New user, which truck to get?

Hello Tacoma world,

I am in the market for a new Tacoma. The reason I’m posting is for advice on which model of Tacoma to purchase.

I have been doing my research on tacomas. It seems, I could be mistaken, I can simply get a base 4X4 model and upgrade it down the road to my specifications. I just don’t know if it would be worth it to buy a more expensive model like the Pro and get all the bells and whistles or just an SR5 4x4 and mod it the way I want.

I will be using the car as a very limited daily driver (once a week maybe) but I would like to use the truck for off roading and overlanding. I would like the truck to be able to handle most terrains without too much difficulty.

As many of us out there I am not loaded so price is a variable. I love the new 2019 Tacoma Off road in the Calvery blue, but as of now they are too expensive. Is it better to wait it out and get the 2019 or get a Tacoma a few years older and mod it?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/which-tacoma-model.519338/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/which-3rd-gen-tacoma-model-to-buy.370145/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/trd-sport-or-trd-offroad.574915/

 

If it was me and using it mostly for wheeling I would get an older base model. No sense in buying brand new just to void parts of the warranty with mods. In any case I would never go with the Pro unless its just for looks. The cost/performance ratio just isn't good. You can find some great deals on Craigslist and the like and would save a decent bit of money on both depreciation and the mods. You would also get to build it exactly how you want to and install the mods yourself if you know how. You would be able to save even more $ and have a more capable truck in the end that didn't cost you as much as if you bought new and built it or bought a Pro. Just my $0.02

 

Pro is not worth it. Especially if you're considering upgrading everything.

If you want dual lockers get the sport. The rear end is 8" and there's more gears available. Push button start is excellent.

Sport has less headroom due to moonroof.

I would actually get a 17 or less year model cause it doesn't have the Toyota safety sense BS.

The offroad is super capable with the single rear locker just in stock configuration with just more aggressive tires. Even with stock tires I did short river crossings with ease. One day when the kids are out of car seats I will go back to an offroad Taco.

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to Tacoma world and best of luck selecting the correct Tacoma for you.

As for the advice you asked for you, if you’re going to mod the truck heavily and don’t have it in your budget currently don’t buy the pro. At minimum buy the 4x4 sr5 or a Trd model.

Also You need to ask yourself how hard you’re going to wheel and what capabilities you need in the truck / how much do you plan on Modding the truck.

If you’re planning on fireroads you’ll be fine with the 4x4 sr5, but if you plan on getting stuck really good you might consider a truck with a locking diff.

If so, do you need a locking rear diff right away or would you want to wait to get massive tires and add an air locker with new gears. Lots of things to consider when you’re already looking to mod.

 

Welcome aboard.

 

If buying brand new that's what I'd do. Or even an SR AC with that cool utility pack.

With a tire upgrade and a skilled driver it will do well stock. Most newbies overbuild their capability, when how to drive and how to recover (and recovery gear) should be their initial focus.

Changes can come as you find things that need to be changed for how you actually use it.

Buying a brand new truck for occasional use is a pretty pricey driveway trinket. And waiting a few years to pick up a used truck in the color you want seems like a waste of offroad time.

Why not find a nice example in an older unit now for a lower cost and let the fun begin?

 

Given that this is not a daily driver, I agree with the others that suggested to get an older used truck, possibly modded for what you’re looking for already.

Personally I bought a new OR double cab, because primarily it has to serve as a daily driver and have room for a teenager and dogs. I intend to use it for camping and light off roading as well, hence the OR. That was my initial thoughts going in to the purchase and truth be told I was wrong. The truck is not ideal for the teenager or dogs for trips and the gas mileage is not great for a daily driver.

If I had to do it all over again I would approach it differently. I would get rid of any ideas of it being a dual purpose daily driver/family car. I would buy an older truck, probably an access cab and make it a purpose built hobby truck.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome!

 

+1

 

Welcome to Taco world^ Is great advice

 

Thanks for the reply’s. I’ll have to do a little more research. I was leaning toward the OR model but wasn’t sure if it truly mattered down the road for the extra features. I guess I would end up putting the same amount of money into to add what I’d want as a OR model from a dealer.

The truck would still be my truck for random errands and driving people around, just not used everyday. I would still need it to be realistic for daily life.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW.

As far as trims go, sounds like you want something with 4x4. The TRD-OR is probably your best bet for what you need/want as far as offroad options. The Double cab short bed is a popular choice.

You could get a gently used 2nd Gen.

 

Just an update,

I went to a dealer to check out a Tacoma OR 2019 Calvery blue. Typical salesman crap not giving me the deal I wanted. I left, received a call a few minutes later tell me they could meet my terms. But I left anyways to make them squirm and for principle. I’ll keep you guys updated on the progress.

 

Sell your daily. Buy a used Subaru.

 

Welcome to the TW, lots of good info here, take what you need, leave the rest.