# Which rig to buy **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [August 30, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370 "2012-08-30T08:31:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![badbearing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/badbearing/32/10683_2.png) [@badbearing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/badbearing)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 8:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/1 "2012-08-30T08:31:43Z")
I have a choice. 1997 Toyota Tacoma 140000 miles 4cyl 4x4 matching topper clean $5750 or 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 120000 miles Auto clean $3900 Please give me your input. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![badbearing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/badbearing/32/10683_2.png) [@badbearing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/badbearing)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 8:32am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/2 "2012-08-30T08:32:44Z")
Duct Tape Specialist? lol How did they know… ---
**Author:** ![badbearing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/badbearing/32/10683_2.png) [@badbearing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/badbearing)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 9:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/3 "2012-08-30T09:17:05Z")
Must be a tight race…6 views and no comment ---
**Author:** ![galant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/77aa72/32.png) [@galant](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galant)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 9:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/4 "2012-08-30T09:33:46Z")
The one that has been maintained properly. But gotta say, I am biased towards to Toyota. Lot of friends had had good experience with it. Granted, last week I say on on the road with the rear axle on the wrong side of the hwy. ---
**Author:** ![badbearing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/badbearing/32/10683_2.png) [@badbearing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/badbearing)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 10:00am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/5 "2012-08-30T10:00:24Z")
Step away from the brewha ---
**Author:** ![junebug1701](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@junebug1701](https://community.cartalk.com/u/junebug1701)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 10:14am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/6 "2012-08-30T10:14:24Z")
This is kind of apples to oranges because they are different types of vehicles. My gut feeling told me the Tacoma would be more dependable and reliable engine-wise, and comparing the two on [carcomplaints.com](http://carcomplaints.com) seems to bear this out. See the comparison for yourself: > **[1997 Subaru Outback problems](https://www.carcomplaints.com/Subaru/Outback/1997/)** > > The 1997 Subaru Outback has 122 problems & defects reported by Outback owners. The worst complaints are engine, accessories - exterior, and electrical. > **[1997 Toyota Tacoma problems](https://www.carcomplaints.com/Toyota/Tacoma/1997/)** > > The 1997 Toyota Tacoma has 139 problems & defects reported by Tacoma owners. The worst complaints are body / paint, accessories - interior, and brakes. ---
**Author:** ![kmccune](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/kmccune/32/1237_2.png) [@kmccune](https://community.cartalk.com/u/kmccune)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/7 "2012-08-30T13:11:28Z")
Definitely the Taco-Kevin ---
**Author:** ![Whitey](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/whitey/32/24680_2.png) [@Whitey](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Whitey)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/8 "2012-08-30T16:38:31Z")
I’d take the Tacoma. ---
**Author:** ![AxleIke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@AxleIke](https://community.cartalk.com/u/AxleIke)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/9 "2012-08-30T17:26:32Z")
Bad bearing, I’d recommend checking into to the Subaru’s records a bit more. There were a number of head gasket issues during that time (1997). Personally I’d recommend the Toyota, but the Subaru will likely get slightly better gas mileage, though the 4 cyl Tacoma will do fairly well for a truck. ---
**Author:** ![badbearing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/badbearing/32/10683_2.png) [@badbearing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/badbearing)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2012, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/10 "2012-08-30T17:49:19Z")
Head gasket has already been changed in the Subaru. The Tacoma sold…It was out of town and the guy wouldnt even let me wire him 1000 to hold it… ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/11 "2012-08-31T18:11:10Z")
They’re both 15-16 years old. And totally different vehicles. Like humans, vehicles age differently, largely depending on how well they’re treated. And people have different tastes. Which do YOU like better? ---
**Author:** ![KensAudio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@KensAudio](https://community.cartalk.com/u/KensAudio)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 8:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/12 "2012-09-03T08:52:37Z")
I drive a Baja, but I’d lean toward the Tacoma for the following reason: With the Tacoma, you have the option of removing the cap if you needed to for cargo reasons. The Subie might give a small advantage on mileage, but given their respective ages, that’s a complete crap-shoot. If you’re looking for a cargo hauler, the Tacoma will also be easier to clean out with a hose, than the Subie with a vacuum cleaner (don’t know how smelly your cargo might be.) Don’t know the terrain you’re in, but the Tacoma will give you more ground clearance as well. Does either have a tow hitch? Do you care? Oh - just noticed the Tacoma sold… sorry. But depending on when the head gasket got changed on the Subie, it’ll be in fine shape for another 75-90k before it needs it again. It’s a pain, but it’s part of the package with cylinders that fire sideways (horizontally opposed). good luck, - K ---
**Author:** ![jayhawkroy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/jayhawkroy/32/33_2.png) [@jayhawkroy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jayhawkroy)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2012, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/which-rig-to-buy/74370/13 "2012-09-03T20:38:55Z")
Make sure the tires match by size, brand, model, tread wear. That aspect is critical to Subaru AWD. Also ask about timing belt and make sure it was done around 105K mi.