Buying new and need help! To TRD or not to TRD...

I'm a complete newbie, so be gentle.

I am looking to buy a new Taco. I do not plan to do any heavy off-roading (or towing), but do want to at least look like I could. Looking at a Double Cab 4X4 AT V6. Is it better to get most of the stock bells and whistles (TRD) and then customize a little from there, or buy a base model and use the money saved to customize a bit more? Basically where is the best (most efficient) place to start? Base, SR5, Pre-runner, TRD?

 

Welcome to TW. I love my 4x4 trd offroad. I had a prerunner trd sport. But the 4x4 offroad has all the bells and whistles. Better to buy it all once then do it twice like me.

 

Since you don't plan on heavy offroading, I'd say go for the TRD package. You get upgraded seats and such with it (most people love the TRD seats). Only reason to go SR5 o base is if you plan on upgrading it with aftermarket parts to surpass the TRD package and save money, or just saving money in general.

And on a side note a PreRunner is 2WD with 4x4 suspension, so you only want a PreRunner if you aren't going after 4x4.

Go read up on the TRD packages. Sport is more or less aesthetic features (color-matched bumpers and mirrors, and mirrors also include turn signals), where the OR includes rear locker and ATRAC. Lots of other differences (OR has 8.0 rear diff versus the Sport's 8.4) etc. Both TRD packages include the same interior features.

Also note the 2014's (except Limited package) don't have a rear view mirror with temp and compass...lots of people complaining about that. I think last I heard is Toyota has finally changed their brochure so it doesn't say it HAS that feature...otherwise people were trying to get dealers to compensate for something that wasn't included (though why you'd leave the lot without double-checking features in a "subject to change" brochure i don't know)

 

All depends on what you need/want. I would have gotten the TRD OffRoad, but they dont offer that in a double cab long bed.... I wanted the locking rear diff.

 

If no heavy off roading then go w/ the Sport. Unless you really need/want the locker, the go with the Off Road.

 

If you frequent this site after you purchase your taco, you will go off road. I say get the trd sport. Its a nice package. Looks way better than the Sr5.

 

FWIW, I have the TRD Offroad. I have NEVER had to use the locker to free my self or traverse over any obstacle.
Only time it is used is to keep the actuator from sticking. Which happen if you DO NOT use it.

I'd at least get a sport. I think it has the upgraded alternator and the better shocks.

 

If I had to do it again, the Off Road would be the choice just for the under carriage protection. I opted for the Sport so everything would be color matched. Every time I run over somebody's retread tire shreds, exhaust parts or other road debris and hear that bang, I start to question my wisdom. Besides, even if you don't off road now doesn't mean you aren't going to jump at the chance later. Even my Pavement Princess has wandered off the path on the random occasion.

 

The 4X4 TRD Off Road Tacoma is one amazing truck, get one.

 

I love my TRD Sport! But, if I had to do it over again, I'd get the 4WD. I shouldn't have talked myself out of it. Still would go with the Sport, though, just for the color matching and skewp!

 

I would definitely get the 4X4 and V-6
For resale value if nothing else.

We have a DCSB Off Road.
We do mild 4 wheeling.
The OR package is over kill for us.

I would get the 4x4 sport next time.
I could use the long bed which is not available with DC off road.
The sport looks great and I find myself trying to eliminate all the chrome on our TRD OR.
Sport package is chrome free I believe.

Finally, I would wait and look at GMC & Chevy offerings before I bought anything at this point.
Only a few more months on the GM release.
They are promising to be interesting if nothing else.
If you don't like it, there will be plenty of Toyotas to buy.
Maybe waiting will give Toyota a chance to announce a new Tacoma.....
One with 300 HP and all the bells and whistles that will bring it up to date.
$30to $35K is a lot of money for a 10 year old truck.

Maybe I should have stopped at 4x4 for resale value

 

I have a TRD Sport 4x4 and it does just fine off road.

 

I think the TRD Sport would be good for you. The seats are great and the skewp! does give it a more aggressive look. I had a PreRunner 4 cylinder single cab before and went with the 4X4 V6 Access Cab for the 2014. Other than the payments I'm pretty darn happy I did. You won't have much snow in Ft. Worth, but even the slightest mud or sand can trap a PreRunner. Post pics when you get it!

 

Even the most fully loaded tacomas are still pretty bare naked of features compared to the other major makes these days. I'd go with the most fully loaded one you can get regardless of what your going to use it for.

 

Thanks for all the help! Leaning toward going for the TRD. Not sure yet beyond that. I will definitely keep you posted and include a pic when it is done...

 

If I did it again I would do a White TRD Sport 6-Speed Double Cab. I have a Sport Auto Access Cab.

 

Buy the most expensive TRD OR that you can afford.

 

IF you don't need the shorter wheelbase for off roading, I would go TRD sport long bed 4x4, you will want the extra space once you have the truck.

 

I've got a 4x4 TRD Sport and just love it.
You would think that the Sport would do the chrome bumpers and not the OR
However, I prefer the Sports color match better.
The only thing I would change is that the Sport would come with the Rear Diff Locker
But you can always after market that.
So my vote is the 4x4 TRD Sport
However, you wont go wrong with any of them

 

I've got the TRD Sport,and would buy the same truck again. I like the scoop in the hood for it's looks,and I dislike all the chrome the Offroad had at the time. I don't need the locker in the rear diff since I don't go too far off the beaten path. The TRD options offer more creature comforts than the SR5 or base models....fewer things to upgrade later.