Help Pro vs OR

If you have not driven a 3rd gen pro AND off road, no need to respond. I am trying to decide between the two and need other people's first hand experiences. I want to know the handling differences between the two so I can decide which one I will purchase. Unfortunately, finding a Pro to test drive makes it impossible for me to determine which one would suit my needs best. I am looking for the difference between the two on and off road. I would like to know your opinion(s) between the two on uneven roads, potholes, and high speed off road. If you could describe driving characteristics during normal driving and at the limit.

Here is my type of driving and what I value. I do not rock crawl and will mostly be doing city/highway/and rough unimproved roads. When I do go off pavement, and even on, I will drive in a spirited manner but not like an idiot. While on unimproved roads, I will be on them for hours, and usually at a higher rate of speed than most other people drive. I prefer balance in my vehicle's handling. I also want one to soak up whatever I drive over or through and not cause the platform to become unstable. I have been known to rarely get my vehicle's airborne when my surroundings allow. I understand speed is not the taco's first, middle, or even last name. I do not care about that for this purchase. I just want to know what the differences are between the two and if paying the extra for a Pro is worth it in my circumstance. A major factor for me is the desire to not want to upgrade a suspension system and maintain my warranty on as many components as possible.

 

The warranty probably won't cover "air" time.

 

OP, Where are you located? I just test drove a pro yesterday in so-cal. They had three on the lot.

 

If you want to upgrade allot why not buy the less expensive OR and then upgrade it? Seems like a no brainer.

 

Pro owner here. I have driven both and these are my thoughts. If you are comfortable spending the extra money for the Pro, I think it is worth it. Getting one for sticker price is the issue.
Pros: Looks cool, Great suspension from the factory, cooler interior with TRD accents, TRD exhaust and probably a few others im forgetting.
Cons: If you plan on going for a lift, makes no sense to have the Pro suspension. More expensive. Difficult to acquire at MSRP (at least in California) Most features the pro has which I mentioned about the TRD OR has as well. Crawl control comes on both.

It seems like a TRD Pro would suit you. The suspension on the Pro will soak up a lot. It is honestly impressive what either of these trucks will do, so you can't mess up by choosing either. I think if you can afford it and not bankrupt yourself to cover the difference between the two, it is worth it. I love my Pro.

Oh also the hood scoop is sick

 

I drove both, and my usage is about the same as yours except I tow too. I bought the OR for a cool $34.8k. (no blinky mirror tech package)

Unless you want the factory 1" lift with a warranty, see value in the up-rated dampers, and loooove a PRO asthetics package ... just get the OR.

It is great on unimproved roads, pothole riddled PA roads, gravel, and highway. The Bilsteins are pretty supple for "regular driving" too - I really didn't find much difference between the two with my eyes closed. When I opened them that $8k price difference seemed like I could do a whole lot better in the aftermarket than Toyota was giving me if I wanted a PRO killer by starting with an OR. But like your examples - an Outback wagon could do the off-road I do so I just wanted a nice small truck for dirt/gravel/forest/snow/towing.

At the end of the day - the add-ons were not worth the cost for my usage. If the pro was a V8 or supercharged, or had some other valuable mechanical advantage I would be all over it but at the end of the day it's not special enough (IMO). It's just expensive.

 

I haven't driven a Pro but I'm replying since you said not to. Contrarian 4 lyfe!!!

 

@PROseur has owned both, maybe he can offer some insight

 

I have driven all three, Pro, OR, and Sport. Both on and off road. The Sport is absolutely the best on road. The Pro would be my choice for long washboard roads like you have out west. Bot the Pro and OR wallow on turns (soft suspension) compared to the Sport. I drive 30K an year. Maybe 300 miles is off road. The Sport was a no brainer for me. Good luck. Now, if you are going to mod the suspension, get the OR. If 99% of your time is on road like me, then there is a better solution than the Pro or OR. If I spent more time off road then the Pro would be in my driveway.

 

My bold.......

 

Really? That would totally blow my mind....

But interwebs...never really know.

8-year sportswriting vet Ryan Schultz turns out to have been teen girl

https://www.google.com/amp/www.sfga...ports-writer-baseball-teen-becca-12348336.php

@PROseur is you a lady?

 

test drove 2 OR's. bought a MT Pro.

OP my usage and yours are similar. and, according to you, i don't just drive spirited but also like an idiot.

i found the Pro suspension to be beyond capable for my needs. in fact, the whole package was quite a bit too loose for me, so i went about correcting that with a rear sway bar, new UCA's for a custom (high caster) alignment, and E tires. this brought it all together for me and has made it a fantastic drive all around wherever i go, and that's still about 90% highway. super happy over here... would do again! but i personally would not have been able to deal with no rear sway and 16" C tires... makes me feel like I'm swimming in quicksand.

EDIT: forgot to mention that the times I've been on Colorado and New Mexico trails, approaches, access roads, etc including quite a lot of medium to high speed washboard dirt roads, with & without loads, with & without passengers, has been basically outstanding. fully fit for purpose. tons o fun, and all the control i require as a committed driving enthusiast.

 

Buy the OR, then get a suspension under it that fits your driving needs. I've driven both prior to me buying mine. And for the same reason I chose the OR over the PRO.
The PRO will do a "good" job for what you discribed, but an offroad with the right suspension will do a "great" job.
If you look through TW there are quite a few peeps that have bought PRO's only to later switch out there suspension for a better one that fits there needs.

 

I drove a sport, and an OR on the same day. I new right away that the sport was way to harsh on even paved roads that were not pristine. The OR was much more civilized feeling over imperfections. On the interstate, the OR was a bit floaty, and as stated by previous posters, had significant body roll when cornering.
I test drove my pro a few weeks later. I think it is less floaty on the highway for sure, and may corner a hair better.
So, maybe the pro setup is bit more controlled. I haven’t off roaded at all yet.
...my two cents

 

Get SR5, do a suspension upgrade. save money

 

You can be a female and be neither feminine or a lady.

That's just a statement of fact, not a comment about PROseur.

 

I personally think that is a mistake.

You lay out your goals well and you don't seem charmed by the razzle dazzle of fanciness.

Like @ahkouchi said, go SR5 and add a 1st class suspension from Marie @HeadStrong Off-Road

You'll be big money ahead and have a ride that exceeds a stock Tacoma at any price. The parts you install will have their own warranty, and those parts will have no impact on the rest of your vehicle warranty as long as you do them right.

 

If i could do it over, i would do this. i have an OR and don't use the extra MTS stuff. I replaced all my suspension stuff. I could of got a locker for cheaper than what i paid for my OR. Don't get me wrong, i love my truck, but i could have saved a lot of money if i got an SR5 and changed the suspension. Also, if you're not doing any hard core off roading, a locker really isn't necessary.

 

Gee wiz Bill, are we both not alive in the 21st century?

Rhetorical question, in case you weren't sure....

 

Like @Clearwater Bill said, contact marie @HeadStrong Off-Road. IMO, they give the best service and have the best knowledge about tacomas. she won't do you wrong and if something happens, they will take care of you. Many post about how helpful they are if you use the search button. didn't went vendor of the year for nothing lol