Can you tolerate the 4 cylinder?

When I went to the dealer to buy, I had every intention of buying the 4 banger because I wanted better gas mileage...that was until I drove one. For me, it was embarrassingly underpowered.
And no, I don't drive 120, in fact, I drive very conservatively in an effort to increase the mpg, and it pays off big time based on some of the MPGs I see posted here.
So then I tried the V6 and hallelujah!! A light shined down when I gave the gas a little test nudge. The sucker responded immediately and strongly. I mean, for sure it's not a race car, but that's not what I'm after. I just want to feel I can safely merge onto the highway or out of the way of a 16 wheeler when I have to, and I didn't feel confident about that with the 4 cyl.
For me, the slight improvement in gas mileage was not enough to get me into a truck that I felt was weak.
I know the 4 cyl lovers will freak out over this, but hey, it's just MY opinion.

 

Except us 4x4 and Prerunner types aren't doing something that is illegal- You are. Take it to a track.

It's got nothing to do with going 120- It's got to do with where you are when you do it. I've taken my motorcycle to 130-140 on a closed track built for bikes- Proper runoffs, barriers, and prepared surface, with no "innocent uninvolved parties". You have control over your vehicle, and little else on public roads.

Wanna race?? Take it to the track. "Can't stand the forum"?? No one is making you post.

Lets quit talking about high speed passes and get back to the question about "tolerating a 4 banger".

To the OP- No I couldn't- I came from a V8 truck so I couldn't see myself being happy with the 4cyl. It will tow and what not- but I like having the extra umph when I need it on the trails.

 

I love my 2.7 . Doesn't have the best acceleration , but its outstanding acceleration for a 4 cyl.
Buy the 4.0 if you want to tow more , or think the 2.7 lacks acceleration ....but in the end you may be doing the same speed limit and so is the 2.7. IF you are thinking yea ...speed limit right and are going 10 faster.... so can the 2.7.

I drive AT the speed limit on freeway trips a lot (yea 5 over at times), my game is counting vehicles that pass me multiple times. On a 4 hr trip near the end the same people are passing me AGAIN! 2x 3x and even 4 times , I suspect one of the stops is for fuel.

 

Also on topic....

Another reason I want the v6 is because the 4 bangers don't have the TRD Off-Road package with the rear locker, sport seats, ect.

 

For me all along same lines with everyone else, "get what you need/want" crowd. It's nice to not have to touch plugs for 100k, touch vavles/timing and to have a manual without dealing with a crappy 6spd box. I'll deal with the slower accel. Wind up the I4 past 3k and watch it shine!

 

A lot of members on this forum are getting the same gas mileage with the 4.0 as I'm getting with my 2.7. So even though the 2.7 is adequate, I wish I'd found a used 4.0 instead.

 

The average member with a v6 talking about getting MPG out of it is also laying off the pedal and milking everything he can to get better mileage out of it. So these people with v6 getting 20 either drive "normal" or dont punch it at all getting on the freeway. The fact that I get 22/23 average with my 4x4 means what compared to you? It means we drive slightly differently and in different climates. O how we need another MPG thread..........

Do not get a 4 expecting great mpg over the v6, get it because the downsides to the 6 aren't worth the extra cost of purchase price plus more cost for gas/grade. For me the 6 spd, maintenance, $3k more and the fact I do not tow all played a factor.

 

That was my point. I could have bought a used V6 for the price I paid for my new 4 cyl and the mileage trade off would not have been an issue. My 4 cyl is a good truck and it gets me around, but it's way to slow in first gear. I agree we don't need another gas mileage thread, but the OP's question is "Can you tolerate the 4 cylinder?" My answer would be to get the V6 if you can afford it. Gas mileage won't be an issue. Lack of horsepower will be. JMO.

 

You guys always make me laugh when you talk about your trucks not having enough power. I drive an older Toyota truck with a 22R and am lucky if it makes 95HP. Sure I would love to have more power. But it gets by just fine. And off-road I can go a lot of places people with big V8s can't. Power isn't everything. Although it is fun.

 

It wouldn't work for me because choosing the 4-cyl engine takes away the options of rear doors and tow package.

 

I didn't mean to piss anybody off. I just pointed out my negative opinions of the 4 cyl. Now for the positive. The 2.7 has an amazing rep for quality and is expected to last at least 300,000 miles. It is also very easy to maintain. There isn't a single service on my truck that I can't perform in my garage with some simple tools and some basic automotive knowledge. Once the truck is out of first gear, the acceleration is acceptable and that low gear makes off roading and load hauling much easier.

The OP probably needs to drive both and base his decision on what he likes, needs, and what he can afford. As long as he buys a Tacoma, he'll probably be happy. Again, this is just my opinion.

 

coming up on 5 years in a few months. have 53,000+ miles on it. no complaints from me.

 

i count how many times i pass semi trucks.... i cruise at 80 and get 27ish mpg. not to bad.

 

I had a 1998 GMC Sonoma with the 2.2 liter I4, it wasn't close to being powerful, but it did the job. I got insane fuel economy with it and sacrificed acceleration. I bought my 05 DC/LB with the intention of hitting some forest service roads and hauling things. I wanted more room too. Best truck I've ever owned, but if I had to tolerate a 4 cyl, I'd go back to the regular cab and most likely make it look like Kelson's (hedlesbrmstkbass) truck, with a manual shift

 

i have an 05 AC 2.7 4x4 with 285/70r17 (which is a hair under 33") with over 100,000 miles on it, and i just drove from north florida to south texas in 1 day, fully loaded down (with a kayak on the roof) for a move with no problems. i have a cold air intake on it (not that it really does anything) and a standard and i really couldnt ask for a whole lot more. she doesn't like steep hills in cruise control, but realistically, thats not a big deal.

 

Hmmm...you're tempting me to give my truck to my wife and get something like yours.

 

you can never have enough power...

 

im pretty sure a tacoma isn't aerodynamically capable of going much faster than that anyways. its like those people who say they have hit 140 in they're civics.... bogus

 

i love it. this is the EXACT truck down to color and trim level i've wanted since i was 15 and it came out, and i cant be happier. she runs like a champ! that trip i averaged 17.4 mpg, but i also had about 500lbs of stuff, including a kayak on the roof. it wasn't TOO much less than i normally get, because i havnt regeared it for the tires. at 45mph (the speed limit throughout the fl panhandle) i was consistently getting 21-22 mpg with a loaded tool box and 4 people crammed into it. it's really not slow either. it'll keep up with any regular traffic pretty easily. only problem it has had is the rear leaf squeak(fixing that today, i'll post a how-to) and an airbag sensor that i broke. i HAVE towed a small uhaul and a 16ft bass boat with it and it handled it pretty well.

 

you could regear the tacoma to go 200+ if you really wanted to...lol