It is interesting what has happened to small pick-ups. The Colorado replaced the S-10 and is considerably larger and more expensive. The new Tacoma is almost as big as a Tundra and almost costs as much too. The new Frontier is much larger than the old models and comes with a much larger price tag. Isuzu only sells a version of the Colorado. Mitsubishi only sells a version of the Dakota (which was never particularly small or cheap). Only the Ranger hasn't been upsized. A year ago I read an article criticizing Ford for not upsizing the Ranger. Six months ago, I read another article praising the Ford product planners for not wasting money on a truck for a market segment that is not profitable. Who knows who is right. I do know that when I when shopping for a new pick-up last year, they were all to expensive for my usage. And ironically, the Chevy salesman told me he could sell me a Silverado for about the same money as a Colorado.And I could buy a Ford F250 for less than a Tundra. It was insane. For my tastes a Ranger is too small, and F250s are too big. Tundra, Tacoma, Frontier, and Dakota are all around the right size, but not the right price. I am going to try and stick it out with my 14 year old F150 for another couple of years. Of the trucks I test drove, the Tundra had the best combination of size, power, and features, but was too expensive. The Colorado had the distinction of being both undesirable and expensive. wouldn't even consider a current F150 because of the stupid high sided pick-up. I have not tried a current Tacoma or Frontier, but when I get over the sticker shock, I would consider them.
Ed
