New to Tacomas - looking to buy - HELP?

My husband and I are getting very close to buying a new Tacoma. We are looking at just buying a new 11 model since they seem to hold value well and to start with clean mileage. My husband is basically set and here is what he wants:

White
TRD
4 door
Long bed
Add bull bar, roof rack, bike rack system for bed rails, exhaust tip

We have tossed around the idea of letting the dealer add leather? Any pros or cons to this? All of our cars we have ever had have had leather so not sure?

Also tossed around the idea of wether to get the JBL system or just stick with the 6 disc cd changer - the JBL adds some money.

Any opinions on any of this would be GREAT! THANKS!

 

The dealer leather is Nice, plus you can finance that with the vehicle if you need to. A TRD with Long Bed only leaves the TRD Sport option. I dont have the JBL and get along nicely with an after market Kenwood head unit.

Welcome to the forum.

 

Ok so there is a difference in the TRD and TRD sport? Can you explain? So sorry we are very new to these trucks!

 

The leather would be nice but you're better off and would save you money if you got the cloth seats and got some "wet okole" seat covers. It will protect your seats very very well and will keep your original cloth like new (good for resale.)

I have a white short bed 4 door and love it. I have the JBL system with 6 disc changer and it is awesome! but you can get good aftermarket systems like Dark Knight suggested. (just remember that pretty much anything you purchase aftermarket and is not OEM, will void your warranty ). Since you're buying a brand new car and paying good money for it, I would go ahead and spend the little extra and get exactly what you're looking for!!

 

So I am assuming that the JBL system only comes on short beds? Also the WET OKOLE seats look awesome! Are these something a dealer can install or something we would?
Whats the biggest difference in the JBL and regular?

 

I have been in the market for about 5 months, so I speak from research, but not ownership....yet.

I agree with Marty ^^^^^ I think the seat covers would make more sense. I do not know that many people on the forum who have the leather, which makes me believe the cloth is really nice.

I have asked several times about the JBL system. If you and your husband want to buy the nicest vehicle you can and not mess with it, then definitely go with the JBL. It is an improvement over the stock no-JBL system. My contention is if you or your husband really like music, then I would go with the basic stock system and install aftermarket after purchase. I think you'll be much happier with that. However, if you are the type of people who hate modifications or like your truck factory stock, then go with the JBL for a step above!

 

Yes see thats what I was wondering. I have not seen many people at all with leather on the Tacomas. We love music but hate doing interior mods to cars. So wanted as stock as possible!

 

I believe the JBL system is available on Access Cabs and Crew Cabs, i.e. what you are looking at.

The biggest difference between the JBL and the stock is the sub and speaker sound quality.

The JBLs have seven speakers (two in your front doors = 4 and 2 in the back) and one subwoofer. The stock audio is just six speakers, which are not as nice as the JBLs.

 

I think going with the JBL is a great choice then! I love music and know the JBL would be nice, but I would much rather modify my soundsystem.

I do not think you would regret the JBL and worst case, you could still always upgrade!

 

We have had a super hard time even finding the JBL system at all!

 

I went to Toyota's website and built your truck's specifications based on your original post. I then got an idea of the vehicle's price and ran a search on cars.com. I tried to narrow it down based on your criteria, added the keyword "JBL", and looked within the price range that I created on Toyota.com based on what you originally posted. I used my zip code, but searched all miles so hopefully one will be in your area.

I hope this helps: search results

 

wow thanks so much! I will check this out now! Hey I have another question guys...on the "wet okole" seats...do these prohibit the airbags from working?

 

I realized cars.com would not let me exclude short beds, but it should give you and idea of where some are! You could always go to a dealer and have them locate you one. I have just decided I would rather find the vehicle I want and eliminate the middle man because that should mean savings for me! (I hope )

 

I believe the JBL can come with the long bed too. The system is part of an upgrade package.

The JBL package i got comes with the following:
-AM/FM 6-disc in dash cd changer
-6 JBL speakers and an 8" subwoofer (located behind back seat)
-Auxiliary Audio input (I use for an i-pod)
-MP3/WMA playback capability
-on-board satellite radio with 3 month free subscription to xm satellite radio
-Bluetooth capability with voice command (controls on steering wheel)

This package was part of the "SR5 extra value package" (I can tell you what that includes if you were interested in an SR5.

As far as the Wet okole covers go, It would be something you put on yourself. They're really easy to install. they are super durable and easy to clean. Just get yourself a set of those and some weathertech floor mats and you'll be good to go!!

 

Oh ya and when you order the seat covers, They ask you if you have side air bags on your seat. If you do, then you order the model that still allows the airbags to deploy even with the seat cover on

 

Ok awesome! Also just another question - how do you order and get the TRD emblem on them? Do these seat covers look nice but still "classy" when installed?

 

What you want to do is instead of ordering online, just use the website to figure out exactly what you want. Then call them and put in your order over the phone. you can tell them that you want the TRD emblem on the seat and they will know exactly what you mean. They'll probably ask you what color you want the emblems etc.

They toootally still look classy. I was worried when I got mine too! but they fit really snug onto the seats and there is no extra slack making them look wrinkled or folded or anything like that. better than leather IMO because they wont crack like leather.

 

Trust me...they are the farthest thing from the cheap-o seat covers you would get at kregan.

 

oh great! I had no idea these seats exhisted!

So how are the Tacomas as far as quality, feel, ride, etc? Is everyone happy with theirs?

 

So happy!! It was my first brand new car and dont regret it a bit. The ride is great its nice and smooth (remember as soon as you mess with suspension your ride will change). The handling and turn radius is surprisingly good on it.

I haven't noticed any major defects on it but i do wish the tailgate of the truck was stronger.