Advice on New Tacoma

Good morning to everyone. I’m in the market for a 2015 Tacoma, this will be my first Tacoma after dreaming of one for the past 10 years. I've finally be rewarded the finances to afford a nice one. My only confliction is what edition I actually want.

* I know that I want a 2015, because I always buy new, it’s just something I prefer to do.

* I’m leaning toward the TRD Pro edition. However, I was hoping to get some opinions on the Off-Road, and Sport edition as well.

* I want leather seating, but what other features can I probably pass on that would maybe save me a few bucks? Not that cost is an issue, but I don't want an upgraded dash system if it's not worth it, or step-up bars if they're not that good. If they're worth it, I'll gladly pay it, but I'd rather get some opinions on it.

Thank you all in advance for any help!

 

Welcome to TW OP

What do you want to use the truck for?

If I had to do it again, I would probably get the sport and then splurge on ARB air lockers front and rear.

 

At least for now, I can keep the e-locker in the rear and get ARB up front.

 

The SPORT does not have the traction features of the OFF ROAD.
If you want A-TRAC and a REAR LOCKER on the differential, it must be an OFF ROAD (incl. the PRO or BAJA which are both Off Road TRD).

If you will not be doing any serious off roading, or don't mind buying after-market traction systems, then any 4WD Tacoma is a good buy, so get what you like. The Off Road just gives you more useful features for the dollars spent.

 

Thank you everyone for the nice welcome!

To answer your question, I want the ability to use it as an everyday get around town kind of vehicle, but then go out and take it off-road on some weekends. I'm a bit ashamed to say that I'm not that "mechanic savvy" when it comes to adding on parts, much less doing stuff to a truck to make it more off-road friendly. For those reasons that's why I've been leaning toward the Pro is because it's already setup enough for me to do what I want. However, like I said in my OP, I'm open for other editions if people either don't like the Pro or the Sport or Off-Road editions are about the same.

 

Aren't the Baja and Pro's just re-badged Off-Road editions? With the exception of the suspension

 

That's very good to know. I'm in the learning curve with these trucks, so all this advice is going to be useful for me. Thanks!

 

What configuration do you want ?

 

You may or may not know the answer to this, but how many are they planning on making of the Pro editions? I thought I read somewhere that only 1,950 were rolling off the assembly line, and I'm looking at putting the money down sometime in January-February of 2015. But if they are that rare, I'm wondering how much more difficult they'll be to get by that time.

 

This. It will be your truck. Get what you want regardless of what we think

 

Who dreams of a Tacoma for ten years?

 

I can answer that with a pic...

 

That's a good question. I'm kind of open to a number of different configurations. With the Pro I think add on the tow package, which I know I'm a sucker for buying since I could probably do it after-market for cheaper, but I just would rather pay it now and be done.

 

I've had other new cars before this, but I couldn't justify purchasing a truck with my job since I drive a lot (over 75,000 miles a year). So, now that I've landed a job that pays better and I don't have to drive a lot anymore, I can finally live out this dream. lol.

 

Sport:
Color matched door handles
Color matched bumpers
Color matched mirrors with turn signals
Hood scoop
Available long bed (6' bed)

Off Road:
E locker
Atrac
Down hill assist
Different springs

Pro: You will pay a premium for this but if you don't want to do mods later it's pretty sweet

Upgraded suspension
leveling kit already installed
color matched parts
hood scoop
cool looking grill

If you want a full size bed in a double cab you are stuck with SR5, Sport, or Limited. If you like the look of the Sport, don't care about having a short 5' bed and have the funds then by all means go with the Pro.

You mentioned you want leather. Toyota does not offer leather on any Tacoma. The limited gets leatherette which may be fine if you don't mind it. If you want the real deal you can get Katzkins and add that to any truck regardless of the trim level.

 

Yeah, skip the Limited. Assuming you are looking at quad cabs.

Like others have said, it depends on what you want to use it for. For occasional off road use and not getting into really hairy situations, any 4x4 model should do. If you need the longer bed, go TRD Sport. If not, go TRD Off Road for the extra driving modes just in case you need them. If you like the Pro and can get your hands on one in the configuration you like and within the time period you need, go for it.

Unless you get the Pro with BFG AT's, you will probably want to upgrade the tires within the first couple of years. That is the only real capability upgrade I have done on mine, and it has done everything I asked of it (nothing too hairy).

I went through 2 2WD Tacomas before finally getting what I really wanted. I always regretted not stepping up to the TRD 4x4. I should have done that in the first place. So don't short-change yourself, get what you want!

 

Ta-coma patient.

 

I would suggest test driving a Sport and Off-road edition. I test drove an Off-Road edition and it was very stiff driving down the road and turning. The Sport edition felt much more comfortable. I don't go off road much, so I didn't need it. For a daily driver I think a Sport edition would be better, which is what I bought.

 

I'm the same way, I like to just pay for what I need and cut out the rest, however I had a budget when I got my truck. I ended up getting the necessities, 4x4, V6, long bed, and it had to be black.

But if you got the money, it is easier just to get it all upfront. If I were to do it again, I would get the sport, or now the PRO. I don't do much off roading just mall crawling. FTW

 

I meant do you want an access or double cab , and if you go double cab , is it important to you to have a 6' bed or would the 5' bed be fine and are you set on manual or auto tranny ? All these factors narrow which truck you can get as some options aren't available in certain configurations .