Trim package and 4WD advice for my needs

Hey everyone!

I’ve been really looking into purchasing a Toyota Tacoma and could use some advice.

I really enjoy getting outdoors in Southern California and surrounding states. Mostly National Parks and the mountains (Big Bear area) As well as, up the 395 to Mammoth and Tahoe.

I’ll be owning this truck for hopefully 15+ years so I wanna make sure to make the right decision.

Which trim package would be for me as far as TRD sport, Off-road or SR5? I plan on upgrading parts and what not over time when budget allows.

And would it be worth it to get 4WD?

 

My opinion is the TRD offroad is the best value.
Locking rear axle,
Bilstien shocks,
A-trac

 

If you think you'll need 4WD, probably good to get it. the SR5 and Sport will not have crawl control but the OffRoad will. As far as shocks and wheels, won't really matter if you upgrade any way

 

Get the LED headlight package!
OR does (IS) seem like the best value and if you really like the scooped hood, there are ways to get that. It will cost you but can be done

 

All i can comment is if not into any serious off-roading the SR5 is fine. While the tacoma i have now has been my very first, i've had better success with the SR5 trims in the past than friend here i've known with TRD's, and they haven't used their truck nearly as hard as i sometimes use mine. Don't know what it is with trd's but they seem to be more troublesome.

 

That hasn’t been my experience at all. At any rate, anecdotal evidence aside, if you plan on off roading I’d definitely look at the OR.

 

Have had my '16 4wd sport for bout 5 years now and it's gone just about everywhere I could want. Only upgrades I've done are larger front discs and the rear disc conversion. If you're not doing anything crazy, than you may not need the locker that the OR offers, however you can usually find the two TRD's (minus the Pro) for similar prices. Test drive and if you're going to be changing out the susp, tires, wheels, whatever over time, then go for the best deal. Oh, and da skewp is kewl.

 

My good friend lives in So Cal and he flew here to Austin TX February to get his 2021 Off Road premium with tech package.
He saved about 8k since dealerships in his area were charging "market value adjustment"

 

I know I drive a 2nd gen, but still kinda applies

If you can afford it and not really change the drivetrain, get the OR. They didn't offer a LB in OR for my 2nd gen. I would have gotten one b/c I wouldn't have changed the rear locker/etc
If you plan to change the susp/lockers/gears/etc...…….I don't think it'll really matter to be honest.
If resale is a priority.....the OR will sell a bit higher.

The only thing I would suggest is get a 4wd. That would be a expensive redo if you decide you need it.


With that said, I took my stock susp SR5(did have full skids and sliders) to Moab and only got hung up and needed a little tug once headed to TOTW. I had great spotters that helped me out. I would love to have an access cab OR though

 

OP posts some vague request with no details about how he intends to use the truck as his first post on TW.

TRD OR owners and TRD Sport owners argue back and forth for 50 pages about whose truck is better.

OP never returns.

 

If I had to do it again, I'd go with an SR5.

 

LOL, I couldn’t give less of a shit who drives what or why or even what make. All I can do is offer advice on my own experience. Having said that, yes this place is always a gas soaked dumpster just waiting for somebody with a lighter…

 

Like chstaco said, I guess a lot depends on how you're gonna use the thing. Most National Park roads are gonna be paved, lots of Forest Service/BLM roads won't. Will you be daily driving it, or using it more as an off-road/weekend toy? How important are things like a locking rear differential, or off-road traction control goodies, to you?

For me, I'm daily driving mine, 99% highway, but occasionally run into cases where 4WD is the difference between getting to work or not. Since my future off-roading will probably be limited to the occasional dirt road, I just went with the best deal I found, regardless of trim level. I'd just do a ton of comparison shopping and drive a couple of 'em - I found dramatic differences in handling between the loaner they gave me and the truck I bought, for instance, though I chock that up to the loaner probably needing an alignment.

 

Asking this question is like asking what's your favorite food. you'll get so many different responses. If you have time, go test drive each one. Try to feel the suspension, road noise, etc. I opted for the Sport as I do light off-roading, compared to road driving. It suited my needs perfectly. Either way, in my opinion, you wont go wrong with any of those choices. Had my last Tacoma Sport for 16 years, and just traded in for a 21 Sport. Plan on keeping this one until I retire, and maybe longer. Best of luck!!

 

When is your dad buying this truck? Because right now they is hard to come by.

 

My SR5 4x4 is a killer Offroad truck. It doesn’t have the OR lockers and still never gets stuck. It just did amazing trails in Moab recently.

 

Current market is too high, last time I went to dealer for rav4 the Tacoma sr 4x4 is around 38k and Trd is 45k.
I would get MT with 4x4 if it’s not a daily driver.