New Tacoma specs for a first purchase?

Gentlemen;

I am looking at purchasing a new crew cab short body 4x4 Tacoma. Wife and I will use it mostly on paved road with some gravel, not much. Occasional towing of bass boat, less than 20 miles. Should I have the tow package?

What other options would be good.

I don't need anything special. Just a good solid truck.
Most of the mechanic work will be done by myself. Currently have a 1995 and 1999 Jeep cherokee. 1995 has 275,231 miles and 1999 has 176,000.
I am looking for something reliable and have chosen to purchase the Tacoma.

Thank You

 

I would get the tow package.

Other than that it's SR5, Off Road or Sport. If you don't plan on spending much time off road then the Sport would be the better choice... if you like the color matched trim and scoop hood. If you don't care about either of those, the SR5 with the tow package is nice and much cheaper. Then you can add the bits and pieces here and there that you do like but didn't get with the SR5.

 

Fightnfire; Thank you!

What do you gain with the tow package?

 

Based on the original description/needs, I would get a base model 4x4 (because you're in Maine) and just throw a Reese hitch on it for towing. I think it would do just fine for a bass boat. That would save you some serious money over the other packages mentioned as well.

 

I cant remember if you can get the tow package on any of the base models but the added

are well worth the package. It allows you to tow more weight then just adding a tow hitch.

It would also depend how big your bass boat is.

If you don't care about matching front bumper and chrome or matching grille (among other things) then a base model with tow package would be worth it. Personnally I went with the OR package with tow package just for the ease of having it all come at one time and not having to piece it together. Lots of others (MANY on here) by a fairly base model so they can put it all on themselves and be able to pick out exactly what they want. Really just depends how you want to look at it.

 

Thanks guys;

The offroad package comes with a heavier suspension?

I failed to mention I would probably have a cap on the body with canoe racks.

 

Both the off road and sport come with Bilstein shocks. If there are other suspention features I am not aware of someone else will probably stop by and pipe in soon enough.

 

Atrac

 

Just wanted to say that I will most likely be buying a 2011Tundra dbl cab, paper work will be on tues.. The Tacoma would be more than adequate but I feel the Tundra will be a better fit for me. Then the rebates etc. helped in the decision.
Thanks again!

 

I was looking at Tundras and decided to go with Tacoma, I got the Off Road TRD with tow package and never looked back. Tacoma does everything I need and I believe a Tundra would have been an over kill for me (I don't tow anything, besides an occasional 12x6 U-Haul trailer). Also it's a lot easier around town. But I do like how Tundras look. Good luck with the purchase and enjoy your Toyota!