Shopping for a used truck can often feel like going fishing in the ocean using just a handheld net: there are huge numbers of options available to you, and trying to do everything by yourself often leaves you under-equipped for what’s out there. Fortunately, that’s where we come in, and we’re ready to assist you as you look at used cars for sale in search of the perfect pre-owned pickup with everything you need.
Whether you already have a clear sense of what you want in your used truck or you are still figuring everything out, we can help and make sure you get what you are looking for. Today, let’s make things easier by replacing that little net with a big fishing rod—that is to say, we’re going to point out some of our favorite used trucks to keep an eye out for, with particular note of which generations and model years can often be the best ones to find.
The Honda Ridgeline
As a Honda dealership, it should come as no surprise that we love the Ridgeline, but this goes far beyond brand loyalty and comes down to quality. The Honda Ridgeline is a midsize truck, so this is a great choice if you want something that can fit into a downsized lifestyle while still giving you a terrific driving experience. Initially released for the 2006 model year, the first generation of the Ridgeline ran through 2014, after which it was briefly discontinued. In general, we’d skip these early models since they’ll have a lot of use, though there’s nothing inherently wrong with them and they’re still excellent trucks.
Instead, consider a second-generation Honda Ridgeline, which came back for the 2017 model year after a brief hiatus for a full redesign. Utilizing a new platform developed by Honda, the second-generation Ridgeline is a fantastic truck with impressive performance and robust capabilities. As you look at different used models, consider one from 2020 or later when it received a new nine-speed automatic transmission for enhanced drivability. Honda gave the Ridgeline a facelift and update for 2021 with a new front fascia and enhanced features inside, so ones from that year and later are also fantastic options.
The Chevy Silverado 1500
If you are interested in a larger truck than the Ridgeline, then the Chevy Silverado is a great choice and an incredibly popular option, so you’ll find a lot of them on the used market. The Silverado 1500 has been around since the 1999 model year, so you have well over two decades worth of trucks to consider. Of course, we wouldn’t suggest going quite that far back when looking at pre-owned pickups; still, it goes to show you just how popular this truck has remained throughout the years. As a full-size model, you get impressive power packed into this truck, resulting in high payload and towing ratings year after year.
When exploring used options, we’d suggest the third-generation Silverado 1500 as a great place to start, which kicked off with the 2014 model year. This Silverado generation received an update and facelift for the 2016 model year, so keep that in mind when looking at used trucks. The fourth generation of the Silverado launched in the 2019 model year, making it an amazing choice if you want something with modern features and options. A refresh for the 2022 model year is something to keep in mind if you want the latest looks and features in your truck, though these are going to cost more than many others. We should mention that the GMC Sierra 1500 is the Silverado’s sibling, so you can look for them to find the same power with upscale features inside and out.
The Toyota Tacoma
A second great option for a smaller truck, the Toyota Tacoma is another midsize pickup and a terrific choice when you’re looking at used models. First released for the 1995 model year, the Tacoma started as a compact truck and remained that way for about a decade. As such small trucks became less popular in the early 2000s, the Tacoma was redesigned as a midsize pickup for the 2005 model year and its second generation—and it’s remained that size ever since. This second generation for the Tacoma ran all the way through 2015, marking an incredibly long run, and you’ll find a lot of these models still on the used market.
We’d go for a later-year option if you’re interested in a second-gen Toyota Tacoma since you typically don’t want to go back more than a decade. There was an update and refresh for the 2012 Tacoma, so keep that in mind if you’re interested in a second-generation model. Overall, we’d suggest focusing on the third generation instead, which launched with the 2016 Toyota Tacoma and a full redesign. These are some of our favorites when looking at used trucks, particularly those following the 2020 model-year refresh and facelift. Look for a Tacoma TRD if you’re interested in a great used truck that you can take off-road.
The Chevy Colorado
Our third choice for a used midsize truck, the Chevy Colorado, has been a very popular option for a wide range of truck fans. The Colorado first hit the road in the 2004 model year as a compact truck, and it was offered through the 2012 model in that size. Following a brief break for a fresh approach and redesign, the Colorado returned for the 2015 model year as a midsize truck—and it’s stayed that size since. These second-generation trucks are the ones we’d generally focus on when looking for a used option at a great price.
You can find Colorado with two- or four-wheel drive, much like the other trucks we’ve looked at, giving you great options as you consider different pre-owned pickups. If you’re looking for refined, high-end features, then keep an eye out for a Z71 trim, while the ZR2 trim gives you amazing off-road performance and capabilities. You can find a manual transmission on some models prior to 2019, so keep that in mind if you’re interested in that, while an update and facelift for the 2021 model year delivers a refreshed look.
The new generation of the Colorado launched with the 2023 model year, so you might look for these if you’re interested in the latest features and options. We should also note that the GMC Canyon is the Colorado’s sibling and worth keeping an eye out for if you like the performance and engineering of the Colorado but want refined features inside.
Find the Used Truck You’ve Been Looking For
This is only a small sample of the used trucks you can find on our lot, but it gives you a good sense of some of the finest models available. With this information, you should now be able to narrow your focus a bit as you search for your next pickup, keeping an eye out for a particular model or two rather than trying to fish the entire ocean of pre-owned trucks. Just remember that there can be big differences between what you find from one model year to another, particularly when a new generation starts or when a manufacturer gives their truck a mid-cycle update and refresh.
No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a used truck out there with everything you need and plenty of life left in it. We suggest shopping with a dealership you know you can trust; that way, you get to choose from excellent used trucks in great shape and then drive away with total confidence in the pickup you’ve selected.
