Thread: advice needed

So, I totalled my '95 4Runner, and am about to buy a Toyota Tacoma . . . but I'm getting nervous and wondering if I'm being impractical and should get a Subaru Outback or something like that. Tacoma owners, do you love them? Is it worth the low gas mileage? Snow handling? Is it that big of deal not to have ABS? I hate not being familiar with cars when I really need to be!!!

Any input is much appreciated :-)

so my Outback sales pitch didnt get you?

Subaru vs. Toyota Hmmm that's a no brainer. Toyota's kick Subarus asses in the long run. After 200k miles a Subaru will be a POS and have no resale value; a Toyota will still run like new and be worth way more.

Advice given.

go with practical. I have owned two jeeps, a cherokee and a grand cherokee, and a big GMC pickup. All 3 of them were great in th snow, but they were never as practical as I thought they could be. I just recently bought a 2000 Outback sedan, I have plenty of room for all of my gear, I had to put a rack on the roof, but I had to do that with the Jeeps too.

I think the AWD in the outback is perfect for getting to and from the hill, plus you get much better fuel effeciency. 22-28 mpg as compred to 19 at best in and SUV or pick-up.

I drive a 98 Tacoma Xtra Cab with a 4-bangin' cuisinart under the hood, AKA The Goat (not to be confused with Pinner's Goat).

I love the thing.. I have never, ever had a problem in terms of maintenence, and the thing gets unreal gas mileage. As long as I keep some weight in the back during the winter, she does fine on ice. Everything about them is simple and well engineered, meaning you have less to go wrong. I have nothing bad to say, but I would consider a 6 cylinder if I were you...the 4 bangers don't pass too well.

I love my toyota sooo much it makes me want to crap my pants Of course it isn't one of those crappy fancy shmancy new tacomas, but still The best part about having a truck is that since you can't really carry people, you don't have bums begging you for rides every time. And most importantly, guys dig girls that drive 4x4 trucks, not that you have a problem attracting guys oh yeah, as for handling, you can't rally quite as hard as you would with a car or suv due to the weight issue in the back, but in four wheel drive you won't get stuck. and you get more clearance then a subie (plus no oil leaks).

Depends on the Yota. Is it extended cab? I think it is key for extra storage or squeezing a couple people in a pinch? Is it a 4 or 6 cylinder? What are your primary uses? Are you driving places where you need a fair amount of ground clearence? (end random questioning!) Depends on your needs/wants

At any rate, I am extremely pleased with my 94 pickup- extended cab, V6, topper, rocket box, the ultimate road trip machine if you dont have more than 3 people 176,000 and still going strong. My .02! Damn, I love it soooo much I just had to look out the window to take a peak at it!

Originally posted by rightcoast
so my Outback sales pitch didnt get you?

it was a good pitch, worthy of a sales job, but . . . i am feeling pulled to the truck - it's just so cool!

Tacomas look cool. Chicks in Tacomas are hot. So, you'll have that going for you, which is nice.

But don't you drive like 10 hours every weekend? Seems the 22mpg will eat you up pretty fast.

Plus, I've never liked the idea of an open bed truck as ski transport because I leave so much gear in my car.

Plus, I just got an AWD car and it rocks in the snow. Four snow tires, and it's unstoppable. Almost.

But, I do like chicks in trucks...

Have fun with whatever you decide! Good luck!

I have a Subie Forester and love it. Trips to and from Tahoe get me about 30 mpg. Round town, it's less - maybe 24. It's a 2003, and do far no major problems and handles great in the snow.

But it's true, trucks are FAR cooler. I do sometimes feel like a soccer mom in my forester....

Originally posted by Rippinsick
Depends on the Yota. Is it extended cab? I think it is key for extra storage or squeezing a couple people in a pinch? Is it a 4 or 6 cylinder? What are your primary uses? Are you driving places where you need a fair amount of ground clearence? (end random questioning!)

At any rate, I am extremely pleased with my 94 pickup(year before it turned into the tacoma) 176,000 and still going strong. My .02!

'99 extended cab V6 5sp 4x4, 45000 mi TRD offroad package

primary uses: to/from work, escaping suburban hell on the weekends (tahoe, etc.), sleeping in the Kirkwood parking lot, or whichever other parking lot/roadside/campground suits me

offroading - haven't done much in the past, but it's never too late!

Originally posted by watersnowdirt
I have a Subie Forester and love it.

The truth is out WSD is a lesbian.

Don't know about a Subaru being a POS after 200k miles...I see a lot of old Subarus around and have an Outback with 100k+ on it, that with exception of a front brake caliper that locked, have never had any major problems with.

Great in the snow.

Kellie...if you buy a Subaru, check out the manual tranny. It used to be that the AWD system on the manual differed from that on the automatic, providing a 50/50 split on power between front and rear and then moving power to accomodate a spinning wheel, as opposed to the auto, which was a 90/10 split. Supposedly, the manual is a better snow car.

Not sure if that difference still exists.

The other problem is that I don't think you can get the bigger engine in a manual. But I've found the standard engine (155 hp.) to be sufficient.

No ABS on the truck?

And get the seat heaters...great on a pow day.

Let me just point out how much my wife loves our Jeep Liberty:

And yes, it goes damn near anywhere:


http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...l_111_1194.JPG

Originally posted by Beaver
The truth is out WSD is a lesbian.

I knew that was coming...

'99 extended cab V6 5sp 4x4, 45000 mi TRD offroad package

I say go for it!

i can't believe no one has mentioned it....
















shoot the hostage!

Originally posted by Beaver
The truth is out WSD is a lesbian.

That can't be true....I met WSD and she was not wearing a plaid shirt.

There's no other truck I'd rather own than a Taco. I don't think the other manufacturers come close in quality. The Taco also handle like a truck, still, whereas Ford many years ago instilled a car-like feel to the Ranger- a vehicle whose name should never be uttered again!

Tacos have good power, certainly enough for what their designed for, and excellent handling characteristics.

I've owned a 2001 Taco prerunner (6 cyl [3.4L]) and now a 2002 Taco 4X4, 4 cyl (2.7).

The 6 cyl. has significantly more power, especially in the upper portion of the powerband- definitely could use more low end.

So far, I've been unable to discern much of a difference in gas milage between the 4 cyl and the 6 cyl, but Oregon whiches gas formulations in the winter and the winter gas, supposedly, yields worse milage. I consistently got 20 mpg driving to and from the Utah Mini at highway speeds,70-80 mph (I could sometimes get up to 22 mpg from the 3.4).

Probably the only real advantages of the Taco would be the ground clearance and true 4-wheel drive. Both come in handy should you venture onto beat-up logging roads and jeep trails that can be found throughout the Sierras

The TRD package is absolutely worthless, unless it comes with the electronic locker rear end and that's only good if you go offroad. I say bargain down on this.

Taco seats suck for long-distance driving.

On, Kellie, if you really miss your 4Runner, mine's (95) for sale.

they both rock. Just comes down to: do you want a truck or a car? MPG or truck bed?

Originally posted by Kellie
'99 extended cab V6 5sp 4x4, 45000 mi TRD offroad package

primary uses: to/from work, escaping suburban hell on the weekends (tahoe, etc.), sleeping in the Kirkwood parking lot, or whichever other parking lot/roadside/campground suits me

offroading - haven't done much in the past, but it's never too late!

SWEET!!!

That's what I have except with 150,000 miles.

Had mine for close to 5 years. Never had a problem with mine, and I totally recommend it. Here's what you're looking at for maintenance.....

Oil change- every 5000 miles..... $20
Major service every 15k miles......$150
Major major service every 30k miles....$250
Changed water pump and timing belt at 90k (preventative) $500
New tires at 90k miles $600

Gas- avg 19mpg. Ranges from 15mpg on the 90-100mph runs between Hell A and Tahoe, to 22mpg.

Chicks in trucks rule.

Tacos rule. I love all things tacos (the truck, the food and the pink variety )

http://www.allfunpix.com/humor/pics2/pinktaco.jpg

Originally posted by Kellie
it was a good pitch, worthy of a sales job, but . . . i am feeling pulled to the truck - it's just so cool!

is that why i want to sell my outback and buy a 'yota??

Had a truck. Now have a Suby, which kicks serious ass driving in the snow.

But, I really miss having a truck bed. I say, go with the truck.

Originally posted by Kellie
'99 extended cab V6 5sp 4x4, 45000 mi TRD offroad package

primary uses: to/from work, escaping suburban hell on the weekends (tahoe, etc.), sleeping in the Kirkwood parking lot, or whichever other parking lot/roadside/campground suits me

offroading - haven't done much in the past, but it's never too late!

i just got a 2000 tundra, with the same engine, 5sp. it is the best truck in the world. if the tacoma had a larger interior i would have gone with it, but i gots headroom issues. but i think the access cab on the toyotas offers pleanty of inside space for gear. i can also fit at least 3 pairs of 190+cm skis inside on the diagonal when i'm on the hill (everyone brings four pairs of skis with them to the mountain on a normal day right?)

i also really like subarus, and if i wasnt a carpenter and needed the truck for my job then i prolly would have gotten one of those dope imprezza's.

so either way you are cool in my book, be stoked on that