Worth buying a 4 cylinder?

I may be an oddball, but I usually don't use cruise on long trips. I get better MPG without it, and helps me stay awake!

 

Test drives !! I drove both ( had a 2002 v6for a bit also. Ended up buying the 4 banger . Hammer it getting on ramps and up hills it makes it hp up high.otherwise I thought it liked the tranny better than the 6.

 

This guy said it. I have a 4 banger because I wanted it specifically because of its characteristics. I like it more than the 6 but it is in no way even close power wise. Mines also almost entirely for wheeling and when the fam needs to move lol

 

I'm perfectly happy with my 2.7L Tacoma. It's more than adequate for 95%+ of the driving I do. Honestly, I test drove the 6, and didn't find a striking difference during normal driving.

 

I still think it'd be cool to have a 4x4 4cyl access cab. Its a proven, reliable motor, easier on fuel, cheaper to maintain, etc. Not everyone needs to have a ton of power or go fast.

 

I haz one. I can go fast. I don’t have the power to TOW, but I don’t care. I tow camping stuff and mountain bikes. I like to blast around on trails, and there’s a surplus of power no matter what configuration you have while off roading.

I’m hesitant to gush over my I4 on account of people getting butthurt, but it’s been awhile. The 2.7 has been updated with dual VVTI and is basically the same bullet proof 4 banger the truck is known for. But if you can’t get it in manual 4x4 used, I can’t guarantee your pleasure, friend.

 

Got that right. People have been hitting these trails with much less for decades.

 

Realistically a person has to ask themselves “how fast do I typically drive when on a trail” ... and the answer is “not that fast unless I’m in the desert on a pre run course and I have a custom built race rig from Geiser bros”

 

I'm glad I got a MT 4 banger, instead of the V6 with the Honda Civic style powerband.

 

I had a 2nd gen 2wd reg cab with the 2.7 5-spd. That was the perfect motor for that truck and perhaps even that size with 4wd. Access-cab 4x4, maybe if you aren't towing. Double-cab with towing thrown in, I'm going V6 no question.

 

In town and on trails the 2.7 is all I need. It fits.

If I need to tow or haul, I have an F350 dually.

 

Fuck no!!!

 

2.7 4 cylinder is built in Japan
3.5 6 cylinder is built in Alabama

The 2.7 is a world motor
The 3.5 was designed for North America

The 2.7 is a slow but overbuilt workhorse motor
The 3.5 is based off a car motor designed for emissions

I remember reading about coolant leaks on the 3.5 required double-digit man-hours to find them since that engine is so sophisticated.

There are pros and cons to both motors. But if I had a choice between the two to go on a trans-continental trip, I'd definitely go with the 2.7.

 

I've got a 17 2.7L 4x4 MT AC. Love this truck. It's pretty bare bones, but every time I get into I smile. I have an M3 and wife's Cayenne- guess which one I drive the most? 4 banger.

 

4cylinder should be ok. If price is issue. Also If you do go that route, I’d get the manual tranny.

Resale will take a hit. Won’t be near as desirable.

 

Depends on you and if you can live with the power. If I didn't tow anything and I was going for an AC cab, I might be fine with the 4 banger.

 

An interesting thing I have noticed recently is it seems like the 4's take less of a mileage hit with mods.

I have a mild lift, removed the air dam, and have heavier tires (although still stock diameter) and my lifetime mileage still averages out at 21.3 in mixed commuting w/ the AT.

I think in theory (AKA EPA Ratings) the 4 and the 6 return roughly the same mileage but in practice it is much tougher to hit those EPA numbers with the 6 than it is with the 4.

The rest of the topic has been covered plenty already but yes, Japan built, absurdly overbuilt, not going anywhere fast, but pleasant enough of a DD unless you live at high altitude where it turns wheezy.
Unless you have a need for speed (in which case why are you buying a pickup truck??) the 4 is trustworthy and economical.

 

Probably would be difficult to find a used one to buy, doubt that many people want to part with them.

 

This. Seems like the 4 banger crowd holds onto them, not sure why. My gramps did with his 1st gen pickup, and I did, still haven’t parted ways with the 1st gen Tacoma. I went into the 3rd gen looking for a 4 cyl. For some reason it just makes sense to me.

 

I'll say it again...6 Speed AT
2.7 L in "S" mode.

Not enough power...lol.

Everybody's problem is that they are dicking around with Cruise Control in "D" mode.

I did too, on my 2018. I only ran 91 octane for 35k miles, and feathered the engine. Then I tried "S" mode and 87 octane, for good.

Also, Toyota says I have the reflash already. Manufactured in Nov 2017 fwiw.