Help I need a new used vehicle

Okay. I am screwed. My little junker died, it can be reborn with a replacement engine at about ~1500-2000.

OR

I can go to Carmax and get a used truck (I want/need a truck for all sorts of things). Probably looking at a small truck if I go this route BUT I need one that will fit the kids seats. Will an Ford Ranger (or its equivalent) extended cab fit your basic child's seat? Anyone?

Also, what are the other makers equivalents of the Ranger (i.e. small truck for Toyota, etc.) and which is the best in terms of MPG and reliability.

I am in a crunch 'cause I gotta make a decision on what course to take fairly quickly - so any help woould be GREATLY appreciated.

The XtraCab in the toyota Tacoma should be large enough for a child seat if you don't need the front seats all the way back.
The best bet is to take the child seat with you.

I love the Toyota Tacoma. Actually I love any Toyota truck. I've had an old pickup and it finally died at 280K miles.

For small pickups, Toyotas are the way to go. The downside is they are more expensive.

Rangers are pretty good too. I've had a few friends with them and I don't recall any of them having issues.

Also consider the Nissan Frontier. It looks like its a solid truck.

Here is a picture of the backseat of a Toyota Tacoma Xtracab.

The back might be a problem for front facing child seats.
http://www.carmax.com/MultiImages/5TEWM72N42Z093818/5TEWM72N42Z093818-6.jpg

yeah, I don't think an extended cab is the way to go. A crew cab would better suit your needs. Here is a Toyota Tacoma "Extra Cab"...
http://www.geocities.com/smiley_shiley/photogallery/truck/IMG_3320_small.JPG

So I guess this isn't an option? (http://wcbstv.com/consumer/knight.rider.car.2.615014.html)

nah' I'm holdin out for this:

http://www.childhoodsite.com/images/van.jpg

the little ford trucks and chevy s 10s are good trucks and you can get them pretty fairly cheap. if a truck is running at all its going to be worth something to someone, so they all hold value pretty well.

toyotas are more expensive and have very strong reputations, but there are cheaper options in nissan and mazda (basically ford) that may be as reliable...

go try out the truck with the car seats. most access or extended cab small sized pickups arent really made to haul the kids... I'd thik about it or try to find a double or crew cab as in cpayne's picture....