Over the past couple of years, the number of pickups on US roads has continued to grow. In 2017, 2.8 million pickup trucks were sold. However, in the first half of 2018, the number reached 1,415, 389. Brands such as Ford, General Motors, and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have seen an increase in the demand for trucks in the US. The average depreciation rate for used pickups is about 40.8%. However, some trucks depreciate faster and you can buy them used at less than $8000.

1. 2008 Dodge Ram 1500

A used 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 can be bought for as little as $7,396. The price varies depending on the mileage and condition of the car. The four trim levels are ST, SXT, SLT, and Laramie. The base trim, ST, has one row of seats while the other trims have three rows that seat up to six people.

This car also has three cab options that greatly influence comfort levels. The Regular Cab has two doors; the Quad Cab has four doors while the Mega Cab adds 20 inches in the cabin that is similar to the Quad Cab. Although the Mega Cab is roomier with more leg room, the pickup bed is smaller. The rear seats in the Quad and Mega Cabs fold flat creating more cargo space when the need arises.

The standard 4.7-liter V8 engine of the 2008 model cranks out 310hp. The ST trim also has a 3.7-liter V6 engine that produced 215hp. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine has cylinder deactivation option that improves fuel efficiency. This engine produces 345hp. Buyers of the V6 and V8 engine get to choose between the 5-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmission. HEMI only comes fitted with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This car has a combined MPG of 16.

The features in this car get better as you move to the higher trim levels. The standard trim is purely functional with limited trimmings such as air conditioning and a CD player. Power features, a navigation system, and leather seats are available in the other trims. This car is excellent for people looking for a pickup truck with a powerful engine and a comfortable interior. Buyers get to choose between 6.3-foot and 8-foot beds. This car has a towing capacity of up to 9000 pounds.

2. 2007 Toyota Tacoma

A used 2007 Toyota Tacoma is available on multiple used car selling sites for as little as $7,790. The Toyota Tacoma has a high resale value, one of the reasons for its popularity. It is available in Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Access Cab. Although it has several competitors, this car is more popular because of its reliability. Some of the changes in this model include folding chairs to accommodate a child seat in the Access Cab. Toyota also redesigned he radio controls, and the seats are slightly larger. Toyota also changed the engine to a powerful V6 engine, made the turning radius tighter, and increased the towing capacity.

The 4.0-liter V6 engine cranks out 236hp @5200rpm. The EPA mileage estimate is 20 city and 26 highway. The fuel tank capacity is 21 gallons. The 4-cylinder engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual transmission. Buyers of the V6 engine get to choose between a 5-speed automatic and 6-speed manual transmission. Other features include downhill assist control, emergency braking assist, engine immobilizer, rear door child safety locks, and hill-start assist control. The electronic stability system is optional. The bed range is between 5-feet and 6-feet. With the right support, this pickup can tow up to 6,500 pounds.

3. 2005 Toyota Tundra

Depending on the condition or mileage of the car, you can find a used 2005 Toyota Tundra at any price between $4,996 and $16,138.  It comes in 16 trim levels. The exterior of this car comes in nine shades while the interior comes in three colors. The 4.7-liter V8 engine is a standard feature in all the trims. The tank capacity is 26.4 gallons, and the combined MPG is 18.  It cranks out 282hp. It has a 5-speed automatic transmission w/OD.

Some of the features include electronic brake force distribution, front fog driving lights, front seat pretensioners, rear seat child safety locks, two front and three rear headrests, auto delay off lamps, AM/FM stereo, Mast Antenna. You can buy some packages as extras. They include the all-weather guard package which has a heavy-duty starter, heavy-duty battery, and heavy-duty heater, towing package, and the convenience package which features the intermittent variable wipers and power package.

4. 2007 Ford Ranger

The used 2007 Ford Ranger can be bought in the used car market at an average price of $5,880, depending on its condition and trim. The Regular Cab trim level in the previous models had four trim lines. However, Ford downsized the 2007 model to a single XL trim. Ford also discontinued the four-wheel drive model. Buyers of the XL trim get a choice between the six and seven-foot bed. The Super Cab has two rear-hinged doors. These doors can only be opened or closed if the front doors are open. The trim lines in the Super Cab trim are XL, XLT, Sport, FX4 Off-Road, FX4 Level II, and STX. All these trim lines come fitted with a six-foot bed.

The engine options for this model are a 2.3-liter inline four cylinder, 3.0-liter V6, and 4.0-liter V6. The transmission options are 5-speed manual and 5-speed automatic. Some of the standard features in this model are front airbags, front passenger sensing system, passive anti-theft system, and pressure monitoring indicator. The XL, STX, XLT, Sport and both FX4 trim lines have SITIUS satellite radio. The FX4 Off-Road has premium shocks, 16-inch aluminum wheels, vinyl floor mats, and fuel tank and transfer case skid plates.

5. 2007 GMC Sierra

The used 2007 GMC Sierra is available in the used car market from as little as $6,500. The 2007 model was the last production of this car, so there were no distinct differences from the 2006 model. All models that came after this one were renamed Sierra Classic. This car is available in 1500, 1500HD, 2500HD, and 3500 sizes. These sizes are available in the Regular, Extended, and Crew Cab configurations. The bed length options are 5-foot-8, 6-foot-6, and 8-foot. The trim levels are SL, SLE, SLT, and Denali. The engine options available are 4.3-liter V6, 4.8-liter V8, 5.3-liter V8, 6.0-liter V8, 8.1-liter V8, and 6.6-liter V8. The transmissions you can choose from are a 5-speed manual, 4-speed automatic and Allison 6-speed automatic. Buyers may choose between the two-and-four wheel drive versions.

Further Reading

• How to Choose the Right Used Hyundai for Sale
• Used Ford Car for Sale: How to Choose the Right One
• Everything You Need to Know about Buying Used Cars
• Is the 2015 Chevy Silverado Pickup a Good Used Vehicle?

The features in the SL trim line include automatic headlights, chrome bumpers, anti-lock brakes, tilt wheel, air conditioning, front bench seat split 40/20/40, and an AM/FM stereo. The SLE trim has these features plus keyless entry, mini-overhead console, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated power mirrors, electric rear window defogger, power windows, CD player, and Leather-wrapped steering wheel. The additions to the SLT trim line are fog lamps; heated power folding mirrors integrated with turn signals, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated leather seats with power ten-way adjust levels, plus a six-CD stereo.

These are some of the pickups that are available at meager prices. It is important to note that some Americans buy used trucks to help them with the movement of cargo. Sometimes the heavy loads wear the pickups down. It would help to find out the impact of the heavy loads on the car before buying it.