SR5 vs Sport

Shopping around for a new Tacoma 2WD. Test drove a TRD sport and wasn't too impressed (nice looking truck, but ride was like an SR5). Anyone know whether the suspension is any different on the sport vs. the SR5? I thought the sport was supposed to have a tighter tuned suspension for a more solid ride (could be wrong).

Now I'm just leaning towards an OR since it's got the nicer stock rims, tires, seats and the locking differential. I don't plan on doing heavy off roading, just carrying a dirt bike, skiing and camping trips. Wondering if it's worth the $2000 upgrade to OR.

Thanks in advance.

 

sport has bilstien shocks front and back....sport has the nicest interior

 

I got both. An Sr5 sport. I don't know if they're doing that anymore.

 

TRD has the SR5 package already. They just stop putting the SR5 badge on TRD because it's kind of redundant.

 

Ahh.

 

In 2007,there were 2 tacomas on lot. I was shopping for prerunners. There was a plain black long bed Sr5,and my white short bed sport. Interior was much better,I had a 97 so way better. The black was more due to long bed? I hate black in this heat.

 

I've had both. My current 09 is a Sport, and while it's completely subjective, I like the seats much better than my former SR5.

I know squat about Bilstein shocks, but after having driven an F-150 for the past two years, there certainly is a difference in the ride (a bit more bumpy).

But that's a small trade-off for having a truck that's actually sporty in handling, more fun to drive, and SO much easier to maneuver into a parking space!

And, I'm weird - I like the faux hood scoop on the Sport.

 

Shocks::::

I believe the SR5 and Sport coils and leaf packs are the same, although the Sport has Bilstein shocks. I believe also the SR5 and Sport both have a 4 leaf system (3 +1 overload) in the rear. The Off-Roads have a 3 leaf system and progressive coils in the front.

My Experience:::

I test drove the Off-Road, my bro-in-law has the sport, and I own an SR5.

Honestly, I haven't ridden in the Sport, but I would suspect the SR5 and Sport to ride about the same. The off-road is a little more rough than the SR5.

My reasons for buying a truck are similar to yours, (just got mine last week) and decided to save money for upgrades and bought an SR5. Love it.

(FYI - got it for 28800 + Tax/title/etc. with no trade in (with all-weather mats, tow package, and 16" alloy wheels which are the same as the off-road - so that should give you some perspective when negotiating - also go to edmunds.com and search for TMV - will give you the average price your vehicle sells for in your area)

 

I traded in an '05 SR5 for a '12 TRD Sport. There is a definite difference in the suspension between the 2.

 

The technical differences are explained in my last post. If you're trying to compare a 2012 to a 2012. How that equates to ride quality? That's up to you to find out - I suggest you go test drive them both.

As far as the 05 to 12, there are a lot of variables that go into that...'12 is a brand new vehicle which feels different than a 7 year old vehicle, 05 was the first year of the 2nd gen tacomas, so the suspension (hopefully) has been improved over the past 7 years.

another thing to think about is if you ever plan to lift it, you'll probably end up replacing the suspension anyway. so why pay for upgraded shocks that you're just going to end up removing?

There are definite comforts that the sport has that the SR5 doesn't, but its up to you to decide whether theyre worth it or not. But i'm telling you as an SR5 owner, the ride is very nice and I'm sure you'll be happy with it or the Sport - both have good suspensions.

 

Nice, thanks for all the info folks. I actually got a pretty good quote offer online for an SR5 and going to test drive it again tomorrow. Figured I can do what jrod did and save the extra money towards upgrades.

One more question. How difficult would it be to upgrade to TRD type suspension setup. Is it just a matter of installing Bilstein shocks and progressive coils?. I'm assuming it'd be around $700/800

By the way, nice truck jrod and pete, I'm thinking of getting the same color.

 

Your better off upgrading to 5100's and upgraded coils (eibachs or ome). you aren't going to saving money putting off road shock and coils on your truck so you may as well upgrade.

 

Really comes down to what your going to do. I have the sr5, but first thing I did was tear out the shocks, coils and redid the rear springs. If you plan on completely redoing the suspension then it wouldnt make much sense spending the extra couple thousand.

 

a lot of people on this site get lifts, so they are willing to sell their old bilstein shocks since they replaced them with bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks (not the same as the stock shocks on the TRD)

Not sure if your stock springs will work with the bilstein shocks though.

and thanks for the compliment man. you're choosing the right truck - Tacomas rule.

 

check out the 2nd gen marketplace if you want to buy bilsteins from a TRD. the 5100 adjustables cost about 100 each brand new, then you may need an alignment - not too much $$, then you'll have them when/if you choose to lift your truck.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacoma-marketplace/234125-fs-bilstein-trd-sport-shocks.html

 

While everyone's in a good mood...

Can someone explain to a mechanically-challenged person the difference between Bilstein shocks (they're on my Sport, right? Haven't looked underneath yet) and those on the SR5?

Are the Bilsteins just more "stiff" or off-roading?

Signed,
Clueless

Thanks!

 

I went with the SR5 simply to keep my payment down to a more affordable range. I LOVE my truck!

With that said, after the honeymoon stage, I couldn't wait to swap out the steelies, tires and stereo. I've had the truck since February and finally put some TRD sport wheels on it yesterday. Stereo upgrade will come when I have the money and the tires have to wait until I burn through the Dunlop grandtreks, which By the looks of them after only 3900 miles won't be long. (and I've been very nice to them...)

My point is, the TRD off road has everything that I'm upgrading and more in a nice packaged deal. If I could do it over again, I would have worked the deal a little harder and pushed for the TRD off road to get everything I wanted.

I'm not an off road guy. I use my 4x4 out of necessity so I guess for you, the suspension components would be another upgrade. With all that, you'll be out of pocket close to $2k if not more.

I do love my truck though. I'll get the top of the line next time around. Something to look forward to.

Good luck!

 

It depends on what you use the truck for. an "upgrade" is only an upgrade if you want it Like I said, I drove the off-road which has an 'upgraded' suspension, but it was a stiffer ride because it's set up for those who use it for off-roading. I don't do off-roading other than going down a dirt road or going to a river-side, so the SR5 fit my needs better.

Geoff - good to hear about the tires, gives me an excuse to 'upgrade' my suspension (lift package), get my new rims, and larger tires sooner rather than later

 

Not exactly sure - only been on these forums for about a week, lol. I'm sure if you search these forums using the search link on the top right of the page you'll find it quickly - good luck!