TRD Sport tim...I do not understand it

I considered and test drove ALL the Tacoma models when searching for my 2018. I went with the TRD Sport because I liked the appearance (hood scoop; painted fender flares) and it was the most versatile as far as offering the best solution for both road and off-road use. I assume the Sport outsells the OR by a large margin as every dealership I visited had far more Sports on the lot than ORs (typically had 30-40 Sports compared to 5-6 ORs).

Not sure why some struggle so understanding the Sport trim package.
As far as the hood scoop goes, it "functions" as a very popular design element to the point that some will purchase the Sport over OR on it alone.

 

I can only speak as to my experience when I was looking in March, but it seemed it was the complete opposite at the dealerships I was looking at. I wanted a long bed Sport. All had a far better selection of ORs over Sports and the ORs were selling a lot quicker than the Sports. I'm sure geographical location has a lot to do with it also.

 

It would be interesting to see official national Toyota sales data. I asked my salesmen and all replay was similar "we carry what the customer wants and most want the scoop"?

IMO, neither is 'better' than the other, just a matter of personnel preference and what your needs/wants are.

 

I agree with your statement. I would offer that using the salesmen logic, why not put scoops on all trim levels then? Just my perspective, my '17 has a scoop. I like it and don't care that it doesn't do anything. The only thing I want now is that damn Knight Rider LED thing that I can put in there.

 

The salesmen seemed to haft-way joking about the scoop, but I've wondered the same thing considering the great lengths some have gone to swap out hoods on their ORs I'm surprised Toyota hasn't gone to scooped hoods on all Tacoma models.

 

It would be interesting to see the data. I'm always curious about things like that. One dealership I visited, which was the largest in my area, we had to go to a satellite lot down the street just to find a long bed Sport in their inventory. They had 3 separate sections on the main dealership that had new/used Tacoma's. None of those sections had long bed Sports, but plenty of long bed ORs and some SR5s. The sales guy I was with kept pointing out long bed ORs to me as we were driving around (it was that big of a lot) and I kept saying, "nope, it doesn't have a hood scoop". It became kind of a running joke. The dealership I ultimately bought my Sport from had to get it from another dealer 100 miles away. BTW, I wasn't trying to find some unicorn Sport with a rare option. I had 5 color choices and just wanted the premium package with the leather/sunroof. Like I said though, that was my experience over a month ago and I'm sure this would vary from region to region and even week to week.

I do think though that buyers feel like their are getting more bang for their buck with the OR. I know I struggled with that aspect in choosing between the OR and Sport. I loved the look the Sport over the OR, but thought the off-road functions of the OR was a better buy. It seemed with the OR I would be getting more for my money. Ultimately for me though, it came down to looks over function. I was honest with myself and came to the conclusion that I rarely, if ever, go off road. Those off road functions on the OR would be a waste on me and I'd be stuck with a truck that wasn't visually appealing in my eyes just for a few switches inside. About a month into ownership, I'm really happy I went the Sport route.

 

I think Geographical location definitely has a lot to do with it too.

 

I would buy another Sport. It’s always done what I needed and drive it a average 120 miles per day.

 

If you have VIN and go to Toyota Owners website... you enter VIN and then click on "view specs" link so it will show you where it was built under the "Plant of Manufacture" ...

Or if you have window sticker, it will show you where it was built too.

 

This is my second sport, always loved the look. I live in So Cal and bought my 2020 last November. Sport Tech package long bed (cement) only had 2 in 150 mile radius. Mine was a dealer trade and had 68 miles on it. Longo Toyota huge dealer on west coast and they had plenty of OR’s in my color and long bed. No sports . And this was from November- December. To each is own, for me- I’m a fan of the sport .

 

The first place on the VIN tells the country of manufacture, 5 is US, 3 is Mexico.

 

Vin decoder

 

These are the type of guys that drive “sport” model Tacoma’s. Lol jk

 

Lol tight

 

Damn savage. Great movie BTW

 

Don’t mouth off to her

 

...but seriously though, these are the type...kidding, kidding...not really though

 

Dude! They're called Native Americans now, geez.

 

Fify (based on my time here on TW imo...lol)