Tacoma Sport or Off Road

I have been looking at Tacomas and have narrowed it down to two. A 2009 4X4, Dbl Cab LB w/TRD Sport Pkg , 6 inch Pro Comp lift and Pro Comp tires (looks great) (they have knocked it down from 38k to 33k or a 2010 4X4, Dbl Cab w/Trd Off Road pkg for around 32K. I'm leaning toward the 2010 because it's OR even though the 2009 Sport lifted is incredible looking because I'm thinking the OR will be much better 4-wheeling. Is the OR really all that much better than the Sport? I already have a 2003 Tj so I'm wondering if the Sport would be fine for most off roading and snow, but am thinking it may replace the Jeep if the OR really shines. I guess I am really asking how much better is the TRD OR than the TRD Sport in the dirt, mud and snow?

 

The sports hold their own off road- I have an 08 sport with a 3 inch lift and 33 inch tires. I go pretty much anywhere I want around here. I'll need to install lockers and skid plates before I do much more.

The factory locker in the rear and the front swaybar and progressive springs are worth if its going to be offroaded alot. I've been out with some TJ/YJ drivers and they are way better off....so I'd vote for offroad the Jeep and run the Sport (altho I'd go look for a 2010 sport without that lift...But that's just me)

Good luck and welcome!!

 

Thanks Brunes, I was wondering about the TRD OR and throwing a lunchbox locker in front and thought then I could about go anywhere. But the lifted 09 Sport is one beautiful truck. The Jeep is a work in progress but has no room for anything. Everytime we go to the kids we have to take out the back seat for guns, luggage etc. The Tacoma is more practical. With the Sport I'll probably keep sinking money into the Jeep. With the TRD Off Road I'll probably start sinking money into it. Of course the wife wants something that won't get stuck...LOL

 

I would go for the 2010...cause that is exactly what I got. If you feel that you will be making off road trips it is nice to have the locker from the factory. The one main reason I bought the truck so that I can off road it. I am not a fan of the larger lifts. If you get a new one you can add whatever you want to your liking. You should be able to get the 2010 for Invoice. Good luck. Post pictures when you get it. Here is a crappy picture of mine.

 

Nice Truck Tricoma and the same color I'm looking at in both the 2009 and 2010. I think you have both about convinced me to go for the 2010.

 

I also like the short bed for wheeling. It turns like a car..I did replace a 2007 DC Long Bed Tundra that was wrecked in front of my house and that truck has a wide turn radius. For the longest time I wanted the DC Long Bed...but when I figured I would take it wheeling more than putting stuff in the back I decided to go with the short bed. I would just ask yourself questions like...do you need the extra room for the long bed? Can you do without the lift and save up for the exact lift you want? I think putting on the pro comp lift also cuts into things but I am not sure. I am likely getting new wheels in the next couple of weeks and then as soon as I save up for a lift I will likely go with Fox Shoxs all the way around with a leaf pack...then too the armor like All Pro bumper, sliders, skid plates. Since my other car is still working...BMW with 200k+ miles the truck will be just for fun and driven on the weekends and trips...but will be the every day car once the BMW dies.

 

I'm not into big lifts, even on my Jeep, and the long bed is only 13 inches longer anyway. My wife and I drove both and the stock height Off Road drove way better than the lifted sport. The sport vibrated and wandered, while the Off Road was rock solid. I think if I get the OR and throw on some Cooper Discoverer STTs I'll be alot happier.

 

Did you drive a stock height Sport?
The 'wandering & vibration' was probably due to the lift.

Is the 2009 a used truck? The 2010 is bran new?

 

I really tossed and turned on this, but I went OR. I decided the e-lockered OR was worth a lot more to me then cosmetics on the sport. that said, just because you buy an OR doesn't mean you can't end up looking like a sport. I already painted the grill surround, and may be swapping for a black rear bumper instead of the OR's chrome. And that just leaves looking for a swap or buying a sport hood. since your looking at lifts, the differnces in the stock OR over the stock sport suspension don't matter, so really its down to cosmetics vs locker and traction control (for what thats worth).

 

OffRoad all the way

 

Off Road for sure. 6" lift seems a little extreme unless you plan on doing that in the next year or so. You may not like the ride quality and it would suck if you had to take it off just to enjoy your truck.

 

Both are new and no they did not have a stock height Sport. Only had two 4X4s total. But boy is the sport one bad azz looking truck!

 

If you are used to having a locker in TJ, you better go with the Offroad. I've wheeled along with sport and OR, and I love the OR capability. But, if you really like the lifted sport, go for it. You can add locker later on anyway.

Throw in some leather seats and electronics inside. It will be a nice family vehicle.

I have DB LB open diffential by the way.

 

Shop around.....there's gotta be more of them out there. Be patient.
Don't make a decision based on all they have on that paticular lot.

Try this:
www.cars.com
www.autotrader.com

 

try craigslist too, denver, Phoenix, SD,OC,(all of cali really) LV, SLC Portland etc... Some used trucks have lots of goodies taken care of already. just got to be careful. I found mine off CL in Bakersfield, and I can tell you there was not a single TRD Sport LB in NM. not with low mileage, high mileage, not at all. plenty more options in cali tho.

That is a good call. Try to find a stock sport LB to test drive. mine handles like a champ. I would recommend a truck thats not lifted by someone else (that you dont know and trust), So you can do it right. (tires too) IMHO 6" is overkill for a DD (I am really interested the Icon coilover setup, adjustable up to 3". supposed to increase the quality of the ride, not just the height.... there is lots of more affordable options too.)
( thats just me tho, platinum taste on an aluminum foil budget...)
If you can get a stock truck for a better deal.... I would do that. (the whole 38,000 stealership lifted truck seems like a ripoff. even for 5G's off MSRP) look at what some of the folks on TW have done for a similar amount (+or - a couple first born children, left testicles and 2nd mortgages......)

If i was still a bachelor I 'd have gone Access cab TRD OR all the way. but... with kids and wanting more bed space for camping and kayaking gear plus a tool box (soon hopefully) the DC long bed is crucial.(for me) plus if you have a jeep to beat on, then you can keep the new truck in healthier shape. I'd say you will have to try pretty hard to get it stuck under most circumstances. The LSDiff. will work for 99% of my driving and Ive never had this nice of a Toy so i am not eager to go max it out....too much. ( i have a 1991 6cyl standard cab 4x4 Toy with 253K on her if Really want to go rampage without paying to much in consequences...

 

Well it's starting to look like we won't be getting a Tacoma. This dealer does not seem to want to sell either truck and searching other dealer inventories in a 150 mile radius is turning up nothing.

 

Off road all the way!

 

If you have a costco card go in and talk to the costco person. They are generally in fleet....they can give you an idea of what is coming in. Just wait for the truck that you want. That is what I did and the dealer I talked to showed me on the computer what color and model was set to be delivered. Why are they not wanting to sell the truck to you? What are you offering. For the 2010 if you pay 500 above invoice that is still a good deal. There are no rebates cause of the time of the year and 2009 are gone. I had a friend say he can get me 200 above...but he was about 100 miles away. So i just went locally and told the dealer...we are serious..didn't want to haggle much...give us the truck for dealer invoice. It was probably the best experience I have had a the dealership. Fly to SD and then make a trip home...hehehe good luck.

 

I like the Sport. Offroad looks plain (but can be easily fixed). The Sport is still quite capable offroad

 

Be patient and keep looking. Believe me..... when we were looking for a jeep (trail rig), it took us 3 months to find that GEM in the rough.

Either that - or start researching prices for a new one. Sometimes - with only a few thousand dollars more, you can have a new one. If you play your cards right, brush up on your bargaining skills, and get a 'dealer war' going - you could get yourself a newbie!!

Good Luck!!