Potential Buyer of New Taco, Need Advice Please

Evening all

I owned a 1st gen Tundra for almost 8 years. It was mostly reliable but had a known front-diff issue, fixed when I showed the dealer the TSB (they didnt know about it) and then at the end of its time with me it had the known issue with the pre-heater of the cat converter (I forget the exact part) but it kept putting me in limp mode. I could have had it fixed on another TSB but decided to trade it in for a Ram 1500 BigHorn. I went with the Ram because frankly the Tundra was very outdated and boring and not much changed in those 8 years.

The Ram was a great truck but around my divorce I had a midlife crisis and so got a muscle car, a 2017 Challenger Scat Pack 6.4. I love it but...Im just too practical of a person and miss the versatility of a truck. For full disclosure, I do have a 1998 4 Runner with 314k miles, V6 as my winter driver, so Im still "in the family".

To this end Ive been shopping around for a Taco. A lot of mixed reviews with regards to seating comfort, engine power and transmission shifting but Ive decided I will test drive and decide for myself. I have also been "spoiled" because, whatever you think about Ram/Dodge reliability, the technology inside (UCONNECT, dash, etc.) is current and it seems like the Taco is very outdated. I understand, reliability is very important but a little less so for me just because I take excellent care of my vehicles and can do some repairs myself.

Money is not an issue but I also worry that if I get the TRD Pro (assuming of course I can get one) Im just spending 8k more to get nothing that really will benefit me. I dont go muddin or rock climbing, just winters in CT.

Any constructive thoughts on what I should consider would be great, thank you!

 

Best advice is to test drive and long test drive at that. Feel the acceleration off the stop and passing. I really recommend getting the manual with the 3rd Gen though. You'd be a lot happier if you did. Know that the PRO has just fancy this and that but the Off-Road has the same capabilities. There's differences between the Sport and the Off-Road package, locking differential being one of them. I'm unsure if A-Trac is still only exclusive to the Off-Road on a 3rd Gen.

Welcome to the site.

 

Money is an issue even if it’s not to you. You should look at what accessories you get with the Pro vs. any other trim level you like and see if it’s worth it. There is a huge jump in price increase and you may just want to make sure it worth it to you.

All trim levels are good, but some are better for different tasks. Do your homework before pulling the trigger and you will be glad you did. Best of luck. Let us know what you end up with!

PS fully agree with the manual choice!!!

 

if you test the automatic be sure to drive it with the ECT power on, makes all the difference. do not let salesman distract you by jacking his jaws, you need to focus on the way it drives.

 

Thanks for the feedback!

Im guessing I can mod the models to look more TRD Pro-ish? For example, remove the front air dam and install a skid plate?

 

Exactly. It won't be a real pro of course, but Toyota will sell you everything you need to build your own. Or build an even better pro by going aftermarket.

 

If you arent going offf road and just want the pro for the looks. And dont care about a trac or a locker. It would be easier to get sport remove the air dam and put on black fender flares on than get an offroad and get a sport hood. Also offroad has chrome rear bumper covers if you dont get premium tech, sports all have painted rear bumpers.