I currently have a econoline e350 I use as a dd. I also use it to take the dog to the kennel. My wife can't / won't drive it she says it's to big. So I am looking at a Tacoma , forester / outback xt. My dd includes about 150miles round trip to work so mpg is a little important any of the above will run circles around the ford in mpg, currently getting 14-16mpg. I like the Subaru models but just because of the ability to modify them and the car like ride. The Tacoma I like the ride height and utility aspect of the pick up. Can you guys give your perspectives on these three choices?
I'm leaning towards the Tacoma I have read nothing but great reviews and as we'll for the Subaru s. I need to make the right choice, so just looking for some additional imput. Thanks

 

I've had 3 tacomas (all pre-2005). I've also had an '08 4runner, '09 sequoia, and now a new Tundra. Of all those vehicles, I've made 1 repair - an o2 sensor on a tacoma with 120k miles on it. I miss my tacomas a lot. That said, none of them - even the 2.7l got over 20 mpg on the highway.

I also own forester we bought new last year. It's our first subie, and the wife does most of the driving.

Positives: Drives like a much smaller car and handles great; with some snow tires, it rips through the snow; good ground clearance for a car in case you do anything that requires basic off-road travel; decent gas mileage, although we typically see 1-2 mpg under what was expected; interior is comfortable and has lots of headroom. Oh, and everyone thinks my wife is either a tree-hugger or lesbian, so they don't bother trying to hit on her.

Negatives: Subaru's TSB and recall notification service is nonexistent; radio is absolute garbage; would give serious consideration to buying an outback for the extra room if I had the choice again.

With that many miles on your commute, there's no way I would buy a Tacoma unless you need it for something the subaru can't handle. You're going to see 8-10 more mpg out of the subaru. If you commute 150 miles per day ~ 250 days per year, that's 750 gallons of gas. (figured at 18 mpg tacoma / 28 mpg forester)

Good luck!

 

Thanks, what I was reading the Tacoma got around 20mpg. The subie xt models around 23. I never did the math on how many gallons of fuel I burn in commuting. I would love 28mpg but 20 will still be 5-6mpg better than my current DD. I travel lot and try and take work trucks home as much as I can< although the office is cracking down on that recently. I don't mind a lesbian tree hugging wife lol. I have been given orders by the wife to get something in the next 2 weeks, I'll post up some pics of the new DD.