Hawaii Guys...2017 Tacoma Buying Advice For What Suites My Use...4x4 or 4x2?

Hey guys,
Sorry for the long post. I've been on the fence about purchasing a tacoma for the past year. I have always wanted a truck and this will be my first one ever. I have only owned cars...altima, civic, celica, sti, evo, 350z, and currently in an is250. I was wondering if you guys could chime in on which taco would suite my needs rather than going overbooard and buying all the goodies although it's tempting.

Little background of how the truck will be used...
Mostly on road driving, i'd say 98% work --> home. 2% MAYBE very light offroad. There is a part of me that would like to be able to go into Kaena Point to go fishing (mainly whipping), but I'm not sure if a 4x2 would make it in there. That's as much offroading as I will ever want to do. That and all my friends have moved to the mainland so it would be solo trips which is kinda sketchy for me to go solo. Gf doesn't really do the outdoors stuff. Everywhere else i don't mind parking and walking a little. I do not mind if I can't drive up in all the sand. I do not have any intentions on selling the truck within 10+ years.

I'm having trouble deciding between a 4x4 sport and a 4x2 sport. From all you experienced guys, would the 4x2 be enough to survive kaena point if I don't stray off the main road? Heck I might never go since it will be by myself. I have not been out there before so I am very green with offroading. 4x4 would be ideal yes, but if the 4x2 is good enough, I'd rather save it and put it in my "rainy day" account. Money is not the issue between the 4x4 and the 4x2, but I want to make the best choice for what suites my needs and not overkill and never use. Unfortunately, I also need to purchase the tech package since my gf said in the event she NEEDS to drive it, she wants that blind spot assist. Extra 2k+ for just that cuz I will never use the rest of the crap in the tech package.

Any help would be greatly appreciated....Thanks guys

 

2x4 off road package. If i not mistaken all off road packages have the rear diff lock. You can get the tech and have the rear locker which can take you 90% of where a 4x4 can go.

 

I would recommend SR5 4x4. Now that you are part of the TW family you'll get sucked into the abyss of endless upgrades. Also, you'll meet a lot of great people on this site and end up wanting to go to Peacock Flats to try out your 4wheel drive.

 

Initially I was only looking at the sr5, but I prefer the look of a sport or offroad. I'm shallow like that

The 4x2 offroad would be my second choice, but I wasn't too sure how beneficial the elocker would be on oahu in 4x2.

Keep the opinions coming, I'm open to all suggestions so I can make a decision with minimal buyers remorse

 

Dump the tech package, just don't let the gf drive it, or have her learn how to drive.
Personally, I wouldn't get the 4x4, you won't use it enough....unless you get the TW disease.

 

As the saying goes, "better to have and not need (4x4), than need and not have (4x4)."

For your needs and preferences, TRD Sport 4x4. Won't have to worry about getting stuck in Kaena Point, and no need to pay extra for locking diff. Plus, you can still get tech package.

 

i got the 4x4 for that 0.0001% of the time i go off roading

 

Dang right when I got to thinking that the 4x2 would be okay...now you all have me tempted with the 4x4 again lol.

I guess I should have asked if the 4x2 with the elocker was good enough to make it in kaena point if I stay on the main road?

 

Can also depend on your driving skills, lines, and tires.

If it's hard, dry, and packed dirt; yes, 4x2 is fine. But if it's soft, muddy, or sandy; probably not.

My first time out to Kaena Point, I made it out to the D-4 slowly with a Prerunner with some slipping at the entrance due to the mud that used to be there. However, we ended up hitting the beach side on the way back to the gate. The moment I hit sand, I sunk right in. The TW members I met had to bust out their tow straps and bail me out.

It made me sell my Prerunner and buy a 4x4. LOL.

 

Get 4x4. Especially if you're planning to keep it for as long as you said. And 100% what @seoulja99 said its better to have and not need than to need and not have. By the way, I believe the sport and offroad package have the same sticker price. Even kaena's main road can get pretty muddy

 

PreRunner owner here. I never really need 4x4. You can get through Kaena Point main road just fine. I've done it. If you go off the main road, go with a friend. Do I wish I had 4x4? Sure but only because im on this damn site and my friends like to give me crap for getting stuck in the sand. lol. However, the 2wd is perfect for my needs. I have gone OffRoad maybe 2x this year. Lol. But you said money isn't an issue, might as well go for the 4x4.

 

Stay away from mud and sand and you'll be fine. I used to believe 4x4 was overkill until I got stuck in a shallow mud hole on flat land. No amount of fwd/rev got me anywhere. Gave up, dropped it to 4lo and rolled right out. Not sure if a 4x2 locked would make a difference. When it came time I went with a SR5 4x4 and used the extra money on other things I wanted. Was planning on dropping in lockers eventually, but not sure if it's really necessary.

 

Slippery slope..... one day you will probably want to go up to peacock flats... if totally dry, 2x with a locker will be fine.. but with the rolling weather up there, if wet, you will wish you have 4x...

Then you will trade in your 2x and get a 4x.... #truestory

 

Ok guys thanks for the advice so far and I've narrowed it down to the 4x4s (sr5, sport, or offroad)...

My question is, do you guys think the locker and crawl control is needed for kaena point or will the 4x4 be way more than enough? My main use offroad will be for fishing so if just the 4x4 will suffice, I'm thinking just get the sr5 and spend the extra few thousand I would save on some other goodies. Yes it would be nice to have the locker and crawl control, but if it isn't a must then I'm fine without it.

 

Get the locker and crawl control.

 

i'm in the exactly shoes you were at a year ago.
so what did you end up buying?

 

Balls deep and go PRO You'll get sucked into buying the grille, taillights, leather seat covers, and BHLM. By that time you're pretty much a pro price, lol.

 

I keep rubbing dirt in it but it's still getting worse!

 

Sadly nothing yet. I've been bouncing back and forth between Tacoma or 4runner. Now that the 18 Taco is coming with leather, I'm thinking of holding out. But I know I want a 4x4 even if I don't use more than once a month. The price alone between the 4x4 and 4x2 in a sport/OR with P&T package/tonneau is so minimal it doesn't make sense to buy a 4x2 for 36.8k when you spend a tad more and get a 4x4 for just a little more with the p&t and tonneau.

Sometimes I think that the price on these keeps going up to the point that I don't see what warrants these prices for the quality/features it's putting out

 

i don't see any PRO on the island.
and they will be ridiculously expensive if there is any.