It's a 4 cylinder. Fuel mileage is excellent. I haven't run the exact numbers but it's looking like ~30 mpg US. I'm very happy with the power. Much more snap than the '97 I had.

After this year the compact truck market in North America is dead. A new 2wd 4cyl ranger (no extras) can be had for ~$15K new. Nothing else comes close. Toyota's and GMC's start in the $23K-24K range. I couldn't afford the fuel on a Dakota.

I had 2 booster seats in it on the weekend (a la Katoranger) and the kids loved it. Sidney points at the window crank and asks "What is that?" - "The air conditioning." I respond.

Nice looking rig! I had a no frills 94 that I bought brand new, it served me well.

Speaking of Japanese mini trucks though, check out this pic of a war wagon for sale here in town... It's A/C is provided by the well ventilated (rust!) body.

http://i762.photobucket.com/albums/x...der/photo1.jpg

Handsome isn't it? :lol:

Its a little tight with two booster seats, but I found that the one in the middle can shift gears. A semi auto. I just tell them what gear to shift to.

It's still tight on the newer trucks, although the leg room is better. If I can't fit with the 2 booster seats its time for more exercise or less eating.

Too bad you can't get a 4x4 with the 2.3L duratec engine. In my book 143 HP is plenty for a truck this size.

I don't understand why small pickups became extinct, especially in the world of $4.00/gallon+ gas...

My truck is great except for the lack of power. Another 50hp would be good.

So I need to swap this in.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tchlink:top:en

I don't understand why they enlarged all the small SUVs. :roll: You can still get a small, Japanese pickup can't you?

Spud :)

I don't think so Brother Spud. :?:

Did they enlarge the Toyota Tacoma? The last time I checked, it was the same size as a Ford Ranger; however, I haven't checked in a while. ;)

Spud :)

Tacoma's start at $22K CAD. That's about $7K more than the starting price of a new Ranger around here. The Tacoma's only come in extended cab to boot.

I'm sorry to hear you have such limited options in Canada. :( Here in the United States the 2012, Toyota Tacoma is available in 4 body styles, and is priced lower than the 2011 Ford Ranger.

http://www.toyota.com/sem/tacoma.htm...610_p439010612
http://www.toyota.com/tacoma/trims-p...room&vehicle=1

http://www.ford.com/trucks/ranger/

Spud :)

There is no doubt in my mind we're getting reamed on car pricing North of the border. It's been going on for years under the guise of "our dollar is worth less than the US".

Our dollar is now par or better and we're still getting beat. Not only that we can't get the same model variety here.

The present day Tacoma is larger than a ranger, but still offers a 4cyl engine.

What is missing is the simple compact truck.