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| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| looking4truck |
Posted - July 2 :3:31p
I'm trying to choose between a nissan pickup and a ford ranger. they are nearly identical: they both have 2.3L engines, 5 speed, no special electronic features (except the ford has a nice stereo).
What i want is a truck that i can drive for a long time without having to work on it and pour money into it all the time. i've heard that nissan are harder to work on, which i don't like, because i stopped driving this old mercedes because it was so difficult and expensive to work on.
the ford is a '96 with 200,000 miles on it. the owner is my friend, and he says he changed the oil about every six months, and he's an honest guy, so i believe him. the tires will need replacing soon, but he just changed out all the filters and plugs and wires.
the nissan is a '93 with 141,000 miles on it. the owner is an older dude i never met before. he says he changed the oil every 3000 miles. i'm only partially inclined to believe him, but it was a company vehicle, so that makes it more credible. he said he recently put some work into it, and the tires are good. this one will cost me a little more.
in august i'm planning a 2000 mile road trip, and immediately after that, i'll need a vehicle for daily use.
what do you guys think?
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Mort |
Posted - July 3 :12:55p
Yeah, I'd take that Nissan off the table. Sounds sorta questionable. Either the Toyota or the Ford would be a good bet. In 1990, its probably the 22RE, which is the same engine but with fuel injection. Still a bullet-proof engine, and arguably worth the extra money. Is it 4 wheel drive? If so, I'd jump on it. |
| Tom in Tacoma |
Posted - July 3 :10:18a
Check out the Toyota. If it has the R22 engine that would be the truck that I'd go after. The R22 is absolutely rock-solid.
If that doesn't pan out - pickup the Ranger from your buddy. |
| looking4truck |
Posted - July 3 :12:08a
so this changes it.
the ford ranger will cost me 1400 (with camper shell) and the guy with the nissan (also with a camper shell) wants 1900. i think i can talk the guy with the nissan down lower, but i know my friend won't take less for the ford.
my other option that i'm now considering is saving up more for a toyota. there's a 1990 on craigslist with 200k miles, but it has a new motor, clutch, and differential. they want $2200. |
| Mort |
Posted - July 2 :8:55p
I would have no problems recommending that Ford. Nissans of that vintage are very touchy electrically speaking (computer is under the driver's seat, and WILL short out if its flooded, another buddy blew his main fuse by washing under the hood, like I'd done to hundreds of other vehicles), and anything Japanese will cost more to fix, model to model, than an American vehicle.
By contrast, that 2.3L Ford has been around since the late 60s I think, and the bugs are worked out. They're bullet proof reliable, and can be modified, if that's where you're going with it.
It is high miles, but I've seen them go much higher. If something does blow up, they cost about $1.50 for a new engine. |
| RHuckster |
Posted - July 2 :8:13p
Of pretty much all the Ford 2.3's I've had experience with are solid engines but even excellent PM they seem to start burning oil around 175K.
Rick |
| Tom in Tacoma |
Posted - July 2 :4:53p
If you had provided the asking price for each of the trucks we might have been inclined to guide you toward one or the other.
Barring that I'd say look for something else. What you described would make me nervous to take on a 2000 mile road trip. |
| Mark05KR |
Posted - July 2 :4:35p
Quote: Originally posted by Buzz
What do I think?? I would continue looking for a truck with less miles. 
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Yup. What he said.
Both of those trucks have a lot of miles on them. If you are looking for something that you won't have to work on, those 2 are probably not your best candidates.
I had an '84 Nissan pickup a few years back. Bought it new and drove it till it had a little over 125,000 miles. The truck started to have some real problems as the miles added up, mostly electrical problems. The truck also started to rust out real bad after it got to about 75,000 miles of New Egland driving. |
| Buzz |
Posted - July 2 :4:06p
What do I think?? I would continue looking for a truck with less miles. |
| devnull |
Posted - July 2 :3:44p
You should get them both checked out by a reputable mechanic.
At this point, from the information you've provided, both options are a complete coin toss. They are both candidates for going another 50,000 miles, or blowing up 3 miles after you hand the check over.
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