Trading a tacoma for subaru….

TurdFerguson

TurdFerguson

thinking sucks
Full Member
Minuteman
Jul 18, 2014
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Burgerworld
#1
Driving a 21 taco with 90k miles on it. Currently commute about 45 each way to work. Need something with better gas mileage. Drive to and from a national forest for work, needs to be able to go in snow. Looking at a new forester. Retarded idea or not completely retarded?
 
#6
Aside from the he-men comments, the Forester rocks. It could eat most of the "trucks" the chest thumpers drive since they don't actually go off-roading.

We have two of them. They aren't as good as my Rubi off-road, but they are more comfortable if it is a daily driver. Good ground clearance and sure-footed in bad conditions. They seldom have problems.
 
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#7
You will like the Subaru, we are on our second one, first one 12 years old, 155k miles, other than a couple wheel bearing no issues, averaged around 35 mph, did great in the snow.
 
#8
Anyway, so, I had a '96 Chevy 1/2 ton that traded in 2008 for a 2007 Pontiac Vibe (new, never sold.) Th Vibe had great gas mileage but I wore it out and traded it in for a Toyota Corolla LE. And that was a great car but it was going to need some repairs, so, I traded in for a 2019 Corolla.

Also a great car and I have hunted on public land (never harvested one.)

Finally, I needed a change. So, I traded in for a 2022 Taco. And it was great. I had a fender bender with it and my favorite dealership was offering a deal, so I traded in for a 2023 Taco, which I still have.
Edited to add, the silver one on the left side of frame is my 2022 that I was trading in. I was moving my belongings.

1729470016360.jpeg


More suitable for driving in and out of sketchy roads and parking areas at public hunting lands and a bit easier to carry my gear and 150 qt cooler for my eventual harvest.

It is 55 miles from my house to work. Work is near this Toyota of Dallas. My employer lets me put gas on the company card, which was an arrangement when I had the small cars. So, with this truck, I fill up half a tank twice during the week and a half tank with my own money. Except on weeks where I had to do more company driving with my vehicle, then I put some gas on the company card.

I average between 19 and 25 mpg.

Subaru Forester is a good car and it probably has useful jobs. But I just like the idea of being able to carry most of a 140 lb deer home for some cold aging.
 
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#10
Taco is a great truck for sure. My sister-in-law's son-in-law had one that he traded in on a Forester and he absolutely loves it. My brother got rid of his Ford Escape and bought a Subaru Outback Wilderness last fall. He lives in Idaho and does a ton of light off-roading. He says the thing goes like crazy in the snow. About a month ago I traded my 5.0 triple black 2021 Mustang for a Subaru Crosstrek Wilderness and so far, no complaints. All 3 vehicles get the published fuel mileage. Yeah, I know going from 466 hp to 187 hp is ummmm...gay. Buy I am a Trump supporter if that counts for anything. FWIW, the Subaru is more or less a 200k mile vehicle where the Toyota is a 300k vehicle.
 
#11
Nik H said:
Aside from the he-men comments, the Forester rocks. It could eat most of the "trucks" the chest thumpers drive since they don't actually go off-roading.

We have two of them. They aren't as good as my Rubi off-road, but they are more comfortable if it is a daily driver. Good ground clearance and sure-footed in bad conditions. They seldom have problems.
Click to expand...
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#13
Nik H said:
So original...nothing to add, so play the gay card. Average is an overstatement at best.

I am straighter than the pole your Mom dances on
Click to expand...
Why don't you shut the fuck up and post another recipe from your library


As for the OP - the cheapest car to drive is often the one you already own. Not knocking the subi but how many gallons of gas can you buy with what you would pay in trading into a Subaru?
 
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#14
One of my brothers once had a Scooby-Doo. He got a great deal when he needed a great deal...single dad with 3 in high-school, commuting about 60 miles round trip...
He has since sold it and regrets doing so. He said his only real complaint was that it lasted much longer than he wanted it to, being a he-man, chest thumper and all that.
He hauled entire elk, entire mule deer, entire bears in the back or on the roof or a combo of both, depending upon how many kids, dogs and gear were along for the ride. Sure, gotta use the shop vac and shit but...it was a damned good vehicle.
 
#15
johnnycat said:
Why don't you shut the fuck up and post another recipe from your library


As for the OP - the cheapest car to drive is often the one you already own. Not knocking the subi but how many gallons of gas can you buy with what you would pay in trading into a Subaru?
Click to expand...
Go back to doing what you do best. Please let us know what that is as soon as you figure it out.

Making logical conclusions and talking about financial matters isn't your forte.
 
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#18
Forester is good. Mine is a 2001. 5 speed manual. 193k and running good.

I drive mine in Birkenstocks and tie dye. Or pink chuck taylors.
And a cooler full of tofu, hip vegan snacks, and White Claw of course!!
All while packing a g19 and have a full party kit in my pack behind my seat.


I do have a full size truck. Sucks running errands around town and the garage at work.
I get nearly 2x mileage with the Forester.
 
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#19
johnnycat said:
Why don't you shut the fuck up and post another recipe from your library


As for the OP - the cheapest car to drive is often the one you already own. Not knocking the subi but how many gallons of gas can you buy with what you would pay in trading into a Subaru?
Click to expand...
This. The trade will cost you many thousands of $$$. Drive that toy for another 250K.
 
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#21
powdahound76 said:
Forester is good. Mine is a 2001. 5 speed manual. 193k and running good.

I drive mine in Birkenstocks and tie dye. Or pink chuck taylors.
And a cooler full of tofu, hip vegan snacks, and White Claw of course!!
All while packing a g19 and have a full party kit in my pack behind my seat.


I do have a full size truck. Sucks running errands around town and the garage at work.
I get nearly 2x mileage with the Forester.
Click to expand...
He also likes to scissor. 🏳️‍🌈
 
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#23
Technically the car would take me to work where I will make decisions that will kill “old growth” and make hippies cry…

However the liberal love of subarus disgusts me and is an affront to my logging spirit. Not sure how much better it will do. 19/20 vs 26 estimated may or may not be worth it.

I may continue and run my truck into the ground, i was hoping to hit at least 180k before it took the shit… i might try to adjust my hours, 9 9 hour days and telework on the 1 Friday I work a pay period. That would make a difference in gas prices as well
 
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#25
If the only reason is gas mileage, I’d argue against it. But, when you’re actually in need of a vehicle, if an enclosed passenger compartment outweighs an open bed, Subarus are great vehicles.
 
#26
Tacoma at 90k miles is still has lots of life left. With 90k you should still be able to sell it for a good price. Its hard to beat a Tacoma for a daily driver.

Can't speak for subaru never owned one. However, If you buy a new subaru for say 40k, drive it for 4 years, put 90k on it, what would it be worth?If you drive the Taco for 4 more years would you spend 40k in gas?

Then again if you just want a new subaru just buy it.

If it were me I would keep the Tacoma
 
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#28
Leeks for sure. Mine is the 3.0l 6cyl I bought it with blown head gasket and pit en engine in it. That was at 190k. The 4 cylinder from those years is famous for blowing the head gasket at 100k. Mine was leaking from the valve cover gaskets when I bought it. I put new gaskets on the used engine I bought. The valve covers were leaking again within 40k or 50k.
 
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#29
I would look really hard at the Outback. I went to buy a forester but the Outback rides better and is better built. Great cars for the cold and snow. The new Subarus do not have the leaking head gasket issues of old.
 
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#30
Head gasket issues went away when the FA left. The FB has been solid in that department. Cam covers (not the valve covers) are a different story. They start leaking and their is pain involved. No gaskets... Just permatex. Has to be scraped and replace meticulously in a very clean enviroment. Other new engine issues are direct injection, oil consumption, and a thermal control valve in place of the crossover pipe and a thermostat. They like to stick. Open? Engine runs cold and gets shitty gas milage. Closed? You're getting towed thanks to an overheat. Oil issues have to due with VERY low tensinon rings and a small oil capacity. CVT sketches me out a tad BUT SOA says life time fluid. The mothership in Gunma, JP says drain and fill every 36000 miles so I can't help but think "some" of the CVTs bad rap (Aside from the abortion JATCO makes. Subie makes their own) comes from piss poor maintainence. I'm hunting for one myself but it will be a used 2017 to 2019. Has a real thermostat, can be had with a 6 speed MT, and has direct injection to prevent the DI issues. Oil consumption? Check it when you fill up and rock on! I dig that it is bigger inside than a 4Runner, gets 29MPG highway, and I would swap the letters on the back to read Lesibaru! Oh, and add a fuck ton of gun stickers! You ran 26.2 and love your dog? I shot a coyote at 1Km! Should make the man bun, rainbow people go "Reeeee!" :LOL: Lastly, if you do consider the Crosstrek the 2 lowest trim models are still completely built in Gunma. Shouldn't be an issue but ya kow. Also, as of 2025 the Premium (second lowest tier) is getting the 2.5L. The 2.0 anemic and the extra 30HP is a god send from all I've read. And there is a possiblity the Baja/Brat could come back on the crosstrek platform! That would neat!
 
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#32
I picked up an old 6-cyl Outback wagon for the sake of better mileage, and to serve as a sacrificial beater. I really don't care what happens to it. It's fun to drive. I've taken it hunting a few times, and it did well. But if I need a work truck, I take my Ford. For serious off road, I take my old Willys.

I always figured if I need an alibi, people can say it must have been some damn lesbos.:giggle:
 
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#34
Do a bunch of reasearch on this before making a decision.

Its highly unlikely 4-5mpg is going to matter in the long run. the resale/insurance/reliability etc is much more important with this kind of usage pattern. what are you going to do with your car in the shop with that kind of commute? what is your plan B and how expensive is it to maintain, etc.

Once you make a decision, IMHo you will be fine either way. You are looking at good options.

just my $0.02.
 
#35
Honest reply...

We bought our first Subaru some time back. We have been pleasantly surprised by it in all adverse weather conditions. We have driven it in snow, ice, desert, etc. We changed the tires to Michelin CrossClimate 2. PRS matches, unpaved forest roads, commuting, road trips, multiple kids, etc. it's been a great car.
 
#36
nikonNUT said:
…there is a possiblity the Baja/Brat could come back on the crosstrek platform! That would neat!
Click to expand...

Concur! Our daughter’s Hyundai Kona has worked out so well, that I’m looking at a Santa Cruz as my cruise around town/running errands vehicle.

The possibility that Subaru will bring back the BRAT/Baja is the only thing holding me back.

IMG_7039.jpeg
 
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#38
I don't get the Subaru love.
I used to drive tow truck, and you'd pick up yet another blown up/ thrown rod, or bad head gasket, or dead cvt transmission soob and the people would say something like- it's been the best car I've ever owned... we did head gaskets at 70k miles, put in a new motor at 160, and it's been rock solid until today- as the road is covered in oul beneath their coexist plate cover.

My thought was always- best car you've ever owned? You must've only driven euro trash before your lesmobile.

They're probably fine for some folks, but in my area, call 10 independent garages and ask if they'd buy one, and they'll ask if you know why they call them an outback. Because they've always got a few dead ones not worth fixing out back.
Keep your taco, and enjoy it.
 
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#43
Gf has a crosstrek that just hit 100k. I hate the cvt transmission and it’s already been replaced, think at around 75k. Car was out of warranty but it was a known issue so Subaru did an extended powertrain due to that so didn’t cost anything for the replacement but I still question the longevity of that. Otherwise it’s awesome, replaced one wheelbearing so far and it averages around 30mpg.

Another option is what I did, buy a cheap ass beater and only drive the truck if the weather calls for it. Unless you need offroad abilities just to get to the forest/work area. Downside is now cheap beaters ain’t as cheap as they were, I gave $1900 for a gas sipper with 160k ish on the clock pre covid, over 300k now.
 
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#44
Between a newer taco and a forester, I'd pass. I have a 2020 WRX and I'm pretty happy with it so far (~120,000 mi.; 30-31mpg). Handles weather well and you can get it most places (ground clearance limitation obviously) and it's got enough balls to pass the geriatrics. Works fine on drit/gravel but not on 4x4 trails. We'll see how long the head gasket holds up!! :D Honestly they're pretty good cars that stupid kids get to fucking with and break them. However, there are some EPA additions on this thing that piss me off, namely EGR. I don't think that's specific to Lesbaru though.

Never buy a CVT. I would personally love to never own anything other than a manual... we'll see how long that lasts. I also have a '94 Tacoma with 320,000 on it and it's chugging along. It's all just money...
 
#45
I will add, prior to this, I drove the wheels off 2 Honda Civics.

Commuted in the CO winter over a 11,300 ft mtn pass known for big snows 2 days a week and never once had issues with traction with studded snows.

Subarus do better in crashes, so with the sucky drivers around here, that weighed on my decision.

Not in Denver or crowded metro full of libtards?
I would get a used Civic and drive the wheels off it.
Cheap set of steel wheels for the snow tires and just swap em quick at home.
2 sets of car tires have always been a hair cheaper than 1 set for my full size truck……
 
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#46
Have you look at a Toyota Camry AWD
None of the direct engine issues and improved CVT, they actual have a real first gear.
This reduces the overall ratio of the CVT for improved belt life.
Put some Toyo AT3, Wildpeaks, or BFG and done.
 
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#47
powdahound76 said:
I will add, prior to this, I drove the wheels off 2 Honda Civics.

Commuted in the CO winter over a 11,300 ft mtn pass known for big snows 2 days a week and never once had issues with traction with studded snows.

Subarus do better in crashes, so with the sucky drivers around here, that weighed on my decision.

Not in Denver or crowded metro full of libtards?
I would get a used Civic and drive the wheels off it.
Cheap set of steel wheels for the snow tires and just swap em quick at home.
2 sets of car tires have always been a hair cheaper than 1 set for my full size truck……
Click to expand...
I don't feel like people give front wheel drive the credit it deserves for its abilities in ice, snow, and mud. I had something like an 86 Nissan centra during bush2 when I was in college. Bought it for 400 bucks got about 40 miles to the gallon. It's had great range despite its 12 gallon gas tank. I think a tank of gas for pickup was about 400 dollars then. 🤣

I have ran through some snow in my outback I am pretty sure the Nissan would have been stuck in. I ran about 12 miles of dirt road with deep drifted snow one day. It was that thing where all the sudden you see you're in too deep and you know if you stop you're done. So I just kept my speed up and got to the next turn that took me a couple miles over to the highway.

Leisurely morning breaking snow and looking for some elk in my outback. 🤣 It will definitely fit an elk in the back. We used to put them in my friends little brothers side by side. Hell once they're quartered they fit on the rack of 4 wheeler pretty well.
20240105_065319.jpg
 
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#48
The modicum of research I did shows the new Baja will never happen.

If mileage is what you're after than consider a hybrid. A guy on the Rav4 forums does medical delivery and had over 450,000 miles on his Rav4 hybrid. IIRC it was a 2021/2022. He was involved in an accident and it was totaled, otherwise it was going strong. He updated monthly w/ mileage, services, etc. He only had to do wear item/maintenance repairs. IIRC, no other repairs were needed.

If clearance isn't an issue, all the new Camrys come as hybrids and get 47-50 MPGs and an AWD is available. Bought my wife one several months ago, SE, and it's been great. The hybrid motors get it up and going quickly and I've gotten 53 MPGs and several trips. State highways get the best mileage. On the interstate at 70+mph we get low to mid 40s. The Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is really good as well. The Toyota 2.5L has both port injection and direct injection. It has proved very reliable as well. The CVT is regarded as the best in the business and has not been problematic at all. Go find The Car Care Nut on YouTube and check out his videos for the engine, transmission, and general model reviews and info. He's a certified Toyota Master Tech and recently opened his own shop and is very knowledgeable with Toyota products.

The Ridgeline gets only slightly better MPGs than the Tacoma although a nice alternative to a ladder frame truck.

The wife just came out of a 2016 4Runner and I had a 2014 Tacoma. We recently moved to FL and don't need AWD/four wheel drive, hence the Camry. Sold the 4Runner for what we paid for it when we bought it off lease in 2019. I'm not ready to drop the Rav4 yet but the new Crown SUV has my interest.
 
#49
I used to use my own vehicle for my job, which required me to cover a 2500sq mile area. I'm on my second Crosstrek, and still love it. On summer blend fuel i average 29mpg here in the mountains turning Falken Wildpeak ATs. On the highway, I'll get up to 35mpg. And plenty of room for gun stuff for shooting trips. I've taken them up things that were sketchy coming back down. Handles well in the curves for what it is, neither of them have ever left me stranded or stuck, quick steering rack which I greatly prefer, etc. My only complaint is they are fairly loud road noise wise, but at the time I bought it, it was a $30k car and not a $100k BMW, Mercedes, etc.

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#50
Buying a car to save gas milage is typically false economy. You have a truck that'll work for the next 200k. It's probably paid for.

If you want to save money, buy a 6k Corolla, drive it for the next 5-10 years, and sell it for what you gave for it.
 
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