Life and family is changing so I now find myself needing to consolidate vehicles. I currently drive a Mazda 2 for most of my commuting and an 06 Tundra for my hunting/shooting/camping needs. Both have been great vehicles with some critical flaws:
Mazda 2:
Can't fit an infant car seat behind a front passenger
No horsepower
Tundra:
Abysmal gas mileage
Abysmal turning circle(impossible to navigate tight parking decks)
Doesn't fit in the garage(too long)
My needs are:
-4 useable seats, including a rear-facing infant car seat with a passenger sitting in front
-6000lb+ towing
-Fits in our garage
-$20-35k budget
It'll be used for:
-Daily driving and commuting (work is only 8 miles away down a winding river road)
-Hunting/hauling deer
-General home improvement stuff
-Towing a JD utility tractor
The GX460 looks like a great deal on the used market. Sub $30k for a 4WD V8 Toyota. I'm just not 100% certain I can give up the truck bed.
The Ranger seems to be the only compact pickup that A) has enough space for an infant car seat and a passenger, and B) Isn't a GM or FCA product. It also seems to be well regarded overseas as a quality and durable pickup, although with a different engine and transmission than we get in the US.
So, who here owns either? If you have a GX460, have you hauled a deer carcass(or 3) in it before?