Test Drives Beginning

Hello taco drivers.

First off, thanks again to the welcome and input on my New User Intro post.

I have my first test drive this evening, and another tomorrow. 2016 TRD Sport tonight, and 2016 TRD Off-road tomorrow. I’ve been reading up on the the difference in handling between these two. Both Black. Both at nearby Auth. Dealerships.

If anyone has pointers of less-than-obvious things to look for or feel out on these test drives, please post!

Thanks!
~Jes

 

Have them check for recalls.

 

The most scientific way to do it would be to drive both trucks back to back, over the same route. For instance, in town / highway. Doesn’t one dealer have both trd models?

 

If they are Toyota dealerships, ask them to pull up all of the maintenance records done by Toyota.

 

do some of the driving with ETC on to feel the difference, especially when accelerating from a stop. notice the feel in the response and the feel of the gas pedal. let us know what you think..

 

Sorry, just saw you said 2016s

 

Try to stretch the test as long as possible and try to go on both highway and city streets. If you plan on going off roading don't waste your time with Sport.

 

https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/vinLookup

 

Great idea @Deathray. Scientific Method applies for sure. I can swing that tomorrow. They have more inventory than the dealer I am visiting tonight.
~Jes

 

That is exactly what I did when I was looking to upgrade from a 4cyl SR. The differences in ride, and handling were most obvious while the previous test drive was really fresh in my mind. I hit the same stretches of rough pavement, took the same interstate stretch, etc..

 

Off Road will ride smoother, but doesn't have a skewp.

Sport has a skewp.

If you stick around long enough, you'll be swapping suspension anyway.

Take your pick.

 

I'd go with OR either way. Around here, it's got better resale.

 

Actually had time to put in a sport and a off road test drive. hit some speed bumps and pot holes in both. Def like the off-road best, but have to consider a ~100 mile daily commute. If there’s no difference in gas miliage, i will pot for the more robust off-road package.

 

I didn't like the way the 3rd gen sport rode. To soft and more body roll around corners.

When driving 2nd gen sport and OR, I could never tell the difference from the two if it was not for the sport hood.

 

Since they are 16s I'd make sure they have the towing package - even if you don't tow there are benefits in terms of trans cooling that will be worthwhile.

I think from what I've seen you may get 1-2 mpg better with a sport vs. offroad but nothing that would be a deciding factor. 4x2s seem to get a bit more per gallon than a 4x4 but then if you need/want a 4x4 its what you get!

Either way, your MPGs will likely rarely see the sticker rating given you seem to live in the mountainous area of western NC. Regardless of the model you choose don't be surprised if you see 16-18mpg averages if you have lots of hills to climb and do a lot of >70mph highway driving.

 

I can tell you I've had a blast in my OR driving it like a sports car on the Blue Ridge and on a lot of the fire / forest roads in the national forests in your neck of the woods. Never had an issue no matter how poorly maintained the roads were or how muddy they were and this is with all stock suspension and tires - I'm not sliding over rocks or anything but you'd be surprised how well a stock OR can handle rough terrain (within reason)!

 

Did not care for the skewp, from the drivers POV.

 

Take a higher speed curve and compare the two.

 

The fact that u get the locker is enough reason especially if the prices r close. That’s a very costly add on despite what u may hear. It’s your choice though but I say Off-Road!

 

Yeah, my OR wallows like a whale and/or understeers a bunch if you get too aggressive in the turns.

Even with the cushier ride though, it's quite jarring on the highway over small bumps. How is the sport in that respect?