New and asking for advice on a Tacoma

I'm looking for a used or new, price dependant. I'm sold on the double cab as I want to outfit the backseat with a safety kennel similar to a police K9 vehicle. We can make it ourselves so the extra space will be extra comfort and having a door that opens directly into the kennel will help with the mud and dirt she brings back from the lake. It's the obvious choice now thanks to y'all's feedback and the DIY modifications shared here in TW.

My new question: SR, SR5, or TRD Sport?
I can't figure out the performance differences between the three when each is a double cab, 5ft bed, V6, and 4wd.
The build and price on the Toyota website shows the prices as $34.5K, $38.3, and $39.8K, respectively. If cost weren't a factor, is one a better truck for my needs? Of course, I'm always appreciative of luxury upgrades but I've been in luxurious trucks that just made me feel like too much luxury in a truck is sacrilege.

 

You have a TRD sport? The one here at the dealership is beautiful in lunar rock and really tugging at my emotions with it's looks. It's $42k. The SR next to it was not much cheaper. Are the creature comforts of the TRD Sport things we can upgrade later in the SR?

 

SR is bare bones, and gets the scaled back wiring harness (not pre wired for Fog Lights being the first thing that comes to mind)
SR5 get a more options pre wired and maybe a few bre installed
TRD(s Sport, Off Road, Pro) are mostly the same under the skin Sport get a hood scoop and stiffer shocks, OR gets softer shocks and a rear differential locker, Pro and Limited get some other finishes
OEM LED headlights can be added later but it is much cheaper to get them pre installed (something like $400 vs $1200) and is a very worthwhile upgrade as long as you don't spend a lot of time in heavy snow conditions

 

Exciting news for me, I'm getting an SR V6 4x4. Thanks to everyone for your help and input. TW is my favorite place now. I haven't bought the truck just yet but I'm already planning on buying the rear door covers and any other extra protection I can before I take my dog for our first trip in the shiny new truck.

 

Good luck moving front!!

Going to go with the remote cage /Door open one never knows it might come in handy.

 

Over here in good ol’ California I spent $45k a year ago buying my first Tacoma.

 

There's a goose gear part for sale and I've just learned my account must be 30+days to reply on the buy/sell thread. Bummer. Anyone looking to sell any useful parts to me? Central Texas.

 

You could just PM the guy directly if you wanted.

 

Thanks!