Buying 2WD Tacoma vs AWD Subaru

[avacado11]

I want to get a new vehicle and I've narrowed it down to these two:

A 2017 Toyota Tacoma SR access cab 2wd 2.7L Auto (prerunner) OR a 2017 Subaru XV Crosstrek 2.0i CVT.

I understand this is kind of an apples to oranges comparison. The Toyota is $25k where as the Subaru is $23k, Subaru comes with more creature comforts, but the Tacoma is way more reliable/better built than Subaru, AND holds its value better(I've always wanted a Tacoma). I've had a 3 Subarus and they all had their fair share of issues so i don't know if i want to get another

Majority of my driving is on pavement, i only go off road on the weekends for recreation. Nothing hardcore, just trails, some mud, creek crossings etc. light/medium stuff. The Tacomas come with a LSD rear end and XV comes with AWD. Finding A/T tires for a Taco will be way easier than the XV.

Anyways the XV seems to be the picture perfect car, better car on road and has AWD for off road. But the Tacoma is more reliable and better suited for the long run.

Which vehicle should i jump on? I test drove the Taco and it rides fine. The Subie does seem to be a better put together package.

 

[The_Jeff]

It's kind of hard for the rest of us to go over the pros and cons if you "just want the tacoma".

The subaru with a harbor freight trailer will do everything the taco does.

 

[FlyNavyP3]

Last I knew the XV was only available with a CVT transmission. That alone is a deal breaker for me. Let alone the chronic Subaru head gasket issues and oil burning issues. I'd own a Subaru but it would have to be a manual transmission for me. Also the newer Subaru engines without timing belts are not impervious to the head gasket issues, a friend of mine had 6 pair of late model Subaru timing chain heads in his shop the last time I was home (October) so the newer engine apparently still suffers the same head gasket fate as the older ones did.

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Do you think that the XV really has enough clearance for off road?

My daughter has a plain ol Impreza with the 2.0l and the thing can barely get out of its own way, I would imagine the XV would be even worse with the extra stuff added to it. I like the idea of an inexperienced driver not having too much power to get in trouble with, but that car would be no fun for me (plus I can barely get comfortable in the driver's seat with my height).

EDIT - haven't heard about any head gasket issues with the 2.0l and we've had no noticeable oil consumption in one 2.0l DIT and one NA...seems like consumption issues in that engine are much rarer than with the 2.5l based upon my subaruforester.org prowling. LSPI and intake valve cleanliness are issues with the DIT, I'd assume the latter would be a concern with the NA.

 

[CT8]

2wd vs 4 wd how can you compare. The Toyota will be the better value from purchase to resale.I have owned 3 Toyotas an 84 my wife wanted an extra cab so a 92 X cab. In 2006 my beloved 92 was rear ended when parked and totaled is was hit hard! I bought a 2006 4 cyl X cab and love it as well . My son has the 2006 now. I love the 2.7 engine. Buy a 4X4 Tacoma and don't look back.

 

[supton]

Sounds like you want the truck. Quit beating around the bush and do that.

Although I don't quite get the intention; mostly road yet you have a BMW. I'd think you'd drive the BMW most of the time and then get a 4x4 Taco so as to not get stuck.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: FlyNavyP3
Last I knew the XV was only available with a CVT transmission. That alone is a deal breaker for me. Let alone the chronic Subaru head gasket issues and oil burning issues. I'd own a Subaru but it would have to be a manual transmission for me. Also the newer Subaru engines without timing belts are not impervious to the head gasket issues, a friend of mine had 6 pair of late model Subaru timing chain heads in his shop the last time I was home (October) so the newer engine apparently still suffers the same head gasket fate as the older ones did.


Subaru vehicles with manual transmissions were the ones with the oil burning problems so I read. The thought was the over-rev people do compare to an auto or CVT.

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: avacado11
..., i only go off road on the weekends for recreation. Nothing hardcore, just trails, some mud, creek crossings etc. light/medium stuff. The Tacomas come with a LSD rear end and XV comes with AWD.


NY and snow? Off road? Get the Tacoma, but in 4WD. Even with the LS rear end you will be lamenting the 2wd often.

 

[Donald]

My wife has the Crosstrek and she likes it. On the sporty side compared to our Forester.

But 2WD vs AWD. Coupe vs pickup. This is a grape to watermelon comparison.

Personally if you want or need 4WD or AWD the various Subaru models are very good vehicles for the price.

The OP is in NY and I would want AWD/4WD or a FWD vehcile. Not RWD with LSD.

My Dodge Ram had RWD with LSD and it could not get out of its own way on even a little snow.

Also people buying pickups seem to want 4WD whether they need it or not. So a lot easier selling a used pickup with 4WD.

 

[Nick1994]

Use AutoTrader and look for the car you want. I set the search results to be within 300 miles of New York, and set it as a new Toyota Tacoma with 4x4. Lots and lots of $25k 4x4 models. Link to one of them below. You might be able to find a 2016 model and really talk down the price.

LINK

 

[JTK]

Being in NY, the Subaru is going to hold it's resale value as good, if not better than a small 2WD pickup. No one buys 2WD pickups in my area, especially small ones. I've owned an XV Crosstrek and loved the vehicle, but hated the 5spd manual in it.

The other bonus of buying the Subaru and living in NYS is, the Subaru will have the 15yr/150K mile PZEV warranty, which covers a lot of stuff. The Taco won't have this.

I know the Forester isn't as cool looking as the XV, but it's better in every way for very little more $.

 

[4wd]

Get a basic 4WD Taco and keep it 10 years before even thinking about another ... you can personalize it later ... mucho aftermarket kit for Taco ...

 

[Lyman]

Tacoma 4x4 is the answer.

 

[SatinSilver]

Consumer Reports doesn't recommend the Tacoma(yes, I know take it with a grain of sale since they're not perfect and your car isn't on there). I was looking at the auto issue last night. You can get an awd Rav4 for $25k which should be better in the snow than the taco.

 

[CrAlt]

4x4 truck or the subaru.

2x4 pickups suck in the winter unless you live in the city where the roads are always flat and plowed. Resale also sucks on them in new england.

 

[mehullica]

Tacoma any day over a Subaru

 

[Cadenza]

From experience, I can tell you that the 2.4L with the automatic transmission is gutless and will have you pulling your hair out, especially with any kind of load. I kept mine only for a short while and used it as a wheelbarrow around the house. I was glad to trade it in. Just sayin....

 

[supton]

Tacoma still uses a traditional part-time 4x4 system, right? Have to ask, as the part time system in my Tundra binds something wicked--I basically have to go to full lock to get into my driveway, and so it binds. Nature of the beast. But annoying. Have to point it out though, in case the OP hasn't driven a traditional part time 4x4 system before--it's kinda primitive, really. Great in truly nasty stuff, and... primitive the rest of the time.

Not sure I'd want to take a Subie or any CUV across a creek. Then again, I wouldn't in anything new either.

 

[OneEyeJack]

If you plan on keeping this next vehicle a pickup is always a good choice if you keep it simple. That was part of my consideration, that and the towing and rough roads. I wanted a 4 door pickup with a good camper shell that would not be removed. So, I purchased a V8 4Runner. It's 13 years and so far, so good.

 

[buck91]

Originally Posted By: CrAlt
4x4 truck or the subaru.

2x4 pickups suck in the winter unless you live in the city where the roads are always flat and plowed. Resale also sucks on them in new england.



Now I won't disagree but I will say that the only on-road 4x4 use my truck sees is for fun and convenience. Past couple years running stock size Cooper AT3 with open differential I never had issues. Well, I guess during the one year I did need 4x4 to get through the plow pile in front of the driveway each morning.

This year running 33in AT3W 4x4 is totally unnecessary for on-road activity. Had a good storm come through a couple weeks ago, left it in 2WD coming home from work at 2am... thought I was disappointed in the tires until I realized how bad the roads actually were, then I was quite pleased! 6-8in of thick chopped and frozen slush with ice underneath. No problems, even with a very tight LSD in the back. I did need 4x4 to pull out of the 3ft deep plow pile I parked in over night, though :-D