Replace RWD F150 Supercab with Subaru Outback?

Hi. I have a Ford F150 Supercab. I believe it weighs 6000 lb. It's a 2013. I owe about $17200 on it. I recently moved from TX to Park City, UT where there's 400ish inches of snow annually. I found a 2012 Subaru Outback with 35k miles on it (I have 40k on my truck) that seems well maintained, one previous owner, regular checkups, oil changes, inspections, etc. It's a four cylinder.
The asking price is $20k (from dealership). They offered me $22k for my truck so after the fees I get about $4k of equity towards the car, and essentially an extra $1k to put towards the principle, so I'm at a net positive here. My question is should I do it? I've heard horror stories about driving RWD trucks out here in the mountains. The trucks KBB is about 22k (they were accurate at trade in value) and the car's is about $18.5 since it's in excellent condition with very low miles.

First, yes driving on snow with just RWD sucks. I live in the rockies and would never drive a RWD, it's got to be FWD or AWD/4x4 for me.

Second, talk them down on price for the Outback. If KBB and NADA show you that the value is less than their asking price, you can use that as leverage to reduce your costs.

Finally, only do the deal if you are comfortable with it. If you don't feel comfortable with it, you could regret it down the road. This applies to anything, but especially big purchases like cars.

Sounds like a good deal for your new winter environment.

Why are you buying a $18.5 car for $20? Forget about the trade in, if the car is $18.5 then get them to agree to the $18.5 before you move ahead. No wonder they are offering you 22 for the truck. Don't over pay for the subaru just to get a "better" trade in, that is where they will get you. Have them email / fax over a buyers order and go over the numbers with a fine tooth comb, and then shop lenders for a deal as well.

Do you haul fence posts and barbed wire with you everywhere you go? If not loose the pickup before it snows.

Not sure how well you can workout the deal, but the Outback is a fine vehicle that should last a while. I had not owned a Subaru since the 1980's (put well over 100,000 miles on both 4WD wagons), but to use as a winter vehicle I just bought a 2008 Subaru Outback with 150,000 miles on it that looks like new and drives and handles great too.

I'm almost tempted to take the Outback to a parking lot slalom (SCCA Solo like event). But maybe I'll wait until the October TSSCC event when the summer-only autocross tires on my MazdaSpeed3 may not have as much grip in the cold.

Provided you won't be complaining about the lack of utility later on, the Outback sounds like a good option. However, if you can sell the truck for more than what the dealer offers and you're not in a rush, sell privately.