Driving 120 miles per day...

Well as much as I would like to take credit for that, the guys at Alabama (engines) and Texas build the trucks, I work at West Virginia, we build engines and transmissions but for camry,highlander, rav4,Lexus rx350, seinna, etc.

 

The extra rock chips would negate the mpg savings....

 

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How good are the 4 bangers Camry engines/tranny? My wife has a 17 Camry SE and daily drives 70mph. Hope will last. Oil changed at 5000 miles with Amsoil and OEM filter.

 

Pretty much bulletproof as far as the motor goes, even when new models come out the basic architecture of the engine is the same thing that they have been making for years. Like the 3.5l v6 in the Tacoma, it's crank block heads(mostly, updated of course for direct injection) are all basically the same designs as the 3.0l 1MZ engine, there are updates along the way but usually to address issues that have came up. As long as the engines are maintained they will easily outlive the rest of the vehicle(especially if u live up north). And btw don't buy Toyota filters, they don't make filters and are made by lowest bidder, my guess is Baldwin but I haven't been on engine side in a while, get a wix or Napa gold(made by wix) and as long as you use a filter that meets or exceeds OE specifications (they all do) then they can't mess with you about the warranty, it's called the magneson(spelling) Moss act. Also look up the million mile tundra, read about its motor after tear down.

 

I just drove from my home (250ft above sea level) to Estes Park, Colorado via 70W. 70mph was the speed limit much of the way, and 20.5mpg was the norm.

At Kansas City 75mph was the new limit, dipped to 20mpg.

Now Kansas state appears flat, but it is a slowwwww and steady climb to 5300ft over the central/ western part of the state. In 17 degree weather, holding 75 in 5th or 80mph in 4th gear, 400 lb of armor, 250lbs of dog and crates, hiking gear and suitcases w/2 humans I got 16.5mpg.

I noticed the loss of power that people talk about on here. At 6k elevation it feels like I am towing a small travel trailer. It still accelerates just fine up steep grades above 3k rpm, but I agree that this engine is useless for hauling anything in the 5k+ elevation area. I'm currently at 8850ft, and it's feeling pretty lethargic.

Those who say it won't go over 40mph in the mountains with a moderate load are full of shit. It'll go 80+, just takes rpm and patience.

 

Nope, not an employee of Toyota and it was not a completely stripped down TRD OR 4x4 4 door truck. Has running boards (predator style)

Nope, not a Toyota employee it. I bought it year end from a dealership I believe it was like January 3rd or 4th. I had four dealerships calling me to sell a truck. I had put it on the back burner since I hadn't sold my 2006 yet, and thought I'd do so prior to picking up a new one. I threw out numbers and finally one of the dealerships came back with two trucks a silver and a milano red for under $34K. My 2006 was Milano Red, so I decided to change it up and go with the Silver.

I just put the build together on the Toyota site and it is $38K. That said, I honestly don't recall what the MSRP was since it is a bogus number to me. I'll pull my window sticker tonight and my invoice. I don't recall it being $38K, thought it was $35K and thought I paid about $2K under invoice. My memory could be wrong. But I do recall what I paid.

2017 Tacoma TRD Off-Road
4x4, 3.5L V6 Engine, 6-Speed Automatic
Double Cab, 5-ft. Short Bed
STARTING MSRP

$35,160
EXTERIOR COLOR
SILVER SKY METALLIC

$0
INTERIOR COLOR
Fabric in Graphite with Gunmetal Accent Stitching

$0
PACKAGES
V6 Tow Package51

$650
ACCESSORIES
Cargo Bed Light

$259
Premium Carpet Mat Set (4 piece)

$205
Connectivity Kit

$59
Mud Guards (Black)

$149
Predator Tube Steps

$639
Stainless Steel Exhaust Tip

$99
DELIVERY, PROCESSING & HANDLING FEE

$1,045

$0 (No Cost)1
TOTAL PRICE (MSRP) (AS BUILT)13

$38,265

 

I can't believe they charge $639 for a stainless exhaust tip

 

https://toyotaparts.bochtoyotasouth.com/oem-parts/toyota-exhaust-tip-pt93235162

 

The $639 is for the tube steps. Exhaust tip is $99. The prices go with the line above, not the one thats closest like you'd assume.

 

Good, I was thinking I got screwed since my SR had one

 

So $36k... not $33k?

 

I’m driving that a day now, no issues and loving it. Averaging about 21mpg too.

 

OK got it...

Paid $33,800 sticker was $38,299. So, actually a few dollars higher than what I estimated from the Toyota site. As I recall I had one other dealership that I was about $1,000 higher in the group that called me. As noted I had actually put the purchase on the back burner until I got calls from the dealerships and made a deal. I believe Toyota end of year is early January, and that is when I bought mine. Not sure how that price compares, but seems decent based on the responses. Prior to end of year I had a hard time getting any dealerships to come much more than a few hundred off MSRP.

 

I drive into Denver from Georgetown around 90 miles round trip. So far the Taco has been averaging 21 mpg. but it only has 800 miles on it so far.

 

oh and to add. I also have a MKVII GTI. That car makes the 90 miles trip fly by and I average 37 mpg. Best of both worlds

 

Thanks to you guys on the forum who are fellow high-milers on your daily commutes, I picked up my '17 DCSB TRD Off Road a few days ago. Thank you again for your help and for making this a fun forum to be a part of.