Help me Decide... (2017 vs 2018)

Hey all,

So I'm thinking of upgrading from my 2011 CRV to a Tacoma because of the problems I've had with my Honda.. My Budget is around 32k (I was quoted 34 so I know I can possibly talk it down a bit more.) Getting to the point.. I am trying to decide to get the 2017 TRD OffRoad or the 2018 TRD offroad or Sport. I was just wondering from you guys if one is generally better off then the other. I do a lot of Highway driving and I like to go on trails here and there for camping and general fun. At some point I would like to put bigger tires on and give a lift but with the new safety +P I don't know if I would be messing with the sensors if I do end up doing that.

Just looking for thoughts since the Offroad does come with "Better" Suspension and a locking diff, I'm leaning more towards that but the new grill on the 2018s looks really nice. (I shouldn't be worried about that I know)

So to sum it up, 2017 Offroad to not mess with sensors when I do get a lift or is it more worth it to just grab a 2018 sport since I don't go Hardcore off roading and will barely use the Crawl control and locking diff. Besides on my 35 degree angled driveway in the winter.

Any help is appreciated, Thanks again.

 

I chose the 2018 TRD OR. I love TSS. Dynamic cruise is the best! Also, I really wanted bsm, but it was packaged with a sunroof in 2017, and the sunroof brought the roof too low. It’s a separate package in 2018.

 

Sounds like a sport would suit your needs most of the time. I voted for the 17' OR because it's going to be the best bang for your buck, but if fuel mileage and on road handling matter more to you, then I'd go with the sport. The only big difference between the 17 and 18 is the standard safety sense and the available leather seats in the 18, and the grill which isn't any better in my opinion. But I'm glad to help with any specific questions if you have any. I have a 17 TRD OR AC by the way and I love it.

 

I'm sure at some point somebody will figure out how to correct the sensors in the 18 OR so you can lift it if you want. I put off getting a steel rear bumper for my 17 until someone (C4 Fabrication) figured out how to make the BSM work in it. From what I can tell the the safety features are about the only thing that has been a real upgrade so you might want to look for a deal on a 17 if it's not a priority for you. Any options you want will be available soon enough so go with what you really want.

 

If you can get a deal on the 17 I'd go that route, otherwise I prefer the OR over the sport for the extras and look. Do like the hood scoop though.

 

So the Offroad sounds better because of the extra goodies included. I'm guessing sometime down the road I can just get a 18's Front Grill in it or would they not sell it without the sensor in the emblem.

 

Test drive, test drive and test drive some more. Our opinions may help in your decision, but at the end of the day it’s your decision. Best wishes on your upcoming purchase.

 

Curious, how tall are you? I haven't spent any time in one with a sunroof. I'm 6'1. On my 2nd gen without a sunroof I have a ton of extra room.

 

Kinda biased but I'd say get the 18 off-road. There was a guy on here who knew tundra fellas that have tss and were lifted 3 inches, supposedly 1 to 3 inches is the max lift that is not effected. I won't be lifting my 18 anytime soon so by the time I have it'll be done several times before

 

If you are definitely looking to lift, I would go '17 for sure. If not (sounds like you really don't need to, based on your intended usage), and you would appreciate TSS, then get the '18. I got a '17 after then announced TSS. I am not planning to lift. However, I just didn't want to deal with yet another point of potential problems with the sensors. I also hardly ever use cruise control, even on long road trips, and lane departure/ped alert....I've never really had issues with that. Then again, I am not posting on FB on the road, either.

As far as trim, I would either get an OR, or SR/SR5. To me, the Sport does not bring any value to the table. No offense intended to any Sport owners.

 

Tss is pretty cool. In my wife's Rav4 it has told me someone is walking on the sidewalk as we are backing out of the driveway. It stopped our car faster than we could have applied the brakes in a parking lot saving a potential fender bender. It's notified of a vehicle in the blind spot my wife didn't see because they didn't have headlights on. And once you have radar cruise, you'll never go back. After having it on her car for almost 2 years now, I wouldn't even consider a 2017..

 

So I guess it all comes down to price, I have driven both the Sport and the Offroad and I love them both! Thats basically why I was hoping to get some views from actual owners. However it seems like you all love your trucks and I cant really go wrong either way, The Sport will fit my needs just fine but the OR can give me some nice extra features. This sale will take place in possibly the next few months I will definitely let you guys know what I decide. But generally it will come down to who gives me a better offer

Feel free to keep inputting your thoughts everything helps!

 

I just went through the same thought process in November. While I do have this image of me off roading and camping in the Rockies, I had to be honest about what I do with the truck 98% of the time which is driving myself around the suburbs. I wanted the extra equipment and value that the Off Road brings for the same cost as the Sport, but I didn't need Off Road capabilities. The extra gear on the Off Road must add up to a couple of thousand dollars, but it's the same price of Sport? If I thought I was going to sell it, I would have gone with Off Road because it's likely hire resale. But, I plan to drive this truck and pass on to my kid when I am done.

Knowing that 2018 was coming and would have the trailer package standard ($600) and little else meaningful to me, I zero'd in on the 2017. I negotiated really firmly on price for a 2017 Sport that was on the lot. I got a really, really good price and didn't budge on any terms. Being in Detroit helps a lot because Tacoma's simply don't sell well here (compared to other markets). 2018s were not on the lots in November and the dealers in the area had very little willingness to deal on a 2018. I ended up with 2017 Sport with no luxury options. I needed a new vehicle at the time and couldn't wait.

If I had more time, I would have done a 2018 off road + the luxury package and modify suspension if I didn't like the ride. However, I tested both Sport and Off Road on bumpy Detroit road and could not tell the difference.

Hope this helps.

 

Test drive the sport and OR. I didn't like looking over the hood scoop on the sport, so that and the other extras you mentioned pushed me towards an OR. It's quite unlikely I'll use the crawl control or locker much, if at all. But who knows... better to have and not use than need and not have. Especially for only a few hundred more (well... maybe a bit more considering the slight additional operating cost with the lower MPG in the OR vs. the sport.. but that's getting into the weeds).

 

I hate to be the Debbie Downer here but there's no way you're getting a 2018 OR for $32-34K. If you're sure that you'll lift anyway, why pay extra for a suspension you're going to swap out...? Go Sport.

 

Do you mean the higher MPG in the Sport? Sports seem to get the better MPG.

 

yeah, typo. I fixed.

 

There is more value in Crawl Control and the locker than the suspension.

I looked at the Sport as a visual package (painted fenders, bumper and the hood scoop). The OR has functional items added to it for the same price (locker, MTS and Crawl Control).

 

Or just get an SR or an SR5. They are almost all the same in regards to looks, but differ in what comes included and suspension wise.

 

While my vote goes towards the sport (if you aren't going to be doing a bunch of off roading), one thing to note is the sport suspension is extremely stiff. I personally love it as it handles incredibly - others seem to find it far too stiff, though.

Also, since you said you drive a lot on the highway, the Sports seem (from what I've non-scientifically gathered on here) to get markedly better MPG.