New guy trying to decide

Hello I am new here and am in the market for a Tacoma in the next month or two. I am currently trying to decide what I want / need and with all the different configurations its really daunting.

Here is what I have been considering any input would be great.

Double cab definitely!

I am trying to decide if I want the TRD OR or Sport. I will not be doing too much off roading but it would be nice to know that if I wanted too I could NP. The sport is nice but I do not like the rims / tires (but they are easily replaced).

That decision could be decided if I can decide if I want the long bed or short bed. Sport is my only option in LB. I know I use my bed often and the longer one will get used but will I sacrifice much maneuverability???

FYI I would be commuting to work 120+ miles a day round trip.

Color is another question Barcelona Red or Timberland?

One thing I do not understand with Toyota is the crappie audio options they have. No iPod interface, No Bluetooth, No satellite radio. I know this call all be installed after purchase but the prices $400+ for sat good lord, $200+ for iPod and still no interface (are you kidding). I guess that is why you guys go after market.

My head is hurting over all this.

Back ground: I have had many of different trucks though out the years. The lasted being an 2006 Frontier AC (I HATE AC's). The best being a 98 Ranger with 9" lift and 38" thornbirds, plus many many mods. The strongest 89 Bronco full size. I rolled that one in the middle of the road, flipped it back over, checked fluids, and continued on.

Anyways thanks for having me here I hope to learn a lot about Taco's.

 

I got a Sport DC LB a couple of months ago and it definitely is a long truck resulting in some Austin Powers like parking episodes. My previous truck was a quad-cab Dakota (about a foot shorter in overall length) and the taco is a bit harder to maneuver.

If I had it to do over again I'm not sure what I would do. I have a camper shell on it and the long bed is nice for hauling bikes and camping, but an OR with the shorter bed sure would be easier to drive around town.....

 

i can plug my ipod into my 2010, it comes stock. but i have the TRD OR package. the only problem with that is, when you are in AUX mode for the ipod, the volume is significantly lower than it would be when listening to the radio. no big deal though, you just have to turn the volume almost all the way up to listen to your ipod.

 

I have the long bed, and I will say it's a bit more difficult to move around, but it's not half as bad as I expected. When we were looking to buy, I test drove a SB and a LB and subsequently got the long bed because the difference wasn't big IMO. If you won't be offroading very much, get the Sport w/ the long bed. Good luck with the purchase!

 

I have seen TRD long bed couble cab in the Off Road Package so the Sport Package isn't your only option. The new trucks come with (the correct package that is) bluetooth, satellite radio, and ipod interface.

I have had both a TRD Off Road and TRD Sport Package. Out of the box, I must say I like the looks of the Sport Package much better. It come with a color match grill, color match painted rear bumper, and hood scoop. The other difference between the packages is the rear locker vs the limited slip differential. I am not too serious into off roading since this is my daily driver but I do use my 4x4 on a regular basis. That being said, I never once had to engage my rear locker or even my limited slip since I have had my new truck.

Since it seems you will be using your truck as a daily driver for the most part, I would suggest the Sport Package. Even if you do get into off roading down the road, it is going to have to be some pretty serious stuff to really need the rear locking differential. Good luck with your purchase. You're going to love these trucks whatever package you decide to get.

 

Get the short bed and get the bed extender. That's what I did. I got the off road because I wanted the locker (just in case) but I didn't like all the chrome and have been removing it since purchasing the truck. Either way you're making a good investment.
That's a hell of a long commute I thought mine was bad at 50 miles round trip
Oh BTW welcome to TW!

 

I have a long bed double cab sport and I love it. It took a little while to get used to parking it but it has the back up camera and that helps a lot. The short bed was never an option for me. I need the longer bed. I don't do any offroading in the true sense, mostly just log roads during hunting season so I didn't get the 4x4 but I'm glad I have the limited slip in the sport. I didn't see the point of a locker for my needs.

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Let me get this straight on the audio. You can hook up the iPod to the aux I get that but will the radio operate the controls or do you have to do it on the iPod itself? The dealer told me I would have to buy the satellite radio at a cost of $400+ and then you can control it through the stock radio. The reason the audio is important is the long commute I have 2 ½+ hours a day in a vehicle is long and boring.

I am really leaning toward the Long bed. The bed extender is nice but I have read some stories here that the tailgate is just not that strong and an ATV will be in my future.

 

How long did it take to get used to the back up camera. On the test drive it did not help me at all?

 

How is the dealership out there in Chantilly?

 

You could get the SR5. It has the ipod input (although it sucks, you have to control it manually unless you get an adapter for around $110).
But, the SR5 gets better gas mileage, and on your long commute that will come in handy. Plus it is cheaper out the door.

Oh yeah, and Timberland is the better of those two choices, IMO.

 

Where do you get interface from? Does it hook up to the back of the stock radio?

 

I thought about the SR5 but the seats in the TRD are just too nice!

 

Cool thanks a lot!

 

http://www.pacificstereo.com/usa-spec-pa15-toy.html

Just FYI, any Toyotas with navigation need the PA20-TOY instead.

 

For Ipod. Has filter built in. Also keeps Ipod Charged.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3898889

 

Cool two good options other then the dealer rip off kit.

Thanks!

 

I actually bought mine at Koons in Tysons. I tried working with the Ourisman guy in Chantilly but the sales guy only wanted to sell me what was on the lot and didn't care about finding what I wanted. I wanted a manual transmission and nobody here cares about stocking manuals apparently. I ended up finding mine at Koons it was just about exactly what I was looking for, so I jumped on it as soon as it rolled off the delivery truck pretty much
I was actually out at Ourisman last friday getting my 10,000 maintenance done and they had tons of tacos in both Sport and Off Road double cabs and access cabs. Although I did notice none were manuals
I noticed the NoVa as your location. I was wondering if that meant Northern Virginia or not. Where you located?

 

I am out in Winchester. Kern in Winchester is a joke. I looked yesterday at the place in Warrenton and one in Martinsburg WV. I had really good experiences with both but when I am ready to pull the trigger the place with the best deal on Exactly what I want will win my business. Living in NoVa there are pleanty of dealerships around to check out.