Will I regret getting a 4 cylinder tacoma?

my 99 taco i4 was impressive, 2nd gear chirps were fun and hitting 75 in third was nice

I only upgraded to v6 since the i4 wasn't an option on DCLB

 

I found driving 75mph on the interstate against 20-30mph sustained headwinds to be a miserable experience when I had my 4cyl gen2 access cab. Tolerable if you just had to drive 5 miles down the road.

But on a 4 hour road trip, which I do frequently, I absolutely hated it. Nor was I willing to downshift for that length of time. Under those conditions, I actually get better mpg now with my 6cyl double cab.

Just my opinion. I know many are completely satisfied with the 4cyl. Great little engines they are. It just didn't work out well for my typical use.

 

I love mine but it’s not for everyone. I’m not in a hurry and am older so if I forget my left directional it is ok!
I avoid interstate driving and prefer the 50mph secondary roads. Better mpg but I’ve done some 6 hr round trips and was definitely ready to get out!!!!
But for my dd 50 mile round trip I love every minute.

 

Ive driven a regular cab with a 4cyl for 2 years and it'll do what you ask, just have to be familiar with the skinny pedal on any sort of hills or winds

 

There's no doubt that the 2.7s rip. I know a couple guys who run them. I've driven and owned my fair share of 4 banger Toyota's. But there's a reason I don't own them any more, granted the mileage is GENERALLY always gonna be better with 4 banger but in my worthless opinion that's about it. Before I get roasted over an open fire let me say the R series motors will always have a soft spot in my heart, I've had yotas with weezed out 22re's that had 300k on the clock that made 80hp at the tire that still ran killer, and I've had/built 22r's that on paper made 215 horse at the fly wheel in short box single cabs. I've also got quite a bit of experience with boosted re's that made 300+ at the flywheel, while it was fun as hell it got expensive and time consuming to maintain. (Partially due to my 300lb right foot, and willingness to just let a motor eat.) But in more recent times the 5vze and 1gr Fe has really begun to grow heavily on me. While there is nothing like the sound of a 4 bannger bouncing off rev limiter it's nice to be able to push a motor but not always feel the need to. Anyhow that's my worthless piece of advice! Im sure whichever you you choose will serve you.

 

Never had a power problem with mine - regularly drive 401 highway with hills at 120 KPH (70 MPH) and no problems. Had a 1985 318 Dodge with 165 HP and heavier than Tacoma with 160 HP 2.7 and it was a good performing truck as well. If I needed more power, I certainly would not have bought a V6 Tacoma but probably a V8 full size like the Ram Hemi as I stated before. I drove Tacoma V6 's and V8's and there is no comparison as the V8's are in a different league getting better or at least the same mileage.

 

There is a reason the V6 outsells the 4 cylinder by leaps, mainly because it makes ZERO sense to have a 4 cylinder, 160 hp engine in a 5500 lb loaded truck. And good luck selling the truck. I dont know anyone that would prefer a 4 cylinder Tacoma.

Lets put things in perspective. The honda civic base has a 4 cylinder that puts out 158hp yet it only weights 3000LBS. Yet there are guys are on here that are saying that same output is more then enough for a 5500lb truck. RIIIGGGHHTTT

 

4cyl 3rz/2tr is arguably the most reliable mass produced motor available to America.... idk but the idea of 300+ thousand miles being consistently put on a powertain line on models since 1996 is pretty damn impressive. I bought my first gen 4cyl without hesitation and before I went big tires it was absolutely enough. I’m putting a turbo on itnow yes... but I have no regrets of the 4 banger and it’s actually cheaper/easier to get 400+ hp out of any of the 3rz/2tr motors than their 6cyl brothers due too iron blocks/less parts required.

 

I traded my 2tr in on a 1gr. I'm not as impressed with the difference as I thought I'd be, but the 2tr was a manual and the 1gr an auto.
The 2tr manual is geared 4.10 to the 1gr auto which is 3.73. There are pros and cons, but that little indestructible 2tr with light wheels and a manual is good enough for alot of people.

 

The curb weight for my '06 4wd regular cab is 3600 lbs versus my '14 Subie Outback at 3400 lbs. One thing to keep in mind is the torque for the 2TR is relatively high at lower rpms. Its kind of stretching to compare to a high spinning Honda engine with low torque.

 

The four cylinder is acceptable for one reason. It gets you a small reliable 4x4 truck for under 25k. And you can load it down and cruise at 80 all day in them, towing is the Achilles heel in my experience. They aren’t hard to sell, at least around here, so don’t worry about that. I actually have more trouble understanding the higher trim levels of a Tacoma. Why wouldn’t you buy a half ton if you are going to spend 35k plus?

 

Hey, we must have the same truck. I purchased mine in October of 2015 for $24K out the door with dealer fees, T&TL, plus what not.

As I mentioned in an earlier post - the 2.7L four works best with a manual transmission and it's best to downshift a gear on a long, steep incline. Highway/Interstate towing a greater than 2,000 load is definitely not this truck's strong point.

Three other caveats: I had to think twice about purchasing a set of Load E tires that weigh close to 50 lbs a piece - and - whether to install an ARB front bumper. I decided that were wasn't enough low RPM grunt for the tires and to wait a bit on deciding adding any front end protection. Once again, get the 5 speed manual versus the old 4 speed auto, if it is a second gen with a four banger.

 

4 cyl are weak...... hell even towing with a 6cyl is weak at times. Anyone who says otherwise is just trying to justify their poor purchase of a 4cyl. Lol

 

yes they are weak when towing a 11k load which is why I bought a F350 turbo diesel that wont sweat doing it

 

V6 is marginal. I4 is ridiculous for my needs. Had both. Done with 4's. Much prefer automatic for off and on road. Would love a Tacoma with v8.

 

I like my four 4x4 auto, it works for what I do. I haul a lot crud but don't tow. It is also my only vehicle, I am still working and use it daily (the lovely Mrs CMD has a Rav4). I would have preferred a manual but at seventy-three I have more faith in the longevity of the auto than I have in the longevity of my left knee.

 

I love my 4-banger and wouldn't consider trading it for a V6. For my purposes, it's perfect. 5spd, 4wd access cab was my perfect combo at the time. I don't haul much besides my quad in the bed, so towing grunt wasn't a concern of mine. Sure, it's not necessarily fast with larger tires- but I slapped a turbo on it to remedy my need for boost. Now the V6 guys can't even come close.

If I had to do it all over again would I buy a V6? Nope.
I'd buy a Cummins.

 

I honestly never understand how some people act like the 4cyl will get to 60 in 40 seconds and is a wimp. I've taken my 4cyl over 10 hour road trips pulling campers 3 people, a quad and a ton of gear. How does it do? exactly like you would expect a truck to do. How are they on the highway? welp, feels like how a truck would feel. Acceleration ? yep not a race car still a truck lol. The acceleration argument is dumb to discuss in terms of trucks. If you want speed get a sports car or sports bike lol. The only real benefit of the 6cyl is towing capacity. I've towed around 3300lbs no issues, and sure it could pull more but there's no point in putting excessive wear on the truck. The only real reason to get a 6cyl over the 4 is if you have heaaavvvvyyy campers or trailers etc that you tow a lot, even then a full size pickup would be a better choice. This discussion reminds me of the forums I would read when I bought my yzf r3. everyone was flipping out about power and saying I would out grow it in a week, even though it brakes almost all speed limits in town in 1st and will break the speed limit on the highway in 2nd.

 

On a side note its also similar to the 4x4 vs 4x2 discussion. Most people buy it and it craps out after 5 years cause they used it like once. I live in the snowiest city in Canada and I've owned 3 trucks all 4x2. I even take them out during snow storms cause its fun to plow through uncleared roads

 

I went on a witch hunt to find a 4x4 manual 4 banger for a daily, super reliable, fun to drive and great mileage. Now you know 1 person