Thanks all for the great feedback and links...very much appreciated :thumbup
Probably bigger than what you're looking for, but T100s are a pretty good value and they don't command what a comparable Tacoma does:
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/sacramento-1996-toyota-100-sr5-low-miles/7267750202.html
And regardless, it will need some weight in the bed for good snow traction.
I'm not familiar with the T100; was it a precursor to the Tacoma? Looks slightly larger, so V6, or I4? Great point on the need for added weight in the back; I can still remember driving my new-to-me 80s Dodge miniRam? truck (Mitsubishi import/rebranded by Dodge) and having to slam on the brakes when someone pulled an idiot move in front of me; rear brakes locked instantly and I had a fun ride bring her to a stop as the rear slid back and forth :teeth
Ford Ranger sounds like a good choice.
On my list for sure; I owned two Ford explorers years ago, and that 6 cylinder (V6 I believe) was pretty darn bullet proof, I'm assuming both the v6 and an I4 can be found in the rangers?
Maintenance cost is a whole different issue though...:dunno
Yeah, that's my concern about the Land Rover and some other brands; my understanding is they're like the BMWs and Audis; wonderful until you need to have work done and then $$ (that was my experience with my E36, albeit it went a long while before things started to fail, and I was able to do a lot of work myself).
The vehicle isn't as important as the new studded snow tires he should put on whatever awd he winds up with to run that route.
- sent from a truckee resident
Tires are an important consideration when living in snow country. A good set of “winter” 3 Peak/Snowflake branded tries work quite well on paved roads and most are “studdable”.
I’ve found studded tires beneficial on roads that ice-up particularly at night, like I80/Donner and down to Truckee. It’s also my experience studs don’t do much in deep snow nor for off-road use...for me it’s a compromise since I live in the Bay Area and dedicated studded tires aren't the best option. I prefer to run a siped M/T tire and carry chains. YMMV
The vast majority of the people driving I80 can’t drive worth shit anyway. Too fast, too close, and trying to pass everybody...
Great info on tires:thumbup I was thinking about that as well. I thought studded snow tires were outlawed in CA decades ago--is this a relatively new option? Any recommendations for a particularly good brand of 3 Peak/Snowflake tire? What about the Blizzaks?
My sense is that he won't be doing any off-roading during the winter, but that some of the secondary roads (and occasionally I80) won't be always be cleared, and so he might have a few miles of the journey in 3-6" snow, including getting across the big parking lot at his work
Also
Agreed on the crappy drivers (mostly non-locals I think) along I80 during the winter; they scare me more than the snow falling and accumulating on the roadway...!
Ha!
I could see me getting something like that, but I think my kid needs a more common brand/model where parts and service will be readily available when needed :teeth
Again, thanks everyone for all the ideas and recommendations, and keep them coming...as usual Barf delivers :thumbup
T