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.
Not your question, but in true 24HCF style, I will throw in another suggestion.
Highlander AWD - I got one, very happy with it.
However, if it was me, I would go with the Tacoma, you can always get a bed cover or something along those line if wanting to keep things enclosed.
highlander may be out of price range... bummer
