Need a nudge OFF Road or Sport?

Hi All,
I have been searching for my first Taco and find it hard to locate the right one.
Living in the high desert of SW Idaho I have a lot of off roading opportunity but rarely use it.
My choice was a blue TRD SPORT hybrid with the upgrade package.
It turns out that I find a lot more off road models in a 500 mi radius but rarely a Sport model.
It is not unusual to see larger dealers with 60 Tacomas but only three hybrids.
I love a truck that responds to throttle input (without delay) and knows how to take a corner.
Do I lose anything by choosing a hybrid offroad over a hybrid sport? Thanks for any input.

 

The hood scoop bro... it adds an automatic 20 hp

 

Don't they both have that?

 

Do you want black plastic fenders or painted to match.

 

TRD OR does not have the scoop, but comes with a softer suspension for offroad purposes and an optional rear diff option; the Sport gets the scoop, a stiffer/sportier suspension and no diff option

 

I can go with either.

 

Offroad 4x4 has a rear locker, the sport does not.

 

Thank you for making it so clear. The Sport is what I want. I thought the scoop came with either model and I want a stiff suspension to minimize body roll.

 

Well, thank you. This made the decision real easy. Now back to finding the car, it seems everytime we decide on what Toyota to buy it is nowhere to be found.

 

I looked long and hard east of you from Salmon. I wanted an OR with the Upgrade package and the 14" screen, and heated seats. ORs were scarce as penguins in Bliss. The Missoula dealer found an allocation for an OR with the Premium package, and I bit after haggling down $1700 from MSRP. I'll have it next week. I'm happy I went with the Premium package for what it gets you.

I've had all of the previous generations. I don't need the locker, but perhaps once a year, but when I need it, I need it.

Toyota has a search page that may help find the truck you want.

 

So why you asking us

 

Thanks for your input, I am using the Inventory feature on the Toyota.com website. I used the 500 mi max distance. I even found one matching truck in Sacramento. They are adding 2K markup! I will continue to look, not sure if inventory for the Sport model will improve or fall even more behind. I could get one 40 miles away, but it is windchill white. Oh well, first world problems.

 

Good grief.

 

I just had a Bay Area dealer offer me 6k off a 49k OR….

 

Wish there were as many Sport models as OR's. Maybe then I could also enjoy 6K off.

 

Jim is legit.

 

Thank you, I got Jim's phone number and will contact him. I am curious about the process, it appears as he is a broker and I will wind up buying from the dealer directly. Thanks so much, looking forward to see what Jim can do for me .

 

A locker can mean all the difference for significant work or bad traction moments.

We did a ridiculous amount of vehicle testing and deciding that included driving Sport and OR models plus lots of other stuff. Both are poor choices if you want good vehicle handling. We'd not have bought a truck if we didn't really need a truck. For handling and a lot of utility and general traction you might want to consider the Highlander family and Siennas with AWD. The sporty model Sienna we traded was a far superior rig for handling but not for work projects I have going on and ahead. Fuel economy would not be in same league but our Outback handles well and does a whole lot in unpaved stuff. It handles ski area service roads and light offloading. It is superior to a Sport (no locker) Tacoma in some circumstances. It doesn't slip sideways like a 4x4 with locker can.

 

Thank you for your input.