NOOB.. take it easy... but have a few questions...

Hello Tacoma'ers? I dunno if that's a word, but I made it one...

I don't have a Tacoma but am strongly considering purchasing one and am seeking some input, thoughts and advice. However, I'll first give a brief background of me and my situation..

I reside in Northern Virginia - western Prince William County near/in the Bull Run Mountains (yes, hills for everyone out West) - and have a 2012 Silverado Z71 2WD. I purchased my Silverado in '14 and intentionally bought a 2WD one because at the time I lived in Charleston, SC and didn't require 4WD. I pulled a 24' CC boat and that was the need for a full sized pickup. Now with living in Northern VA, no longer having a boat, having a longer commute (sometimes - I am overseas for work often), and needing 4WD due to snow and a steep private road and personal driveway. I am considering a Tacoma for several reasons. First, they are obviously dependable and look sharp. Second, since I am no longer towing a 7k boat, I don't need a full size pickup and the little bit of MPG's saved over a full size would be nice... especially living in the DC area when I am home and in traffic. Third, again not having a full size truck would be nice for when I do have to go into DC/traffic/parking/etc. I still need a truck though and not just 4WD.. I take my trash to the dump and don't want to put it in the back of an SUV and don't want to hook up to a trailer every time. I also use the bed for working around the house and yard.. I have 5 acres and am constantly using it to move stuff around, clear brush, etc..

I am most likely deciding between the TRD Sport and TRD OR... Reading up on here some, I see people refer to mall princesses. Not going to lie, that will be me.. My truck will mostly be used for around the house chores and commuting to work. However, I do like to get off the grid every now and again when time permits, but nothing crazy. I don't plan on rock climbing, mudding or anything like that but I do plan on buying a teardrop trailer soon and doing some off grid camping in the Shenandoah National Park and various parts of the VA/WV/MD/NC/PA mountains. I do like the look of a leveled/small lifted truck and a set of meaty tires though. But for me it's merely aesthetic and not for function for how I think the truck will be used, even for whats mentioned above.

I want to choose the TRD OR because of the crawl control but I doubt I'll ever use it... it just seems cool to me. I want to choose to the Sport to save a few bucks and then immediately spend the savings on a set of wheels/tires and some 5100s.. So, give me some advice on what is best. Do I need OR over the sport? Or is the OR worth spending the extra few dollars on? Or am I better suited to save the money and then immediately dump into into the TRD sport on some wheels/tires and a small lift/level. Thanks for the help....

TL;DR: Need 4wd and like Tacoma because of the size, versatiliy, mpg's and looks. Mostly pavement princess but want TRD OR. Convince me either way for Sport or OR. Thanks

 

Welcome to TW

My vote is for the OR based on what you said above but both would work fine as far as I know. Long bed? Coming from a 3/4 ton LWB to the Tacoma, bed space for work and play has been biggest adjustment. I have the 5 footer, but the 6 footer would have worked better for me.

Just my thoughts. Good luck and let us see what you get!

 

I am not particularly fond of the long bed. To me, the truck looks goofy. I'll miss not having a 6.5' bed like I currently do but I think I'll go DCSB. Right now I have an extended cab with 6.5 bed and it is nice though.

So 1 vote for OR. Thanks for your input.

 

There's' give and take with the Tacoma but I'm happy I did it. It's nice to fit everywhere in town. The ride is SO much better.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Its just me and the wife for now so going from full sized to mid size won't be a big deal. I think the Tacoma will be perfect for what I want/need and my geographical area (DC) and better for my commute when home. Not having kids and not for at least 3-4 more years make not having a full size truck a necessity.

 

I can see the parking being a huge factor.. we drive her car into the city most often when we go, but the few times I've had my truck in the city, it's a complete PITA to park... anywhere!

 

Welcome aboard. Hope you find what you are lookin for

 

I had the 06 Sport, now a 15 OffRoad. I like the 16" wheels on the OR. The tires are less expensive and I find, better in the snows up here in Mass. The scoop did nothing but reflect the sun into my eyes- though it looked cool. I had the Sport Access Cab and now the Offroad Crew Cab. I'd never go back to the access cab- especially with having a child. Mine is a mall crawler- could've gotten just an SR5 but the resale and residual values on the OffRoad are higher and the price (at the time) was not much different- again, I've got a 2015.


If you're looking at 2016+ I cannot help, but if you're looking used, I'd go for the OffRoad. I just think the ride is more comfortable.

 

Good to know about the hood scoop... I do think they look good top but if it just reflects sun, probably not worth it. And I'm looking/leaning towards new. Used 16 or 17 Sports and ORs in my area with 30k less miles are going for around 31-33. Brand new OR for 37.. I generally don't buy new but since the resale value is so high, to me it makes sense to buy new because if you are already spending 33k, another 4 for brand new is inconsequential.

 

how long is the commute and will you be on the highway? if you got the sport, would you just turn around and put A/T tires on? If so i would go for the OR. i got the sport because of my commute and want something with all/season for optimal fuel econ and less road noise

 

When home and working, which isn't too often with the nature and location of my job, my commute is 40 miles. 35 miles is interstate and parkway. 5 miles is rural county highway leading to interstate. Yes, I would pretty much immediately install A/T's and eliminate the factory rake because road noise doesn't matter to me and a Taco w ATs is still going to do better mpg wise than my Silverado.

 

2 votes for OR..

 

sport cause ptm bumper. o h and scoop

 

I would just go with the OR then. Especially of you aren't changing wheel size.

 

I do love the look of the scoop! Its sweet!!

 

Not changing wheel size... just would put falken wild peaks or bfg ko2s on.

 

Thanks for the input.. 2 for OR, 1 for Sport.

Keep em coming. Still curious to hear more opinions on the crawl control and if it's worth it or not.

 

I personally vote for the Off Road, as you'll get tires that are already ready for the snow if you need them. Also, you might find that just having an off road capable truck makes you more inclined to take it off road, and you might make a hobby out of it. Now, the Sport have better road manners if that's what you're looking for. As my OR suspension aged, my normal complaint was that it was too soft. Either choice, you're making a good decision.

 

The crawl control...is a gimmick to me. Yeah it works so far but I have only used it playing. I still like to think due to my childhood lessons, I can do better without. That said, it is easy to show someone else how to use it and not go through all the trail and error. Again, it could all be in my head because I can't control each wheel independently as the truck can. Its a toy, I played with it again this weekend.

Given the resell mentioned above, I'd go OR for sure. You can always get the sport hood later.