Looking at getting a 4x4 Tacoma

Hello all, my name is Dan. I currently drive a 1998 Honda Prelude 5speed. However, I am moving to Wisconsin in the middle of October, and am looking to get a vehicle that is more suited to that part of the country. I plan on using the vehicle for a daily driver for about a year, then making it into a winter vehicle/off-road toy.

I am currently looking into Toyota 4x4 Tacomas, Subaru Foresters, and Nissan X-terras.

I'm looking for personal experiences with these vehicles. How well does a Tacoma handle in the snow? What about on icy roads? What kind of suspension options are there? What other factory options should I look for in a Tacoma?

What are the pros and cons of the automatic versus a manual? I don't think I want to go back to an automatic transmission.

Thanks a bunch for any advice.

 

Tacoma FTW!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtTvv46fD-g&feature=related

 

nice big stable vehicle, i would say upgrade the tires to something like wrangler m/t+s tires, the ones toyota puts on stock aren't great. 4lo i can climb a wall with. Go with Toyota dude, a Subaru can't do half of what this truck can do and nothing in this class is more dependable, period.

 

If you are strictly looking for a great vehicle in the winter that handles snow and ice well, a Subaru is hard to beat. But if you want a vehicle that will do great in the snow/ice AND as a trail rig, get a Tacoma. I picked up mine this summer and is completely stock other than 265/75/16 tires and it is such a capable vehicle. I took it up a 20 mile abandoned mining road this weekend. Crawling up boulders and going through streams like nothing. And the only thing I broke was a 10 amp fuse to my brake lights. I think the trailer harness took one too many dips in water.

Also be aware all opinions on this site will lead you to want a Tacoma

 

Agreed my wife is on here second Subaru and they have been great cars, enough so that that's what I got my oldest daughter for her first car. If your just looking for a winter and get around on rough roads vehicle you can't go wrong with a Subaru. BUT on the other hand if you want a do all go anywhere vehicle then get the Tacoma or other 4 x 4 type truck.

 

Subaru for snowy roads and Tacoma for on and off all roads!

 

I started this thread to help my search: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/156943-1st-gen-tacoma-buyers-guide.html

 

Hmm, it seems like the Subaru gets really positive reviews. I don't plan on doing any rock climbing with the vehicle, so the Subaru seems capable enough for my needs.

However, as a year down the road the plan is to make this my secondary vehicle, I don't want to regret my decision later.

The Subaru's have a higher price point to start than the Toyota, the re-sale value doesn't hold up as well, and it is MUCH more expensive to fix.

I don't know a lot about 4x4 vs AWD, but it seems the Subaru doesn't require any thought. I've read about not using 4x4 on pavement, but what about if there is snow and ice on the pavement? What if I turn off an un-plowed road onto a plowed road, do I need to stop and put the truck back into 4x2?

Also, has anyone ever had to sleep in their Tacoma? I'm sure its not comfortable, but could you manage to sleep in the bed (assuming a camper shell of some sort)?

 

I have an 03 double cab 4x4 and also a Subaru Baja. Both are great. I would probably rather drive the Subaru in snow and the Toyota most of the other time.

 

You can use the 4WD anytime you loose traction in 2WD (that's what it is there for)! So, if on a seriously wet, snowy or icy PAVED road... you CAN and SHOULD use 4WD if you loose traction... That means the drive tires no longer move you ahead, and that means you have plenty of slippage to not 'bind' the part time 4WD driveline. Once on dry roads or needing to get into a parking spot, go back to 2WD to easily steer.

AWD is a no brainer... works all the time, but it does not have a low range, nor does it give equal power to the front and back axles... Your off road abilities are far reduced with an AWD car vs. a 4WD truck. I think Subarus are great (I owned 3), but a 4WD Tacoma knocks the socks off them off road.

 

If you're under 6 foot, you can easily sleep in the long bed of the Tacoma Access Cab, Regular Cab, and Double Cab Longbed. Just add a Bedrug mat or other closed cell foam mat. Mine is very comfortable sleeping. Subarus are very capable ... my friend drives his old Outback like a truck and gets to 80% of the trailheads I get to here in Colorado. Granted, it's beat to ever loving shit. But still he gets there! He sleeps in it too.

It really depends on what you're going to do, though, OP. How many miles will you be driving? In traffic or not? What kind of gas mileage you comfortable with? I have one of each. Hard to beat the 32mpg of our 4-cyl Subaru though. It sees the most duty for sure.

 

So true. My buddy has an Impreza that he will take anywhere. Honestly anywhere I have been he has also been. He's crossed more creeks than I have, but that is because I want my truck to last The underside of his car has to be mangled from all the boulders he has slid on. It won't stop going though. And this 2x10 was temporary until he welded his new tube bumper on.

 

I drove a subaru outback last winter. Good car. Sportier and more refined than my taco but then again u expect a truck to have some tank like qualities. I was surprised it deemed to get the same mpg my truck does! I was expecting to get a bitter.

I wanted a manual taco but now im a bit glad I got an auto. Seems the standards are geared oddly, and even in 5th require precision 3k rpm to cruise at 80. In comparison the auto does it at 2.5k in 4th.... plus the man. Trans. Lean on one side due to weight imbalance apparently.

 

I know this is a tacoma forum and should be promoting it. But I say unless you plan on going offroad or need a truck, get the subaru. You wont regret it. Are you buying new or used? I ask because I don't see where you are getting the subaru has a higher price tag. I also don't think there any more expensive to fix. I might also point out they don't need a whole lot of fixing. My wifes forester has 230,xxx and she is not the best about maintanance (may even be the worst) and it's still running and has'nt cost much to this point. Although she did just have to do head gaskets and a couple other things.

 

When I was shopping I considered the same vehicles, but went with a used 4x4 Tacoma since it fit me the best. Personally, I have a manual transmission 4x4 since I prefer the additional control it gives.

When driving a 4x4, at least for Tacomas and Jeeps, you do not need to stop the vehicle to change from 2H to 4H or 4L as long as the transmission is in neutral. Typically you can shift into 4H at speeds up to 55mph and 4L at speeds up to 5mph. I don't see a problem using 4H on asphalt roads as long as the conditions make it necessary.

I've slept in the seat of my Tacoma a couple of times, but I have an access cab and the seat can almost lay down flat. When camping, I use a tent.

We had a ton of ice & snow this past winter and I had no trouble getting around. Also, on a trip to Canada, a snow storm shutdown a good portion of the highway and I decided to take a series of farm roads to get around the delays...long story short...my little 4 banger can go anywhere.

 

If you ever need to do landscaping and stuff at your new place, you will want the truck. Having a truck makes life a lot easier, especially if it is going to be a secondary vehicle later on. You don't have to hassle with trailers and stuff when you want to buy large items and things like that.

 

Cant really go wrong with either i think. Both are great vehicles. The thing i think that should be your deciding factor is other uses, like do you want to be able to haul a lot of stuff? If so, Tacoma all the way man.

I would personally go Tacoma, they are tons of fun to mod and play with. And a fantastic vehicle!

 

I've seen Toyota 4lo do some shit you'll never see any other stock/slightly modified rigs do....


Get the Yota..or go to the dark side. and die.
BYE!

 

remember that our opinions actually don't mean crap OP, it's just our .02.

I'd say go with the 4x4 just because of the utility options that a truck offers.

And I've slept in my taco many times....... In the cab.