Looking at getting another taco

hello, I'm looking at getting another tacoma after a few years without one. I've got two that I'm interested in.
First is a 2006 access cab with 96k miles in mica silver with v6 and 6 speed manual transmission. Looks like the truck has a lift kit also.
Second in a 2005 access cab with 123k miles in mica silver with 4 cylinder and 5 speed manual transmission.
I'd like any info on what you think I should look for when looking over the trucks before I make a dicision. I'll be using the truck to tow a small 16' skiff. Thanks tacoma family in advance.

 

I'd go with the V6 FWIW​

 

Agreed. For towing, I'd take the V6/6spd over the 4cyl/5spd.

 

You will be fine towing the trailer with the 4cyl. To me, 4x4 is extremely important in a truck. I would go with the 4x4 4cyl.

 

If the guy is towing on a regular basis why should he even waste his time with the anemic 4 cylinder ?

OP get a 4X4 V6, you'll find one, just give yourself sometime.

 

He's not towing a 15,000lb bobcat. He's towing a 16' boat, probably around 1000lbs. The 4cyl will tow that just fine. How do I know? Because I have a 4cyl lol. Ideally, OP could find a 4x4 v6 BUT that's not what he asked. To me, 4x4 is more important.

 

Are either 4wd? How often do you tow this boat? Are you towing primarily in Florida where it is completely flat?

What is the cost difference between the two? What is the insurance premiums between the two?

I towed with my 4cyl 5spd 4wd reg cab quite a few times, even a few times at the max trailer and it did fine and I live in a flat area too. Don't expect to win any races for sure but it did just fine.

Major difference between the two will be mpg's. If you are pulling the boat rarely and it is more of a DD then I would go with the 4cyl to save the cost in fuel.

 

Rarely towing. I work at a marina where I can keep the boat and use the fork lift to put it in and out. Primarily in Florida like only. Lol. Boat is super light custom skiff. Not a dd. I have a vw tdi that gets like 50 mpg's that's paid off.
Cost is 10,700 for the v6 with 96k miles and 9,995 for the 4 banger 4x4. I have to get out of my other car that's financed before I get too upside down. That's also the reason for the trading in.

 

Cost on both seem negligible. Both are solid drivetrains. I would go with what makes most sense financially when you add every cost up. I would guess the 4cyl will cost less on a monthly basis.

 

I think I would keep lookin.

 

Go v6 stick something of a unicorn, mileage won't vary that much plus you never can have to much power an it has lower miles.

 

If you lived further north I'd say 4x4 for sure... But since you're in Florida, take the V6.

 

I'd like the 4x4 capibility and the fuel savings of the 4 cylinder bc the boat and trailer are maybe 1k lbs total. I had the v6 in my last taco. Was a bit thirsty but the steel bumpers, big tires and lift kit didn't help. Insurance is only 28 bucks more than my car with the v6 and 33 bucks more with the 4x4 4 cylinder. I'll be looking at both tomorrow. Looks like it's just up to which one I like more and the numbers work out better.

 

I see no use for a 4cyl truck.

 

Plenty of use for a 4 banger in a truck. Come on... let's not be closed minded. I appreciate all input but please understand my needs versus yours.

 

I don't agree at all. Not sure why people want to defend the 4cyl truck into the ground. Towing regularly with a Tacoma is a pain compared to a fill-size. I wouldn't make it more difficult by going with a 4cyl.

I would go with the 6 cyl hands down.

 

Ok. I understand what you mean. I did already have a v6 double cab. Not the best for towing larger loads but I'll only be towing a super light skiff and not towing on the regular. I thought I could get away with the fuel saver and maybe have 4x4. The 4x4 v6 2nd gen tacos are out of my price range unless they have like 200k miles. Lol.

 

I can't imagine a 4cyl 4x4 really saves that much more gas than the 6cyl. Especially when we compare apples and apples and put on a 16' 1,000lb boat going 60mph (if you could get the 4cyl to go 60mph with the boat lol). So I personally don't see that as a valid argument to get one vs. the other. Over all that will be such a minimal difference. I would be shocked if your mpgs were more than 1mpg difference between the two (when towing).

I drive a 2013 DCLB 4x4 with bigger tires and get 21mpgs day to day driving around. I think a lot of it is how you drive.

 

Idk if what you're saying is true. The reason the gear ratios are different between the v6 and 4 cylinder make them go the same speed and what not. I had to put a 4.88 rear end in my last tacoma truck to get my fuel economy back from the 3.73 ration stock on the highway bc of lift, tires, steel bumpers etc.
I'd love to get more opinions from people that have 4 cylinders that tow little jon type boats. The v6 isnt that powerful at 235hp. Another thing is the boat ramp is about 6 miles from my house and the speed limit is 45 mph.

 

They aren't going to be the same. My brother had a 4cyl Ranger. With a passenger with him and a head wind he couldn't get over 55mph. Engine couldn't put out enough power, doesn't matter what the gear ratio was.

From what I can see online, the mpg difference between the two models you are looking at in terms of EPA calculations is 2 mpgs. To me that is not enough of a difference to justify picking one model over the other. That's all I'm saying.