Looking for SR5 vs OR Advice

Long time reader, first time poster.

Looking to pull the trigger on a tacoma within the next month. I don't take part in any deliberate off roading, but i do get on some icy and snowy trails regularly and take plenty of side roads to camp sites. I plan on making modifications to tires, seats, and possibly adding 5100 bilstiens to add a bit of lift to the truck. my question is, for those that have done these mods to both vehicles in question, is it worth the month to go with the off road to get keyless entry, all of the off road perks etc? or should i just get an SR5 and use the saved money to make the modifications i have in mind?

Also, SR5 owners, how does your vehicle do in light off road conditions? is there any issue with the stock suspension? any regrets in not getting the OR?4

Thanks all!

Edit: Can you buy the black overfenders that the off road has as an after market part? cant seem to find the OEM part anywhere

 

I was pretty set on a SR5 but then after thinking about it, I wanted to get exactly what I wanted and ended up with a OR. As far as modding, I figured it was going to happen regardless of what I had but getting the OR would at least make me want to wait a little longer.

 

Bump

 

Get the one you can afford --like some have said --if you truly NEED (not just want) and can afford it --save up a little longer and get it.
I could have got better than my SR5, but I looked at my needs and went with the SR5. I started out looking at the basic SR's, and when I found out they did not come with the basic stuff the truck needed to have for my wife to drive it --we bumped up to the SR5. I was going to get a MT -- wife said --"at your age?" and "I don't want to drive a stick!". Plus I have no desire nor the place to do mods on vehicles. I have enough junked antique furniture, to keep me busy for years
Everyone's situation is unique to them -- THINK IT OUT!

I would bet someone with the black fender flares would trade you in the color both trucks have --just guessing here!

 

The sr5 is basically just as capable with 4wd as the OR. Yes the OR gives you an E-locker along with the "training wheels" of Crawl control and Multiterrain select. In 5 months of ownership I've have used CC 2 times but never needed to use it just wanted to see what it was all about. Multiterrain select has been used a few times and it did make driving on sand/middy/rocky situations a little easier but it was definitely not needed to get me where I wanted to go, once again only used to try it out since I have it. I've only used the E-Locker 1 time trying to do a pretty steep muddy hill climb that I backed off of because I was more worried about the wall <1ft from the the cab and only a few inches from my mirror that I might have smacked into had I started trying any harder. The keyless entry is nice but would be better if is worked from the passenger side of the vehicle also. For the offroading I plan on doing I could have easily got the SR5 but I am new to trucks and offroading so I decided the "training wheels" might help me out. So far I have not found them that beneficial but only time will really tell. I do really like having the keyless entry and push start though. Never have to fumble for my key when I get into my truck.

 

I'd vote for the SR5 based on what you described your needs to be. Why do you want to lift it? Just for looks I'd guess. You can make an SR5 look every bit as good as a TRD OR and it will cost you a lot less. I liked having all the bells and whistles so ended up with the TRD OR but it's a $40k truck when you add everything I've got (Premium, Tech, JBL, etc.) If you buy the TRD OR you're paying for upgraded suspension that you won't need if you're going to buy new suspension to lift anyway so you can just stick with the SR5 and use that extra money saved to add the 5100s if you truly want to lift it. The locker is SELDOM used. Heck in most cases I can get in and out of some pretty nasty spots without even turning on 4wd. If I had to do it over again I'd go with the SR5...but then again if I had to do it over again I likely wouldn't buy this truck at all because it's been a huge pain for me.

 

The OR can be better optioned than the SR5. It all comes down to what creature comforts you want or what you can live without.

Here is the Tacoma Brochure if you haven't seen one.
http://www.toyota.com/content/ebrochure/2017/tacoma_ebrochure.pdf
The brochure is very detailed and will help you see the differences in trims and packages available. I personally have the DC OR w/ Premium & Tech Pkg and Manual Trans. The SR5 does not offer a manual in the 3rd gen. which was the biggest reason I wanted a Tacoma.

There are a lot of little/subtle differences between OR and SR5. For example, the OR gets a power rear sliding window, LED running lights, and wide angle pattern fogs. Again, it all depends on what you need/want or what you can live without. Either truck is good looking and an excellent choice. Best of luck!

 

Are you sure the keyless system does not work either front door?? -- Our Subaru Outback has essentially the same system (Subarus and Toyotas share a lot of parts and technology. The Subaru, when we got it was set up so only the drivers door would open with the fob. I got out the manual (god forbid!) and figured out how to reconfigure the settings -- now it opens either door you walk up to. You may want to read the manual to check if the thing can be reconfigured. -Good luck!

 

Yes only the driver door has a keyless sensors built in, to unlock and a seperate sensor to lock. I try to use it on the passenger door all the time when I think my trucks unlocked but no sensor sends my digging into my pocket to get my key fob out. The only thing you can change is when you use the keyless on the drivers door it can unlock just the drivers door or all the doors. I have mine set for all the doors so passengers can open there door once I open my door. I have researched this and the only way to possibly get around it is to get an additional driver side door handle and splice it into the wiring for the driver side door. I'm not even sure any one has actually done it but thats the only possible solution I have come across.

 

That sucks-- now I am getting more happy with my ordering a SR5. I (we) love the keyless/fob system on the Subaru OB so much it has spoiled us. The OB has a sensor for the touch on both front doors. Does the Tacoma not have the touch sensor in the drivers door handle?
Weird as it is, when I am washing the OB with a hose and the fob in my pocket --the stream of water from the hose will lock and unlock the doors when I am squirting water on the handle! Not a problem --just weird!

 

Yes, only the driver door handle has the sensor built into it. No other door on the truck has a keyless sensor, only the drivers door.

 

Go with the SR5 it what you need and take the xtra money and do your mods

 

For a DCSB 4x4 the price difference between the SR5 and OR is $1,940. Other configs seem to be a similar difference

On a five year note at 2% interest that's $34 per month, and you'll pay $100 total interest.

For that difference you get the smartkey, integrated navigation, bed power outlet, rear locker, and the other stuff. The OR can also be further optioned up with gizmos than can the SR5.

Certainly buy the one that best fits your needs, but do so with knowledge of what the real cost and feature differences are. Read the ebrochure and look at the very detailed table of what each trim gets. Price out options and what you can afford.

 

How much do you save buying the SR5?

 

That would
soooo much depend on how "bought" SR5 was equipped!! There is a wide range of possibilities here --plus it also depends on the "deal" one would get!