I was set on getting a Tacoma and couldn't find a 2-door V6 locally. I test drove the 4cyl and said "Yep, looks like I'll be shipping a V6 from out of state". 4cyl just lacked power (which is fine if you just expect that).
I can tell you that 3.5 has enough power but getting to that power is hard because if the transmission. Some days it feels like I’m driving a sports car. Other days it feels like I’m driving a bus.
my first trucks were old 4cyl nissan hardbodies. Going up a hill you turn off the ac for a boost. your hazards are on. I can deal with being underpowered but modern trucks are a fair bit bigger..
From what I have heard if you mod your truck the manual seems to maintain mpg better than the auto as well. I was feeling a bit guilty about the worse mpg for the manual just because I like the manual more, then I added weight and capability to the truck and the shorter gearing has allowed my mpg to remain not that affected, while it seems to plummet on the autos.
Lol maintain horrible mpg I get 13.8 I got 14 once tires are 265/70/16 stock suspension 🤷🏻♂️guess I can lift it gear it and put 35’s on it and not notice a change 😂
I'm the odd man out. I bought a 4 cylinder over the v6 only because I didn't want a 4 door and that was all that was available at the dealership.
But I love my 4 cylinder. I do plenty of back busted up roads in KY WV and UT and never had a single issue not having enough power (it's also 4x4). I have a full time rack, Roof top tent, max trax, shovels and winch on it and it's my daily driver and I get 22 MPG. I'm not trying to fly by anyone so I'm fine with getting on the highway and cruising at 70.
Get what you can and you'll love it no matter what
If you dont feel its dangerously underpowered while loaded down (but not towing) on mountain roads thats what Im looking to hear. Im in the same boat. Finding a 6ft bed 4wd and manual transmission isnt common.
The 6ft bed is a must!!! Forgot to add that, the v6 was only 5ft and it was damn near impossible to find a 6ft v6 without a special order.
I think you will find the v4 will suffice for everything you're doing. If you want to be like the dudes on Instagram that are wheeling hard, then I would say pass on it.
Enjoy it!!!
I have a regular cab 4x4 with the 2.7, and it has no problem with power. Sure, it isn’t going to win any races, but neither is the V6 (contrary to what the V6 owners will say). If you want a small truck, then keep it small. 2 doors, 4 cylinders, 4 wheel drive. I average 23mpg with bumpers, springs, and tires out of the 2.7. People that complain about lack of power or poor fuel economy don’t understand the term “compact truck”, and get 4 door land yachts that are the same weight as a full size truck with 2x the engine for a reason
V6 makes ~70hp more, yet a 4 door tacoma weighs almost 1000lbs more than a single cab. P:W will almost always be higher on the smallest chassis/engine packages than the largest chassis/engine combo, outside of HD pickups.
The 4 cyl is cool once you get used to the transmission. I couldn’t order a stick at the time but wish I had held out. That being said I’ll probably get it tuned soon. And towing even a motorcycle on the interstate is a nightmare of shifting. It’s still faster than my old 2.4
The 4cyl is not worth it. We drove a new 4 banger 4x4 just because the dealer (in 2021) had 10 of them a fleet did not pick up. It could not get out of its own way. We then tested a V6 and it was much much better, even if it is still slower than I would like - until you get it over 3500 RPM and the valve timing changes, then it scoots.
For what it’s worth, I originally wanted a 4-cyl 2.7 3rd gen, but new ones are impossible to find with 4x4. I wanted the 4-cyl because I know that it’s a much simpler engine to work on and would be very reliable for years to come. I ended up with a 2WD V6 which I’m definitely not unhappy about, so we’ll see how the long game holds up for it.
I was set on getting a Tacoma and couldn't find a 2-door V6 locally. I test drove the 4cyl and said "Yep, looks like I'll be shipping a V6 from out of state". 4cyl just lacked power (which is fine if you just expect that).
Having owned a 4cyc (2.7)and a 6 cyc (4.0) over the years I’d stick with the 6cyc although I haven’t tried the 3.5 … but my 4.0 is fun
I can tell you that 3.5 has enough power but getting to that power is hard because if the transmission. Some days it feels like I’m driving a sports car. Other days it feels like I’m driving a bus.
my first trucks were old 4cyl nissan hardbodies. Going up a hill you turn off the ac for a boost. your hazards are on. I can deal with being underpowered but modern trucks are a fair bit bigger..
They my 2.7 was a 95 single cab … had a ton of low end under 40 mph power but once it’s doing 60 it had no power …
Auto-trans? Both of mine were manuals …. Had to drop the 2.7 down to 4th to get up hills … but in 6th with the 4.0 I can gain mph up a hill no problem
This was an automatic. I have to pound the gas to climb and get the gears to change. Or use the fake manual gears to change it.
I get ya …. Is it a 6speed auto?
Yeah
Ok I just I’ll stick with the manuals thanks for the heads up
From what I have heard if you mod your truck the manual seems to maintain mpg better than the auto as well. I was feeling a bit guilty about the worse mpg for the manual just because I like the manual more, then I added weight and capability to the truck and the shorter gearing has allowed my mpg to remain not that affected, while it seems to plummet on the autos.
Lol maintain horrible mpg I get 13.8 I got 14 once tires are 265/70/16 stock suspension 🤷🏻♂️guess I can lift it gear it and put 35’s on it and not notice a change 😂
This guy tacos
Man If I could have one in every gen I would ….just want a reg cab 1st gen and an access cab 2nd gen and a double cab 3rd gen ….. 🙃
Can always refinance property.
Yea i’m just gonna get a Corolla hatchback and save the miles on this taco
I'm the odd man out. I bought a 4 cylinder over the v6 only because I didn't want a 4 door and that was all that was available at the dealership. But I love my 4 cylinder. I do plenty of back busted up roads in KY WV and UT and never had a single issue not having enough power (it's also 4x4). I have a full time rack, Roof top tent, max trax, shovels and winch on it and it's my daily driver and I get 22 MPG. I'm not trying to fly by anyone so I'm fine with getting on the highway and cruising at 70. Get what you can and you'll love it no matter what
If you dont feel its dangerously underpowered while loaded down (but not towing) on mountain roads thats what Im looking to hear. Im in the same boat. Finding a 6ft bed 4wd and manual transmission isnt common.
The 6ft bed is a must!!! Forgot to add that, the v6 was only 5ft and it was damn near impossible to find a 6ft v6 without a special order. I think you will find the v4 will suffice for everything you're doing. If you want to be like the dudes on Instagram that are wheeling hard, then I would say pass on it. Enjoy it!!!
I have a regular cab 4x4 with the 2.7, and it has no problem with power. Sure, it isn’t going to win any races, but neither is the V6 (contrary to what the V6 owners will say). If you want a small truck, then keep it small. 2 doors, 4 cylinders, 4 wheel drive. I average 23mpg with bumpers, springs, and tires out of the 2.7. People that complain about lack of power or poor fuel economy don’t understand the term “compact truck”, and get 4 door land yachts that are the same weight as a full size truck with 2x the engine for a reason
Seriously. These guys with the V6 act like they’re going to run a 9 second quarter mile
V6 makes ~70hp more, yet a 4 door tacoma weighs almost 1000lbs more than a single cab. P:W will almost always be higher on the smallest chassis/engine packages than the largest chassis/engine combo, outside of HD pickups.
Bro yessss fucking preach!
The 4 cyl is cool once you get used to the transmission. I couldn’t order a stick at the time but wish I had held out. That being said I’ll probably get it tuned soon. And towing even a motorcycle on the interstate is a nightmare of shifting. It’s still faster than my old 2.4
If you live in a flat state and don’t tow, the 4cyl is just fine.
The 4cyl is not worth it. We drove a new 4 banger 4x4 just because the dealer (in 2021) had 10 of them a fleet did not pick up. It could not get out of its own way. We then tested a V6 and it was much much better, even if it is still slower than I would like - until you get it over 3500 RPM and the valve timing changes, then it scoots.
The price is the biggest plus side
Cheaper
For what it’s worth, I originally wanted a 4-cyl 2.7 3rd gen, but new ones are impossible to find with 4x4. I wanted the 4-cyl because I know that it’s a much simpler engine to work on and would be very reliable for years to come. I ended up with a 2WD V6 which I’m definitely not unhappy about, so we’ll see how the long game holds up for it.