I need a truck in the $10-12k range, what should I get?

[z31maniac]

4x4 with good capabilities off-road, will still be mostly a DD and will occasionally be asked to tow. So even mid-size truck and V6 should be fine, although it looks like you can buy a lot of used truck for this money so....

Good reliability and maintainability is key. A reliable 4wd system would be nice as well.

No brand/model preference, just want the above points and reasonably price, widely available parts would also be good.

[priapism]

Just sold my Avalanche, loved it. It's really an SUV with the butt cut off, so it doesn't handle like a traditional pickup, more like a Tahoe (which it is). It's really more of a mid-size, it's noticably smaller than the 1500 pickups but it can do most of the work the big boys can do. Fold down the midgate and you get an 8' bed. I was shocked at how good that thing was offroad too.

[bmw325csi]

toyota tacoma

[e30mybaby]

toyota Tundra! best truck ever! my dad has one and we use it ever winter to pull out full size Fords and Chevys!!

[frankenbeemer]

My sailing buddy has a Dodge Ram 2500 with the cummins 12 valve diesel and 4 speed auto. Extremely reliable, tows anything, and gets decent (>20mpg) in town mileage. If I were looking for a truck I'd def consider one. 24 valve diesel is good too. The allison trans is bulletproof as the engine. Here is a link to edmunds, showing the 98 model with similar options. These are the second generation and are less than your budget but the extra could be applied to maintenance, giving you a solid reliable and capable truck. I don't know much about the third gen, but I do think the cummins/allison combo can't be beat. Don't know if this fits your needs, but if you look at one of these I'm sure my buddy Brett would be happy to discuss the pro's and con's with you, he is very knowledgeable about these trucks.

http://www.edmunds.com/dodge/ram-pickup-2500/1998/tmv-appraise-results.html

[Jaxx_]

taco gets my vote. My dad had a 4runner and loved it. sick trucks.

[DatUtahGuy]

Yota fan here too, have an 87 4runner 22re and it's pretty much indestructable, I would say get a newer taco.

[hugh jass]

toyota tacoma. way better gas mileage and fit and finish than a domestic and about as reliable as a vehicle gets. 4 cylinders get great mileage but are underpowered. my daily is a 99 2wd tacoma with a 2.4/5 speed and i get about 30 on the freeway.
oh, and as far as off-road, i took my previous stock 99 4wd tacoma on many off-road trails in the sierras and never got stuck.

[mr.vang]

1984 toyota van awd. :)

[CHIF8008]

jeep Cherokee. can get a V8 in it. 4x4 is good (as expected) and can tow easily most anything. then spend the rest of your budget giving it a decent lift and tires

[CHIF8008]

my buddy pulled a 18 wheeler off the road that was stuck with his grand cherokee- no problem

[James]

2004+ f150

[u3b3rg33k]

7.3 ford diesel. Engine can be worked on without pulling the cab, plenty of torque, decent mileage if you don't beat on it, predates most emissions rules, so it lacks EGR and other nonsense that can fail.

[KirkerBezerker]

If your gonna buy a truck, buy one with a diesel.

[priapism]

R3v, where someone asks for a midsize v6 and everyone suggests a 2500 diesel.