Which Taco to choose? Offroad, Sport, 4x2, 4x4???

Excellent response!!

 

Since 1992, I've owned three 4x4 vehicles (Bronco, Escape & Suburban)and recently sold the last one to purchase a 4x2 PreRunner DC SB. I based my decision on the fact that in 17 years of various driving circumstances (trips, conditions, etc) I used the 4x4 option about 3 times, it just didn't make sense for me to purchase yet another 4x4 "just in case". And for looks, I've already had a few people ask if my truck was a 4x4.

Also, I like that my PreRunner mud flaps are all black, without the "4x4" in big white letters. I do not like the look of those.

 

I always wanted a 4x4 and a new truck and a Tacoma. So I killed 3 birds with 1 stone. But sometimes I wonder why I bought the 4x4 instead of the Pre-runner. I've only used the 4WD on snow 3 times last snow season and I hope to use it more often this season if El Nino hits. I could have saved about $1000 for the 2WD. My main concern was the mpg, but I've been averaging 19 mpg with 40% highway and 60% city miles. I took off the Toyota, V6 and SR5 badges and also the mud flaps that yell out 4x4. The truck looks higher now w/o the flaps. And it's funny when people think my Coma is a 2WD, and ask why there's a dial that says 4Hi and 4Lo next to my steering wheel.

No regrets. I may only use the 4WD once or twice per year when Mammoth dumps crazy snow, but not having to put on chains during a snow storm and the ambient air at 5 degrees F is worth the extra cash. I just wish the Sport came with the locker and the option to swap the hood scoop for a non-hood scoop. I like the 17" 5 star wheels, color matched bumpers and grill on the Sport. No biggie since I'm going to paint them anyway. Would have saved some time.

Get the 4x4 if you have the money!

 

stay tuned -
it's going to puke @ mammoth next week !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I would recommend buying the 4x4. You never know when you might need it. I currently own a 2009 Prerunner and totally regret not buying the 4x4. Also, the gas milage is horrible, especially it being a 2 wheel drive mid size truck V6. So if you plan on buying a 4x2 thinking you will save a little on gas milage, for get it. I am actually surprised the Toyota Engineers/Designers could not do better (better milage < less ticking engine). I think this would be a great challenge engineering and designing the 3rd generation. I have owned Ford and Chevy 4x4's that get approximately the same gas milage.

 

FWIW, my wife got 24.7 mpg driving to a friends house the other evening. That's on an '06 double cab Prerunner. She was using the scangauge to her advantage (and drivers stuck behind her weren't particularly happy.) It seems to me that Toyota has done a pretty good job providing the capability for good mileage but they cannot control road conditions or driving habits. Overall, we've been averaging abot 20 mpg for suburban driving. I'm not sure that the 4x4 would do much worse since the Prerunner has the same tires and suspension height.

 

Nice BMW's... I went from this:

To this:

 

Putting the Taco to work!

 

Uh, why not a 4x4 in the South?

 

Get the 4x4! I have both BMW and TOY.

 

i love my DC 4x2 TRD sport

 

Why? I'm in the south, and have zero use for 4x4.

Again, it all depends on what you need/want it for. If the OP wants to go throw it in the mud every weekend, then he'll probably need 4x4. If, like me, he'll occasionally tow a boat, carry a load in the bed and it will primarily spend 99% of it's life going back and forth to work, it seems wasteful to me to buy something (4x4) you'll never need nor use that costs more to operate daily.

 

If I were to do it again. I would prob do a an older taco or 4runner (I like to wheel). Otherwise if I were to take the same route. I would buy an access cab non TRD and do pretty much the same as I have done... I pretty much have removed all the TRD features for 'upgrades.'

 

I use my 4x4 just for snow. I never go mudding or rock crawling or trail riding... it was only $1000 more than the new Pre-runner I was lookin at... I'm gettin 22mpg which is the same as the 2wd, so I don't know where you're getting increase operating costs. IMO, $1000 extra is worth it.

 

Exactly.

 

I didn't see any 4x4's at only $1k more than my 2wd; must were $2-3K higher. I will say that I only looked at V6 TRD's, so there may be 4cyl std cabs that are the amount more you say.

And I've never owned a Toyota 4x4 aside from a '99 Land Cruiser--so i don't know what kind of gas mileage a 4x4 Tacoma gets. I was merely going off of the window stickers mileage I saw. Also, I didn't see any V6's, 4x4 or 4x2, quoted at 22 mpg.

 

What are you gonna be doing with your truck should help you decide.

 

I just got a good deal from Hamer Toyota in Mission Hills, Cali. I was about to buy a Black pre-runner DC TRD Sport when I saw my Coma and the dude from Hamer hooked me up. It's easy to bargain for a 4x4 in So Cal since no one really needs a 4x4. I thought they were crazy when they accepted my final offer, but they told me that they're having a hard time selling 4x4's. A 4x4 here is just luxury. I drive 50/50 highway vs city so maybe that's why my average mpg is 22mpg.

I wanted a DC Sport with the 5' bed, but no one had it. So I ended up with my Off-Road instead. I don't do any off-roading and getting board with it. Maybe I'll sell it and buy the new STI in a year or so. Those cars are sick! I owe only $21k w/ 4 years to go and it's still worth $30k according to KBB-private party value-good condition.

 

I went with the TRD Sport 4x4. I originally had planned to get the OR package but the aggressive treaded tires would be useless if most of my driving is street vs. trail. I figure if I ever get into serious off-roading, I would buy a beater 4x4 and mod it. I'm not rock climbing with a $30K truck that's what beaters are for. maybe when the KBB value of my truck drops to the low teens, I would consider serious off-roading with it.

The 4x4 option will be used for the snow and when I drive around my parents farm in the fields....I opted for the 5' bed since it is easy to park in the city/suburbs. If I was living in a more rural area, I would had opted for the longer bed.

 

i was in your shoes not too long ago.

the OFF-ROAD is really for off-roading: beefy tow hooks up front, beefy skid plate, knobby tires, hill climb, etc.

the SPORT is a looks package + bilstein shocks thrown in. hood scoop, painted rear bumper, 17" wheels.

i got the SPORT 4x4, which is more than adequate for SNOW and mild off-roading, A.K.A. trail riding.

with the traction control and 4x4 in 4-low it will not be a problem pulling a boat up a ramp.

good luck,

e d d i e