New OR vs used SR5

Going to look at some Tacos this weekend. I have been jonesing for an OR with MT, and have finally found some at a price I can live with (mid-30’s). However, there is a used SR5 at a local dealer that might suit my purposes.

I need a small truck with 4WD that can pull a trailer. This is a 2016 SR5 3.5L DBSB auto with 60K miles in the low 20’s. Not exactly what I was looking for, but the price is right. According to the guy I talked with over the phone, it has the tow package and is rated at 6800 lbs, which is a requirement of mine.

I know I would love the MT more, cause 80% of my vehicles have been MT, but I just might settle for an auto since it’s cheaper. In summer I drive an MX5, so this truck will only be used Oct-April or to pull a 2700-lb camper in the summer. I realize the SR5 is less well-appointed, but again the price is tempting. (One thing I would dearly love to have is heated seats, cause this is a horrible Midwest winter. Oh well.)

Thoughts?

 

Buy the OR and you'll never wonder what might have been. You'll get the ToyoCare, warranty and possibly a lower interest rate.

 

Or if it’s a “winter beater” per say do the cheaper option and go for the SR5. Not sure of your location, I’m just assuming from the MX-5 for a summer driver. You can always add heated seats for much less then the 10k+ difference. With that being said I would buy the OR haha.

 

A fellow mx-5 guy here. Get the used one, left over money for Miata parts. It’s cheaper and has more goodies. Just test drive it well first.

 

It sounds like you’ll use it more as an appliance than an enthusiast’s toy, so I too would suggest saving the cash and getting the SR5.

 

Go with the new Off Road, that 6800 pound tow rating is for a 2WD, V6, Access Cab.

 

I bought my SR5 for a daily driver and love it. I think it should be plenty capable of your needs.

Go skers!

 

Lol

 

Definitely drive the MT extensively before you buy it... try to get an extended test drive and put a few dozen on it if you can. I'm tired of mine after 8k because there is zero feel to the pedal in this truck. It's frustrating not being able to drive smoothly because you can't tell where it starts to engage. You can delete the accumulator that is the culprit (have the parts, haven't done it yet) and it supposedly makes it better but personally, I'd have given the AT a fair shake given my experience thus far with the manual.

 

I’m one of the few non-Husker-loving people in Omaha, since I came here from WI—go Badgers!—but my daughter just got accepted to grad school in Lincoln, so now I will have a Badger, a Gopher and a Husker in the family.

 

I’m driving a Fiat 500L MT right now. If I can push that little car and make it fun, I imagine I can handle any MT with a little horsepower.

 

It's really just frustration that I keep over-shooting because I'm expecting the engagement point that never shows. I've spent 12 of the 20 years I've driven in a manual and this is the first that annoys me. My second gen was worlds better.

And on the low power front, three of those were a neon, focus, and a fiesta that I'd autox so I get flinging low powered cars around.

 

Buy used, You can't afford new.

 

How much is a new SR5 equipped like the used one? Offroad's are differently and better equipped than SR5's so they cost even more.

 

Try Truecar.com

 

I was going to buy new and was gravitating to the OR but when I got serious I really accessed I just didn't need the OR options.....and then I found a 30k mile used SR5 and picked it up. With all the money I saved I was able to do upgrades I really wanted and still save cash. Its my daily driver and it was the right choice for me. Good luck!

 

I'm in Omaha too. Looking at similar option as you. I'm also looking at some late Gen 2s. But if I was to buy 2019, I think I would go for the SR or SR5 if I can live without the 'cosmetic' differences like seat detail, logos, and such. I can always upgrade the suspension and even add front/rear lockers later on when I have some cash saved up again. I'm sure if I had the cash now, it would be more beneficial in the long run to just get the Off-Road now, but we don't all have that kind of money. (Chiefs fan but I like all those teams in the NFC North. More fun too watch. Must be that they run the ball more in the cold climate.).

 

I have an SR5 and not once have I been offroad thinking "I wish I had fancier traction control" or onroad thinking "I wish this truck had a bigger touchscreen on the head unit."

But, I have been frustrated at the 6' bed. I can't imagine a 5' bed. Just something to consider.

You won't notice the difference between an SR5 and an OR, and if you ever are in the situation offroad to notice the difference and actually need crawl control, you would have better spent your money on lockers for both the front and rear on the SR5 -- and still been in the truck for less money than you could have gotten the OR for.

 

I tend to look in life left in vehicle vs cost. 60,000 miles is about 1/5 the life of the vehicle (assuming a 300,000 mile life and ignoring the wear and tear on the interior). I'd want to pay less than 4/5 of the original cost and compare that to the cost of a new one.

 

Actually, the SR5 will drive better with it's softer suspension on the road. Off-Road as a stiffer suspension. (someone correct me if I am wrong here). I have an old 2001 TRD Off-Road now, and I can honestly say that I have only used the rear diff locker 1 time in 18 years and I didn't need to then. I think a lot of us just like the stance of the Off-Road an Pro due to the extra lift, tires, wheels, fender flares, cosmetics etc....