What is the best pickup I could buy for under 18 grand? extended cab is not essential but would be nice. I am mostly concerned about reliability, safety and a decent ride. Warranties seem to be all the same, I think.

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headrivenoise... listen.

Have you read the reviews at auto.consumerguide.com ? My browser always blocks popups from that site, but the reviews themselves are pretty good. Also, there are forum sites for each major brand. I visited numerous sites before we got our '99 Dodge. It looks like each brand has its own set of problems, with the main one being incompetent dealerships.

At 18 grand, your choice is a bit limited. In that price range, choice be an extended cab Ford Ranger--in fact, my company gave me that decision, and its on order.

Get a used Toyota Tundra, even used the Tundra is better than any 18K new truck.

I’m a little lost on this “New Truck”, associated with a price point idea. If price were any issue at all, why would you buy new? Well, maybe you live in one of those places where stuff rusts out – I forget about that. But “New Truck” is almost an oxymoron – I mean trucks get beat up, used, abused – I just don’t get this whole pretty truck thing. I know where a neat 52’ Chevy is, ready for restoration – now that could be pretty.

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89 300E
79 240D
72 Westy
63 Bug sunroof
85 Jeep CJ7
86 Chevy 6.2l diesel PU

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
Marcus Aurelius

I'll second the Toyota motion. You really won't do any better in keeping the overall cost of ownership down.

buy used, unless youre getting huge rebates and so on for getting a new one.

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'O=00=O'
bmw 2002.
long live the legend