TRD Offroad or Sport?

I’ll preface what I’m about to say with, I like my taco quite a bit. It’s a used sr5, I bought it over both the off road, which was my first choice, and the sport. I test drove all three and felt like they were just as equally shitty as the next so I went with the cheap option which is what I was trying to do anyway. I traded in a loaded GMC Sierra all terrain and my commuter car to simplify things down to 2 car vs 3. I think it’s insane to spend a cent over 25000 on a Tacoma after driving one and owning one. They are pretty cheesy, uncomfortable and underpowered compared to the Sierra and f150 before that. If they still made a Ranger i would have bought that. The Tacoma is just the best option looks wise compared to a Colorado or canyon but not comfort or power. Just my opinion and don’t forget I drive one every day and don’t hate it.

 

No, actually I don’t. Sport owners willing to trade hoods are the rare birds in that thread.

 

Cool emoji man

 

Hey at least we agree on something haha

 

OP, this poll may help.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/unscientific-3rd-gen-census.534462/

 

Haha it’s a start

 

I feel like that poll might be a little skewed. Someone with a pro, sport, or off-road is probably more likely to be on Tacoma world than someone with an SR. Mainly because an Tacoma enthusiast might be a little more willing to spend the extra money.

 

OP I would recommend getting a Sport if 90% is DD & not offroad for sure. I have a OR & just got to drive a Sport for 2 days as a loaner vehicle. So nice to drive at hwy speeds & around town compared to my OR. Plus the Sport should get a little better fuel economy.

 

Eric, what mods have you made to yours? I noticed in your member profile it states "2016 Tacoma OR Quicksand. Rays 10's, Fox TRD Pro suspension". How different does that that set-up on the road compare to a stock 2018 OR? (BTW, my new one's going to be Quicksand too - hopefully). Cheers.

 

Sport will be a bit tighter on road around corners. Since you don't plan on any major off roading/rock crawling you would probably be just as well off with the Sport. It's all about your preferences.

 

It drives better as the Fox Pro suspension is far superior than the stock OR shocks. Less brake dive. Still rather have a Sport if DD everyday.

 

I got a Sport for the manual, and as a DD (2500 miles in the month and a half I’ve owned it, maybe 15 off road) it’s been awesome. Super planted through our potholed northern roads, and a joy through cloverleafs with very little body roll or wallowing.
The access cab only being available here in the US as a Sport was a deciding factor for me. Couldn’t care less about the scoop or the 17” rims, the cab/trans config was what sold me. That said, the Sport handled great through the short rutted out, off-camber workout I put it through last weekend.
I bought it fully expecting to do a full suspension swap and new wheels/tires at some point, and that point got pushed out a bit with how happy I was with the performance of the truck stock. I know the tires are going to be trash in the snow, but beyond that I could see myself being delighted with the truck as stock for years to come with how I predominantly use it. If I find myself needing more than new suspension and tires I’ll throw in some lockers, but if I get to that point it won’t be a DD anymore and TW will have emptied my wallet.

 

I take exception to this......My insurance man tells me it is more to insure an OR than a sport, and there is more expense to maintain a OR than a Sport.

 

Get the sport and trade hoods with an OR owner with some cash thrown in to make it fair. OR owners love a skewp and the extra 20 hp.

 

Appreciate y'alls input. I decided on a new, 2018 TRD OR short-bed in Quicksand color scheme. Picked it up yesterday evening. It had 8 miles on the odometer. While driving home once I got up to 55 mph I heard a disturbing whining coming from the rear end. The whine changed to a higher pitch the faster I drove (up to 70), then decreased in pitch as I decelerated to 40 mph and then it became indiscernible. Something wasn't right, and glad I still had enough hearing ability to detect it after 21 years of shooting in the Corps (ha). Took it to dealership (Mitchell Toyota in San Angelo), described issue, and had a tech ride with me. He noticed it to. Back to dealership where tech and Senior Service Manager took it out for a spin. They returned and validated my suspicions - something was wrong from the factory with the rear end. They stated they could swap out the entire rear end, or I could get a different 2018 TRD OR short-bed in Quicksand color scheme as soon as they could ship one in. I opted for the "newer" shipped in one which will be delivered on Fri or Sat. OpCheck, OpCheck, OpCheck gents. Frustrating having to re-coord financing and insurance, but I'm still confident that Toyota will give me a good product for alot of years. Semper Fi gents and see you on/off the road soon.

 

I went through this back in April early May and researched them hard. Test drove the sport and off road, twice as well as a Pro and the Off Road won me over. I wanted all the capabilities with the lockers and MTS/Crawl

 

random but this reminds me of a barracks parking garage in NC...

 

Don't be surprised if the rear end possibly howls on the new one too, there is a TSB out there that has different springs and sound deadening material to help reduce that noise.

 

Both techs stated that they hadn't heard that sound come from any of the 2018 Tacoma's that they have sold. If the new one howls like that, Toyota has lost a new customer (I've traditionally been a Ford guy).