Let's get truckin'!
Pickups are among the best selling vehicles in America for a reason. They're utilitarian, they can carry as many passengers as a car, they're spacious, and – in today's world – very comfortable.
Not too long ago, I drove a Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn dually that had 1000-lb-ft of torque and could tow more than 30,000-lbs. But the most impressive part? I still had all of my fillings, and my gluteals were cool thanks to its ventilated leather seats. Of course, that particular truck starts at $70,940.
But if you don't want to spend that kind of money, you're in luck because trucks age like baseball gloves. Here are several trucks we recommend you pick up used.
Chevy Colorado (or GMC Canyon)
The Chevy Colorado, as the name suggests, is an excellent truck for life in the Centennial State. Not only is it the perfect size for picking up a piece of furniture in Denver or taking tight off-road trails to the campsite, but it's also often lauded by journalists for its compliant road manners. At nearly 30 mpg on the highway, diesel models are also some of the most efficient in their class.
Chevy Silverado (or GMC Sierra)
For those who use their trucks a lot, the Silverado (or Sierra) is not only a capable and comfortable rig, it's easy to work on and parts are easy to come by. Based on my experience, they've also been the best in terms of seat comfort and ride.
Ram 1500
Beyond affording you the opportunity to pretend you're a Texas Ranger, the Ram 1500 is unique in that it was the first to offer a small diesel (Ram's 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6) in a full-size truck. That engine won Ward's 10-best three times since it was introduced, and in my opinion, is unique enough to take a gamble on. Drive one, they're something else!
Toyota Tacoma
We'd be remiss not to recommend a Tacoma. It may be less refined and less efficient than a Chevy Colorado, but they're the vehicle you'd actually want if a zombie apocalypse strikes. From the early 90s to 2015, the Tacoma might just be the most reliable vehicle ever built, and it's not uncommon to see them with over 300,000 miles.
Ford F-150
It's America's best selling pick-up, meaning there are a lot out there to choose from – just watch out for those with 5.4 Triton V8, because if they're not maintained properly, they can have their issues. Instead, opt for a newer model with the twin-turbo EcoBoost V6, they perform excellently at altitude.
What are your thoughts? What is your favorite truck? Let us know in the comments section!
