V6 or I4 in manual (Revisited, sorry :)

I think I decided I definitely want to trade in my 5 lug for 4x4, even if it costs me money. It's driving me insane that I didn't get 4wd.

I love that I got a manual transmission and access cab, and will definitely do those again.

The question is v6 or i4... The real thing holding me back is the release / throw-out bearing problem with the 6 speed. I currently have nothing to tow (just hauling).

V6 Pros: More Power, More towing in case I do get a boat or w/e later (but unlikely to happen)
I4 Pros: Better gas mileage, no t/o bearing issue (big deal, don't want to buy something that will break)

Anyone have thoughts? I thought hard about it, and going back to auto is not an option, having a stick is one of the many reasons I chose tacoma in the first place. I love driving manuals too much to give it up.

 

I have a 2.7 4x4 and most of the time I'm happy with the power, but there are times I would like the V6. The 4 banger 4x4 is geared really low, which is great off road or when you are hauling something, but it makes the truck a little slow off the line. Once you are in second gear it accellerates pretty good. I average about 20 mpg in mixed driving, but some guys on here are getting that with the 4.0, so gas mileage may not be an issue with the V6.

 

If you're going to get a v6 why not get the auto? The auto is the greatest auto trans I've ever driven! It gets better mileage than the manual. And doesn't the manual cost more?

 

I thought about it. I love driving stick. Love it. Love, love, love. I would much rather give up having a v6 or a tacoma altogether if I had to get an auto to do it. It doesn't matter to me how smooth the auto is, I still can't shift it myself.

 

Actually the automatic costs more than the manual

 

Just depends if you like gas mileage or horsepower more.

Gas prices finally got high enough that I decided gas mileage was more important and thats why I've got a 4 cyl and not the V6.

 

Yep, just went through the pricing options on Toyota.com and it is more... Looks like $86.

 

Doesn't matter, I won't be getting an auto until I'm too old to drive stick.

 

my i4 has been plenty for me, i regularly tow a 20 ft pontoon and it does fine. yesterday i was backing it under the barn and you have to pull up in a field, then back it up a hill....reverse is geared to high and i was having to slip the clutch really bad.....so i just put the truck in 4wd low and backed it right up there just like nothing was behind me, gearing is an awesome thing.

 

Over 20 years I have been purchasing new four bangers. Pretty much the same thing every time - 4x4 xtra cab 4cyl 5spds. Certainly not the most powerful thng I've ever driven, but does the job for me hauling mulch, motorcycles, furniture, etc. I occasionally have V6 envy, but if it ain't broke why fix it? Someone accustomed to American trucks would probably not be able to tolerate the four. And they have discontinued the automatic with the new gen 4 cyl Tacomas (which I personally would never opt for anyway). The huge upside is I get 21+MPG all of the time, which is the same as I got on my '96. Downside is (if it is one) is that highway mileage is not that much more than combined driving. Plus my budget just couldn't handle the extra $$ for the V6 and all of the extras that come with it. Personal preference.

 

I'm very happy with my 2.7L 4x4 Reg cab. I don't know if it makes a difference to you, buy if you only want the Access cab for storage, switching to bucket seats gives you an ungodly amount of room behind the seat compared to other trucks. Also Add a tool box or bed cover.

 

Oh yeah, and since I have the 5 speed there are less problems with the throw out bearing, and if you do have a problem after you're out of warranty it is much cheaper to replace because of how it is constructed.

 

I average about 18.6 mpg with a lead foot. It's a prerunner TRD Off-Road sure, but the diff between the 4x4 isn't that much either. Personally, I'll take that hit because it's that much funner to drive. I've always been a manual person myself too, but due to options/situation at the time I ended up with an auto. I will say, for an auto it is the best I've driven yet, but it's still an auto. If the throwout bearing is all that's going out on the clutch... I fail to see that as being a stopping point. Hell I drove my g35 for about 30k with a dying/rattling throw out bearing, and drove it into the ground type of hard (like, downshifting to 3rd at 80mph with a half assed rev match, squealing the tires at 6,500rpm hard).

I'd say, if you're trading for what you want, go all out and get the 4x4 v6. Not that many less mpg's, and a lot funner. Order a water with two meals a week instead of a drink, and you paid for the gas.

 

At $5.57 a week difference in gas price, its more like 4 drinks...or $289.45 a year. Thats a lot of Big Gulps.

 

when I bought my 09 v6 - 4 cyl came to mind while I was on the lot and just the size of the taco pre runner style truck called out v6. All it took was a test drive and an opportunity to feel the power the v6 had and that was it. My last truck was a 4 cyl stick shift and by getting the v6 I have increased my carbon footprint some but not by much. It is great while on the interstate to be able to pass in the blink of an eye while going 80 mph.

 

Most resturants charge about $2 or more per drink, I wasn't figuring 800 ounce 89 cent big gulps... Still, can you honestly say $0.80 a day for more power and a v6 isn't worth it? I dunno, to me it is. To you, maybe not.

 

but the price of high octane gas..unless I am mistaken...the 4.0 requires at least 91 oct. i know you can run 87 oct. in it but it wont put out the numbers..My friend has an 07 ac 4.0 with 6spd and he hated that he had to use 91.. In terms of the original poster...I like my 4cyl 4x4 5spd my only complaint is the gearing and it does 0-60 in 5 mins but its a truck, I love the 4x4 great for getting in those tucked away fishing spots

 

holy thread revival!

and yes you are mistaken, the 4.0 uses regular fuel.

 

The V6 4.0 manual states to use 87 octane and up .

 

It actually depends on where you live. Here in Colorado, because of the altitude, the dealer told me it was fine to run our regular unleaded, which is 85 octane.

This was a HUGE thread revival wasn't it? LOL.

Well for those who care, it's really surprising how little MPG you gain in the 4x4 I4 vs 4x4 V6. I always drove 4-cylinders too, and when I first went out looking for a new Taco, I wanted another one. But I couldn't believe that the MPG on the 4x4 I4 access cab was so close to the V6 .. especially the V6 auto. My old I4 4runner got 25MPG mixed day in, day out. The new 4X4 I4's aren't anywhere close to that. But I wanted another Toyota. So I gave up 3MPG mixed in exchange for access to TRD Off Road. Of course, now that gas is skyrocketing, I'm kind of missing that 3MPG LOL. Ah well.