Should I trade in for a TRD PRO?

Hello TW!

I currently drive a 2020 Ram 1500 which has appreciated around $11k according to KBB and NADA from my purchase price a year ago to the trade in value now. While that seems too good to be true, I understand that’s due to the temporary microchip shortage and eventually supply/demand will re-align and the new and used car values will go back to normal.

I am determining if I can do anything with this extra value, and I thought about trading in for a well spec’d Tacoma, likely an MT and possibly a TRD PRO. This would be a net positive trade and effectively pay off what’s left of my loan, along with the benefit of better resale once this temporary market condition is finished.

Currently I drive a 4x2, as my main use is commuting in Houston, including some gravel fabrication yard roads. It would be fun to start off-roading as a hobby though.

I had a 2013 AT Tacoma until 2018 and generally loved it. My chief complaint was the highway performance. That truck was not happy cruising at 75 mph on a highway. With a bit of a headwind, it was constantly shifting between 5th and 4th to maintain speed. With the 3rd gen, have they improved on that highway behavior?

Overall, I enjoy manuals and have owned a couple over the years. Would y’all recommend the MT over the AT, even though I do have to sit through some traffic at times?

Last question is about 2021 vs 2022 TRD PRO.. Part of this plan involves getting something pretty quickly to take advantage of the elevated value on my Ram. I much prefer Lunar Rock to Electric Lime, but the extra bit of lift and other refreshes on the 2022 are appealing. Do y’all think I should try to find a good LR now, or is it worth waiting a few months for the 2022? Keep in mind I realistically doubt I’ll be pushing this truck to its limits off-road...

I know I’m asking this in a pro-Taco echo chamber, so I’ll take everything with a grain of salt. I did have a Tacoma for a while so I do somewhat ‘know the deal’ with these trucks.

 

welcome aboard. I really like Tacomas/ pickup. I have been driving them since 1994.
Other than that, I have nothing for you.

 

Get you a 2021Pro if you can. Slap on a Westcott front lift and an Icon AAL in the rear, better tires and call it a day.

Or if you can, wait for the 2022.

 

I would personally get the 21, they did a lot to it and the cost will be cheaper since you wont have to pay that new car tax.

 

If you weren't happy with the highway performance of the 2nd gen you're going to be totally disappointed with the 3rd gen.

 

I wanted a Lunar rock 2021 pro that would have been slick

 

Manual is the only option… (only my opinion)

Manual pros are hard to come by… I did the legwork - but it was Lady Luck that delivered.

Sell now… buy next year <— this would likely give you the best outcome…

 

Don't need to buy a TRD Pro if you're going to mod it. Tacoma is a great investment, you will see it hold up on its own. Tacoma is the best off-road vehicle out there so enjoy that the only thing you will miss is that power from the ram.

 

If you trade for a pro....be prepared to be dissapointed. Especially if you were unhappy with your 2nd gen.

After having said that, i dont think a Tacoma of any configuration would suit you. They do alot of things good and some things great.

Hauling ass down the freeway aint one of them.

 

If you can get $11k over what you paid for that Ram1500 I would drop it like a bad habit. It really doesn't matter what you get. Dump that thing.

 

I’m going to go out on a limb and say you haven’t read up much on the 3rd gen on TW lol.

It has an extra overdrive gear over the 2nd gen and will shift around to get power when needed, but also tries to get back to a higher gear for gas mileage. If you didn’t like the 2nd gen on the freeway, you won’t like the 3rd gen either. If you decide to get one, test drive extensively in conditions that you’ll be using the truck in everyday.

 

MT 100%. If you are thinking even a tiny bit about the MT, you’ll be super disappointed with the AT in these trucks.

buy whatever year you can find with the config you want

 

Just my opinion...

I wouldn't buy an automatic 3rd gen personally. Manual is the way to go.

If you're going to leave it pretty much stock and like the Pro, why not. If you can find one in the spec you want. That will probably take some patience and work.

If you want to mod it (lift, etc) just get an Offroad or a Sport and make it the way you want it.

 

I bought an automatic… now I have a manual lol

don’t make the mistake I did

 

Am in the same boat, went from a 2011 manual trd offroad, bought a 2021 zr2 gasoline auto….not happy at all. Looks cool but already hearing weird clunks, both rear shocks leaking, cv boot blown, front end alignment done once, now needs it again, automatic hunts like crazy and lags shifting sometimes, fuel tank range somewhat on the low end at 400 kms….the paint is super thin, chips easy and the black in some areas almost has a tinge of brown in the sun at angles and the rear shock hang down awkardly low…like 6 inches from the ground. I am not looking forward to problems in the years to come. The windshield is already weirdly pitted all over as well…as many other issues.

Most likely dropping this thing and picking up a 2022 tacoma trail edition…something I can rely on for a decade.

 

yes get one

 

Manual will hold 6th gear on the highway climbing hills where the automatic won’t. Trade for manual off-road

 

The Pro is overkill for your needs, but then there’s the cool factor. The current gen drives nothing like your 2013 did.

You should go find a pro in Houston and do a test drive before you do anything.

 

Here in northern AZ i do a lot of 75-80mph driving in heavy wind and the tacoma feels underpowered. Noticed it most after driving a friends f150 lariat. That thing was quiet and hauled ass. Also theres some defect in the door trim that will make kazoo type sounds in heavy crosswind.

 

Ever driven a stick in Houston traffic? No thanks.