Do the 'crossover thing' SUVs are far more expensive in taxes and insurance. DC is making damn sure of that. Better gas mileage anyhow.:thumb:

I've been thinking about picking up a used one on the cheap. They depreciate pretty fast it seems.

Pluses/minuses?

I had a 2004 GC and while it was usually running, it was notorious for needing small repairs every week it seemed like. The only thing that was quality on those trucks was the engine. The rest of the vehicle rotted away around it... eventually it developed electrical problems so I bailed on it.

RWD, depending on where you live.

The 2 year old Forester I bought with 14.5K miles on it was a lease return. As mentioned, there are a lot of reasons people trade in low mileage cars.

I will also say that low miles isn't always a good thing. My sister-in-law has a five year old Civic with barely 28K miles on it. However, 100% of those miles have been hard-driven city miles. She sold her last Civic with the same kind of miles to someone I knew and they had a ton of problems with that thing later on. I wouldn't touch her car, despite being a Honda and having low miles.

For Dayze, I would definitely consider the Outback. You get the looks of a SUV but the feel of a car. Subarus seem to require more maintenance than other cars (you have a major service every 30K miles, for example) but if you do it, they seem to last forever.

Would I lose MPG by going up to the v6?

For the 2011 Rangers with manual transmissions (couldn't find official ratings for autos)

Here's a short thread on Edmunds talking about Ranger mpg

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f155b32/0

It looks like most people with the 4.0L V6 get 2ub-20's mpg.

Also, my wife's parents have an extended cab Colorado 2wd pickup with the 5 cylinder engine and auto tranny and get mid to upper 20's. It has been a trouble free rig for them so you might look that direction, too.

I have an old 1997 Acura Integra. That thing had all the orginal belts, cables, etc. until about two years ago. Those Honda engines are definitely reliable.

So I guess I should ask...

What small pickup out there gets the best MPG?

Again, looking for small pickup, rwd, automatic. Not looking to spend a lot...just want something to get me to and from work...and sometimes haul the trash in the back.

Ranger...s10...sonoma...? Who has the best MPG?

If MPG is your biggest concern, a truck probably isn't the way to go.

Also, http://lmgtfy.com/?q=best+mpg+in+a+small+pickup+truck

Sorry you wasted your time.

That isn't what I'm looking for.

:hmmm:
we were going to look at one tonight, as a matter of fact. about the same mileage etc.

LOL, don't ask this mechanic. Because the Accord, Pilot and Odyssey keep me employed.