Decisions...decisions

Hi all!
I’m hoping to purchase a new Tacoma in the next month or so, but can’t really decide on what I should get. For my purposes, the SR5 would probably be fine. I travel paved roads (mostly) and don’t tow more than a utility trailer full of brush. My wife and I are now empty-nesters and haul a couple friends, or bikes and kayaks, but that’s it!

From an appearance standpoint, I like the SR5 least. My choice would be the TRD Sport, but my wife feels as if the hood scoop affects her view over the hood. I know the Off-Road eliminates the scoop, but what about the suspension/ride? Any advice from those of you who are actually in the driver’s seat?

Thanks, in advance, for the help!

 

Welcome!

Wish I could give you some advice, but the only experience I have with a 3rd gen is a 10 minute test drive in a TRD Offroad.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Best advice I could give would be to test drive all of the ones you’re considering.

Welcome!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW! Go on thorough test drives in as many driving conditions as you can imagine.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to the TW

 

Welcome to The Forum!

The folks at the dealership will let you drive each model to figure out which one you want.

 

Might I ask 'why'? It's the same truck, other than trim and trinkets. If it's stuff like wheels, grill, etc, that's all easily changed to what you like. For a lot less moola than an upgraded model.

This^^^^

A lot of gripes around here are about things people should have known from extended test drives.

BTW, as a generalization, the Sport is built as a street truck, faux scoop and stiffer suspension included. The OR is built as, wait for it, an Off Road truck, and the suspension is actually what some describe as softer. Truth is, its more compliant to allow for articulation off road and being able to move at a little better pace w/o getting too beat up.

Also, if you dig a Sport, but don't dig the scoop, someone with the same color truck will happily swap you hoods and toss you a few bones for your trouble. I don't know why, as fake stuff doesn't do much for me. But some folks like it I guess.

Good luck shopping.

 

This !!
And after that go rent one for a couple days. Heck is it worth paying a couple hundred bucks to drive the very vehicle you are going to spend upwards of $30k.

 

Thanks for the welcomes and the advice!

 

Welcome! If you merely care about apparences, I say save money by getting the SR5 and then customize it to your liking. (New grille, sport hood, painted fender flares and rear bumper caps, etc.)

I recently got a new grille and tires for my SR5 and am glad I saved a ton!


You should dig through the forums and find out how much what you like will cost you on the SR5 versus just getting the sport or off road outright.

 

I have the TRD Sport and I can't stand the fake hood scoop. If it was functional then maybe. The TRD has so much more then the SR5, which I have had also. I am going to get at least the OffRoad if maybe the PRO. The TRD Sport is stiffer then the SR5 and I like that.