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calamity_chk
Sep 8, 2004, 10:09 PM
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Okay, my last couple of adventures in searching out climbs has brought to my attention that Toyota Corollas were apparently NOT intended as off-road vehicles.
I'm thinking about asking Santa for a Tacoma or a 4Runner. A former climbing partner has also suggested that I consider a Forrester. Obviously, I can look up basic info on cars.com, but I dont think I can do a 3,000 mile test drive for 5 days through the mountains and into the middle of nowhere.
Do any of you have any of these cars/trucks? What are your thoughts/recommendations?
PS. I dont need anything ultra fancy, just something that can scoot up mountains and around the desert on some of the more interesting "roads."
PPS. I plan to keep the Corolla for regular commuting. I just need a better "play" vehicle.
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climbsomething
Sep 8, 2004, 10:13 PM
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Whatever you get, I'm hitching a ride next time we're in CO.
Shhh... don't tell Alex 8-)
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atg200
Sep 8, 2004, 10:14 PM
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get the tacoma, and the offroad package is nice if you spend a lot of time in the desert. ditching my subaru and getting a tacoma was a happy day for me. you get more for your money and a more capable vehicle with the tacoma than the mallrunner.
all thre vehicles are pretty spendy though.
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slablizard
Sep 8, 2004, 10:19 PM
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Get a used Range Rover. That's a real SUV.
Love my AudiA4
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rcaret
Sep 8, 2004, 10:22 PM
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My thirty years as an auto mechanic would lead me to believe Toyota is by far the best choice
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calamity_chk
Sep 8, 2004, 10:30 PM
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I'm more about functional and frugal than cool and trendy - I'm not after a 'real' SUV so much as I want solid, reliable transportation when the objective is getting as far away from civilization as possible.
I am a 100# female who doesnt think much about driving into a new area with undeveloped roads - I need a vehicle that's as adventureous as I am. (good grief. i spend too much time with my head in marketing. new slogan, anyone?)
Back to my new gear purchase - clearance and reliability are top priorities. Fuel efficiency is also fairly important.
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mbez
Sep 8, 2004, 10:32 PM
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I kinda like my Outback. Larger than the Forester, decent gas mileage, the weather band radio is great, AWD, and it isn't an SUV.
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sarcat
Sep 8, 2004, 10:32 PM
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Toyota 4-Runner. I have a '98. 87,000 miles and 0 problems. Solid vehicle.
Your Santa must be rich.
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davidji
Sep 8, 2004, 10:37 PM
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In reply to: My thirty years as an auto mechanic would lead me to believe Toyota is by far the best choice
OTOH, if the Forester will handle the amber_chk's "roads," it will be a lot more pleasant to drive than a Taco or 4Runner. Good handling, acceleration (but do it too soon after start up and trigger a check engine light), and ride. Great sunroof. And it goes just about anywhere I want to go. I can only think of one approach I've done where I'd have trouble taking the Sube. Of course we did it in a Toyota 4x4.
As for cargo room, I've carried bikes, snowboards, plywood (with the hatch open) inside the Forester. I can carry my bikes upright (seat removed). Larger bikes need to go on their side. Or outside.
Reasonable fuel economy too. They may call it an SUV, but it's a wagon. It's sure not a Suburban or Explorer.
The '05 Outback has increased clearance (and decreased center of gravity), so may be improved off-road and on.
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hagrok
Sep 8, 2004, 10:43 PM
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I've got a '04 Toyota Tacoma 4-Door 4 wheel drive and it has become my group's climbing vehicle of choice. It's reasonably comfy for long drives and holds 4 or 5 days of camping/climbing gear for 4 folks (and a good amount of beer).
Plus it looks cool :wink:
--Dan
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fredbob
Sep 8, 2004, 10:45 PM
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I've owed several Toyotas and all have run and run and run with doing just regular oil changes. Very reliable cars.
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kqoytae
Sep 8, 2004, 10:49 PM
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91 toyota 4x4 230,000 on the body, 35,000 on a rebuilt v6, Its ugly, but I can work on it and if you get a highback cap, its a home on the road. Stick with the yota, don't get the 4runner though, its a freakin SUV, get a the truck with the V6. Anybody ever seen, owned one of those yota chinocks(sp?)
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mbond
Sep 8, 2004, 10:52 PM
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i'd go for the subie, except not the forester. the WRX wagons are pretty reliable (yeah you can find exceptions, but in general, they are), do really well on dirt roads, they have good cargo space, and are a fun drive.
that is, unless you are planning on driving REALLY rough roads and need the extra ground clearance, then go for the truck.
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buckmanriver
Sep 8, 2004, 10:59 PM
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My thirty years as an auto mechanic would lead me to believe Toyota is by far the best choice
welll put go with the toyota
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sandbag
Sep 8, 2004, 11:07 PM
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my 94 4runner had 267kmiles when i ditched it(im sorry, please please forgive me, i love you still i swear...) for the sunroof less outback.....ill let you know as i roll on the miles which is better....1month old and 5000 miles already......its to soon to tell
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pbjosh
Sep 8, 2004, 11:08 PM
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Toyota pickup or 4Runner. Get the sports package or whatever is applicable to the model you choose to get you larger tires / rims.
Forresters have decent ground clearance and are more comfortable to drive but are much much much less capable in sand/mud/snow (tire size / tread) or rocky / rutted jeep trails (ground clearance) than a Toyota w/ sports package.
I find, most of the time, ground clearance is a bigger issue than 4WD, although having 4WD doesn't hurt, and it of course depends on what you'll be doing.
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maculated
Sep 8, 2004, 11:16 PM
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I got the Subaru Impreza because I wanted a hatchback and four doors with decent gas mileage. The Toyotas may be better equipped in terms of clearance, but they ain't got nothin' on the mileage Suzi gets. I've NEVER done an approach the Sube couldn't handle and while it DOES have a few pesky problems, it's reliable as hell, and I'm about to hit the 200k mark.
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redpointron
Sep 8, 2004, 11:18 PM
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In reply to: and it isn't an SUV.
my wife's been driving our outback (i know it's not a forrester) for 5 years. no big problems and the deciding factor for us was insurance rates on a station wagon vs. an s.u.v.
have fun with either
r.r.
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mastheadmike
Sep 8, 2004, 11:19 PM
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My sister has an outback, love it to death. Subaru has great AWD, better gas mileage than a truck and more comfortably seats passengers. My best friend has a Tacoma, love it to death too. Great 4WD and ground clearance, engine lasts forever. Commuting in Long Island with a stick shift truck isn't a blast but you get used to it. Out west its more fun.
In my opinion though choose an Outback, its like choosing Leatherman over a buck knife, you just get more options. More or less you are just gonna need a truck bed when you need to move a ton of mulch or gravel-that I wouldn't put in the outback.
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apolobamba
Sep 8, 2004, 11:32 PM
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I have a 4runner. It is fantastic except for the gas mileage, the uncomfortable seats and that I have sleep diagonally in the back (you probably can sleep comfortably with room to spare). The high clearance is great for all the speed bumps the Forest Service builds on the dirt roads in South Sierra. If I get a truck, it will be the Tundra.
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davidji
Sep 8, 2004, 11:33 PM
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In reply to: my wife's been driving our outback (i know it's not a forrester) for 5 years. no big problems and the deciding factor for us was insurance rates on a station wagon vs. an s.u.v. |
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trimix
Sep 8, 2004, 11:41 PM
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Get a Taco, you need a truck that climbs as hard as you do!
8^)
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sandbag
Sep 8, 2004, 11:42 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: my wife's been driving our outback (i know it's not a forrester) for 5 years. no big problems and the deciding factor for us was insurance rates on a station wagon vs. an s.u.v. Did your insurance co. really quote you more for Forester than Outback? |
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