So here's an interesting debate..

Ford Maverick

vs

Toyota Hilux

vs

Nissan hardbody


Seams like the mini truck market is coming back, maybe not as the same as before, but it's here. If you had to buy one, which would it be?

 

These 'trucks' are what piss me off about the modern market. All 'trucks' these days are 4 doors and don't come with a 6 foot bed. They are just sedans missing the trunk lid.

 

Hahaha they do feel like sedans. But then again not really. I've driven the maverick, I liked it. It did feel a bit of a scion xB inside which doesn't correlate to pick up at all. I think they ''quad cab' every truck now due to fear of loosing a small portion of the market that won't use these truck for their utility , rather then just a 'safer' vehicle on the road. There are so many drivers who have full size pickups and use them as daily drivers to their office jobs.. lmao It would be cool to see 2 Dr variants with longer beds!

 

These are not Mini Trucks!!!

 

If you’re listing the Maverick @Erwin Merida, you should have listed the Santa Cruz, lol. I agree these are not minis, I’d actually bet that any new “small truck” is about the size of an ‘80s full size.

 

The one closest to a mini truck is the maverick. And thats just based on size compared to the rest. These are midsize trucks.

last of the minis was the first gen frontier with the ugly front, 1st gen tacoma, and the Colorado/Canyon

 

Old mini trucks are super small. My old is300 was way heavier and about the same wheel base as the hilux. The is300 wasn't as exciting compared to the truck. Wasn't till I got my s2000 that something I had was more exciting and it is still heavier then the truck. I just don't think the new entry range trucks can give that same feeling and can compare to sports cars.

 

I totally forgot about the Santa Cruz!! But that one reminds me of an old Subaru brat!

Yea these truck are no where near mini but they are the smallest trucks available to us now and I don't see them getting any smaller unless they bring the 'k' class to America like a Daihatsu pick up.

The Colorado and the Tacoma Xrunner where the last true mini trucks that gave a good run for the money on the everlasting Ranger! The Ford never really grew untill the latest model!

I don't know if you guys have seen the side by side of the ranger vs maverick! The ranger is only 3 in. taller (off-road suspension) and about 10 in. longer (real work bed) but really is the same if not slimmer.

For me, the ranger will always be the last mini truck.

 

The base cost and markups are the other problem. 5th gen pickup was something like 10k plus with all the options. I think the average one was sold for about 8k. Today that's just a little over 20k. Hard to find most of the new trucks close to base without some dumb option added on like clear bras. Rather buy a single cab full size truck for the money.

 

Yep, pretty sure there was a newer version of the Brat from the late ‘00s?
Ridgeline is in that group too, lol. Which is, the group of “non-minis”

 

Hahaha heellna, now that Ridgeline is for suuuure a sedan.. raised, and trunk lid missing! First models were all fwd too.

Honestly I really think the maverick is a good bang for the buck.. base starts @ 23k.. not bad for a turbo 2.0 semi-mini!! Haha seriously tho, a Maverick with a 2.3 Ecoboost that puts out around 340 horse stock.. ummm,yes plz!

 

23k would be nice but most on lots are 30k or more. They get to over 45k in the highest trim. You might be able to order one but most of the time they will stuff you in one of there allocations. Brands like Toyota, built to order isn't really a thing unless you pre-order a new release or have a personal relationship with someone tied to the brand. Ford has a huge problem right now with holding inventory longer then they should because of markups. The mavrick is about the only thing that can't stay on the lot. By the time a lot gets a base model it's as good as sold.

 

Mini? Who came up with this concept? I can almost see under today's standard size trucks when I'm in my MR2.

There are 3 Mavericks in my neighborhood and they're bigger than my 94 4X4 was.

If you might be interested in why trucks are so damn big any more look for the EPA's "Vehicle Footprint vs MPG" graph. According to what the EPA requires for mileage for a truck the size of a '90 Yota to be 48-52 Miles per Gallon.
For every mile per gallon below the required rate it's a $1000 charge. My truck would cost an extra $22k if sold today.

It's an interesting subject.

 

The chicken tax was another thing that harmed the light truck market. Everything was being imported even the American brand minis.

The gas thing is pretty bad. I couldn't imagine seeing that on a window sticker or something. Apple is buying "carbon credits" to make them 100% carbon natural. Why can't they do that with trucks. The Austin Martin hatchback that was really a toyota iq was just made to offset their carbon footprint.

 

A lot of car complaints do buy carbon credits, it’s a huge part of why Tesla is so successful, they have been losing money in cars but making money on carbon credits….

 

Carbon credits, I have 30 trees on my property that I plant and maintain. Where's my carbon offset credit? Yeah, the carbon calculator they use to estimate your personal carbon production only takes in account what you consume, not what you do to counter your carbon production.

All that is for a different rant session. I don't think this site has enough storage for it either.

 

My question on these "mini" trucks, or any other vehicle for that matter, is who can afford to buy one these days? You either have to go with a bare bones vehicle or pay extravagant prices. "Standard" size trucks cost the same as a small house with astronomical registration (California anyways), and insurance fees. These mini trucks are not really any better with costs that are definately NOT mini.

Then we have the repair and maintenance costs, which are sooooo much higher than with a classic mini.

I'll keep my little mini Toy.

 

Tons of good jobs and new industries along with lots of financing. Also I think it's people not knowing or caring about some guidelines when it comes to financing. Then spend way more then they should and get longer loans. One thing I don't understand is the minimum down payments so many are doing of like $500. I guess they have there money tied into investments lol. I rather get my payment lower and term shorter.

Trucks it general right now the average one is selling for over 60k. Nothing makes me what to sign up for huge payments. Im not sure exactly how much you would want to put down to get a short term under 1k a month. Im sure its a lot to chew for a car down-payment. Something like the mavrick or ranger If I was into it I would pay cash if I could find the base. 23k really isn't that bad for the mavrick. Only so many vehicles in that range and under. But I know most would say finance and invest the money.

 

Don't forget leasing.

Also, I think most people keep churning through their cars. Made easier by leasing as well as trading in their unpaid cars.

Long term ownership seems to have become less common. Everyone wants the latest and greatest. I'm on other car websites where people talk about having owned 50-100 cars in their life. I've "only" owned six cars in 45 years. All bought brand new and kept until they became a little unreliable. I still have my 1978 Celica, which I've kept as (one of) my future project car.

 

I've owned over 300 cars. Highest at one time was 57 VW Beetles, all running, registered and insured with a few Toyota Pickups and Celicas on top of that. Currently down to 6 vehicles. '77 Corolla, '86 4Runner, '87 MR2, '89 Yota Pickup, '07 Mazdaspeed 3, and an '11 Mini Cooper. Always looking for my next addition.

Wish I had that '78 Celica. Coupe' or Hatch?

Wanna trade for a 4Runner? Project for project.