Engine Recommendation/Opinions

Out of curiosity, why are you eyeballing the 4 banger specifically? I also have a sneaking suspicion that you will use the "truck" feature more and more the longer you own it where the V6 may keep you happier.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...r-engine-into-a-slammed-toyota-tacoma.644902/

 

Monthy difference will be $10-20 more for V6. No one ever said "wish I got the 4banger instead."

 

I don't know if I'd say that. Sure, it's no drag strip terror, but it still has ~280 hp to work with. It's been more than enough for everything I've done with it.

 

I have the 6 and my buddy has the 4. I have no regrets; he does. The 4 Cyl is gutless and cannot get of of its own way.

 

i have suspected that it actually disables the atkinson cycle altogether. in other words engine operates like a normal engine, no holding the intake valve open on the compression stroke. probably not but there is more to the ECT function than just holding the gears longer. IMO.

 

Yep, I’d have to agree. Other trucks I’ve owned (full size) when using the towing button simply held onto the gear longer. This truck shows quite a bit of power difference high in the pedal. ie, makes it feel like a normal truck.

 

do you also notice with ECT on that there is different physical feel when pressing the gas pedal? to me it is like it is noticeably easier to push. again IMO

 

I wouldn't say it's easier to push, but throttle response seems higher

 

You’re right.
The more I read everyone’s responses & mull this over a V6 is most likely the engine I would be happiest with. My DD is a RAV4 with 4cyl. It is good on gas but MIA in the fun category.

 

I agree with with @CrippledHo, not a different feel but better response, more power available up higher.

 

Question about the auto transmission. I heard the shift pattern is not good on the later models. 2017, 2018 etc.
They say the truck is always searching for a different gear. Is that true & is there a fix for it or has TOYOTA corrected the problem?
Thanks

 

Have you test driven any 3rd gen Tacoma yet?

 

Definitely test drive, instanetz will give you headache. In the end, you'll be the one driving it, not us.
Also on the 4 vs 6 topic, check MPGs, not much difference is also something to consider.

 

4th gear is direct drive, then 5th is like 0.69:1 and 6th is 0.55:1.

Keeping that in mind, the 2nd gen 5 speed auto had 4th as direct drive and 5th as 0.73:1.

So compared to a 2nd gen, 5th and 6th are taller. Couple that with a motor that likes high revs, it may hunt for a gear depending upon how you drive.

The majority of guys on here are satisfied with how the automatic drives. Then there's guys like me who have 75mph speed limits and 20mph headwinds to contend with. At 75mph/1900rpm the truck isn't making enough power to overcome wind resistance, hence the need to "hunt" or stay in 4th.

Test drive and come to your own conclusion.

 

The 4 cylinder is a good engine and would prob be fine for your uses. I have the v6 and it still gets a bit bogged down with 4 people, a full bed, and a small boat and that's even with the manual.

I bought new (in 2017) and was comparing a base 4x4 SR 5 speed access 2.7 (cheapest model) and a TRD off road 6 speed (pretty much everything I wanted but didn't NEED) and price after talking both down was $25,250 vs $31,700. For resale alone it was a no brainier to go with the v6.

 

No I haven’t test driven yet. I ask because it helps to know if any particular years have issues vs newer models.
There are videos on line comparing the Tacoma vs Ranger vs Colorado etc. They gave the Tacoma a thumbs down on the “gear searching automatic” issues.

 

Cast Iron Block and good low end.

 

There is no substitute for power.

 

I just bought a 20 trd or v6.

City driving, get the 4 banger. Honestly in a few years, depending what the 4th gen looks like, I might end up either down grading to a 4 banger or seeing how efficient the 4th gen potential hybrid (maybe up to a tundra who knows). I love my truck, and if I have it for 20 years I'll still be happy, but the down sides may make the new tundra/Tacoma worth it when they come out.

But by that time we're also looking at hybrid f150s, maybe a hybrid ridgeline, maybe the mitsubishi will be back, maybe a few more diesels. Other than my daily driver mpg, I live the truck. But, I bought the truck knowing what I was getting into with my mpg so it's not like it's an unexpected negative, and in the current line up, the only things that make more sense for mpg are the ridgeline (didn't want unibody, I like it, I'm not a ridgeline hater, just wanted the truckity truck), the ranger (didn't like how big it felt), the Colorado (no thanks 8 speed, diesel wouldn't be cost effective in New England). And at that, they aren't beating it by leaps and bounds anyway so it wasn't really worth spending a lot of time worrying about that.

Just go test drive. They drive similarly believe it or not, the 4 will probably be a more reliable engine long term (it's carried over from 2nd generation). It only comes on the extended cab though, so you can't get a crew cab i4. That was part of what moved me up to the v6 was the crew cab. I'll use the crew cab more often than the extra foot of bed.