About to buy my first Tacoma, I4 or V6?

Hello everyone, first time poster. I'm about to buy my first Tacoma and I would really appreciate some helpful advice/opinions. I've never been the best with cars so bear with me!

I'm looking to buy a 2014 Double Cab, PreRunner, SR5, two wheel drive, automatic, however I'm not sure whether I should get an I4 (4 cylinder) engine or the V6. Before coming here to post, I read through a couple different threads regarding this debate, and it seems that there are good arguments for both.

I have been leaning towards getting the I4 because I feel it better suits my lifestyle. I live in southern California (pretty flat), don't drive very fast, and don't really plan on doing much towing or heavy hauling. I just want something that I can throw my baseball stuff into on the weekends, and can carry a couple buddies and some snowboards up to the local mountains in the winter. I feel like I don't need much power, and would prefer the extra MPG for my commute to work/grad school.

From what I've read on here, mostly everyone encourages to buy the engine that you think you need. However, I have also seen people warning against buying an I4 engine with an automatic transmission. Is this something that would give me problems? Can an automatic I4 handle the double cab model?

Thanks!

 

^^^This x2

Welcome to TW!!

 

go v6 4x4

the first time you need 4x4 and dont have it you will kick yourself.... especially considering no locker.

and IMO the i4 should ONLY be offered in the regular cab.

 

Thanks guys. I'm not really in a hurry when I go places, I just need something that gets me from A to B reliably

 

You won't really get that much better mileage with a 4 banger in a DC, especially going into the mountains. If you drive easy like you say you do, you'd probably easily get 20+ MPG with the v6 and you won't have to flog it as hard to get up to speed when you have anything more than yourself.

 

I live in SoCal. It is NOT flat.

The I4 will not climb hills very well, loaded with people and snowboards, and like others have said... if you go into snow, why would you not get 4WD?

It isn't that much more money and well worth it.

 

Get the V6 4wd. The I4 won't get much better mileage and you'll appreciate the extra power (and the V6 could even do with some more umph, so I'm guessing the I4 would leave a lot to be desired in the mountains, prob would be really straining.)

 

I had 2wd ranger and it was hell on earth snowboarding...

There's a way at the local mountain to go down the back way if you had a seasons pass so you could skip all the lines and get to back runs the and I got stuck at the end of the parking lot atleast once a week. Driving up there was a pain in the ass too I had to skip a trip to whistler because it snowed and I didn't want to die on the drive. I wanted to be in the fresh snow but I couldn't go when it snowed...

If your planning on boarding get a 4x4 for your own sanity. There's nothing like being up there early with no one else there because only you could make it up the mountain

 

If you're going to get a double cab, then get the V6. The I4 will be working hard all the time to move the truck and that will kill most of the MPG savings.

Also, like others have said seriously consider 4x4 as well. I don't use mine 98% of the time in daily driving, but that 2% is when you really need it!

 

This ^^^ Listen to DoorDing.

I tried a DCLB in a I4 and it was barely tolerable if you are driving on flat ground. Mountains, a couple of buddies... Gear forget about it. get the V6. If you aren't lifting it, getting larger tires and are light on the pedal there isn't much difference in the MPG. But there is a big difference in torque and horse power.

 

Definitely V6. I personally got the 4 cyl originally. Hated it. Felt like it was working way too hard all the time. Causing it to not last that long.

And hey, if you don't want the 4x4 don't. I wish I got it, but I have no idea when i'd actually use it. If "good to have" is in the back of your head. 4x4 it. The 4x2 suits me just fine.

 

Yep x3

I'll keep it short. Get the 4WD if you can afford it. I would not want the I4 with an automatic transmission.

I have the I4 with 5spd in an Access Cab. And while it suits my needs, I have serious doubts about an I4 in a Double Cab. But I've never actually driven one with that configuration.

 

I bought the TRD Offroad 4x4 V6, love it.
I am glad I have the V6.

The 4x4 is great on the beach and the few times I am offroad.
I didn't even consider the 4 banger or care to drive one.

 

The Tacoma Double Cab Pre Runner is a nice unit either way. I owned a 2011 double cab Pre Runner I4 with automatic. It was a bit slow initially on power and fuel mileage but, did get noticeable better after a few thousand miles. I traded last April on a 2014 Double Cab Pre Runner V-6 Automatic with a tow package and with my driving style I'm getting approx. 1-2 mpg less but the power really compliments this truck well. With the tow package, I am also ready for what ever towing challenge now I may have too. I would strongly recommend driving both vehicles and deciding for long term what will work for you. Good luck!

 

The v6 is slow enough I wouldn't even consider the 4.

4x2 vs 4x4. I've driven a 4x2 truck in the Michigan winters and it was doable. I wouldn't even think about getting a 4x2 if there were mountains involved or if I wanted to go on anything besides well-groomed dirt roads. Inclines + snow = doom to a 4x2.

 

For the Love of God...do not get a Pre-Runner....especially if you're on this site. It sounds good now since you're a n00b, but you will get addicted quickly, then regret your decision. I've seen it time and time and time again...not only here, but way back when I was a member of TTORA.

GET THE 4WD

 

As already stated, if you are buying a Tacoma, get a 4X4. Even if you don't think you will need it much, it is always a great feature to have.

Resale value is so much better, because the next guy knows that if you are buying a Tacoma, it has to be a 4X4.

.

 

You answered your own question when you said "mountains, hauling friends, and snowboarding". Get the 4x4 V6. I live in flat Kansas and even I need 4x4 and power.

 

V6 4x4 don't look back
welcome to TW happy shopping

 

I got a Acab 5lug 4 banger.. I was a noob at the time and thought it was great... once I got on this site I regreted everything.. I want more power/speed and I want 4wd... I got an air locker for my rear so that helps the truck get to places where most other 2wds cant but yeah... I love my truck but Id be even more happier with 4wd V6... I average about 22-23mpg and in a v6, with the way I drive, it wouldnt be any different. The only difference is have the power if you need it to get out of sticky situations and the ability to drive through shitty obstacles along your way to go boarding.. Ive loaded my truck and it does the job for snowboarding, but again, i wouldve loved to have the extra power

my .02 from a 5lug 4 banger veteran who was once a noobie scoobie