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
Subarus have a solid reputation for reliability. Not on par with Toyota's reputation, but good nonetheless. The ride of the two vehicles will be worlds apart. The Tacoma rides like schidt. It is also noisy as hell. The Outback will get appreciably better economy. I use a truck bed often though, so I'd take the Tacoma.
If it's just your stuff and maybe one other, why can't you put it in the back seat/floor of the Tacoma?
If I took the stuff out of the trunk of my present Corolla and put it in the back seat, my granddaughter's car seat wouldn't fit.
But then among other stuff I roll around with a complete 1835 camp setup in my trunk. If I leave all that stuff in, then none of it is forgotten the next time, and getting ready for reenacting is worse'n a girl getting ready for prom.
"...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
I'm on my 6th Tacoma so I may be a little bit biased. The Tacoma back seats fold down to give you a large flat area for "stuff". They now have a locking tailgate also. A hard cover on the bed and you're good to go. I also like being higher up in a truck. I have no experience with the Outback.
I like girls, me and the other Subaru drivers will have that in common.
"...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
Get the outback. It fits your liberal innerself that wants ta come outta the closet anyways.
You can catch humminbirds put em it when you drive . And when you get out amognst your birdwatching friends They all can come flying out like some awesome display of flying feathered friends for all. You will be legendary.
i have been eyeballing a forerunner for a long time now. they have all kinds of stuff on them, i think it's the trd pro that gets to me. but, the ones i am looking at are more like 40k and up. i have a 02 exterra nissan with somewhat offroad tires on it. I am embarrassed where i have taken it. we call it the dog car, back seats are always down, four dogs like it.
