I need a reliable, decent, mid size pickup truck for a light duty landscaping business - I don't haul heavy, giant stuff at the most I'd haul a small/medium sized trailer, so a strong 4 cylinder or a v6 is the most I'd need. I won't buy GM products and I don't know if I should trust a Nissan Frontier?
Toyota Tacomas are undoubtedly the best, but even OLD tacomas are going for 15-20k and that's just plain ridiculous with this bubble pricing. Not only that, you can't find a good one ANYWHERE. So What are some good options for a good pickup truck that won't cost me my first-born? I'm looking at 10K for a budget. Tough I know, but I need some wisdom.
Thanks and much love!
If this business is something you're committed to, then it's definitely worth considering to get something worthwhile and dependable.
Doesn't have to be a Tacoma, but the same steps will apply.
How much of a hurry do you need the vehicle?
I had the luxury to spend several weeks, searching every day on craigslist/FB marketplace/autotempest/autotrader/cargurus etc to find the right vehicle for me, your circumstances may differ.
Is your 10K budget the outright cash limit? Or is it your finance limit through credit?
If it's your cash limit, maybe consider financing/leasing a used vehicle if that option is available.
Although not ideal, borrowing money from family/friends is another option if available, make sure both parties agree to a repayment plan, no interest is a nice thing too, and it's just about family/friends helping each other out.
If financing/leasing, you can make the payments a business expense, and it's ideal if you know you'll have guaranteed income coming in.
Good luck!
You could try your hands on a Ford ranger or a Dodge Dakota (my dad has one and he hasn't had any issues).
You should consider the frontier, it is a good truck, but don't buy the 2005-2007 models since those had tranny issues which they fixed after 2008. Ford Ranger is not a bad option, but I would still buy a frontier over the ranger, it's just better quality and more capable. 4 cylinder or V6 are both good in the frontier and with a standard tranny, it can be very good. Some dude got 1 000 000 miles out of an 07 frontier with the 4 cylinder and manual.
Get an older Tacoma. I would rather have an older, less sophisticated Tacoma than a newer unreliable Ford, Chevy or Dodge.
