Which Tacoma for me?! SR5 or Sport?

Hello Everyone!

I am a first time poster and hopefully a first time Tacoma owner in the near future. I have narrowed my search based on my needs and would appreciate any feedback or help deciding the best route. I dont feel that I need the capabilities of the offroad model because I dont ever do any serious off roading. I do camp and drive some trails but again, nothing serious. 85% is street riding to and from work. With that said I believe the Sport or SR5 models are best suited for me.

I'm currently trying to decide between an SR5 here at the local dealer or a Sport model the dealer can have brought in. The SR5 has some side steps and wheels/rims added to it, and I do like the look. However, I like the added features the sport brings such as the seats, color bumper, bilstein shocks, side mirrors, etc.. One question I have, does the ride with bilstein shocks on the Sport provide a noticeable difference?

This is the local SR5 located here:
http://www.billpenneytoyota.com/new...ville-AL-5f6560c70a0a00e04eacb24bcc2287e1.htm

The Sport that would be brought in is a stock Sport model.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm not the most car/truck savvy person, so be easy on me. Thanks everyone!

 

That SR5 is a good looking truck. The price scares me a little, though. As far as comparing the SR5 and Sport, I haven't compared the suspension on the two, but my partner has a '15 SR5 and I have a '14 Offroad. I do like my suspension better than the SR5, but it's not the same as the Sport's. I think I would lean toward the Sport for a few reasons. If it's not a financial concern, the Sport offers (if I am not mistaken) the backup camera, a power outlet in the bed, and intermittent wipers, which I find appealing. Not having intermittent wipers can be a pain if you live where it rains much. I also feel that my Offroad seats are much more comfortable than the SR5. I notice that every time I drive the SR5. Good luck and enjoy!

 

Go with the sport Tacoma model.

 

Nice looking truck. The price is kind of steep. I like the Day Time LEDS below the headlights.

 

Thanks for the replies. That's really what has me on the fence, that SR5 looks really nice but yes it is priced high. Would have to come down quite a bit. I believe the stock Sport is actually cheaper than this SR5.

I am leaning towards the Sport and then adding side steps and rims like the onces pictured on that SR5. Not sure how much all that would run but I assume it'd be cheaper than getting the SR5 and adding the necessary equipment to match the Sport...

Daytime running lights arent stock on the Sport are they?

 

Personally, I would ask for a breakdown of what they are charging for the aftermarket parts if you like the SR5. The SR5 looks nice, but if those wheels aren't what you like, usually they charge more than what you could go out and buy them yourself for, same thing with the step bars, plus if you buy them yourself you have the stockers to either sell or keep.

 

I wouldn't go for an SR5 that the dealer has added overpriced junk to. If you like some of the things the dealer has put on then make a note of it and add them to the truck yourself for cheaper. The only exception to that rule is that the dealer junk can be financed and stuff you add paid immediately out of pocket. My response to that argument is that if you are putting that low a down payment on a truck then sound financial planning says you shouldn't be buying such an expensive truck to begin with

Neither the TRD Sport nor the TRD OR really cost that much more than the SR5. The SR5 does cost quite a bit more than base. So in general, I'd say if some of the Sport or OR features compared to the SR5 are of benefit to you then going with one of the TRDs is a sound buying decision. If you were going to tinker with the suspension a lot anyway there are good arguments for sticking with the SR5 compared to the Sport. Keep in mind the suspensions components and wheel size of the Sport are tuned for on road performance - not off road. And that might be completely appropriate for you if this is a daily driver that goes off road infrequently. The suspension tuning and the smaller wheel diameter of the TRD OR model are more appropriate for off road and the OR is just about the same price as the Sport and comes with some additional off road features that are nice. There isn't a "correct" answer there, sounds like you've already figured out the Sport is a good fit for you.

 

The SR5 package has the variable wipers and a back-up camera.

 

I'm a fan of just buying the SR5 and forget the sport or off road.

I test drove a bunch of Tacomas and ended up with an SR5 because It had the options I wanted, and I don't off road, so I didn't need the locker.

 

SR5 has all the features most require, then you build from there.

 

Thanks for all the feeback/info! Really appreciate it.

 

From someone who just went from the suspension of a TRD Off-Road to a Sport, it's night and day. Granted, my truck is a daily driver and will stay on payment 99% of the time, but the Sport ride is SOOOO much more comfortable than my OR package was.

 

The Sport is just that. It's a firmer, sportier ride. Especially compared to the Off Road. Any of them can be made to ride similar as the others with changing the rear shocks and front coil overs. You can always add a rear locker to a Sport or SR5 but not ATRAC. But you're not interested in that right now.

I was in a similar situation as you. I went with the Sport due to the blinkers in the color matched mirrors, the color matched bumpers, door handles and grill surround. I also like the non-functional scoop for it's aesthetic value. Again, you can put all that on a SR5 or Off Road. The Sport rides very nice for a urban truck. Which sounds like your wants and needs. It worked well for me. But, I was bitten by the mod bug, which I SWORE I wouldn't let happen , and have moved to a more off road/adventure build.

TLDR;

Sounds like the Sport is perfect for you. Get it and put on the rims, tires, and side steps of your choice for cheaper than that overpriced SR5.

 

That's good to hear. Very helpful. Thanks!

 

I bought an SR5 for the exact reasons you are. I don't off road a ton and when I do its nothing more than some snow and maybe a little mud on the trail and my SR5 handles it with ease. The SR5 has Intermittent wipers and a back up camera stock as well. One thing that I wish I looked at more closely was the TRD seats. They are way nicer and the TRD speakers come stock with JBL speaker and a small sub. If you want a little nicer sound and don't want to do the aftermarket work your self its worth looking at the TRD. The stock SR5 dunlops are garbage but that's not a issue in your situation. If I did it over again I would have dropped the extra cash for a TRD.

 

I personally wouldn't purchase that SR5, I got my 2014 TRD Off Road new on the lot for less than that

 

Aprreciate the info. Does sound like my exact dilemma. I like the non-functial scoop also haha. Think I'm going to go the Sport route...and try to avoid the mod bug as well haha

 

Agreed. Way overpriced.

 

I would go with the Sport model.

 

Are they both 6' beds?
I own and love my sport although I still upgraded the suspension.