colorado are a lot closer to an 05 as a comparable size/power vehicle than an F-150/Silverado.

ElephantRider said:

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I love the look of the new Colorados but would be hesitant to buy one.

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I have a 2023 Colorado LT 2WD. Only 1k miles on it so far, but man do I love this truck. It has the TurboPlus motor with 310hp/390tq, but I bought the HO tune that raises the torque to 430ftlb.