Subaru vs Midsize Truck for mountain roads

[txtransplant]

Most of the folks in this thread trashing Subarus have never owned one, and therefore have no idea what they’re talking about.

Subaru symmetrical AWD is extremely capable in terms of traction. Your tradeoffs are going to be less ground clearance and less clearance for chains, if you ever need them.

I’d say a stock outback with AT tires could handle 90% of the roads I’ve been on hunting. I had a 2019 Outback previously.

The Taco will give you not only more capability (lift, bigger tires, locking diffs) but also more storage capacity (especially if you throw a topper on the bed).

I’ve hunted out of both an Outback and a 2nd Gen 4Runner. Both of them leave me feeling cramped for storage.

I’d get a Taco and not look back.

 

[elkhunter505]

Yes, tow your atv behind your Subaru

I mean it probably would work with the turbo engine

 

[Fireflyfishing]

I was in this dilemma about a year back. I test drove and really liked the Wilderness Outback. I ended up finding a really nice 22 Tacoma with low miles and a 6 speed and bought that instead. Either would be fine for the Missoula area, but I would caution you on the 4th gen Tacomas for reliability. Definitely the 2024s. That’s why I ended up with a 2022.

Honestly, 98% of the roads I’ve encountered in and around the Missoula area are doable with a Wilderness Outback. The rougher roads are all gated come hunting season anyway. As others have mentioned, ground clearance is the main limitation…I would’t be concerned with crazy Moab rocks…it would be snow come late hunting season. Also, snow on north facing slopes in the high country come spring.

Tacomas get shit gas mileage for what they are IMO…

Tacomas are cool and handy…up to a point. As others have stated you will need a full sized truck to do “real” truck tasks. My situation is a bit different than yours though. I have an F350 diesel I use for towing and “real” truck use in addition to my Tacoma.

Toyotas and Subarus go for a premium in the Missoula area. I would look to buy one out of state…like Spokane, for a better overall deal.

 

[elkhunter505]

I was in this dilemma about a year back. I test drove and really liked the Wilderness Outback. I ended up finding a really nice 22 Tacoma with low miles and a 6 speed and bought that instead. Either would be fine for the Missoula area, but I would caution you on the 4th gen Tacomas for reliability. Definitely the 2024s. That’s why I ended up with a 2022.

Honestly, 98% of the roads I’ve encountered in and around the Missoula area are doable with a Wilderness Outback. The rougher roads are all gated come hunting season anyway. As others have mentioned, ground clearance is the main limitation…I would’t be concerned with crazy Moab rocks…it would be snow come late hunting season. Also, snow on north facing slopes in the high country come spring.

Tacomas get shit gas mileage for what they are IMO…

Tacomas are cool and handy…up to a point. As others have stated you will need a full sized truck to do “real” truck tasks. My situation is a bit different than yours though. I have an F350 diesel I use for towing and “real” truck use in addition to my Tacoma.

Toyotas and Subarus go for a premium in the Missoula area. I would look to buy one out of state…like Spokane, for a better overall deal.

Yeah for sure. I will be going home for Christmas and am debating driving back to NM so I could trade the truck in there for something that is going to be cheaper and have 0 rust at all. I don’t have any reason to do “real” truck stuff at this point. I do enjoy being able to pick up furniture on Facebook from time to time but the amount of money I would save on gas is pretty crazy when I look at how many trips I take out to Bozeman and back. I’m in the analysis paralysis phase right now with this as I have been driving a truck whether it be midsize or full size since 2014 so it would be a reasonably big change.