Help me pick my first Tacoma

@batacoma agreed with the idea of testing the base model! I did that when buying my house. Went to the houses just recently built to look around to see what it REALLY looked like without all of the model home decorations and other gingerbread they add to make it more appealing. Same principle applies to the truck.

That's why I called the 2.7 a turd. I test drove a base 2.7 with automatic and it was so anemic and slow I ended the test drive early and was going to look elsewhere in disgust. Salesman saved his sale by convincing me to try the V6. The rest is history.

 

Same for me when looking at access cabs. The dealer only had one on their lot to test drive, but it was a 4 cylinder auto. Going down the hill on the highway they were located off was no issue. Going back up was a challenge for these 4 chipmunks. Even the salesman riding along was getting a bit nervous as the truck kept downshifting, while engine rpm kept rising, as I was just trying to keep up with traffic on this multi-lane road....I had the engine screaming pretty good. This truck was the most gutless thing I've driven in 20 years. The 2.7 might have been fine in the the gen1 tacoma, but these gen3's are a 1/2 ton porkier. Opting to find a 6 cylinder in an access cab was a no brainer.

 

Pick your trim based on what you can/can't change later, IMO. Suspension/wheels/tires can all be replaced as they wear out and/or when you get a better idea what you like and don't like after driving a while. Same for visual stuff, especially the hood scoop and grilles from higher trims (although changing all the chrome trim on a Limited seems like a lot more of a hassle). Plenty of people like the SR, but I've also seen lots of people having to go through a lot more effort to install stuff on SR Tacos than if they had an SR5 that already had the parts or wiring in it. If you aren't offroading much, then you don't need the bigger differential or rear locker of the TRD Offroad or Pro.

In my view, a 4x4 SR5 offers the best bang for the buck and the most options for future upgrades/parts for the future. The only thing I can think of is that I don't think you can get the tech package on the SR5, only on TRD trims, so definitely consider that too.

 

To each their own. I own a company and my truck is a V6 DCLB TRD Off-Road 4x4, and one employee drives a V6 DCSB SR5 4x4, and one drives a I4 SR AC 4x4. Hands down everyone likes the I4 best.

 

I went to the local dealer and unfortunately they didn't have any 2023 models. Only 2022 and older. I did test drive the 2022 off road and it was amazing. Might get the OR as my daily driver

 

They’re the same.

 

I'm aware of that now. He was asking 50k for a 22 OR with 14k miles

 

negative

 

Asking the TW forum to help pick out your first Taco.

 

Run

 

Hell, run and call the police. That's insane.

 

For real lol I felt it was way too expensive for a used one

 

Fixed it for you.

 

Thanks I forgot I need to keep it PG in here

 

Can you elaborate on this?

 

Is everyone at your company over the age of 70?

 

Ummm a key. Like you have to insert the key into the ignition switch and turn it.
No push-button for me.

 

FWIW, I have a 2014 SR5. Daily driver. It rides and handles like an old-school truck...which of course is exactly what it is. This is not an issue for me. I knew what I was getting into before I purchased it. The ride is fine on-road or off, but I wouldn't call it smooth. The easiest way to improve the ride is to put weight in the bed. I put six 50-lb sand tubes in the bed for the winter. The addition of a bed full of fresh wet snow from a good winter storm makes it even better and there is no sag from all of the weight. The SR5 was the right choice for me and with the addition of Tow Package everything else was gravy considering what is included in it. The SR5 trim package added a lot of nice features in 2014. The SR package isn't bad either, especially since it adds a slew of color keyed exterior pieces, outside mirrors with turn-signals and 16" black alloy wheels and tires.

Good luck and welcome to Tacomaworld!

 

No, but the guy who drives the I4 is the elder statesman of the group. I think we all like it because of the simplicity of it. Not having to tow or haul anything, just using it as a work truck, it's superior due to fuel economy alone. But, if I were to need to tow or haul I wouldn't be using a Tacoma to begin with...been there done that.

 

Thank you I think I'm going to go with the OR version