What happened to small import & domestic trucks

[baboon]

 

[Steve In Texas]

I had a 1986 Mazda B2000 that was awesome. I would buy the modern equivalent if it existed. That little truck earned it keep and then some. It was not fancy, but efficient and reliable it had in spades.

 

[seeker_two]

Closest to it now is the Ford Maverick and the Hyundai Santa Cruz.....and they aren't near as useful. And the current Rangers are the same size as my '08 F-150.

I miss my '97 Nissan Hardbody....

 

[Grumps21]

Foot print aside, they also are getting taller. The new Ranger with its somewhat narrower axles, looks like it’s on stilts. The Maverick would perfect height for my uses. I can reach over the bed rails and into the center of the bed without needing to crawl into it. But it would need to have at least a 6ft bed and an ext cab instead of seating for five with four full doors. if I was in the truck market today, and I had to buy a new truck, I’d probably go with the Frontier. Is still got the NA V6, is lower tI the ground, and you are not forced into a 4 door with small bed

 

[Axxe55]

in1988 i got rid of my big ramcharger and bought a brand new ram 50dodge

 

[Grumps21]

in1988 i got rid of my big ramcharger and bought a brand new ram 50dodge

Those were Mitsubishi, right?

 

[Axxe55]

Those were Mitsubishi, right?

yep an misu bishi had the mighty max awesome trucks!

 

[Grumps21]

yep an misu bishi had the mighty max awesome trucks!

A buddy of mine‘s dad had one, late 80s vintage. No frills and stick shift. We would take it to Virginia City dance hall on Saturday nights. oh the memories!

 

[Axxe55]

A buddy of mine‘s dad had one, late 80s vintage. No frills and stick shift. We would take it to Virginia City dance hall on Saturday nights. oh the memories!

the 1988 ram 50 was the first brand new truck i ever bought!

 

[Tnhawk]

I bought a 95 S10 with over 100,000 miles on it, put over another 100,000 on it before I sold it.

 

[TxStetson]

Is this the wrong thread to say I used to drive a Subaru Brat.

 

[baboon]

Is this the wrong thread to say I used to drive a Subaru Brat.

My wife deemed Subaru's lesbian vehicles, even to her straight friend that owned one.

 

[SGT Dave]

in1988 i got rid of my big ramcharger and bought a brand new ram 50dodge

I had an '88 Ram50 made by Mitsubishi. Loved it. Except for the AC that never worked, and clutch and accelerator cables always snapping, and the blown thermostat and head gasket every six months.

It was an abusive relationship. "I can change him," I would always say.

 

[TxStetson]

My wife deemed Subaru's lesbian vehicles, even to her straight friend that owned one.

I owned 2 Subaru’s when I was in high school back in the 80’s. Long before they became the official vehicle for lesbians or hippies.

 

[Vaquero]

Is this the wrong thread to say I used to drive a Subaru Brat.

I always wanted one for varmint calling.

 

[Geezer]

My brother and I both bought new 1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max pickups at the same time. Both were base trucks with no options. We gave $5500 each for them. He got a white one, I got a red one.

I drove mine for 3 years and sold it to a guy I worked with. He had a son that had just got his driver's license. They had the truck 2 weeks and totaled it. The kid was OK.

 

[TxStetson]

I always wanted one for varmint calling.

The little rocket seats in the back were really cool. The Brat was FWD, and the rear wheels engaged when you put it in 4WD. The parking/emergency brake was on the front wheels too.

 

[gasgas]

They have them in Australia
And other countries
But our caretakers,the goberment says they be bad in a crash
Probably less safety BS which means they are probably more reliable

 

[Grumps21]

The little rocket seats in the back were really cool. The Brat was FWD, and the rear wheels engaged when you put it in 4WD. The parking/emergency brake was on the front wheels too.

What s the law now regarding riding in the bed of a pickup? With the nanny state what it is, could you be cited for someone (child or adult) riding in the bed seats of a brat?

 

[SARGE67]

My first ever truck was an F-150 less than 20 years ago. After much research seeing how it was so popular, I went with it. Had to be the worst lemon in Texas. Switched to Toyota Tacoma for a different brand and size, liked a few along the way then traded up to my current 2016 Tundra with 30k miles I put on it since day one. I have to climb up into it and not getting easier. Riding in it now, I can't believe I used to drive those dinky Tacomas. They were all dependable so no slam there, but I feel much safer now with more meat on the bone around me.