Older Gentleman Seeks 2011 Tacoma

Greetings all,

Thought the title might get a chuckle or two. More to the point; I'm a 62 year old working stiff that's just about ready to retire.
I've reached the point, admittedly late in life, where nature's drums compel all males of the species to buy a truck. At least that's what one of my younger tattooed co-workers tells me. "Dude, it's a guy thing. Every guy has to have a truck at least once."
Not being one to fly in the face of Darwinian theory, I shall heed the call.
I'm driving a '06 Toyota Hybrid right now. Decent vehicle, wouldn't pay the premium again. I've owned an older Sorento, bare bones transportation that went through anything. Drove a Suburban. Yeah I guess it's a truck, tough as nails, nothing stopped it. Didn't quite scratch the itch.
I get the differences in the TRD Off Road and Sport configurations. Bells and whistles over and above that are a matter of preference. What I really want to know is:

I'm not going to do any super serious off-roading. The occasional forest access road, stuff like that. Looking out the window at 18" of freshly fallen snow, 4WD's a given.
90+% of my miles will be urban/highway. Non-jittery ride a definite +.
A couple of dogs so the SB Crew Cab on tap. Leer or other topper likely this spring.
Bang for buck rules out the 4Runner, Sequoia & Land Cruiser.
I want to keep it less than $33K, what's my play? Why?
Knowing why folks have an opinion is more important than just the opinion.

Looking forward to your comments.

 

Welcome! Should have no problem staying under 33k. I think a double cab 4x4 SR5 stickers for under 28k before chewing them down on price. That would probably fit your needs just fine if you don't do any serious off-roading. Even with the TRD Off-Road package you'd still be under 33k. All depends on if you want the extra goodies that comes with either of the TRD packages. I have a Sport model 4x4 myself. Handled the deep snow just fine and has taken me everywhere I need to go. Extent of my off roading is sand and some mild trails so I opted to go with my preference of the appearance of the Sport over going with the off road since I won't really need the locking diff myself.

If you haven't already I'd just check out the TRD packages and see if you want/need any of the stuff they offer. If not, you'd probably be good with what the SR5 offers.

 

Sounds like you're in for a Tacoma V6 4X4 double cab TRD Sport. Pick your color.

 

It looks like your decision rests on whether to scoop or not to scoop

I suggest you go to the Toyota.com site and build a Tacoma. It will show you pics of the different options and that way you can see if you like the looks of color-matched bumpers and grill (sport with scoop) or chrome accents (grill and bumper) with the off-road or SR5.

For what my opinion is worth, I went off-road because of the extra goodies. An extra $450.00 or so for a lot of stuff. Will I use them? Not much, probably, but they are there if I need them. To each his own.

From an appearance standpoint, color choice sometimes plays a part in the decision as well. Different colors give a different look to certain options.

Just a few of my thoughts when I was making my decision.

Good luck with your choice.

 

Welcome aboard. Enjoy the shopping. Buyers market, make them earn your business. Get Free 2 yr maintenance and all weather mats or exh tip. Go for the free stuff. Read up on TSBs and go in armed with info. Get the sleeve kit for 6 speed TO bearing issue if buying manual tranny, make sure you get 4 leaf springs in each pack, still voodoo issues with factory stereos?. etc etc etc.....

 

Turning 61 Dec 21. Leaving in a half hour to pick up my 2011 TRD Sport AC. Got Magnetic Gray Metallic, auto. Opted for the longer bed, I have a second car to use to haul the grand kids around. Like p[reviously stated got to the Toyota site and Build one to your needs. My only advice from my buying experience is I could have gotten a better deal buying a truck off a dealers lot then ordering it through a friend of mine who worked at Toyota. He had to order the truck, gave it to me for $300 over cost. Best time to buy is at the end of the month. Good Luck. Joe

 

Congrats Joe De...

 

Decided on an SR5 trim w alloy wheels. Color's still up in the air. Add -ons:
16" Alloy Wheels, P245/75R16 Tires
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
SR5 Extra Value Package: Remote Keyless Entry System, Cruise Control, Variable Speed Wipers, Chrome
Grille Surround & Rear Bumper, Color-Keyed Front Bumper & Overfenders, Fog Lamps, Sliding Rear Window with Privacy Glass, Metallic Tone Instrument Panel Trim, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel with Audio Controls & Leather-Wrapped Shifter (A/T models only), Dual Sunvisors with Mirrors & Extenders, Backup Camera & Auto Dimming Inside Mirror with Monitor, SR5 Badging
V6 Tow Package: Class 4 Hitch, Transmission and Supplemental Oil Coolers, 130A Alternator, Heavy Duty Battery, 7-Pin Connector w/Converter.
Carpet Floor Mats & Door Sill Protector
I'll add WeatherTechs with a Leer Adventure Topper in Feb
Roughly $27300 (exludes Leer at $2540. Deal or no deal?

 

No deal

Too much for sr5 without 4x4

 

And is the price before or after tax

 

isn't www.truecar.com a good comparable site? I've found people buying the DC offroad in my area for less than 29k

 

Sorry, thought it went without saying:

2011 TACOMA DBL 4X4 V6
MECHANICAL & PERFORMANCE
4.0L DOHC 24V V6 VVT-i 236HP Engine
5-Speed ECT-i Automatic Transmission
4WDemand: Part-Time 4x4 Sys w/ 2-speed
Electronically Controlled Transfer Case
Automatic Limited-Slip Differential
Coil-Spring Double Wishbone Front Susp
Rear Leaf Spring Susp with Staggered
Outboard-Mounted Gas Shock Absorbers
Var-Assist Power Rack-&-Pinion Steering
Power-Assisted Fr Disc/Rr Drum Brakes
16" Styld Steel Wheels, P245/75R16 Tires
SAFETY
Star Safety System: Vehicle Stability
Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC),
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD), & Brake Assist
Smart Stop Technology
Dr & Fr Pass Advanced Airbag System
Seat-Mounted Side & Side Curtain Airbags
3-Point Seatbelts for All Seating
Positions; Driver-Side ELR & ALR/ELR on
All Pass Sts, Dr & Fr Pass Active Hdrest
Side-Impact Door Beams in All Doors
Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
EXTERIOR
Argent Grille Insert/Surround, Blk Door
Hndles, Mrrs, Fr/Rr Bmprs, LED Taillmps
SMC Inner Bed w/Steel Outer Panels,
Storage, Rail Caps & Removable Tailgate
Deck Rail System w/4 Adj Tie-Down Cleats
INTERIOR
Air Conditioning
Power Windows / Door Locks / Mirrors
Cloth Bucket Fr Seats w/ Pass Fold-Flat
Driver Seat w/ Adj Lumbar Support
60/40 Split Rr Bench Seat w/ Adj Hdrests
AM/FM CD with MP3/WMA Playback,
6 Speakers & Auxiliary Audio Jack
Tilt/Telescoping Steering Wheel
2-Speed Windshield Wipers
Dual 12V Aux Power Outlets (1+Cigarette)
Pre tax & license

 

I think I only paid another thousand for mine with the off road package. If you haggle them on the price they might drop it down a little more. But then again mine is the 6 speed so that drops the price down a bit.
Skip the extra floormats and go straight to the weathertechs. If you're planning on getting them anyway just start off with them from day 1. Mine came without mats cause of the recall and I put in weathertechs and they are great on cleanup and fit very nicely.

 

now that will be a nice truck.. Here is mine only had it 4 months love it fun truck to drive...

 

I agree u should try to haggle ur way into a trd off road Dc 4x4