Still speculating, gotta buy something next year. Prob'ly my last vehicle.

Needs; some moderate off road and towing capability

The $25,000-$30,000 bracket gets me a new lower-end 4WD Tacoma (9" ground clearance/3,000lb towing capacity).

or....

a new lower-end AWD Outback (8" ground clearance/2,700lb towing capacity)....

Can't get around it, gotta have four doors and a back seat. Don't anticipate towing more'n 2,000 lbs (small boat or cargo trailer).

The Tacoma has a 5ft bed, OTOH the Outback also has a pretty generous luggage capacity, especially with the back seats folded. I'd rather leave my stuff locked in back of an Outback than under a cover in the bed of a pickup.

I expect anything badged Toyota to run forever, how do Subarus hold up?

All thoughts appreciated. Given the price of a 4Runner, I was surprised at how inexpensive Outbacks are.


"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744