Help me in my decision

Greetings,

I am a former FJ owner looking to get back to the Toyota world. I want a 2016/2017 local availability is not the best but I have a couple solid options. There is a 2016 4X4 SR with the towing/convenience package 30K miles and has sliders. There is a 2017 TRD OR with 7K miles 4X2 for $2K more. I know how big of an aftermarket tacos have so I don't mind doing upgrades to an SR. I want 4X4 but I don't have to have it. What would you do in my shoes.
Thanks in advance, I was active in the FJ forum and I look forward to being a part of this community.

 

I would get the 4x4, better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

I personally wouldn't buy a truck that was 4x2 and I feel like if you are questioning it now, you will question it in the future and regret it. SR are still very capable trucks and fun for sure.

 

If you don't actually need 4x4 the TRD OR comes with a locker, so you have 2WD + locker as a little added insurance. Plus the TRD package.

It comes down to if you actually need 4x4 or not. If so, go with the SR

 

My personal rule of thumb is NEVER buy a 2wd vehicle that offers a 4wd/awd option. They hold their resale value better and as others have said it's better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

 

@Shwaa - He can add a locker (ARB) pretty easily to the SR; he can't (easily or cost effectively) add 4wd to the trd or.

 

Just get the 4x4 if you're on the fence, like the others have said

 

again, it comes down to if he needs 4x4 or if he just wants it because he thinks it would be cool to have it.

 

Def 4x4

 

Great point mcdean, not having fender flairs on the SR is my biggest aesthetic issue. The money I'd save going with the SR I could put towards a BOSS/OME suspension plus get new rubber.

 

4x4 allday

 

23k miles is a pretty large difference between the two. At 7k miles, you dont have to worry about any maintenance that wasn't done. That would be the deciding factor for me. When I got my truck I wanted 4x4 but I use it maybe twice a year and I'm not required to come in to work if it is unsafe to do so. The resell value may be important to some people, but they are still Tacoma's and will still hold their value better than nearly every other vehicle there is even if its the least desirable option.

Are those the lowest prices you can get for each of them or are the sellers willing to negotiate? To me (and this isn't based on anything but my opinion), it would take another couple grand to make the mileage difference worth it. 2wd does a few things better than 4x4. I also do not know how different the ride quality is between a SR and a TRD OR, but part of my decision to get a SR5 and not any of the OR trims was due partly to ride quality. I've said some conflicting things here, but again, the mileage difference does it for me.

 

You can always get a new Tacoma, price is usually not much more than used.

 

What part of the country are you in? Would a service like Carvana be available so you can extend your search farther and wider for a better fit?

Oh, and nice choice of avatar (Robin Olds FTMFW). Welcome to TW, and go USAF!!

 

How much for the SR? DC or AC? Definitely look at a new one. And definitely go 4WD even if you just THINK you need it.

 

just get a new one...

 

4x4 always. I would never buy a truck that isn’t 4x4.

Are you that far from everything to only have those two choices?

 

def worth traveling to another state to get new if you really really want one.

 

I don't see even fair deals on used Tacos where I live. I'd buy new.

Definitely 4X4.

 

I'm in Montgomery AL, there is a 2016 TRD OR 4X4 for $27.5K but its 7.5 hours away. The salesman said they do offer delivery for $250 and they take my trade but I am more then a little concerned making that kid of deal not physically seeing the truck or driving it. Has anyone ever done something like take delivery?