2013 SR5 vs. Sport Package

Hello everyone,

I currently own a 02 Dodge Dakota but after all the hell that truck has put me through I'm looking to upgrade to a Tacoma.

I've been looking for roughly 6 months now and I'm narrowing down on a used 2013 Tacoma Double Cab SR5 V6 with 19k on it. I was debating for a while about access cab vs. double cab and have decided to go with a double cab since I plan on having this truck for the next 5 years (atleast) and within that time I'll be starting a family.

Anyway, I was comparing the SR5 to the Sport for the longest time. It would be nice to go with the TRD Offroad but it's a little too pricey for me. I do offroading in the summer time but this truck will most likely be a pavement princess for the first couple years. My Dakota is on its second engine which I just threw in there this past August after hydro-locking the first. Also got water in my auto tranny but unbelievably it works fine at operating temperatures. Refuses to move in extreme cold until warmed up.

The only real differences I've been able to note between the SR5 and the Sport deal with the exterior with the exception of the LSD offered in the Sport.

This SR5 I'm looking at is priced at under 35,000 CAD which is a great deal around where I live. It comes with running boards, tonneau cover, and a box liner which I'm happy about. Like I said I wish to take it on a few back trails but certainly not within the next couple years, I plan to throw on 285's and a 3 inch lift (likely coilspacers + AAL) within a year or so after buying it.

For any owners of SR5 model, would you have rather spend the extra money up front or have you been satisfied with your current package.

Thanks for all the help in advance.

 

The LSD comes in all models now I believe since it is no longer a mechanical LSD, but a computer controlled traction assist system. My SR5 has the Auto-LSD. I am satisfied with my SR5. The only thing I wish I had that comes with the Sport is the seats.

 

Im happy with the SR5. I don't see the need for a hood scoop, sticker and nice rims. Its a truck. If you plan on upgrading the suspension and tires that is the only benefit you will get going Sport.

 

I see many people new to Tacomas think this (i highlighted in bold). IF you are referring to a bed mat then ignore what I am about to say. The Tacoma has a composite bed/no metal, and what you are looking at is not a liner, but IS the actual bed itself. Again if you mean a bed mat or carpet or something, ignore me.

With that said, you will find that what seems to be a majority of SR5 Tacoma owners on here don't regret their decision, and in fact the reason they go SR5 is because they want to build it up the way they want without the added expense of TRD packages. (visions of air lockers, definitely new suspension, sugarplums, etc. down the road)

I can't say much else as I own a TRD-OR and only debated between it and the sport, where in the end color-matched cosmetics wasn't high on my care list.

 

I searched for a manual transmission DCSB V6 and was lucky to find an SR5. I thought for sure it would end up being a TRD, but alas I got one without stickers and fancy rims. I absolutely love the truck. I would have pulled the stickers off the day I bought it and even as it was I debadged it right away. I wish I had the spare style steel wheels all around, but these will work for now.

The handshaker transmission is a hoot. The truck is perfect.

 

When I bought mine I just wanted a SR5 long bed. I HAD to have a truck within 2-3 days and the only long bed truck in the state that met my color choices was a TRD sport with Nav, JBL and all the jazz they come with. So I bought it . Yeah I spent more, and yeah I love the extras the sport has but I didnt have to have them and if I had more time to wait I would have got the SR5 in a heart beat. As far as the 17in sport wheels ,I had them swap em for a set of 16in steels because I hate 17s, and took I it straight to the tire shop for a set of 265 75 Toyo MTs . Its just all about what you want.

 

DCLB Sport , and spring for the heated seats

 

You are talking used correct? A NEW 2014 SR5 V6 Double Cab is about $35,700 off the lot including freight, registration, everything except your taxes. I just bought one.

 

Just bought a 2013 SR5 DCSB 4X4 and no regrets. Got 245's/ steel 16's and I will upgrade them and suspension sooner than "needed" to what I want.

TRD / SR5???? Depends what you are gonna do to it I feel. Cheers.

 

I went SR5. I would have liked a locking rear diff, but all the other stuff on the OR wasn't worth it.

 

I could have gone with an SR5 but all they had was one in extended can and an auto 4cyl. Decided I better get a double cab to be safe and all they had that was 4x4 in that was a OR.

 

Can't get a DC Offroad in Canada

 

I've been doing some similar calculations myself. After driving an 09 DCLB Sport for 4.5 years and loving it I totalled my truck on black ice on the 6th. Since then I've been shopping for what's next. It came down to a 2012 Sport with 11K miles or a 2013 SR5 new both for the same money ($29.9K US). I racked my brain going over my favorite features of the Sport and what I could live without.
The SR5 has the extra value package so it includes most of the upgrades I was looking for:
Intermittent wipers
Cruise
Alloy wheels (16")
Backup camera in the mirror (what I'm used to/prefer)
Temp/direction in the mirror (vs. ceiling on my 09, like that too, could never read the ceiling one when driving with sunglasses on a sunny day)
Bluetooth
CD

The Sport has items I enjoyed on my 09:
Bilsteen Shocks (easy enough to upgrade to these)
Sport Seats
JBL sound (it is nice to have more underseat storage on the SR5)
Bed outlet
17" Alloy wheels (I have a set of brand new take-offs bought last fall that will be my summer wheels in a couple years)

The Sport also has items I didn't care about, wouldn't miss:
Satellite Radio (was nice when I tried it, never missed it once I stopped paying for it)
Color match rear bumper, grill, mirrors (loved how my 09 looked but the black mirrors and handles look kinda tough)
Hood scoop (I swear I washed 10lbs of mosquitos out of there each summer, and hated it each time the sun would throw a glare off the scoop into my eyes)
NAV on the 2013, never needed it yet

After weighing these and other factors (such as controlling maintenance on the 13 from day one and having a one-owner truck when the time comes to sell) I went with the SR5. Time will tell if I regret not going for another Sport but the beauty of the Tacoma is neither one loses value very fast. Not only was I not upside down on the 09 but after settling and paying off the old loan the payments on my 13 will be about half of what they had been.

 

Good thread. Struggling with a similar debate. Was set to buy a TRD off road but started thinking about a Sport or SR5 model. I would want to add shocks and a locking rear differential to the truck if I went with the SR5. Would add a locking rear differential if I went with the Sport. I kinda do want navigation though so I may be stuck with a Sport or Off Road unless you can replace the one in the SR5?

 

I was in the same boat, had a rediculously expensive struggle with a dodge Dakota before I found my truck. It's an SR5 v6 4x4 manual trans. I found it with 50k miles, but totally mint. I got a great deal on mine and I haven't had a single regret.

Get the SR5, mod it, make it yours, enjoy it for a long time.

 

I bought a 2013 DC Sport trd because I liked the color matched bumpers and grill. The rest of the truck is basically the same, to me anyway. My boss bought a 2012 DC offroad trd. My personal opinion, Im not a fan of chrome. My plans are to change to black rims and I have already plasti dipped the emblems. I might go ahead and debadge it completely for a murdered look. Buy the DC, I'll never own another truck thats not 4 door.

 

JDevTac,

That was 1 feature I was unaware about. I was referring to the actual bed and not a bed mat. So all Tacoma's come with the composite bed material you were speaking of? Interesting.

I was certainly leaning towards the SR5 because it too does contain the convenience package I was after. The Sport seems too expensive for a couple of exterior upgrades. I'm going to have a look at this particular truck sometime this week and decide where to go from there.

Great Canadian,

I'm talking all in price for this used 2013 with 19k on it. At 4 % financing + taxes I'm looking at just under 35,000 over 6 years. Its not dealer I'm looking, its a used car lot.

I appreciate all the feedback guys, I think I will continue to look at SR5's if this one doesn't pan through.

Hopefully will join ya on TW soon!

 

Actually people seem to have forgotten that the sport also comes with better seats.

 

Go with the SR5 and make it yours. I love mine it's a great truck

 

Get the DCLB Sport with the heated seats