Recent content by Markal

It's really pretty silly to think the level of danger in the US is similar to Baja and other parts of Mexico. Do horrible crimes happen in the US? Yes. But at a much, much lower rate. And most murders in the US are committed by acquaintances of the victim, not random. I have certainly given up...

After first putting a deposit down for a '24 Tacoma TRD Off Road, I ended up getting a Ranger. I actually like the way the Ranger looks better and I could get options I wanted for about $7k less than the Tacoma. Driving experience was similar, I think, but I drove them three weeks apart so hard...

Test drive a Tacoma. The previous gen (2023 and older) has a very weird seating position. Intolerable for me, but some don’t mind it.

I’m sure it’ll tempt some people. I already see A LOT of Rivians here in Colorado. But I just bought a new truck and didn’t really consider a Rivian. Too pricey, too unreliable, and too much reduction in range when towing.

Agree with this. Used weighted anchors of some sort, buried in the sand. Logs, bags filled with sand, rocks etc

Agreed! When we bought our Outback in 2021, I thought all the mid sized trucks (and most 4x4 SUVs) were pretty crappy and had major compromises. Now they are all pretty nice. No pics yet. We got an insanely good rate through Navy Federal Credit Union but can’t settle up till Monday. If you...

Pulled the trigger on a 2024 Ranger XLT with FX4. The used 2021 was OK, but we got a pretty good offer on our trade at the Ford dealer, much better than Carmax where the used Ranger was, and that narrowed the price difference by over $3k. Plus the 2021 was going to need tires right away, so...

Oh man, that is tempting, but I've been waiting for almost two years. I was ready to pull the trigger on a Frontier a little over a year ago I think but decided to wait for the new Ranger and Taco. My patience is running thin!

I've decided against the GM twins because I don't trust the reliability as much. Based on what I've read, I have more confidence in the Tacoma and Ranger despite being new designs. Agree that 7k is enough of a difference to tip the scales. I'll hopefully drive a 2024 Ranger that has the exact...

Fair point. I've found a 2024 Ranger to test drive (assuming it doesn't sell before I get there this evening).

We put a desposit down for a Tacoma and we're waiting (3 weeks and counting). The wait has given me time to develop 2nd thoughts about the cost of Tacoma with the options we want ($53k+) and look around some more and I'm starting to like what I've leaned about the Ranger, both the previous...

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...