re: Is it worth getting midsized pickup like the Colorado/Canyon?

I actually prefer a smaller truck, but I have to have a V8 to tow my trailer. I compromised on a 1st Gen Tundra Access Cab. Almost the same size as a new Tacoma, but with a 4.7 V8.

quote:

---

If they sold that BYD Shark in this country, I would take a serious look at it.

---

We deserve a Toyota Hilux in the US. I'm game for a fairly bare bones, inexpensive truck.

This is fact. Tacoma is the best small size truck and it’s not really close.

For body on frame, with Toyota having trouble now, there is just no clear answer to this question. I will face the same decision soon as my 5.7 Tundra will not last forever.

The new Tacoma's are just insanely expensive. They are however looking better than last generation, but now we have transmission and rear end issues on top of being saddled with that 4 cylinder. I had a 96 Tacoma with the 3.4L V6 5 speed which was perfect for that truck - the new ones feel awful; like the body is not wide enough for the frame...very strange when off road.

Colorado/Canyon is a good choice but again expensive, and overly complex. Buddy's 2023 has lived in the shop with small electrical gremlins that I find unacceptable for a $52,000 vehicle, but the rest of the truck mechanically seems OK.

From the GM bad memories dept, I have about 5 friends that got clipped $3,000 or more by the 07-13 (to when ever) AFM issues; two of those I know for sure changed their oil regularly. Several also had the Castech head failure. Makes you want to go back to a GMT 400 or 800.

The new Tundra seems to be acceptable now that they figured out how to machine the engine block without leaving metal shavings in it, but I would only get the MAX model (again with the complexity). The HiLux is the answer if you don't need to tow, but they wont sell it in the USA unless the Taco and Tundra cash cow fails absurdly.

F150 is tempting, but I manage a fleet and have been to the Ford dealer too much to ever purchase one for myself.

The local Dodge dealer is swamped with busted Amazon Ram Cargo vans to the point they have to use a shopping mall parking lot to store them next to nearly new Ram trucks with service stickers all over them.

I am not a Nissan guy, but I would take a hard look at the Frontier.

The BYD Shark could be huge with a less ugly custom grille; whomever figures out how to get those into the US will be a Rockstar.

Hyundai/Kia Tasman holds promise, but wont tow much and their engines have a bad reputation...there must be a reason you seldom see old Korean cars...

For unibody, the 26/27 Chevy Montana (eg unibody Ridgeline) or their secret "Ford Maverick killer" could come along in a few years.

Manufacturers that solve this pickup problem will win big time !

May the Force be with you; tell us what you end up doing.

I know a guy who bought a Maverick hybrid and likes it. Pretty good looking truck and it hauled his boat well while getting good gas mileage.
Might be an option someday, but my Suburban is still running well.