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Nine great cars for back to school

9. Toyota Tacoma

IFCAR/Wikimedia Commons/File
The Toyota Tacomas from the mid-1990s are not the least expensive pickup from this era, but they offer solid quality, ease of use, and long service.

  • By Andrew P. Collins Contributor

Vintage: Mid-1990s

Price Range: $2,000 to $6,000 (largely variable depending on condition)

Though not the most practical choice for everybody, some drivers will prefer the cargo-biased nature of a pickup. And as far as longevity in class goes, the Tacoma rules the roost. Though hardly the cheapest pickup from this era, the Tacoma will pay back its owners with years of service. Solid build quality and ease of use make it the best budget pickup for the young tradesman. For those planning to drive in winter, it’s best to opt for a 4x4 version – or learn to mount tire chains.

Parents will like: Borrowing it to pick up mulch from Home Depot.

Students will like: Being the king of the next tailgate party.

Downsides: A pickup truck isn’t all that versatile if you live in a place where carrying passengers in the cargo bed is frowned upon. They’re also somewhat unwieldy to drive in bad weather.

– The original photo can be found here on Wikimedia Commons.

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Mark Sappenfield
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