practical differences of trd vs base package

I currently drive a '94 Ranger and it's time to upgrade. I know i want a Tacoma access cab 4wd 4cyl manual. I am debating about getting a used 2006 tacoma, access cab 4WD 4cyl manual with a TRD off road package for about $19k (good shape, no power windows or locks though!). Or, do i pay $4,000 more to get a new 2012 without the TRD package?

I've read about the differences between base and SR5 models and the TRD off road, but I'm not a car person and i don't know what it all means in real life driving. I feel I don't need the TRD, but would it be a negative in anyway to have it if you don't need it? Or, is it a bonus i should be happy to have found?
My main concerns are: Does the TRD get any different gas mileage that a base or SR5 tacoma? Also, I'm a petite woman (5'3") and wondering if the changes in suspension with the TRD make the truck higher (thus higher and harder to load crates in and out of tailgate)?

Other issues: I live and work on a small farm with dirt/gravel/grass roads in the mid-atlantic with occasional snow (thus, i'd like the 4WD option). I'll never go "off roading" with the truck and I need to do a fair amount of city and highway driving to make deliveries. I may eventually want to tow a small cargo trailer. This will be my only vehicle.

So, go for the more affordable buy used tacoma with a package i don't need or pay a bit more for a new truck?

Thanks!

 

x2. Power windows and locks come with the SR5 package. All TRD models include the SR5 option package.

 

For $4000 more I would get the 2012.A access cab SR5 is a nice truck.The TRD has nice wheels and some other traction features that you will never use.I have a TRD and love it but some of the traction features I will never use.I wanted the TRD for some of the trim,radio,outside temperature,nice wheels,sattelite radio,and better resale value the package gives it.Interest rates are more on a used truck so that would also close the price gap.Check the monthly payments and you may find there is little difference.Go for the 2012.

 

There is no such thing as a 4cyl TRD Off Road.
But to answer your question, the TRD's come with the SR5 package (badge not available on the 2011s and 2012s due to TRDs being SR5s by default. Off Roads come with a Differential Locker, Off Road tuned suspension, nicer seats, skid plate for the oil pan, 09s-12s have a backup camera (included with the SR5 package also), ATRAC, 16" wheels with Rugged Terrians, power outlet in the bed.

I'm prob missing things...

 

wow, i guess that means the car i drove at carmax is mis-advertised? It has the TRD off Road stickers and that's how they were selling it. i didn't realize it wasn't actually a trd. but with no power locks, windows, or other features i guess it can't be a trd then. any other way to tell? could they have just added superficial trd features to fake it?
maybe not such a good price for a base model used truck.

thanks everyone

 

As the other guys have said, no pwer windows or locks = no TRD off road, infact it's more likely base model since even a minor upgrad in package gives you power windows and locks:

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2006-toyota-tacoma-8.htm

did a quick Kelly Blue book look up and say the used truck you are looking at had 70K and is a base model in excellent condition the price is under 16k (so you are getting gouged by someone)

http://www.kbb.com/toyota/tacoma-access-cab/2006-toyota-tacoma-access-cab/pickup-4d-6-ft/?vehicleid=1668&intent=trade-in-sell&mileage=70000&category=pickup&options=64307%7ctrue&pricetype=private-party#survey

Based on that and the fact that you aren't really going to go offroad I say stick with what you need in a new 2012. 4cyl. 5spd. 4WD, unless you just want accessories that come with the other packages. Plus you get dealer warranty etc.

Just my opinion though.

 

quickest way to tell is its a TRD or not will be the power outlet in the bed.

 

I have a SR5 and those yellow Bilstein shocks. They are not a good indicator since they were part of a TSB and could have been swapped out by a dealership.

Best way to tell if it's a TRD off road is the rear locker.

 

carbs,

From your intended useage, the basic model 2012 4X4 access cab will be most suitable to your needs. As you are finding out, the 2006 model is not what is claimed. Welcome to TW.

 

I would just go with the base SR5 package, 4 cylinder with a manual, they don't even come with a TRD option anyway, that only comes with a V6.

 

The base of the under hood fan is pink on TRD's (where it bolts on). The first time i saw that i laughed.

Oh and good job for doing your homework, so many people buy then do research.

 

Mine is pink and I do not have a trd

 

As already noted several times, the truck you looked at was misrepresented as a TRD. But, the good news, it doesn't sound like you want or need the TRD options. I could not justify them either and bought a 2010 4cyl, manual, 4wd, SR5, Access Cab. It's been a great truck, and relatively inexpensive to run thru the first 30k miles.

 

FYI I got a BASE 4x4 6cyl 6spd manual with the "convenience package". Convenience package is power windows, cruise, power locks, floor mat set, radio controls on steering wheel, towing, and a few other small things such as scuff protectors on the door sills.

I paid 23k brand new.

 

As others have said, no TRD model came without power windows in the second gen Tacomas. And all the TRDs were V6 in the second gen trucks. The one you are looking out is a fake, just stickers. Even if it was a TRD, it's overpriced. I paid 17,500 for mine two years ago.

If you are not a "car person", you are not going to notice any difference in how a TRD package truck drives. In all honesty, the only thing I noticed after driving both was the difference in the seats.

The ride height is the same, gas mileage is the same. The limited slip differential in the TRD Sport might be helpful in the snow, I don't know, we don't have snow where I live. The pushbutton locking rear diff that comes in the Off Road TRD won't be helpful in the snow unless you're actually stuck and need to get out.

Small cargo trailer shouldn't be a problem for the 4cyl as long as it's under the tow rating. 3500lbs? for the 4cyl.

I would say either pony up for a brand new one, or look for a better deal on a used one. 19K is too much for a 4cyl truck that is 6 years old.

 

OP,
Good for you doing your research before you buy! Personally, I don't think the TRD versions of anything are worth it. If they actually upgaded the suspension to something usable it would be OK. I don't really care for the Elocker either. The stickers you can buy anywhere, and that's probably the most valuable part of the package. I'll tell you though, you can sure save a chunk of change buying used if you can find a good one. I bought mine at 32K for like 40% off of new. That's a no brainer. best of luck!

 

A 4cyl TRD? No. Get a V6 Access cab SR5. The newer ones have ALSD, VSC, and TRAC.

 

We don't have the prerunner in Canada so maybe that's why. The parts guy told me that so i'm guessing he was referring to our market.

Do the US ones have a Non- TRD with the pink base on their fan?

 

Forget 4 cylinders in any truck, especially a Tacoma. So underpowered, the big rig tractor trailers can overpower and pass you on a hill while driving on highways. A 4x4, 4 cylinder is high-torque and awesome , meaning it can be unbeatable on the offroad trails and get excellent gas mileage while doing it. But once you get on paved streets or highways it is sluggish and slow due to a low horsepower rating. I owned a 4-cly. single 4x4 for 12 years, all I can say is NEVER AGAIN!! I now have a 2010 TRD Offroad Access Cab V-6 Automatic 4x4.I paid 28,500 for it new, but worth every penny. It is still worth that price today with 18000 miles on it! Buy the top of the line TRD OFFROAD or TRD SPORT and You will get all options that are so important when time to sell. Even if you dont want allthose necessary options, you can get 4x4 6cylinder truck basic package much cheaper than ones with a TRD package. I would at least get an v-6 with an automatic transmission, gets better gas mileage than a manual transmission matched with a V-6 engine. Last week I got 24 mpg on the highway @55-60 mph. That is freaking remarkable, my truck is still stock with a camper shell, and using premium gas. Around town I get 17-20 mpgs. also, tow capacity with 4-cyld. is 3500 lbs., 6-cyld. is 6500lbs.