Test drive a Forester too. For a little more money, they have a lot more useable interior (especially cargo) space.
Buying 2WD Tacoma vs AWD Subaru
- Thread starter avacado11
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I'm driving a 2017 Subaru legacy premium for work. I don't go off-road Ing with it, but she is sweet in the snow with OEM tires. Only 3000 miles
Originally Posted By: Silverado12
IMO a FWD CUV would be a good solution to your problem.
I've looked into them at first, they'd be great for commuting but idk how they'd do with light off roading. Since most AWD systems are set up for bad weather rather than different terrains, they'd be as useful as FWD i assume.
Another question: Would a FWD CUV(like the RAV4, CRV, or similar) be any decent off road? I know Subaru's AWD system is designed with snow and not exactly mud. I understand neither of these vehicles will have underbody protection, I won't be driving over any terrain that will require it.
IMO a FWD CUV would be a good solution to your problem.
I've looked into them at first, they'd be great for commuting but idk how they'd do with light off roading. Since most AWD systems are set up for bad weather rather than different terrains, they'd be as useful as FWD i assume.
Another question: Would a FWD CUV(like the RAV4, CRV, or similar) be any decent off road? I know Subaru's AWD system is designed with snow and not exactly mud. I understand neither of these vehicles will have underbody protection, I won't be driving over any terrain that will require it.
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The RAV4 has a "lock" feature which will engage the rear wheels. It's a button on the dashboard. Above 30-35mph it turns off. That may help give it some "better" off road ability, although the systems are always getting better.
Subaru's claim to fame though was the AWD all the time. Most CUV's are seemingly FWD until they have wheelslip.
Subaru's claim to fame though was the AWD all the time. Most CUV's are seemingly FWD until they have wheelslip.
A Subaru with General Grabber AT2 tires will get you down some pretty gnarly roads, and you can pull your neighbor's RWD Tacoma out of the snowbank. 
Originally Posted By: avacado11
Nothing hardcore, just trails, some mud, creek crossings etc. light/medium stuff.
Bandito440 is exactly right. DO NOT PURCHASE A 2WD TACOMA.
The only off-road environment they're good in is high-speed desert running (hench the PreRunner name). For snow and mud, it'll be lackluster at best. I realize it doesn't make sense how having just one tire up-front pulling can make that much of a difference...but it's really night and day.
The Subaru only has a couple of issues for what you're talking about.
1. Stock tires are atrocious off-road, and severely limit what the vehicle is capable of. Slap on something like the Maxxis Bravo A/T 771 and you'll be good to go.
2. Underbody protection. Get some skid-plates in the aftermarket.
Nothing hardcore, just trails, some mud, creek crossings etc. light/medium stuff.
Bandito440 is exactly right. DO NOT PURCHASE A 2WD TACOMA.
The only off-road environment they're good in is high-speed desert running (hench the PreRunner name). For snow and mud, it'll be lackluster at best. I realize it doesn't make sense how having just one tire up-front pulling can make that much of a difference...but it's really night and day.
The Subaru only has a couple of issues for what you're talking about.
1. Stock tires are atrocious off-road, and severely limit what the vehicle is capable of. Slap on something like the Maxxis Bravo A/T 771 and you'll be good to go.
2. Underbody protection. Get some skid-plates in the aftermarket.
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: avacado11
Nothing hardcore, just trails, some mud, creek crossings etc. light/medium stuff.
Bandito440 is exactly right. DO NOT PURCHASE A 2WD TACOMA.
The only off-road environment they're good in is high-speed desert running (hench the PreRunner name). For snow and mud, it'll be lackluster at best. I realize it doesn't make sense how having just one tire up-front pulling can make that much of a difference...but it's really night and day.
The Subaru only has a couple of issues for what you're talking about.
1. Stock tires are atrocious off-road, and severely limit what the vehicle is capable of. Slap on something like the Maxxis Bravo A/T 771 and you'll be good to go.
2. Underbody protection. Get some skid-plates in the aftermarket.
If i get the Subaru I'll probably wear out the factory Yokohamas(they seem to have a semi aggressive tread pattern) and jump on the Yokohama Geolander ATs. They seem to be the only company that makes ATs for the Crosstrek.
Anybody know how well Honda/Toyota AWD systems work off road? Knowing the Crosstrek CVT is a 60:40 front biased system, it isn't that much different from a CRV or RAV4 AWD. Stock for stock can a AWD RAV4/CRV handle the same stuff as a Crosstrek? I'm not 100% sold on the Subaru's styling, though I wouldn't mind it if it was more capable. The CRV/RAV4s have more cargo capacity and would possibly make a better road trip car(I'll have to test drive them sometime).
Originally Posted By: avacado11
Nothing hardcore, just trails, some mud, creek crossings etc. light/medium stuff.
Bandito440 is exactly right. DO NOT PURCHASE A 2WD TACOMA.
The only off-road environment they're good in is high-speed desert running (hench the PreRunner name). For snow and mud, it'll be lackluster at best. I realize it doesn't make sense how having just one tire up-front pulling can make that much of a difference...but it's really night and day.
The Subaru only has a couple of issues for what you're talking about.
1. Stock tires are atrocious off-road, and severely limit what the vehicle is capable of. Slap on something like the Maxxis Bravo A/T 771 and you'll be good to go.
2. Underbody protection. Get some skid-plates in the aftermarket.
If i get the Subaru I'll probably wear out the factory Yokohamas(they seem to have a semi aggressive tread pattern) and jump on the Yokohama Geolander ATs. They seem to be the only company that makes ATs for the Crosstrek.
Anybody know how well Honda/Toyota AWD systems work off road? Knowing the Crosstrek CVT is a 60:40 front biased system, it isn't that much different from a CRV or RAV4 AWD. Stock for stock can a AWD RAV4/CRV handle the same stuff as a Crosstrek? I'm not 100% sold on the Subaru's styling, though I wouldn't mind it if it was more capable. The CRV/RAV4s have more cargo capacity and would possibly make a better road trip car(I'll have to test drive them sometime).
You're going to bury any of those options in mud if you have stock tires, although a Subaru with a manual transmission or X-Mode likely has the best chance of survival. The OEM Yokos are trash. If you're serious about mud and creek crossings, you need to equip your vehicle properly, and seriously consider a 4x4 truck/SUV, also with proper tires.
The only modification I'd do now is tires. I want to keep the warranty for as long as possible, since that is the whole reason I'm looking to get new.
Now that I think about it, the only real off roading I'd encounter is probably going down a rough trail/big puddles. The rest would be solely recreational(i.e. For fun and at my own discretion).
I'm gonna have to go back to the Subaru dealer sometime to give the Crosstrek a real indepth look.
Now that I think about it, the only real off roading I'd encounter is probably going down a rough trail/big puddles. The rest would be solely recreational(i.e. For fun and at my own discretion).
I'm gonna have to go back to the Subaru dealer sometime to give the Crosstrek a real indepth look.
Originally Posted By: avacado11
The only modification I'd do now is tires.
Good luck.
Subaru makes some very nice and quite capable vehicles, but you'll quickly approach their limits off-road; the die-hard owners love to quote specs and tell you how their Outback has as much ground clearance as a Suburban. Technically, they're right. Realistically, I'll start dragging the pumpkin on my 14-bolt solid rear axle. They'll start ripping off bumpers and taking out the undercarriage.
Tell you what...why you have some extra time today, go ahead and prepare a post something like this so it'll be ready to go later on...
HELP!!!! My stock tires were terrible, some put some A/T's on my Crosstrek. Went off-road today, didn't realize how big the hole was, and took out the oil pan. Engine is destroyed. Subaru won't warranty it, and want $xx,xxx to fix. What do I do!?!?!
The only modification I'd do now is tires.
Good luck.
Subaru makes some very nice and quite capable vehicles, but you'll quickly approach their limits off-road; the die-hard owners love to quote specs and tell you how their Outback has as much ground clearance as a Suburban. Technically, they're right. Realistically, I'll start dragging the pumpkin on my 14-bolt solid rear axle. They'll start ripping off bumpers and taking out the undercarriage.
Tell you what...why you have some extra time today, go ahead and prepare a post something like this so it'll be ready to go later on...
HELP!!!! My stock tires were terrible, some put some A/T's on my Crosstrek. Went off-road today, didn't realize how big the hole was, and took out the oil pan. Engine is destroyed. Subaru won't warranty it, and want $xx,xxx to fix. What do I do!?!?!
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: avacado11
The only modification I'd do now is tires.
Good luck.
Subaru makes some very nice and quite capable vehicles, but you'll quickly approach their limits off-road; the die-hard owners love to quote specs and tell you how their Outback has as much ground clearance as a Suburban. Technically, they're right. Realistically, I'll start dragging the pumpkin on my 14-bolt solid rear axle. They'll start ripping off bumpers and taking out the undercarriage.
Tell you what...why you have some extra time today, go ahead and prepare a post something like this so it'll be ready to go later on...
HELP!!!! My stock tires were terrible, some put some A/T's on my Crosstrek. Went off-road today, didn't realize how big the hole was, and took out the oil pan. Engine is destroyed. Subaru won't warranty it, and want $xx,xxx to fix. What do I do!?!?!
Lmao
I've learned my lesson, i know going off road is pretty risky if you aren't careful. Good thing my old Silverado had a skid plate.
But with the light stuff that I'll seldom go over it probably won't warrant completely modifying the undercarriage/suspension. If that was the case I'd buy a base model Impreza and like a $500 Ford Explorer or something.
Originally Posted By: avacado11
The only modification I'd do now is tires.
Good luck.
Subaru makes some very nice and quite capable vehicles, but you'll quickly approach their limits off-road; the die-hard owners love to quote specs and tell you how their Outback has as much ground clearance as a Suburban. Technically, they're right. Realistically, I'll start dragging the pumpkin on my 14-bolt solid rear axle. They'll start ripping off bumpers and taking out the undercarriage.
Tell you what...why you have some extra time today, go ahead and prepare a post something like this so it'll be ready to go later on...
HELP!!!! My stock tires were terrible, some put some A/T's on my Crosstrek. Went off-road today, didn't realize how big the hole was, and took out the oil pan. Engine is destroyed. Subaru won't warranty it, and want $xx,xxx to fix. What do I do!?!?!
Lmao
I've learned my lesson, i know going off road is pretty risky if you aren't careful. Good thing my old Silverado had a skid plate.
But with the light stuff that I'll seldom go over it probably won't warrant completely modifying the undercarriage/suspension. If that was the case I'd buy a base model Impreza and like a $500 Ford Explorer or something.
My Forester, pictured above, got me through some pretty bad dirt roads and deep snow. But, I put the Grabber AT2 tires on it, in one size taller than stock.
Just be careful and take it slow. One repair or tow will quickly eat up the savings from purchasing a vehicle that doesn't match your needs.
Just be careful and take it slow. One repair or tow will quickly eat up the savings from purchasing a vehicle that doesn't match your needs.
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