The Best Decision

[jtom]

I have been lurking here for a while and I will be getting a tacoma in the near future. Which is a better choice:

SR5 package 4x4 or the Sport/OR packages with 4x2. I think the AWD would be better cuz I could upgrade the suspension in the future whereas I can never upgrade to AWD unless I am really stupid to spend that kind of money.

Also, do you guys prefer the access or crew cab? I like the fact that the crew cab is basically like a car so I can seat four comfortably but it will cost more and weigh more. Plus the access has the foldable seats however they are probably uncomfortable. Are they? I will never be sitting back there but I dont want people to be extremely uncomfortable back there.

Lastly, if you had the following price budgets, what cab/packages would you get?

23k
24k
25k
26k

Thanks

[toku58]

I don't understand what you budget is? You have 4 different numbers?

But if your budget is 26K I would go for the dbl. cab. 4x4. No options! I should have saved my money and did that. I got the OR package, and I no longer have the OR suspension springs on. just the locker. Which I have never used yet.

[jtom]

Basically, I am not sure what my budget is at the moment. I am asking for the best choice for each price.

[Fluxaholic]

Couple questions: First, are an out the door price limits or pre-TT&L? Second, what are your driving habits? I see that you're in Florida, where it's completely flat and rains a lot. Do you offroad much?

If you don't offroad much and don't really ever see yourself using the 4x4, there's not much point in getting it. On slick roads after a nice Florida rain, the LSD on the Sport package might be more useful than the locker on the O/R package. If you're more about the looks of the truck, you might give more thought to the Sport package with its color matched pieces, hood scoop (you either love it or hate it), and bigger wheels.

This is all personal preference, and we really can't even help you unless you share some more details.

[toku58]

Originally Posted by jtom

Basically, I am not sure what my budget is at the moment. I am asking for the best choice for each price.

Well I'm bias! You can see my truck on the cardomain link in my sig.

I like the room that the Dbl cab. has and like you said if anyone needs to sit back there it will be alright. If you can afford it the 4x4 is always nice. But if you are like the other TN members? I would not upgrade anything. Get the truck and MOD away!!!!!
-You don't need the SR5 seats. You can get a nice set of aftermarket seat covers. (WetOkole's)
-You don't need the all weather floor mats. You can get "WeatherTech" floor liners.
-You don't need the 6 disc changer. You can get a DVD player/stereo.
-You don't need the Or suspension. You can get Toytec coils.
-You don't need the Alloy rims. You can get aftermarket rims.
I can keep going but you get the idea.
Good luck!!

[jtom]

Thanks for the replies.

The prices will before before taxes and everything.

I am currently living in florida but I plan on moving back up north. I will do some offroading but nothing aggressive, I would say medium diffculty level off roading at the most.

[TucsonTRD]

Originally Posted by jtom

Thanks for the replies.

The prices will before before taxes and everything.

I am currently living in florida but I plan on moving back up north. I will do some offroading but nothing aggressive, I would say medium diffculty level off roading at the most.

if you plan on occassionally doing medium difficult off roading you'll need 4x4, a lift, and at times a locker. i THINK i've read that others have been able to get an aftermarket e locker for around $1k. look into that and if thats a possibility, you can save money by not getting the TRD OR option. i went with the OR option, jbl stereo, dc, 4x4 and don't regret it at all. but you'd have to be a good haggler to get the price down to 26k. you're call. good luck and let us know how things go

[jtom]

So are you saying that the 4x2's/SR5's are not at all off road capable? Its just that off roading will be something I wont do a whole lot and I feel it might not be worth to upgrade.

[NWTaco]

Originally Posted by jtom

So are you saying that the 4x2's/SR5's are not at all off road capable? Its just that off roading will be something I wont do a whole lot and I feel it might not be worth to upgrade.

It's not that they're not off-road capable... but if you're gonna be doing medium difficulty off-roading you're eventually gonna run into a situation where you'll want the 4 wheel drive option.. Plus, if you're planning to move somewhere that snows a lot then 4x4 will definitely come in handy at some point

[andygriffith]

Originally Posted by toku58

I don't understand what you budget is? You have 4 different numbers?

But if your budget is 26K I would go for the dbl. cab. 4x4. No options! I should have saved my money and did that. I got the OR package, and I no longer have the OR suspension springs on. just the locker. Which I have never used yet.

Don't forget the overhead compass and power outlet in the bed!

[fpugs65]

I got my 1 year old PreRunner SR5 Double Cab for under 22k. Toyota certified used, so i get a 100k mile powertrain warranty and new car interest rates. You can search for certified used vehicles on the toyota website. Thats where I found mine. Paid about $500 less than the edmunds.com TMV for it, so i was happy.

[BillBrasky]

Originally Posted by jtom

So are you saying that the 4x2's/SR5's are not at all off road capable? Its just that off roading will be something I wont do a whole lot and I feel it might not be worth to upgrade.

My 2 cents on this...

IF you ever, I mean ever, plan to take this new truck off road and "wheel" it at all...

1) get a 4x4. You absolutely will not regret it when it comes to the one time you might need it.
2) Do yourself a favor and go on an off road trip, before purchase, (if you've never been, that is) with someone you know and see just how much you really like it. It sucks to have money tied-up in the wrong vehicle for your needs, and this is a very infectious and money-consuming passtime.
3) Toku58 is right on track, but I will fork a little from his logic to follow my point. If you end up really liking the recreation, spending the extra money on anything but a base-model (unless you really want/need the 6 or a dubcab) is probably a waste of money. As Toku says, odds are very good that (if you enjoy the sport) you will end up sinking more money into aftermarket parts to better suit your and the truck's needs, so why pay for them twice? Things like, oh, the entire suspension, wheels, tires, fog lights, bumpers...The only real catch here is the rear e-locker on the TRD OR, but that can be remedied with an ARB for around a $grand.

I'm living proof. I only have an SR5, and it is too "nice" for my needs. However, I wanted the 6 and needed a dubcab. The truck was purchased on the premise of being my DD in addition to family escort in inclimate weather (snow). However, since the first time I was talked into taking my truck down a simple Powerline trail, I have been hooked...hard. I think Rodge will echo my sentiments. And, I'm 32 and have been off roading before in friend's vehicles, but there is just something about it to me now. If circumstances permitted, I would simply have a base-model, standard cab, 4 banger, manual 4x4 built to the hilt., and be happy as a pig in shit to have it.

Just be warned in that if you end up embracing this form of off-road recreation in your new truck, it will eat you up and spit your wallet out the other side.

[pointerDixie214]

I have a 2wd with the locker on the TRD OFF-road... If you plan on doing light to medium off-road, this will due fine. My buddy has the standard 4wd, and mine will own his off-road. There are very few obstacles where his 4wd has outperformed mine. This may be due to experience and the type of off road I do, but still. The 2wd with TRD OR package is the way to go if you are mainly on-road with off roading every now and then.

However, if you plan on heavy 4wd, get the 4x4 and the locker with the TRD OR- that thing is unstoppable.

Disclaimer- I am in no way claiming that my truck is more capable than a 4 wheel drive, just with my experience it has equaled it it many situations. A 4wd without a locker or a 2wd with a locker and good tires are going to perform differently, you just plan your line of travel differently...

[rudy0027]

If you are moving to where you may get into snow at all, get a 4x4. I have the OR package on the access cab, the 4x4 saved me last week. I made a trip from Seattle Wa, to Portland OR, normally a 3 hour drive, it turned into a 10 hour drive, the only reason I made it home was 4wd. I saw dozens of either front wheel drive cars/vans, or rear wheel drive cars/trucks/vans abandoned on the road (including an 05+ pre-runner) I only lost traction one time (factory tires included) and the was able to recover easily. Not 2 minutes behind me a car wrecked in the same spot I slipped at. As far as the rest, its all up to you.

[PiercedTiger]

I have the 4x4 dub cab TRD OR. I knew I wanted to offroad, but nothing serious like day or week long desert excursions. Mainly just state forrest truck trails, powerline trails, and snow cover roads that don't get plowed.

Yes I want better suspension (DHoes or SAWs), but I can't afford $1,000+ for suspension for now. Wife, kids and new house prevent that. So I bought the truck loaded with as much as possible (OR suspension, 4x4, locker) because it's FINANCED! I can use it NOW, while I'm paying for it. Then after being at my job for a while getting raises, truck gets paid off, mortgage payments drop, etc, etc then I will have money to do it right. In the mean time I have a capable truck that I can play with, learn, and have fun before building it up to tackle larger obstacles. This is my first truck so if you're like me there's no point in building the truck up to the fullest if you don't have any OR experience yet. You could drop $$$$$ on mods (sliders, bumpers, suspension, wheels, tires) and still fuck it up and waste all the money doing a stupid noob move.

If you get as much OR-related stuff from toyota it'll be financed, warrantied, and you won't have to install anything and worry about problems. Then as you wheel you will get a feel for the truck and what you do with it. At that point you can decide "hey, I need a lift" or "I need bigger tires" or "maybe I should get a winch." No point in getting all of that now until you know you'll need it. And if you pay 25k for a truck, for example, do you want to immediately drop 2k more on suspension, or a locker? Toyota's locker is about $900 extra if you just added that to a package. It's already installed and under warranty unlike an ARB you'd have to install yourself (maybe no warranty) or have a shop do it (more money, possible warranty).

If you're on a budget like me, you may find it easier to budget out a monthly payment for a truck with most of the stuff you want from the factory. Compared to a slightly smaller monthly payment and $1,000 or so monthly bill for upgrades. For example, I've been planning custom sliders for almost 5 months now. Somehow I never manage to set aside money for the steel. But I pay my truck payment each month, and I have that now to use. If the sliders had come with the truck.....