Newbie Looking for Advice

Hey Folks-

I'm a photographer working throughout the Southwest. Four years ago I had the bright idea to upgrade my Civic to a Forester (AWD) in efforts to get out and work in backcountry areas throughout AZ. Two weeks into owning my brand new rig I nearly wrecked it trying to get up a steep and gnarly road.

Flash forward to the present and I'm finally graduating to the idea of getting a 4WD Tacoma. I'll probably be getting back into some tough roads around twice a month. The rest of the time I'll be in cities and/or on the highway.

So, I'm tossing back/forth between a 2021 v6 SR5 and the Sport. If it's simply about having a cushier suspension so that I don't spill my Earl Grey (tea), I am inclined to go with the Sport so that I can get the manual transmission. But if someone else has a good reason I should consider the SR5 for my purposes (or any other reason I should know about), I would be thankful for your thoughts. I'm leaving the TRD-OR off the list since I don't think it has anything that the SR5 has that I need. But again, if you think I am missing something, would be game to hear.

Any recs for a good, no BS dealer anywhere in AZ, would also be appreciated.

Glad to be on the forum and look forward to hearing thoughts.

 

The Sport will have a firmer ride. There for, it might actually make you spill your tea FASTER.
The SR5 is a very versatile truck. I guess the question is,

How tough are the trails?
And how experienced are you in drive off-road?
The 3rd Gens have some pretty impressive technology in them.
Even the SR5 can play on moderate to light hard trail.
The difference will be the driver.

 

For the same price as the Sport, you really should reconsider the OR. But if you want to save some money, the SR5 will be a very good truck for you.

 

TnShooter. Thanks for the reply.

The idea of a "firmer ride" has been mentioned a lot in my discussions. I guess what I am asking is the following: 1. is that simply about comfort or does that have a functional difference in the capability of the truck to go on certain roads? and 2. is the only downside of an SR5 that I won't be able to take my urban street turns at 40MPH because the suspension is so squishy? In other words, is the SR5 borderline reckless on the streets and highways but great on the back roads? Or is this a very subtle difference?

My goal is to get a truck that will be to get me back into bad roads (not ridiculous, but bad--don't know how else to describe that) without me having to worry about getting back out. And if the only question is whether it is more comfy to be in a SR5 than in a Sport, I'm fine not being comfy.

Not sure if I made that any clearer.

 

Definitely get the manual transmission

the OR does get you the rear locker and ATRAC which are nice to have.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

1. There is a functional difference. Bit it’s basically 17 wheels and a “sport” tuned suspension.
The springs and shocks are different.
Se below for my opinion.

2. It’s a Tacoma. None of the current models are going to preform like a car. Period.
The SR5 is going to be fine on curves, if you’re going to drive it like a rally car, buy a car.
But, to answer the question. No, it is NOT border line reckless. It performs quite well for what it is. A truck.

Personal, with the technology that is now available in even the SR5.
I think the truck is much more versatile than most would imagine.
There’s a guy on YouTube that has just an SR5. He’s taking his truck places most guys wouldn’t think possible.

I would not spend the extra money on the “Sport”, if I planned to make it an off road rig.
I’d buy better parts and put them on an SR5. Or buy the Off-Road.

 

SR5 all the way. I have a 2017. Great in the woods and fine on the highway.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Any 4X Tacoma will take you farther than a Subaru. Get a double cab. Can carry more stuff secure in the cab.

 

If you carry a lot of photography gear into the backcountry, and I assume you do, you might consider a 4Runner. Plenty of off-road capability, and IMO offers better protection for your gear.