Looking to buy a 2011 Tacoma...

Hi all...
I'm looking at 2011 Tacoma's but my automotive knowledge is minimal so I could use some help. I'm on toyota's website looking at TRD Sport w/JBL audio and TRD Off Road packages. What are some of the major differences? Is there anyway to get the best of both worlds? I live in a town that has a sand park so I am leaning towards the off road package.
This will be my pick up for many years to come so I can't wait to start modifying it and hopefully learn some things in the process. I qualify as a Tacoma "noob" so any and all info is helpful and appreciated.

Thanks

 

Welcome Tanner!

Some of us are passionate with our opinions... so understand that when the posts begin to fly with your answers...

I am on my third Tacoma, they are just that good. No matter which model, you will have a great truck...

I like the 4WD OFF ROAD because I want my truck to have the most advantages available for getting places... off road.

The Off Road TRD 4WD has three major things going for it over the SPORT, and those are Hydraulic Brake Booster, A-TRAC and Locking Rear Differential. These are all traction related to make your truck unstoppable compared to any other factory stock vehicle.

The Hydraulic Brake Booster is required to power the A-TRAC and it also enhances the performance of the other traction modes: TRAC and AUTO LSD (shared by all Tacomas).

A-TRAC (Active Traction Control) gives your truck the traction ability of front and rear lockers, but without any steering limitations normally caused by lockers. With just one tire on solid ground, the A-TRAC can pull the truck ahead. Available since 2009 on Tacomas.

REAR LOCKER available for many years, was a great standard feature and allowed our trucks to out climb all others without lockers.

Whats great is the truck can do almost anything without mods!

=======================================================

The SPORT TRD is just that a sporty dress up for the truck... you have color matched parts and a non-funtioning hood scoop... but that is very very popular with Sport owners. When I drove a Sport, the first thing I noticed was the obstruction of view by the fake scoop that is so important in hill climbing in 4WD. But hay, it is a sport and not an off road. If you want a truck that wants to look like a sport car, then there you go! You can get the Sport with 4WD, but no rear locker or A-TRAC. Great for bad weather driving... and being a Toyota it can still go about everywhere.

 

Thanks for the replies. It helps to hear from people who have driven Tacos (I can say Taco right?). I do like the look of the hood scoop but functionality is definitely a higher priority. What are some of the best after market websites for Tacoma part/mods? I've found a few, most don't have much for 11' Tacomas yet, but was wondering what the preferred sites might coming from experienced Taco drivers...

Hopefully I can post pics of my new Tacoma sometime in January or February, followed by pics of my mods after that.

Thanks,

Tanner

 

Welcome from Ohio.

A lot of great opinions for you. Here are my impressions on my recent purchase of a 2011 off-road DC SB with JBL/bluetooth.

I liked the look of the scoop at first, but didn't like it in person with my color selection of Silver mica. With the darker colors (black MGM) it looked better. I like the chrome accents on the lighter colored truck. That's a subjective opinion but you can sort that out with your preferences. Also preferred the OR wheels although I will go TRD aftermarket in the summer.

But the major reason I went off-road is for all the extras. Rear diff lock, downhill assist, hill start assist, rear skid plate and tow hook for about 400 bucks extra.

Be prepared to wait for the off-road if you order JBL. It's been 4 weeks for me with 2 to go. May depend on color selection. In fact, I think the build date is today with delivery on the 20th (they tell me).

Good luck in making your decision.

 

Having just chosen the sport over the offroad, I say go with the sport. The ONLY reason to get the offroad package is if you do serious offroading. The sport package will still allow you to go off into the wilderness during hunting season etc. Honestly I didn't like the look of the smaller tires/wheels, and the engine skid plate stood out as ugly. Obviously if you are going to be going over big rocks or pot holes then go with it. I test drove both types and the obstructed view from the hood scoop is negligible. Test drive both and you will see.
Again just depends what you use the truck for on a regular basis. Most consumers probably don't need the offroad package, but buy it because of the name.

 

If you are going to spend over $30,000 for a pickup truck... don't you want it to have the ability to go as many places as possible with the most advanced 4WD traction system???

You don't need to go off road, but you could...

A SPORT has NO locking rear differential, NO hydraulic brake booster and NO A-TRAC.

Conversly, An OFF ROAD has no decorative hood scoop, no pretty color matched bumpers, no ... ... what else do Sports have that you guys want so badly over traction ability, I forget?

I sure have met a lot of Sport drivers that had no idea what an Off Road truck had or could do, without mods... and I kind of think with the knowledge I try and share, their next Tacoma will be an Off Road TRD...?

 

I would like to know the % of time people use their A-trac or Rear Diff.
UNLESS your doing SERIOUS off-roading.
If I had 30+K to spend then risk damage to it goofing off I would go off-roading and buy a off-road.
I love the look, feel, handling, of the sport! and LOVE THAT FAKE HOOD SCOOP!! also HATE those rusty i mean chrome bumpers.
I treat my truck like a baby and drive it 70+ miles everyday.
I've never cared this much about a vehicle in my life. I guess I'm just getting old!

 

I don't know about you, but I have a Toyota because it is a solid built truck... I wonder why you think driving the truck off pavement will risk damage to it? It will not, it has been developed from years of four wheeling and off road racing resulting in what we now have today.

The truck is a recreational vehicle as well as a work and daily transportation vehicle for me and many others. Driving the Tacoma on bad dirt roads or the beach or desert is NOT 'goofing off' or risking it... 4 wheel drive and Low Range allows you to cross difficult terrain SLOWLY without any risk.

The rear locker and/ or the Active Traction Control greatly increases the EASE of crossing difficult areas meaning LESS chance for damage.

Spinning tires (open differentials without traction control) are bad and can damage the road, the truck, and do not move you forward... TRAC, A-TRAC, and/or LOCKERS reduce or stop spinning tires so the power is on the tire with traction... to move you ahead.

Maybe because I am in California where salt goes in our food and not on the roads is why I have NEVER seen rust on my Tacomas in 10 years and 257,000 miles...?

Bumpers and hood scoops don't move your truck... but it is fine that they have a truck for people who don't want the added ability of the Off Road and prefer the looks of the Sport.

It is still a Toyota and a great truck no matter if it is a Sport, Off Road, SR5 or Base model...

Have a nice day!

 

Again, please read the above reply carefully. It goes with what I think is the consensus (if there can be one).
If you are spending 30,000 for a truck to be used occasionally on aggressive terrain, or heavy mud/off road, then you need the offroad package.
If you are spending 30,000 for a truck to look good, be reliable, and perform well for street use (including snow, where the 4 wheel drive works great in slippery situations) then go for the sport
Explaining the benefits of the traction control on the offroad package is only useful if somebody actually needs to use it. Most Tacoma users do not take their car offroading. Those who do swear by the off road package.