Buying access cab within the next 2 weeks. Advice much appreciated

Just graduated college and pops is gonna buy me a new car. I'm leaning towards the access cab 4 cyl. 5 spd 4x2. Or the ac 6 cyl 6 spd 4x2. What do you guys recommend in terms of buying brand new? Are there any things I need to look out for before buying? And if any of you made one of these purchases would you do it again or not? Is the mileage difference going to be worth getting the 4 cyl because I don't need much power.

My dad is a forever Toyota truck guy and has always had one in his line up (25+ years). Drives an 06 ac 4 cyl auto at the moment. Any advice and/or warnings before purchasing is so greatly appreciated because I've heard of many mixed clutch/transmission issues

Thank you I look forward to being a regular to the forum

 

I'm in it for the long haul with this truck, not planning on reselling or worrying about resale value

 

V6 way better you'll want one eventually and you'll have to upgrade...

 

4.0 4x4!!!!!!

 

First, congrats on graduation from college!
I'm not sure what the cost difference is between 4 cyl. vs. 6 cyl., but the last time I drove a Tacoma 4 cyl. it wasn't very robust. If your Dad can afford the bigger engine, get it.

 

Tacoma 2009 sport comes with all the features of off road with really no upgrade necessary

 

All the new taco access cab don't come manual with 4 cyl and the v6 is only manual with 4x4. And I don't need 4x4 at all. This is very disheartening and at this point I don't know if I'm getting one because I really want the new face lift and interior

 

No manual tranny on the V6 unless you get a 4x4 or an x-runner. Tacoma qualifies for college grad specials so buy it in your name and finance to get the rebate.

 

I got the 4Wheelin4Banger AC with a 5 speed & love it.
4th Toyota truck, all 4Bangers but 1st 4x4 & 1st AC.
From what I've heard the auto sucks with a 4Banger.

 

What kind of mpg are you getting? Is it significantly better over the v6 you think? I might have to get the 4x4 4 cyl. Because I don't want to get bad mileage with the v6 4wd

 

No?

 

With stock tires, 3" lift and a shell I got 24 MPGs on my 70 mile round trip to work going from 4450 ft to 4500 ft to 4050 ft & back with a lot of ups and downs in between. 90% @ 75 MPH, 5% @ 70 MPH & 5% @ 35 MPH.
Since adding 33" tires, sliders & a full set of skid plates my millage has dropped some.

 

If you do go with V6, go with auto, it gets better MPG.

 

I had a 2010 4×4 with a 4 cyl and 5 speed - I got about 22 in mostly freeway traffic. Went to a 2012 4×4 with V6 and an auto - up to about 19 MPG (both access cabs). Hoping to get to 20 with synthetic oil change.

Go with the V6 - you won't regret it. Especially if you want to tow down the road.

 

OP, congrats on graduating! Now the real tests begin...

Sounds like you're trying to be practical with your new vehicle purchase. I love having a truckbed for hauling my home project materials and camping, but if i didnt need a truck i'd probably go a more fuel efficient route. My V6 4x4 AC averages 19-20mpg and if you check out fuelly stats 50% of recorded Tacomas are getting in the 18-20 range. If mpg is a priority you'll probably want to evaluate non-Tacoma options.

If you do decide on the taco then i'd recommend the V6, especially if you ever plan to tow. Also read up on the details for college grad deal: www.toyotafinancial.com/collegegrad

 

Get the 4.0 w/ auto. If you don't, a few months from now, after the newness wears off, you'll wish you did.

This is experience speaking.

 

I just went from a 2012 4cyl reg cab to a 2013 V6 access cab.

Definitely go for the V6. I like having a vehicle that can aggressively accelerate and pass when it is necessary and the 4cyl simply didn't cut it. It was also a pain in the ass on the highway mountains going back to WV.

If you live in a slow paced area with no mountains the 4 cyl will be fine, but it didn't work for my type of driving.

I'm also spending the same on gas every week that I was when I had the 4 banger reg cab. fuel mileage is difference is insignificant, don't let it be a determining factor.

 

If you are worried about the cost of fuel and how many MPG's you'll be getting, why are you buying a new vehicle? Vehicles are terrible investments. Buy something 3 yr old with 50k on it and save yourself a load of money from the get go.

Also, each to their own, but the 4cyl will be a dog to drive, (the v6 isn't exactly full of get up and go), and when you are thrashing the nuts off it you wont be getting good MPG out of it.

Besides, even if you werent thrashing th nuts off it, there just isnt enough difference in economy between the 4 banger and the six.

Buy lightly used, save money, get the options and configuration you really want. Just my .02

 

No b2c vehicle purchase is an investment as personal autos don't generate positive $ return. Probably need to spend less time thrashing the nuts off it.

 

Thats what I said. New vehicles are terrible investments.

Not enough MPG diff to justify buying the 4 banger, so I assume the motivation is lower purchase price. The answer to that is buy lightly used and get the better truck.

Not sure what you are getting at Zaggy.