Need Advice - Questions re: second Tacoma/new buy

If you were buying a 2015 Tacoma that would mainly be a daily errand driver, with weekend use driving out on a sandy beach, and the occasional need to tow a boat... but no other hard use, what configuration would you choose to best meet your needs and keep the cost down?

Background, details, and additional questions: I am the happy owner of a 2005 PreRunner access cab SR5, which still runs like a dream and has given me little problem in over ten years... unfortunately it is not a 4x4 and we have moved to an area of Florida that allows locals to apply for a beach permit lottery, the county draws from the lottery applications and winning 4x4 owners receive a permit to drive on select public beaches - which sure beats hauling all your stuff back and forth.

So, we are thinking about buying a new 4x4 Tacoma to give us the ability to apply for the beach permit lottery. We had considered buying used, but because of how reliable our 2005 has been, if the price is right I am considering buying new to customize it to fit our needs and to keep it for the long haul (and sell the '05). Unfortunately I am not well-versed in the product line to know which options are best for a new purchase.

We need 4x4 capability for sands in Northwest Florida/Panhandle, but we will not be off-roading except for the sand; we do want to have the ability to hitch a boat to the back in case friends need help towing a boat.

- Is the TRD really necessary if the only "off roading" is sand, or would we do okay with just the V6 4x4 with the SR5 or Limited Pkg? The TRD Sport Pkg. is out for us because the estrogen in the house has vetoed the hood scoop. TRD Off Road - what is a front tow hook? To haul a boat is the Tow Package a required add-on to any package we choose, or is boat hauling only wise with TRD?

- We've had the access cab and liked it since it gives us the full-size truck bed. Have you owned both the access cab and the double cab? If so, I'd love to hear your advice re: pros/cons having lived with both for a period. Does the accessory bed extender make the double cab truck bed similar in size to the access cab?

- Seats... the only thing I haven't liked about our current Tacoma is the fabric seats that came with the SR5 package. I've always dreamed of doing an after market upgrade to leather. But with beach use, would we be better off to select the Sof-Tex seats? With the Limited Package, I could care less about navigation, so would I be better budget-wise with SR5 and then just recover the seats with Katzkin?
I thought I read somewhere about All-Weather seats, but is that on the 2016, because I didn't see it in the 2015 catalog? It looks like Sof-Tex is only available in the Limited Package - so no TRD or SR5 option with that?

I'd appreciate all the details you can give me... I'm recovering from an injury, and the closest dealer is almost an hour away, so going in person really isn't any option right now. I'm going to need to have it pretty narrowed down and possibly order it long-distance.

I know that is a lot of questions... just trying to do my due diligence. Last but not least...
Am I crazy to buy the last year in this model instead of waiting for the 2016? I honestly like the look of the '15 better - the interior of the '16 doesn't look as streamlined to me.

Thanks so much for any advice!

 

Buy the 2015 if you like the body style as I'd rather let others experiment with new technology...

 

Congrats/Welcome.
You are on the right track with the SR5. It will be plenty. Seats in the Tacoma are terrible no matter what model and for God's sake stay as far away from Entune as you possibly can. It is a collective pile of tired hot and steamy 2 day old dog shit. A massive waste of money. Have the dealership stuff a sweat sock in the dash and you will be ahead of the rest of us....me....that did no research prior to buying.
I honestly should of asked the dealership to chop my balls off in lieu of opting for an antiquated GPS that can't find it's way to my home from the end of the driveway.
Many nights I lay awake in the spirit of plotting a good ol' Idaho ass kicking to the salesman(a friend whom has sold us many Toyotas) who failed to mention that bringing a sack lunch is a far better option than trying to find somewhere to fuel up. In fact the last time I used it, I had 2380 miles to go to the closest gas station in Atlanta, Ga.
I would kick a herd of Nuns asses while juggling a chainsaw, a loaded assault weapon set to fire and a baby while being recorded by some douchebag with a GoPro for all to see on YouTube before I would ever consider opting for this overpriced hunk of shit.

Again, the best of luck and enjoy!

 

I think you will be fine with any access cab 4x4, though I would opt for the V6. You may not need it for a few years, but ten years out the tired V6 will do a lot better on the beach than a tired four banger.

Tires will be the weak link. I picked up my 2015 on March 6. The stock Dunlop ATs are OK on hard packed snow, borderline on fresh fallen snow and miserable in anything wet like slush or mud. Pretty good on dry pavement. If your boat is light enough the stock Dunlops may or may not do OK in wet sand. If your boat trailer combo is over 1000# or so, I think it very likely that you will want different than stock tires, and probably air bags to help out the rear springs.

My opinion of the midlevel Entune is not very high, though not as bad as the poster directly above. I already had 2 garmins, didn't buy the Entune with Nav. I will say the midlevel version will read high density mp3s off a thumb drive without much in the way of signal loss. The midlevel stereo is adequate but hardly impressive. The bluetooth is nice, I am suprised by how often I use it now that I have it.

I have not owned both cab sizes. I have been in extended cabs for a few years to encourage my kids to do for themselves rather than call dad's taxi service. I intend to upgrade to a crew cab when I am about to have grandkids too big to fit in the back of an access cab.

Front tow hook is a place to hook a line so someone can pull you out when you are stuck. Front receiver to put on a trailer hitch is proscribed in the owners manual.

Upgrading from class II (standard 350/3500#) hitch to a class 4 (650/6500#) hitch is $600 from the factory, or about $1200 in aftermarket parts that still need to be installed.

Except for probably the tires I would be perfectly comfortable towing my <800# boat and trailer combo in sand with my plain jane V6 4x4 SR5.

good luck.

 

Thanks, all. And Poindexter thanks for all the details from your experience, they are a big help! Especially the tire info re: sand, helps not to have surprises. We don't have a trailer hitch (or boat) yet, but that is the long-term plan. If I'm reading you right, I should go ahead and upgrade the class 4 hitch if we will need it since it's double the cost to add later? I know nothing about boats (that's Mr. Truman's domain), but my dream is we will end up with a simple fishing boat that he can waterski behind too, but no interior compartment for sleep/eat/etc. My quick google search makes it look like we'll need a Class 3 or 4 hitch for that type of watercraft?

You made me laugh with the access cab to avoid the dad's taxi service - great point. The last time we had extended family here, our six-year-old niece begged to ride with her aunt and uncle each day because she loved the small space/cab seat in our truck, though I'm sure those days are numbered as she gets older. Mr. wants the double cab, I love the look of the access cab and keeping the price down since I'm the one pitching for the new model given how amazing the '05 has held it's value.

So, here's what I'm thinking based on research and your responses, am I missing anything?

- 4x4 Access Cab V6 5-Spd Auto

- Black Exterior (we have Black Sand Pearl now which I love and was disappointed to see gone in 2015, so depending how the plain Black looks in person, may have to change the color to Pyrite Mica if go SR5 or Magnetic Gray Metallic)

- SR5 Extra Value Package
- Entune Audio Plus (it's making me add this with SR5 EV Pkg only)

- V6 Tow Package - for class IV hitch
- Bed Mat
- All weather mats

Anyone go with the V6 4x4 SR5 and regret not getting the TRD? It seems like it could be overkill for just beach use, but I don't want to wreck my suspension in the SR5 either.

 

Yep you have to take the Etuneplus with the SR5 its not an option. I have a 15 SR5 access cab V6 4x4 mine is magnetic gray metallic personaly I like the color.

The Mica you'll want to see in person if they don't have a Tacoma in that color they will have some vechile in it. I did not like how it looked you might though. I'd just look at all of the colors you might like one color when see it on the lot vs online and like it.