Tacoma vs Volvo

Last week, I bought a 2008 Tacoma Access Cab 4x4 TRD Off Road, with a 6-speed stick. got the truck wednesday (found on craiglist, original owner, 16000 miles). Friday, I scored a snugtop for $800 that was an exact fit and color.



I've bought this to replace my 1992 Volvo 740 Turbo Wagon, which I've been using for road trips and carrying my astronomy gear...




The Volvo used to be my daily driver, but last year I got a 1993 Mercedes 300CE cabriolet,



so the volvo was relegated to mule duties. you know whats better than two income, no kids? two income, adult kids who've moved out! yeah, I'm an old fart, both our kids have flown the coop ...


We want to do some offroad trips like Death Valley back roads which the Volvo obviously can't make.

anyways, cutting to the chase, here's some numbers, hahahah.

Volvo in 2-passenger configuration:
* 70 cubic feet cargo
* 48" between wheel whells
* 1200 lbs payload
* 3500 lbs tow

Tacoma access cab 4x4 TRD with shell:
* ~ 85 cu ft cargo plus around 20 cu ft more in the back of the cab
* 44" between wheel wells
* 1200 lbs payload
* 6500 lbs tow

of course, the big win is, while the Volvo is OK on a graded dirt/gravel road, the TRD will go places I've never been able to drive. OTOH, the Volvo is way easier to drive fast on gnarly mountain roads, or squeeze in tight downtown parallel parking. (I probably should say, my volvo has 16" wheels, bilsteins, overload springs, sway bars, and a bunch of other upgrades).

 

hah. is it obvious that I can be a bit obsessive?


(L-R, thats our spare car, wife's car, and my car. if you have old benzes, it always pays to have a spare).