4cyl over 6cyl, any regrets?

Jealous haha

 

I love my reg cab for sure. I test drove 3 tacomas and 1 tundra the day i bought mine. The first Taco I test drove was an AC SR5 4cyl. 5spd. I liked it, I was surprised at how much grunt that the 2.7L had. I then test drove the tundra. Lots of power but way too big of a truck for what I need. I then tried a TRD AC 6cyl Auto (Black with color matched bumpers and all of the bells and whistles) I fell in love with this truck!! It definitely was the one I wanted. I wanted the extra room for baby seats and groceries and such. The extra armor, better rims and tires, tow package and just overall everything I would ever need. The price didn't work out so I told them that I was going to be getting a truck today and to show me the most plain jane pickup they had. I didn't care about power windows or door locks or even a radio. I simply wanted a 4x4 with a bed and manual transmission. They looked at me like I was crazy ha ha. I test drove my reg cab and fell completely head over heels for it!!! However, I do believe that in a couple years when my family grows, I am going to have to upgrade to a bigger truck. Most likely I will be getting the TRD DCLB V6 Auto and truly never have to buy another truck until it dies. I am definitely loving my REAL truck now though. I think that the reg cab 4cyl owners are a different breed though and I am proud to be one!!!

 

When I bought my 5 lug AC, I went back and forth between it and a RC 4x4 they also had on the lot. My emotional side wanted that RC bad....but my practical side eventually won - I needed the indoor storage space of the AC....but many are the times I wish I had bought the RC 4x4...

 

Never been anything else for me except Tacoma standard cab 5 lug stick shifts, because they're the perfect work trucks for my business. I've used them exclusively since buying one new in 1988. All I need is a simple sturdy reliable vehicle that's cheap to buy, cheap to own, and cheap to run.

I love old fashioned windows that crank up and down with a handle, and that I can unlock the doors with a just plain metal key without the truck beeping and booping at me. I'll never own a truck with a squishy slushbox automatic transmission, because I'm the driver and I'm the one who decides what gear to use. Also can't stand the irritating sound of those stupid whizzing whining power steering pumps and always rip them out first thing after driving my new truck off the dealers lot. Next thing to go are those long winding serpentine belts with all of their pulleys. Just a short simple belt that turns the alternator and water pump is good enough to run my work truck.

As simple work trucks, Toyotas are useful tools that earn their keep because you can always rely on them to help you make money.

 

I love my RC and I don't feel that it lacks for power, although I have the 5 spd which I'm sure helps. I towed my 1800lb boat with two CRF450 dirt bikes in the bed, along with a couple hundred pounds of gear (I have air bags) for 200+ mile trips with no issues beyond poor gas mileage.

My brother has TRD OR and while it is more powerful than mine and tows better, I am willing to sacrifice some power for fuel economy.

 

I love my 4 banger and would do it all over again. I came from a v6 but the 4 has enough power for my tastes. It too is a 4x4 AC with the 5 speed and plenty of power in all gears. I dont win any drag races but if I wanted speed I'd have gotten a 5.0 I pull a 16ft boston whaler and it does it with ease. I can still do 70 in 5th on the highway while pulling. No hills where I live unfortunately. Also maintenace is way cheaper and easier than the v6. Even though you only save a couple mpg compared to the 6, over 100-200K that adds up to a pretty big savings.

 

I've had my 2013 RC 4 banger 5 speed 4x4 for over a month now and I friggen love it. For the first 35 years of my life 8've either lived in North Jersey or Phila. and Due to that I need to tone down passing people at times (my last truck had a V8) and now in the country live in the mountains (old allegheny mountains) so, I can't charge up hills like I used to, but I still have no problem climbing them. The Manual 5 speed helps! I also have manual locks and windows, Tooter has me intrigued about dropping the power steering... I love simplicity. I think there is mistaken mantra out there with the whole "bigger is better". So many good ol' boys out here with their rattling diesels and smoke stacks sticking out the bed. My dad told me numerous times about Korea and the old Willy's MB jeep (4 cylinder) with a trailer pulling up hills in Korea loaded with men, weapons, and ammo.

 

We had a little Willys Jeep we drove around the flight line in Vietnam. They're the essence of rugged dependable simplicity. This is what the engine looks like with both the power steering and AC removed...



Just the crank, alternator and water pump pulleys and one sprung tensioner pulley to keep the belt tight.

 

I regret it everytime I drive it.

 

I see where a lot love their RC's. I've seen lots of YouTube videos where a RC Tacoma can crest a hill that other trucks can't because of its short wheelbase.

I need that extra room with the AC though. I have an office at work and one at home. Whenever needed too I can pull over in a parking lot, push the passenger's seat all the way forward, fold it forward into a flat desk, and sit in the back having a mobile office.

 

Sarcasm?

 

i must be the only one that drives fast enough to warrant the v6. i avg 16mpg, getting 14mpg this past weekend on a highway trip. the little 2.7 just can't pull the ac 4x4 without guzzling fuel.

it gets great mileage around town, just not on the highway at 75-80.

i had 4 toyotas prior to this one, all of which were 4cyl. the pickup or first gen tacoma got better mpg in similiar if not same conditions. although not a huge bummer, i do wish i splurged and got the v6 when i bought my current truck.

 

Rodney,

A couple years ago I crossed Kansas and on to Denver from Kansas City at GPS speeds of 75-80 MPH, with a payload of 1300 lbs and a headwind of 20 to 30 MPH, and averaged 21.2 MPG So it is possible. It is in my fuelly log, feel free to browse.

 

Rodney must have a heavy right foot

 

2012 DB SR5 I4. Don't regret it. I did test drive one first, as I was a bit skeptic of the DC. But was surprised and happy with the acceleration it had. But I agree that if I considered the v6 I would probably bite the bullet and go full size for just a couple mpg more.
I live in flat Houston so Not an issue, full truck, leer camper, wife 2 kids and a dog, and can handle 70-75 easily. Just gotta plan your lane changes and merging a bit (unless you're from TX, then you are allowed to merge with no consideration of the highway traffic) I would have got stick if it were an option, and in cruise control at 75+ mph if there are inclines it will downshift to about 3300rpm, but you can avoid that if not in cruise control. That's about it. Once the kiddos get bigger plan on letting them drive the DC and me getting a single cab 4x4 Those are $$

 

I like mine too. I'm actually looking for a regular cab 4wd right now though

 

No regrets over the 4. I wish I had gone 4x4 instead of PreRunner. I almost never need 4wd, but when I do, I do.

 

I'll never forget my test drive with my truck. I was at the dealer looking at new Scion's when I noticed the new looking black 4x4 RC tucked in the back of the used car lot. On a whim I asked to drive it. I popped the hood first and was disappointed to see an I4.."well that's going to be a deal breaker" I said to myself. Surprisingly I was very pleased on the test drive. It had more perceived torque than I was expecting. It was not long until I realized it was geared pretty steep. The gearing in stock configuration seems like a perfect match to the power band and tire diameter. However, I expect to be re-gearing after larger tires are installed as I can't loose any performance at this point!

 

I drive 75-80 and get about 21mpg. If I drive 55 I get 27+ mpg. But I cant drive 55!

 

locations make a huge difference in mpg. my guess the hilly northeast is much different then out west. is yours a 4x4?

the mileage has been the same since new, and i ave 34k on the truck now. don't get me wrong, i still like it, but i thought my 4cyl choice would have been more frugal then it has been.

yeah, guilty as charged...