Do I need a truck

I knew you'd see it my way eventually.

 

I had Subaru Outbacks for years. They are fantastic and have most of the capabilities of a Tacoma. Key word: most.

They won't tow as much, can't haul as much, and won't go as far off road. It really comes down to how much capability you need.

I like being able to throw the mountain bike or kayak in the bed and take off without worrying about dirt or mud inside the vehicle or lifting it onto the roof. I have a house and have used it countless times for wood, landscaping stuff, etc.

4WD, ground clearance, and snow tires are a great combination in the winter too. The thing is nearly unstoppable. On congested highways you can see over most other vehicles which is a huge plus to me.

So, I could get by without it, but it makes everything so much more convenient. Don't think I'd ever go back to a car.

 

You NEED a truck.
You NEED a truck.
YOU NEED A TRUCK.

 

XD

So in other words, it ain't got shit on a Tacoma.

 

A 2007 Outback is actually my current vehicle. It gets the job done, but I don't own a house yet, and I really think it looks like a soccer mom car, the newer bloated ones even more so. I'd rather have something super fuel efficient and fun to drive or a super practical stuck, an outback seems like a compromise in both aspects to me.

 

I had a 97 5-speed, an '04 H6 LL Bean, and an '08 H6 LL Bean.

The '04 was overall my favorite. The second generation is just pure no-nonsense engineering. The build quality is unbelievably good on those.

The '08 was very nice inside (massive sunroof, heated leather, dual zone climate control, electroluminescent gauges, wood and leather steering wheel with Momo etched on it, one of the best stock sound systems I've heard in a sub $35k vehicle, etc.), but the engine lost low end grunt in favor of high end horsepower and the build quality was not quite there. I went through all four wheel bearings before 70,000 miles, for example. Also more rattles than the '04 ever had.

I had no interest in the 2010+ Outback because it went too much in the direction of a CUV. I would like a 2009 5MT Outback XT some day. Those are very cool. They are money pits though.

My parents still have an '01 and '04 and my sister has an '03. Subarus are great. Generally well designed, easy to work on, and great longevity. They have a few faults (namely head gaskets on the four cylinders) but what make doesn't? I just wanted a truck this time.

 

Outbacks fill a void in the vehicle market. They comfortably seat 4-5 people with a huge amount of storage space in the back, are AWD with great traction control, wicked good suspension for on road yet with the clearance to go offroad.. oh and the current generation has turbo

 

Not the current. Turbo was '05-'09 only.

 

This is America. And Americans drive trucks.

 

If they still made legacy gt wagons with a stick like they used to it would be a different story

 

Oh that's right, sorry I haven't been inside an outback more recent than my mom's XT. Man I miss the Ol' 97 so bad what a great 5-speed.. Can't believe anyone would buy an automatic Subaru. Wat a waste...

 

I see too many Subys at the junk yard vs. tacomas. Only a handfull of tacomas in 10+ years at the junk yard, countless subarus though.

 

Once you go truck your wallet will be out of…

 

If your asking if you need a truck, you more than likely don't. A lot of people don't need them or use them, they just like them. I could get by with a 4Runner but always hooking up the trailer would suck and it's easier tossing crap in the bed and driving into the back of the property to drop stuff off then constantly hooking up and disconnecting

 

If you aren't towing or hauling something bigger than your bike you can save $ on gas by getting a midsized SUV. My wife's Forester gets 34mpg hwy, is good in the winter, and realistically will work for everything I use my taco for, but then you have to lay seats down and lay dirty shit on the carpet etc. I had a Tahoe before this and I hated removing the third row seat everytime I needed to haul something big, short bed does me fine 90% of the time.

 

Some videos for your viewing pleasure

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xNeUI...bile&vndclient=mv-google&vndel=watch&vnddnc=1

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums...n-4.html#/forumsite/20514/topics/48361?page=1

 

Also, my wife and I have a 2014 Outback, we're at 11,000 miles and have averaged 31.8 mpg over that time.

 

So what did you get Op?