All right; after yesterday’s nasty crusty Acura, it’s time to make you Rust Belters jealous with some clean rust-free vehicles, in the form of two nice basic trucks. First let’s see how the voting went down:
Interesting. I figured the BMW would win, but I didn’t expect it to be quite that lopsided. But then, rust is scary.
Now, before we get started today, I want to give you all a peek under the hood of the inner workings of Shitbox Showdown, and share with you something frustrating that has happened to me a few times over the last few months, but three times in the past two weeks alone.
My normal workflow goes like this: I get home from my day job and start shopping for cars. Once I have the cars picked, I download the photos, put together the top-shot and the poll, then set up an empty file in the content management system with the links and photos, screen-shot the previous day’s results, and hit “Save.” This usually all takes me half an hour or so. Then I go feed the dog and the cats, do some other chores, make and eat dinner, then sit down on the sofa with my laptop to write.
Yesterday, I went through all this, sat down with the laptop, clicked on the link for one of the trucks, and… it had sold and been deleted. The ad was there at 5 pm, and gone at 7. I had to go find another truck and do it all over again.
In case you’re curious, it was this lovely old Dodge truck, with a slant six and a granny-low four-speed:
I mean, no wonder it sold; it’s awesome. But seriously? It couldn’t have stayed on the market just one more day?
Anyway, here are a couple of little red trucks. One of them is a last-minute substitution for the Dodge. That’s how hard I work to entertain and enlighten you all – sometimes I need to do stuff twice.
1982 Chevrolet S-10 – $2,200
Engine/drivetrain: 2.8 liter OHV V6, 4 speed manual, RWD
Location: Gresham, OR
Odometer reading: 103,000 miles
Runs/drives? Afraid not
I can’t believe this is a forty-year-old truck now. I still think of the roundy second-generation S-10s as “the new ones.” But here it is, a first-year S-10, and it’s probably the cleanest one I’ve seen since E.T. was in theaters.
This baby Chevy is powered by the optional 2.8 liter V6, equipped with a two-barrel carb and backed by a four-speed stick. Unfortunately it doesn’t run at the moment. I get the feeling from the photos, and from the low mileage, that it has been sitting a long time, so maybe it’s a “ran when parked” situation.
Wherever it has been sitting, I’m willing to bet it was indoors. Look at the bed on this thing! I doubt an S-10 bed has been this clean since they were new.
Inside, as you’d expect, it’s really clean too. And it’s a nice basic truck, with a bench seat and rubber floors, as the truck gods intended. The vinyl (you know it’s vinyl) under that Wal-Mart seat cover is probably not pristine, but the cover is fine. Or you can reupholster it; I did it to my truck, and it’s not that hard. You should stick some speakers in those ragged holes in the doors, too.
Ordinarily, I’d say that $2,200 is way too much for a non-running S-10, but this thing is so clean I think it’s worth it. And if you really don’t want to get the 2.8 running again, a small-block V8 drops right in to these.
1991 Mazda B2200 – $1,150
Engine/drivetrain: 2.2 liter SOHC inline 4, 5 speed manual, RWD
Location: Vancouver, WA
Odometer reading: 230,000 miles
Runs/drives? Yep, but needs a few things
For Autopians of a certain age, I can get a jingle stuck in your head with just two words: “Sakes Alive.” Mazda used that tune, with various prices all ending in 5 so they rhymed, to advertise their trucks for years. And really, there was a lot to sing about – these trucks were great deals when they were new. I’m kinda sorry I missed the opportunity to buy one of these for just $6,495. Sakes alive, indeed.
This truck, even decades after the fact and hundreds of thousands of miles down the road, still feels like a good deal. It’s a “Cab Plus” model, with a little extra room inside and a pair of very uncomfortable-looking jump seats behind the front seats, and the “LE-5” trim level, with bucket seats and a center console in the front and a really cool-looking early-RX7-ish steering wheel.
Most of these little Mazda trucks of this generation came with the same engine: a 2.0 and later 2.2 liter singe-overhead-cam four with a single two-barrel carburetor. It’s a good solid engine, and has a reputation for piling on the miles without trouble. This example is at 230,000 miles and counting, though the seller says it has a leaky valve cover gasket. Easy fix, but something that should be taken care of.
Other noted problems are an inoperative fuel gauge and a need for new tires soon. But really, for the price, this is a lot of little truck.
So even though one of them is not the truck I thought it would be, I think we’ve got some good choices here. Yeah, the Chevy needs to be brought back to life (or re-engined), but it’s so clean that it’s worth the work. And the Mazda is cheap enough to just use as a beater as-is. Which one would you pick?
My family has already owned 3 of those B-Series trucks (one B2200 and two B2600i). I picked the Mazda. I love them, great little things. If this thing was in my area, it’d be parked in my garage as soon as I could get it.
B2200 all the way! My first vehicle was a 1993 Mazda B2200 regular cab short bed with a 5 speed manual. It was a great truck, very reliable and inexpensive to service. I also thought they were one of the best looking of the minitrucks, especially with the B2600 4×4 fender flares and bubble hood.
The last two trucks I bought, I bought because I needed a truck to haul something within a few days time. Off to Craigslist with cash in hand to mask that whiff of desperation! Now would be no different, so even though I like those old S-10s and this is the cleanest one I’ve saw in years, I gotta make it the Mazda – it’s ready to work.
This was tough. Running, extended cab, and extra gear pushed mazda, but I am longing for that bench seat too.
Mazda for me. After I left the dealership, I started my electrician and low voltage cabling career. One of the companies I worked for had a small fleet of Rangers (which was a partnership with Mazda back then). All were stick and I believe the 2.2L. I think the Mazda had a better interior. We ran them hard with all of them in the 170k-230k mile range when I left. I really want to buy one off of them because they were tanks and would have made an excellent weekend work truck.
Mazda, Not even close. Compare the engine bays. Plus, I just hate the way those small Chevys ride.
I hate everything about those S-10s (and their Blazer peers). Gimme the Mazda.
I’d rather have the Dodge
82… was the 2.8 in that year prone to spun bearings like the 87 was? Already rebuilt one of those because of that and have no need to repeat it.
Man, yesterday I didn’t want either of them. Today, on the other hand, I want them both! Forced to choose, despite my unabashed love for S-10s of all flavors (and square ones in particular), I will pick the Mazda. It’s cheaper, it runs, and I know being an “enthusiast” means I’m supposed to prefer a regular cab, but being a big fat-ass of a man that I am, I much prefer my minitrucks in extended cab flavor.
Something must be wrong with me. That’s twice in a row now I’ve been given an S-10 as an option, and didn’t choose it.
Kinda want both. I love the square s10s-especially before the faux digital gauges. And they can be made to handle really well fairly easily. But the Mazda has room to keep my tools from getting wet even with a passenger. And the 2 I had (a 2200 and a diesel) were unstoppable entertainment, so that’s my vote.
I am not a pickup truck guy, but every so often, usually around this time of year, I start to change my mind. Holiday cards and decorations depict old trucks, especially red ones, hauling Christmas trees in the bed or adorned with a tasteful wreath on the grille, and I think: That looks pretty cool. It makes me want to park my coupe for a while and hop in a pickup. Not a bro-dozer or a lifted luxury car that happens to have a bed tacked on the back — no, something simple — something that’s ok, nay encouraged to get a little dirty. Ditch my engineer’s uniform of polo shirt and dorky khakis in favor of of a warm flannel and stout denim. Grow a thick beard and watch the steam rise from my coffee cup as I head into the forest to chop wood or even just hike through the natural beauty. I would become a stereotypical love interest in a Hallmark movie — all thanks to the simple pickup truck.
Oof, another tough choice! It’s the S-10 for me, and not just because I’ll be in PDX this weekend…
I’ve noticed that many of these Showdown offerings are from the west coast and the Pacific northwest specifically. Why might that be? While the lack of road salt may prolong the lives of vehicles, leading to older cars with some life left in them coming up for sale, I’d expect the same for cars of Arizona, New Mexico, and much of the southeast. Do the examples come from reader tips, served up by cruising their local Lists of Craig? If so, what explains the high concentration of Autopian readers in Pacific northwest and Cali? Certainly those are nice places to live, but I’d expect a more even geographic distribution.
It’s puzzling to me, and it’s gotten me curious.
I think Mark lives around here. But also it’s a good place to find un-salted, un-baked cars without the California tax. The algae just washes off.
I choose the cars, and I live in Portland, so often it’s just easier for me to stay local, especially if I’m short on time (which is all the time, these days).
I’ve talked to David about a reader tip line to suggest cars, and it’s in the works, but we’re just not there yet.
Gotta say I don’t see how you save anytime by Craigslist local. It’s just choosing a different city/state.
‘cause he’s already scouring his local Craigslist looking for cheap POS to buy for himself. So adding another area outside of his own WOULD add time, because he’s still gonna search local for himself.
Get the S-10 running and slap a BOL-L-GOL GARDENING sign on the door and you’re good to go until the next T-1000 comes along.
Tough choice! Mazda’s of that vintage are great little trucks and the S10 of that vintage just has so many possibilities. From make it run to engine swaps (and not just V8’s…4.3s are indestructible for example – add a turbo?) or platforms for all kinds of shenanigans. I guess it would depend on what you wanna do. Me? I would want to have fun. I would have more fun long term with the S10. Even non running, it would run again. Maybe with the engine in it, but very likely not.
I have personally tried (And Failed) to kill a Mazda B2200. Power slides, mudding, jumping, driving up to hood in water, evening adventure pushing all the round hay bails in a field to the back of the field and my personal favorite putting 22 people standing up in the bed (and stuffing the cab) and driving home from a high school dance.
Mazda All The way
I drove a B2200 through high school and college and half of grad school. Crashed into two other cars on two separate occasions, dropped it onto the frame rails by driving off the very abrupt end of some pavement, filled the bed with college belongings while towing a full trailer and tried to stay above the minimum speed limit on I94. Probably only half the number of people in the bed as you, though. They weren’t standing. Yep, unkillable.
I’m low key looking for one for reasons of nostalgia.
I knew someone who sawed the roof off his, made a makeshift convertible top with furniture hardware, and drove it for several years like that.
That must have been quite the flexible flyer afterwards. These things were about as rigid as cooked spaghetti when fully intact!
S10. It needs some TLC but it has half the miles and 2 extra cylinders. I think it’ll wind up being worth the work in the end, and like everyone is saying parts for these things are everywhere.
Like a Rock…
I’ll take the Chevy.
Like a rock indeed. It doesn’t move and gets all mossy from sitting. And if my old memory is working the S10 was a Japanese built vehicle too?
No. That was the LUV, built by Isuzu for Chevy- in fact, they (Isuzu) continued to sell the 2nd gen LUV in the US as the P’UP.
Also, coincidentally, Ford’s competitor to the Luv was the Courier, a rebadged Mazda B-series very similar to the one in this article.
I had a 1991 Chevy S-10 that my dad bought new and then passed to me with only 7k miles. It looked great but was a PITA to drive. I’m 5’ 10”, had the seat all the way back, and still had to do this awkward twist with my left leg every time I used the clutch to avoid hitting the steering wheel with my knee. Mazda all the way…
S10 mostly because it is much easier to find parts for or modify since they made them for decades. Also V8 swaps are easy, or even a FI 3.8 Camaro would provide an excellent bolt in drive train.
This. A Chevy 350 and a 5-speed from a V8 Camaro will bolt right in.
Mazda for me. I’ve always like the look of the B-series trucks. It runs and drives. 1 more gear. Extra cab space to keep stuff out of the elements as needed. I worry whats under the bedliner and I’m sure replacement beds aren’t easy to find at this point but I’m still going with it.
The Mazda…
– gets points for a more detailed listing
– looks a smidge fresher (maybe the lighting, maybe thanks to fresher paint given the rebuilt title)
– runs, but even if the engine were to quit tomorrow, the cheaper price seems like it has room to drop in something new if needed
The Mazda may need tires but the Chevy might stand for them too – who knows how long it’s been sitting if it doesn’t run?
Having to do anything with the 2.8, including pull it out and send it to the dump, isn’t worth it.
but finding a 90’s 3.8 V6 Camaro for the front disc brakes a fuel injection is a surprisingly easy thing and would make that little time capsule a very reliable runner.
The 3.8 is not a swap candidate for the 2.8. The 3.4 is, and is a significant improvement, but it’s no 3.8.
Mazda, it’s running it’s cheaper it’s newer (plus my dog would love that seat cover as a bed)
Living in salt central I am always envious of these rust free vehicles. I could bring either one of these here and double or triple the purchase price without touching them. Unfortunately the time and money involved would eat up a substantial portion of that.
Assuming the underside is as clean as the top side, that S-10 would be an excellent frame donor candidate for a 40s-50s truck body.