Which Tacoma for me?! SR5 or Sport?

I have had 4 Tacoma trucks. And my newest one Is the sport model. And as far as ride quality goes in a stock setup. The sport has it won. I would go with the sport model if I were you. You will have no regrets. Good luck post up some pics when you get it.

 

I got an SR5 with the SR5 extra value package. Pretty much has the same thing as the Sport minus the suspension. Got it around 28,000 before tax, title, etc.

 

I agree with the majority. I recently bought an SR5 after about a year of research. I wanted the LB and the SR5 suited my needs perfectly. I actually preferred the seats and exterior over the sport. With that being said, the truck you linked is overpriced. It looks like they added extras to boost the cost. You can get much more for your dollar in the TRD Sport/Off-road. I paid 5k less for my SR5.

 

If you know where Serra Toyota is I got my off road for less than that new.

 

I do know of Serra Toyota. Planning on talking with them this weekend. The new Sport that this dealer has shown me though is cheaper than the SR5 listed though as well.

 

Im super biased to the off road. Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

But that aside.

I payed 32k for my Offroad.

That dealer is a rip off. He took like 3000$ of parts Max and marked it up 7k

Go with a bare bones nothing dealer added SR5.

Then put some of those upgrades on it.

Those steps look like the N-Fab ones i think like 400$

Then Buy the rims and tires you want and if you want a lift choose the one best for you.

My 265/70/17 terra grapplers with 17 inch method NVs for 1600$.


You know yourself better than the dealer pick what you want. And then no dealer markup on the upgrades.

SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5 SR5

 

Don't forget to look at the info on here about the 2016s. Coming out very soon. If you buy a 2015, get a healthy discount.

 

Great advice! This is precisely what I did. The dealer had a $6K mark up for the Off-Road package with Tires, Wheels, Lift (Pro-Comp) and Side Steps (Nfabs). I did it all on my own for $2,400 and now it looks exactly the way I want with WAAAY better stuff. I did the 3" inch lift on my own and used Bilstein shocks, bought better tires (BFG's A/T), and installed 6 step side steps as opposed to the 4. Rather than spend $1800-1900 on wheels and tires, i just put the tires on my stock wheels (which I liked to begin with) and it cost me $800. Here is what it currently looks like:

 

I had a recent year Base model, and now a more recent year TRD O/R. The base model (I think) has similar suspension and seats as the SR5.

I have not noticed a huge difference between the suspension of the Base vs the O/R, however, I'd accept an argument the O/R is slightly stiffer. I prefer the seats in the O/R, which you'd get in the Sport, but not the SR5. I like, and have used, the outlet in the bed which you'd get in the Sport, but not the SR5.

Although it's completely subjective, I don't think I could ever accept the ornamental hood scoop on the Sport. SR5 wins on that point (IMHO).

Anyways... drive both and consider the seats, as well as the suspension. If you're neutral on the hood scoop, and don't care about the outlet, then it just boils these important items.

Good luck, and have fun?

 

Your mostly staying on the road.... Check
You like the scoop..... Check

Sport all the way... and that link you posted does show a way over priced Taco... Good luck

 

I had a 2010 SR5. A 2012 Sport. And now a 2 week old 2015 SR5.

I did not like the seats in the Sport model. And I did not like the hood scoop from the drivers perspective.

I did like the painted grill and rear bumper on the Sport. I don't much care about painted mirrors and door handles.

 

Thanks for all the great advice! Really helps a lot with my decision. Can't wait to be apart of the Tacoma community.

One last question I have...would test driving a '13 or '14 Sport give me a pretty good feel for how the '15 Sport would drive or feel riding in? Can't find a dealer around here with a '15 Sport on the lot...

 

I would say, yes.

 

I payed roughly 4500 less for an sr5 than a sport. I added a great suspension lift (shocks,springs,leafs),aftermarket wheels, shell with rack system, and leather clazzio seat covers myself for around $3200. The upgraded sport seats, hood scoop, stereo, color matched grill, and bed sticker couldn't justify the extra cost for me at the time of purchase.

 

My votes is for an SR5...not the dealer modded SR5 you linked but just a standard SR5.

It really is the best cost/value platform to start with when building up your truck.

RJM

 

I rolled with a 2014 SR5 (bought in November 2013). The ride was better and when I do eventually start wheeling in the truck I'll be putting in ARB air lockers, a custom lift, and will be getting aftermarket armor and skids anyway.

 

Cant really go wrong with either option. I think what everyone else is saying is drive them both (even a few yr older sport in your situation). You dont really need the hardcore off road capabilitites.
My response is also on the price though. You are only in Alabama, here in Florida at my local dealer, there is a 5 grand rebate on all tacomas right now. I know a 5-6 hr drive for you, but to save 5k?
Im looking at a very well equipped TRD sport quad cab 4x4 with tow package that was originally 35 and change for just 30k....
They have like every color.

 

Buy a Double Cab Long Bed Sport.

I had an 06 sport and now a 13 sport. No difference in how they handled or drove while stock. Drive a 13 or 14 if you can't find a 15. One thing to consider is that all tacomas come with shitty tires. I traded in my stock tires with 300 kms on them for some Michelin MS2's and they make a world of difference. I feel like the truck is twice as safe now with those tires on it and it handles sooooo much better.

 

As soon as I pick up my Sport I will head to the tire shop and get another set of Michelin LTX M/S 2's. Love them for all around performance.

 

The dealers like to pre-package goodies on the new (and used) trucks purely for profit. The markup is usually pretty high compared to what you could pay for yourself to upgrade.
Advantages of buying as such, I suppose, is your upgrades can be financed as part of the overall purchase vs going out and using your credit car separately, but again you'll pay for the profit to the dealer. Ask yourself if you want the upgrades as such, or if you would consider buying the SR5 if it didn't have the goodies as shown?

I barely notice SR5s up here, mainly because the price difference to Sports doesn't seem that much more. If you are hitting 30K for a truck, whats 3K more to get a sport. Most of the double cabs here are Sports (and generally LB). Offroads aren't available in Canada on the DCs.