Recent content by Markal

It’ll be better than my Outback XT, which gets 18-19 while towing our teardrop and has a 15 gallon tank. Based on reviews so far I expect the Tacoma to get similar mpg and I’ll have three extra gallons. That said, I’m having MAJOR second thoughts, even though my $500 deposit is non-refundable...

I’ve put a deposit down for a Tacoma Trd Off Road with the premium package, $53k😬 I continue to have second thoughts and look at used Frontiers (which I’ve tested and it’s OK) and used Rangers. I’m sure the Tacoma will be great, just don’t know if I really want to spend that much.

Thanks for the input everybody. In the end, I put a deposit down for a new Tacoma. One test drive in a TRD Off Road and I was hooked.

Happy to see posts acknowledging that very little of the travel planned and described on this site is true "expedition travel." While I enjoy this site, I HATE that term. I have not done any expedition travel and probably never will. But I've always traveled, mostly road trips and mostly...

This is a great story. Very glad you and your wife found a way to make exploration a central part of your lives. This is something we aspire to do as well.

I can. I’ve been doing it in a Subaru that has a payload of 900!

Main purpose is to be our camping and adventure vehicle - towing a teardrop all around Colorado, Utah and beyond and going further up roads than we've been able to go with our Subaru. So a lot of highway, a fair amount of off pavement/4x4, towing and hauling gear. It'll also get use a daily driver.

You're right. One in my region has one on the lot now. A closer dealer said theirs are a month out. Might go test that one is available though.

I’ve driven my neighbor’s Ram 1500 Laramie and have ridden a bunch of times. Very nice truck. Clearly smoother and quieter than any midsize. It’s somewhat tempting but doesn’t really make much sense for my use.

Slightly uncomfortable seating, but not terrible, and a little less desirable tech (camera is pretty weak). But it’s still a possibility. My wife hasn’t driven the Tacoma yet and I suspect she might not like the sight lines out.

Canyon wasn't available, but it's a twin to the Colorado so I'm not sure I need to test it (but I would if one is available near me soon). New Ranger is not available yet. Local dealer said a couple months I drove the previous Tacoma, the Frontier, the previous Ranger, the Colorado, and the...

I'd like a new mid-sized truck this year. I tested a '24 Tacoma TRD Off Road a few days ago and I really like pretty much everything about it compared to the competition (though I haven't tested the new Ranger or a Canyon). I liked the comfort, the drive and handling, the drivetrain...

Honestly that would be near the top of my list, used, maybe 60-80k miles. I like a little luxury.

A good friend of mine said, "I don't know how you live without a truck. Baffles me to no end!"

Isn't pretty much everything discussed in this forum a "want?" No one needs to overland or camp or even drive! So, yes, this is most definitely a want. It's a matter of how much do I want it given the cost and other tradeoffs. That said, thanks for the input on pros and cons. I think there are...