Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Outback vs. Tacoma?

I've enjoyed my Taco that now has 270K on it.
Be aware, the seat sits fairly low and your feet are out in front more than a bigger truck where it's more like sitting in a chair.

I fit fine but taller folks start squirming after a hundred miles or so...

Just as a FYI -- Auto insurance company's stats generally rate thievery/vandalism of vehicles based on type, models, year and brands in given regions. So, if insurance costs might be a concern, you may want to look into that before sealing a deal on a particular vehicle.

I had a little base model, standard cab, 4 cyl R22 Toyota 2 wheel drive back in the early '90s and my insurance company raised the price of coverage mid 2nd year I owned it. I had had no traffic violations or accident claims in decades so I called asking why the increase.

I was told, based on the region I was in (which covered hundreds miles and stretched into parts of other states), their stats showed a significant increase of Toyota trucks within certain year models being stolen and/or vandalized for resale of the parts and that the premium increase covered all owners of Toyota trucks of specific year and equipment models in my region.

Are you sure about that, the four cylinder diesel Hilux pulls over three metric ton.

Lightly used tacoma and if you can find one with a 6' bed get it. I had my tacoma for 10 years and it did everything I needed it to with hardly any mechanical issues. I finally outgrew it this year as it doesn't fit 3 kids and wasn't enough vehicle to tow the new camper.

That's cause with a tacoma ya just toss the bike in the back and go, no need for a rack!

Never made sense to me why people bought a truck, then turn it into an SUV by putting a cover over the bed.

Because they don’t make a diesel powered Subaru capable of towing 15,800lbs.

Not an issue for birdy....

He might need a booster chair and blocks hose clamped on the pedals.
LOL!!!

That's cause with a tacoma ya just toss the bike in the back and go, no need for a rack!

Never made sense to me why people bought a truck, then turn it into an SUV by putting a cover over the bed.

I have a 2012 Tacoma V6, love it. I have the access cab (not full back seat), nobody approaching 5 feet shoudl ever sit back there, but I can put a bunch of stuff there (guns, bows, golf clubs). ATV fits in the back with the tailgate down (tight fit between the wheel wells.

As for comfort, I am 6'2" and I find it comfy.

No worries, the Tacoma was designed and test driven by Japanese

Beat me to it

OK, I read the whole thing..

To preface this, I'm gonna say that I generally have good luck with vehicles. I can't think of any (make that too many) that I regret buying.

And I've mostly been a Ford truck guy. F150 is my favorite truck, but that was up til about 2004 or so. I don't think there's a ford truck I'd own, made today.
And I mostly buy used. Just my preference. I've had a 96 F250 that I bought with 75000 on the clock. Sold it at 293000 miles. It's still around. I see it occasionally. My last 02 F150 was bought at 104000 miles and sold at 270000 miles. It's still around, too.

I drive a lot of miles. I bought a new 2019 outback in February. It'll have 36000 on the clock when I get home from work tomorrow. I never get in the thing but I'm impressed with what it does. And I haven't done a lot of off road with it, but it does have around 1500 miles on Forest Service FR roads. Likely 250 miles on sketchy 2 tracks and roadless areas.

Bit of an edit here;If it's ever been graded, and if the downed trees are kept removed, I call it a road.

For the guy who likes to drive a ways to see pretty country and then drive the back roads once there, I can't see a better option than the Outback. Unless, of course, you NEED a truck.
And I choke a little when I say it, but if I needed a truck today it'd likely be a Dodge.

Maybe I oughtta be looking at the Ford Ranger instead....

https://vietnamnews.vn/economy/279975/pick-up-trucks-gain-traction-in-vn.html#mFgOeLlCtEgkKc9m.97

Tks.

My impetus for buying this vehicle in 2020 is that I want to have it paid off well before retirement. I'm 62 now, hoping to be able to work until age 70.

While working I only put 10-14,000 per year in a vehicle.

After retirement I envision travelling and camping extensively pulling either a 10' to 12' cargo trailer and at different times a small sailboat (~1,500lbs boat and trailer ).

Hence my interest in this class of vehicles.

Have just under 100,000 on a 2015 2.5L Outback. Just regular maintenance, nothing broken. Sit in the back seat and you will know it's a real station wagon. It handles and brakes well but not much road feel through the steering wheel. The CVT is working well, it always seems to get the best possible out of the four banger. It is not a quiet car at speed. We get just under 30 mpg. I eat hummingbirds.

Only owned 3 myself since 1989.

I drive a chebby now.

Couldnt find a decent ranger to replace the unicorn 04 4wd 4.0 i had totaled out by a 16 yr old girl last yr.


Im happy with my 04 4wd chebby Colorado anyways.
LS model, shortbed,reg cab,5 spd, 3.5L, I5

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

No worries, in my next life I’m gonna be a Doctor and marry a beautiful, intelligent and hard-working Peruvian woman, and we are gonna have bright, articulate and well-behaved kids....

....and drive a Highlander.....


Whatever happens, long as I don’t grow up to look like Renegade, I’m good.

One of the things I chose the Subaru for was it's fuel economy. Was told by the salesman that I'd likely see between 27-30 mpg. I very seldom get less than 32 or 33 mpg, and quite often better. Most any road trip will see 36-37 mpg average.

I tend to talk mine up like it's really something, but it's the lowest end base model. I went out the door for $24.5K including tax. It does have everything that I want on a car, and then some.

I built a small utility trailer some years back that I could buy back from it's owner. He is older now and never uses it. And I might put a hitch on the Outback and do that for very occasional use.
If I wanted to pull a trailer on a regular basis, I'd have a truck.

Read the ride reports on that one. It has issues. Most people that drive it say it rides like a pogo stick.