Good morning! Today’s trip down Route 66 takes us into New Mexico, to cross-shop a pair of pickup trucks, one of which is more than twice the price of the other. Is it twice the truck? We’ll see. First, though, let’s see what you chose to drive out of the Texas panhandle:
That’s what I expected. But I was watching the vote today, and the Chrysler was ahead a few times. It ended up closer than I thought. But the Suburban wins, primarily based on its reputation.
Speaking of reputations, almost no vehicle enjoys a reputation for reliability and durability greater than a Toyota truck. The older 20R/22R/22RE-powered trucks in particular are known for racking up the miles. (I had one for a while and didn’t actually care for it much, but it certainly never let me down.) Such a reputation carries with it a high price tag on the used market, but personally, I think things have gotten a bit out of hand. A Toyota truck used to command a small premium over other trucks, but now the numbers are so skewed, the values so inflated, that “lesser” trucks can start to seem like a much better deal. So that’s what we’re going to investigate today.
Also please note that the next town in the song is in fact Gallup, New Mexico. However, Gallup is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it, wide-spot-in-the-road sort of town, and I thought I’d have better luck finding vehicles if I stopped a bit short, in Albuqueruqe.
One last thing, before we get to the trucks: I have been remiss in mentioning a forgotten hero of the Great American Road Trip, one that bears mentioning as we wend our way across this great land: Stuckey’s. Once upon a time, it seemed like every highway exit across the bottom half of the country boasted one of their big red and yellow signs, usually next to a gas station and a Howard Johnson’s. Stop in for a bathroom break, treat yourself to a pecan log, and peruse their fine selection of gaudy souvenir trinkets before climbing back into the car to eat up some more miles. That was the way. I thought Stuckey’s had all closed, but it sounds like they’re making a comeback, and I’m glad to hear it.
All right. Let’s check out some trucks.
1993 Toyota Pickup – $5,750
Engine/drivetrain: 2.4 liter overhead cam inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Odometer reading: 228,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep
Before there was the Tacoma, there was the Hilux. Or at least, everywhere else in the world, there was. Here in the US, Toyota decided not to give their truck any name at all after the mid-1970s. The truck went through several generations, each with subtle improvements, but all powered by the same engine: a 2.2 or 2.4 liter four. This one should be fuel-injected; I’m pretty sure Toyota had finally cut out the carbs by 1993.
Toyota pickups were available with a wide range of options. This one looks fairly plain-Jane, with a bench seat, but it does have air conditioning, and the seller says it works. They also say it has a rebuilt engine and a new clutch. The clutch I can understand, but I’m not sure why a 22RE would need a rebuild so soon. A timing chain, sure, but a full rebuild?
Outside, it’s pretty beat-up, but since it’s in the desert, at least it’s not rusty. I got used to seeing Toyota trucks with gaping holes in the rocker panels and bed sides when I lived in the midwest; a thirty-year-old truck with no rust on it almost looks wrong somehow.
Honestly, to me, this looks like a good truck, but a terrible deal. Sure, it will run “forever,” but it’s already been around half that long. I know used car prices are a bit crazy right now, but is a simple plain little truck like this really worth six grand just because it’s a Toyota?
1996 Dodge Dakota – $2,650
Engine/drivetrain: 3.9 liter overhead valve V6, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Odometer reading: 201,000 miles
Runs/drives? Sure does
In a way, this truck was responsible for the death of little trucks like that Toyota. Dodge’s mid-sized Dakota launched a whole new category when it debuted in 1987, and several smaller trucks grew over the years to meet it. This extended-cab Dakota is from the final year of the first generation, before a radical restyle that made it look more like Dodge’s full-sized Ram trucks. It’s powered by the most common powertrain available in the Dakota: a 3.9 liter “Magnum” V6 and a four-speed automatic transmission.
This Dakota has seen some hard use, from the looks of it. Hardly a single panel of sheetmetal remains that doesn’t have some dent or wrinkle in it. And while it probably did come from the factory painted black, it has obviously been repainted with a rattle-can in several places. But once again, desert air is kind to sheetmetal, and as dinged-up as it is, it isn’t rusty.
Inside, things look a bit better: the upholstery is more or less intact, if worn, and it looks like someone took good care of it. We aren’t given many details about its mechanical condition or recent repairs or service, but the seller does say it runs and drives well and has been dependable. If it measures up to its description, this beat-up Dodge should be ready to do some more work, without needing to be worked on much.
And you could buy two of these for the price of that Toyota, and still have change left over. Yes, it’s an automatic, which will put some people off, for either driving dynamics or reliability reasons, but it wouldn’t have made it to 200,000 miles if the transmission hadn’t been maintained, and while I do prefer trucks with stickshifts, an automatic in a weekend bomb-around truck like this isn’t a deal-breaker.
You might feel differently. You might be willing to pay the extra price for the peace of mind that comes with the Toyota name on the back. But at what point is the premium too much? I know how I feel, but you’re the ones who have to make the final call.
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
I’ll hang with the Dodge boys.
I still have fond memories of my first “car”: ’72 Dodge Power Wagon W100, auto, slant, locking hubs, NO power steering kept me pretty strong.
Having had one of those Dakota’s I would strongly recommend the Toyota, or a bus pass
I will gladly fall into the 16% on this one as I own the exact same truck, except no AC, from 1994. EXACT…. SAME… TRUCK. I’ll gladly vote for it knowing mine will go up in value as today progresses.
And, technically, my title says “Toyota Pickup”, nothing else in the name.
I have an ‘89 Toyota pickup, and it’s a great truck. It’s not a $6000 truck. As I understand it, the Dodge 3.9 is basically 2/3 of a 318 and they’re tough engines to kill. So, Dakota is my vote.
My first truck was a Dakota. First gen, V-6, 8 foot bed, four wheel drive. Great truck.
I’ll take a Dodge over the Toyota any day.
In what world is that Toyota worth nearly 6 grand? And just to note, I live in a place where used car prices are ridiculously high so if I think it’s high people across other parts of the country will find the ask ludicrous.
The Dakota at least looks like an honest truck, and the cosmetic issues are harmless as long as the mechanicals are solid. I’d take my chances with that long before the Toyota. Three grand extra in my pocket will fix a few problems.
Both trucks are a bad deal. The Dodge is just the least worse deal.
Toyota family all day.
1986 Truck
1998 Tacoma
2007 Tundra
2020 Tundra
Had to vote Dakota on price alone. The Tacoma owner wrote that add at 4am after an all night bender!
Cool story bro: My first car was a ’91 Toyota truck, bought used in ’93 with 7200 miles for $6300 (13,200 today’s money). From the ages of 16-25 I drove it all over the US and put many many miles on it. You know how young men aged 16-25 treat vehicles? This one put up with it and never complained. The engine bay was designed so everything was easily accessible. Once, the starter went out, and I swapped it in an apartment complex parking lot in about a half hour. Oil changes were a breeze. It had a 22RE and the E was for electronic fuel injection so this ’93 is definitely fuel injected. I could haul ass because there was almost no weight for the ~100HP engine to move around. Got 28 MPG all the time… man, what a great vehicle. I replaced it with a 2000 Tacoma which had more niceties like A/C, but sucked more gas and was painfully slow. Also, the oil drain would pour right onto the lower suspension arm and go in 2 directions.
Both asking prices are bat shit crazy. Have owned several of the Toyotas over last 35 years. Good trucks, but not an investment vehicle. This is just frigging nuts it’s an old beat to shit truck folks, not a holy grail…And an engine rebuild at under 200K does not inspire confidence in either the truck, or prior owners.
Just don’t forget to take that left turn!
Here’s the thing though, I see lots of these Toyotas still on the road. I rarely see Dakotas. Even so I would not pay over 5k for one, that’s crazy.
Sam & Max hit the road and approve of Stuckey’s.
Let the slightly inferior* V8-based V6 (and the rough exterior) be damned, that Dakota is awesome, if not just for the interior alone.
I’d drive the hell outta that thing.
*Comparing the 3.9 to the Chevy 4.3 in this case. If that Dakota had a 3.7, I would’ve said something worse!
Big time pass. You can get better trucks at better prices than these two.
If you held a gun to my head, probably the Dakota – no rebuit engine, less miles, less dollars. However, Chrysler product, which means I’d strongly consider the bullet instead.
Stuckey’s! Their signs were way tall out on the prairie, giving us young’uns time to pester the parents into stopping. Many of the little army figures I blew up or melted as a youth came from their colorful bins.
had to vote Dakota as it is half the price of the Yota
1 too many numbers in each of those prices for me to even think about buying either.
Dodge because the price on the Toyota is insane for that POS.
Those are both sub-$2000 trucks
The ‘kota has intact interior, 3 years newer, and the Magnum V6 which will run even past the apocalypse.
NFW am I paying 6k for a 30 year old truck.
And the Dakota can actually do truck stuff. One of the reason these cute little grocery getters last is they get used like cars.They had minimal accesories nothing to break but were well built. But you use that Toyota like you use that Dodge that Toyota is done.
Both prices are absurd, but the Taco is just nuts. The rebuild is likely either due to a timing chain left way too long, or a massive overheat. In either case, it’s a pass.
Half the price and a bit more room in the cab + window cranks in the Toyota = Dodge win
Dakota wins on price
Both are terrible choices for the price. I would take the not driven by touch Toyota. A few bone yard trips and recover the seats and you have a decent vehicle.
In my area 6 grand will get you a newer truck in better condition though.
Almost voted for the Toyota, but had to double-take on the price. The Dodge wins.
Same. That price is absurd.