Looking to buy... TRD Sport or Limited?

Hey everyone. New to this thread, been lurking recently as I am looking to buy a lightly used 3rd gen Tacoma, 4x4 v6. I have been looking mostly at TRD Sports, debating whether to buy that and add a new bilstein suspension to it or if I should just get the TRD OR. I really would prefer the scoop and one color, also don’t need the crawl control, but I want a better suspension than the sport provides. But recently I came across a really good deal on a limited 4x4 v6, which the interior is obviously much nicer.

This led me to wonder, should I stick with one of the TRD models, or is it worth it to get the limited on a good deal knowing I’m definitely gonna upgrade the suspension anyways?? This will mostly be a street truck but want to be able to do light off roading/mudding. I’m pretty set on going to bilstein 5100s with 887 or 888 coils, looking for the 2 inch lift.

Any suggestions or advice is appreciated!

 

I had an 05 sport & went to a 17 limited. I had to add 5100 to get close to the old ride, I did not change coils or add a lift. The 05 had bilstiens, the 16 sport does not. So if you’re going to add 5100 and lift, go with best price/color/mileage/condition for you. Make sure all recalls & TSB updates have been completed. Make them check rear diff fluid and trans fluid if auto

 

So everything under the hood and around the body is the basically the same between v6 sport and v6 limited right? I could possibly sacrifice the scoop for the interior upgrade, but I don’t want to lose anything performance related outside of the suspension I already plan to upgrade on my own

 

Def no engine difference. Limited has different wheels and some chrome accents as just a few differences exterior wise.

 

Yes, front coils and leafs may be different, but if your changing the front coils anyway, it’s a wash. Both are capable off road just not as many factory skid plates as the off road. I am happy with my choice

 

Decent amount of chrome, but being black and having a Harley, just enough chrome. I had the fender flares line x’d

 

I have a limited with bilstein 5100 fronts and Ome springs 5160 rears.. I chose the limited because I wanted the leather and it was the only option back in 2016.. If I did things In 2017 I would have got a Trd sport or OR and got leather seat covers. some of the options out there look OE.. if I was getting a 2018 I'd buy the Sport with all options and OE Leather (basically a limited without the chrome and a scoop) Hope this helps

 

Also, one of the big advantages of having the Off-road is the locker. People will say “hey u can have one installed later” which I can do but it’s an extra cost and a little more invasive than just buying it from the factory. But it really depends on your plans for the truck. If u don’t really wheel much it may not b a issue either way.

 

I was in the same boat. I went Limited. It was a 16 limited for the same price as a 17 sport. For me it was like ok I get the leather seats which I think are a huge upgrade over the cloth and I really like the brown. Looks different but very masculine and very classy. Got the backup camera with backup sensors, running board( even tho they don't stick out enough) the upgraded jbl sound system which is awesome, and the grill is nicer. Add all those up and then put that number in the sport. Then ask yourself why you would rather pay more.
Not overly sure on the suspension between the 2, but I have zero issues with the suspension in mine.

 

Currently comparing the TRD sport upgrades with leather and a limited. Differences I see is good scoop and Bilstein sport suspension that most change out. I would opt for the limited just for the brown leather interior and add suspnesion.

As mentioned above you can add a arb locker to either the sport or limited if you end up needing it, a lot have been adding gears also if you running 33+ tires

 

I run a '17 Sport, with 275/70-18's, 2" lift. Personally, not a fan of leather, mostly for the too hot in Summer, too cold in Winter, and every leather seat I see in a Yota that is over 6-7yrs old has the tearing in the leather (yes, I know, conditioning them regularly will help) but I don't buy my trucks to have to meticulously take care of it all the time. Lockers were not needed, as I've never had them in any Nissan/Toyota I've owned, and have never had an issue playing offroad. The LSD does help in situations if you really need it, but I've yet to use it, and have been offroad/mudding/rock crawling. Really, it comes down to what you prefer in a truck. When I purchased my Sport, I compared what it had vs the Offroad, and the prices of adding the missing things to the truck that the other offers. Not needing the lockers, and the Crawl being more of a gimmick to me than anything else, I chose the sport. Stiffer suspension makes back-road driving a little more enjoyable for me also as there's less body roll when cruising the back country roads of Maine. I think next to the Overpriced Pro, the Sport is the next best looking Tacoma.

 

What setup do you

What setup do you have for those tires?

 

I lied a little. 275/65-18.

Little dirty, been on the job site and raining. They were clean 2 days ago. :/

 

Older photo, posted on here before in a different thread. Gives a better view of how they look.

 

I was similar, looking between sport and limited. Could not stand that ugly leather in the '17s..."Hickory" Toyota calls it. The limited has the JBL audio, chrome mirrors, door handles and a few other bits. Sport had much less chrome, and the scoop...which apparently is a love or hate thing. I love the scoop, breaks up the monotony that goes on FOR-EH-VER on the Tacoma hood (IMO), and I'm not a fan of chrome. Personally, I love mine...no regrets.

The two are relatively comparable otherwise...good luck in your search, don't rush, test the possibilities before you think "this is the only one".

 

What is it about the suspension that you do not like..??

I've got the TRD sport and have no issues..... It IS a little "tight" on Hwy over bumps.... is that the issue...??

 

IMO the money you will pay for a Limited is far greater than you can buy and modify a Sport. You can go with Clazzio leather for roughly $500. You can buy 4 Bilsteins with front adjustable for around $350. That leaves a ton of expendable money for tons of mods. Same applies to a Pro vs a Sport. There is not $10k difference in options between the two. I have made a ton of mods to my Sport for around $3000. That is Bilsteins, nerfs, KO2 tires, wheels, tool box, speaker upgrades, Clazzio leather, mud flaps, floor liners, bed mat, Pro grille and tail lights, K&N intake and better exhaust. Plus many more. Just my 2 cents.

 

Sounds like some great and cost-effective mods but I paid about $3 1/2 grand more for my '18 Pro (fully loaded with some nice add ons) than I would have paid for a fully loaded Sport or OR. I got the "love it or hate it" Pro only Cavalry Blue (I love it) and, well all the other Pro upgrades. Everybody's sense of value (YMMV) is different but I couldn't be happier with my decision to "go Pro". BTW, in the week or so that I've owned it, on the road I've seen dozens and dozens of Tacos, mostly Sports and OR's, some SR's and SR5's, a few Limiteds, but not one single Pro. I'd be lying if I didn't say that makes me all the happier!
But it's not a contest! We're all here because we love our trucks! And yours is beautifully equipped and looks awesome!

 

i like the 18's i would like to get the sidewall at 70

 

man the hickory leather is awesome! Very classy