Tech Package VS NO Tech Package :) Worth waiting for?

The time has come my 2023 OR DCSB LED lights without tech package has arrived. I still want RCTA that comes with basic tech package but I am still unable to find a dealership that has this trim with tech package. Creating a poll to gauge thoughts on if it’s worth waiting in hopes one comes along or snag this one.
Look forward to the results

 

I enjoy creature comforts, so I opt for them. The RCTA has been helpful to me when backing out of busy parking lots or onto a busy highway.

 

Tech package. If you don’t like them you can disable them in driver settings

 

Could take it or leave it. Mine has it. The only thing I like is the rear cross traffic alert.

 

It’s 2023…things like BSM, RCTA, etc should be standard features like most other car brands IMO.

 

YMMV - the rear crossing traffic alert is a good feature, specially when people are speeding or angling thru the parking lot, or people walking with their heads immersed in their phones. Also great when backing out into traffic that you can't visualize well during the process because of a large van or other vehicle parked beside you.

The BSM IMHO is very very very inferior to the Subaru implementation. Toyota? Please! The BSM indicator in the side view mirror is practically imperceptible. Subaru places a nice illuminated light on the mirror mount which faces the driver and is much more detectible as part of active scanning. So much better! I might modify my mirror mounts.

Tip, regardless of the safety automation - try to use the proper procedure for setting mirrors to minimize the blind spots. Head against window, adjust driver side mirror till the truck bed just becomes visible. Lean over shifter and do the same for passenger side mirror. You'll find the center rear view mirror and side mirrors NOW provide a nice panoramic. May be odd for a few days till you get used to it. Trust me, if you haven't done so before, once you set your mirrors up this way, you'll wonder why you never did this before.

Anyway with the sensors for RCTA, I believe you get Parking Assist which helps if you backup and about to hit an object. Nice complement to the rear camera. This tech package great for me because I have some neck and back flexibility difficulty.

I installed a front facing camera to aid me during parking. Coming first time to truck ownership, these have been helpful. That's my take on the tech package.

 

My 2018 came with all of that. My understanding is that supply issues made the option ... a little harder to find in recent years.

Tech package was BSM with rear cross traffic, and rear sonar.

I use the rear sonar on the regular since I back into my garage. As soon as it screeches about my tool chest, I know I'm in. Same thing at the mall since I prefer to back into parking spaces. It gives an audible "distance ping" which corroborates what I'm seeing in my mirrors and camera.

BSM is...ok. I don't rely on it as my mirror check (nor should anyone) but it has saved me from nailing an inattentive motorcycle on one occasion. So it's better to have and not use.

Cross traffic is over sensitive. It's frequently alerted because it sensed street traffic well beyond the parking lot I was in. Last night it went off while I was in my driveway because a car was on a completely different side street. Every time it's properly sounded on a real risk, I was already aware of it well beforehand. But again, it's healthy to stop and look twice when it's alerting. So I keep it turned on.

 

It has helped me in the same scenario. Driving I-285 around metro Atlanta, one if not the most dangerous of highways in America. Sometimes 8 lanes. Youngsters on "crotch rockets" zipping in and out of lanes, driving down the middle of lanes, driving in the breakdown lane at very high speeds. Yes, I've seen countless times idiots using their cars as objects of intimidation during fits of road rage, doing stuff professional drivers wouldn't do.

These technologies are good at helping you re-establish proper situational awareness. They are no substitute for proper driving behaviors though.

 

Atlanta traffic reminds me of Dallas. Same lunatic impatient energy.

Last time I was passing through, on a complete random bit of spontaneity, we stopped in midtown for lunch and a quick walkthrough of the Muppet museum. Navigating that town with a camper in tow - it wasn't the worst place I've taken the trailer, but it wasn't easy either.

 

I turned off the lane departure warning it was a pain in the ass. However, the BSM and RCTA work great and in my opinion BSM should be standard on all cars and trucks.

 

If it's a feature you really want, probably worth waiting for. Unless it's easily added later which I doubt.

I don't have it and don't care about having it. But the feature I really wanted, I waited for. I wouldn't have been happy otherwise.

 

I have to agree with this statement, it's not like fog lamps which you can add later.

 

2020 OR. DCSB V6/Auto 4X4. No options. It's a truck, so ...

 

Gee, how did we drive in the early years, why heck, we had to pay attention to driving, actually paying attention to your driving, wow, what a concept.


Wait for what you want, you'll always regret it.

 

Usually the only time I find someone in my blind spot is when in the right lane and someone in the middle lane is driving faster. Solution don't drive in the right lane, or stay in the right lane and don't over take the slower traffic in the right lane.

Looking also helps.

 

I did the same thing, the lane departure was annoying, I like all of the other features of the Advanced Tech Package on my 2022.

 

When I want an old school experience, I take out our 1995 F-150 with the 4.9 liter I6 and a 5MT.

 

I also disabled Lane Departure Warning. What a nag! Some of these country roads are twisty, winding, diving and elevating in the turns... One thing I like about the Sport is the suspension. While it could be improved with better springs and stiffer sway bars for my usage, I know, it's a truck and the compromises are what I expected, so all is good.

 

Before I got my Tacoma I had a 2021 RAV4 and it had the tech package (bsm and rcta) and my dealer finally was able to get me everything I was wanting on my Tacoma except that. I really wanted the tech package but went ahead and took the truck without it after holding out for about 5 months to try to get that too, thinking I may end up unhappy with out it. I have not really missed it although I did like it when I had it.

 

This is my same situation. I want it and would wait but no one knows how long that will be could be 6 months+ where this one without is ready to go. Then I may as well get the 2024 haha. I just feel I am buying something without standard features and 2023 is that dumb year to buy and ppl will probably want these things in resale too since they are so common.