4cyl vs 6? prerunner vs "normal"?

I'm lookin at buyin either a Tacoma, Ranger, or Frontier. I have a few questions:
1. Would I feel a lack of power in a 4cyl?
2. Is there really anything a 4cyl can't do (not gonna be rock crawling or gettin in thick mud)?
3. I have found a 4cyl manual 2002 not prerunner and a 4cyl auto 2002 is a prerunner. Other than the color, is there any difference in the looks of a stock "normal" vs prerunner? Which would you suggest? The man. has less than 60k miles and the auto aroud 85k.
4. I can't find any 6cyl manuals, so it'll be either one of the two above or an auto 6 Ranger or Frontier. I know this is a toyota forum, but what would be better? What kind of gas mileage could i expect from a man. 6, auto 6, man. 4, and auto 4? (might be able to really search and find a man. 6)
I think thats it right now, will update if I think of anything more.

 

i think that you will find that the 4 cyl tacoma has PLENTY of power. and its very good on gas

 

So what would you recommend in the way of prerunner or not? Prerunner is auto, not is man.

 

Prerunner is 2wd with a 4wd suspension. They are available with auto or manual trans.

 

As far as the engines go, I have a 4x4 2.7 Access Cab. The truck is a little slow in 1st gear, but once you are rolling it does fine. I average about 21 mpg in mixed driving. If you can afford the slightly lower gas mileage and the higher MSRP, I would get the V6. The Ranger v6 and Frontier v6 are gas guzzling pigs. Stick with the Tacoma. You won't be sorry. JMO.

 

I can only find a prerunner with auto 4cyl, so would ya'll recommend the auto prerunner or a manual 4cyl that is not a prerunner? both 2002 models, and is there any difference in the physical appearance? the photos are not the greatest that I have seen.

 

I think prerunners look better, because they look like 4x4s. Some people like the low to the ground look. It's all a matter of personal taste.

 

go take them for a real test drive. I drove mine for an hour before I said "ok". Test them out. they are used so your not hurting them by putting 50-75 miles on them. Figure out what you want not what others tell you is good. Everyone's circumstances are different. After you figure which options you want find THAT EXACT TRUCK. You won't be sorry I drove over 750 miles looking for the truck I wanted. I don't regret any of it. Everytime I get in the truck I remember how awesome it is. Also buy the online subsrciption to consumer reports and read the reviews on the trucks. They were right on with every truck I test drove. I wouldn't get a ford at all costs. Do not get a 6cyl nissan. My uncle is a nissan mechanic. The 3.3L 6cyl are horrible gas hogs. The newer 4.0L V6's are actually more powerful than toyota's (not sure about gas mileage on these) I would stick with any type of tacoma or a 4 cyl frontier

 

I hear the 4.0 Nissan is a gas hog too.

 

My brother has a 99 3.0 ranger, 5 spd and he only gets about 16mpg. I am getting anywhere from 18-20 out of mine (5 spd).

 

I have a 02 Tacoma prerunner double cab (auto), and the v6 has plenty of power but sucks on gas....if gas is a issue id go with the 4cyl...I actually drove a 4cyl and thats a nice little engine

 

I have owned a 99 Ranger with the 3.0, and a 91 Ranger with the 2.9. BOTH sucked on gas. And to be 100% honest, my 2.7 Tacoma 4x4 gets 20mpg mostly city, is an automatic, and has as much power if not better than both of my rangers with the V6, OR my 1989 Bronco 2 2.9 V6, which I loved dearly. All 3 of my Fords were 5 speeds... I also owned a 1991 S-10 Blazer 4x4 4.3L v6, which was a serios PIG, and hated that thing. Nothing has beaten the quality, enjoyability, looks, performance and happiness as my Tacoma has brought. As for Nissan, I just think they are ugly as shit... Frontiers look cheap, and pretty much butt. Titans from what my friend who owned on says it was crap, Armadas are super FUGLY. All I like from Nissan is thier cars.

If I were to choose, you know what I would take, but if I were forced between Ford or Nissan, I would buy a ranger.... GO FOR A TACO..... And I am not being biased...LOL.

 

I would go with a V6 if you can find it. That's my vote. From wikipedia:

So I was under the impression they did not make a 5-speed V6 pre-runner, due to this. However I know I have seen 4X4 tacos that were 5-speed. Do we need to change the wikipedia entry?

 

I don't know about the 1st gen tacos, but the second gen 4x4s come with a 5 spd if you have a 2.7 (like mine) or a 6 spd if you have the 4.0. The 4.0 is also available with the 5 spd automatic.

 

1st Gens come with a 5 speed in the 4cyl and v6.

 

perhaps the pre-runner does not. I have a 4x4 trd 5 speed and mines a 6cyl

 

having the extra power of a v6 has come in handy many times

 

6 cyl manual. the 4 cyl will be SO slow, eve my 6 isn't much...

 

2WD non-Prerunner is low slung and usually very plain-jane looking....Prerunner is cool because it has 4x4 suspension and sits up like a 4x4.
A Prerunner might also have a better trim package and enhanced traction.
Personally, I would not want a 2.7 with an automatic trans....but that's my opinion, do some test drives.

 

T-ray, you need to evaluate what you want to do with the truck and what you expect. I mainly drive mine to and from work and very seldom use it in towing, if i do tow its a small trailer.
You need to think about if you like the low sitting trucks or the higher sitting Pre Runners.
Me- I want hi a MPG truck that will run alot of miles at low cost. I want it to run 70-80 on hwy, mine does easily. I am a standard tranny guy from the get go, in my experience they will take more abuse, plus I like them better. On my truck,my complaint is cargo capacity/rear springs- posted that in another thread.
Toyota has the best aftermarket support hands down for small trucks, that might play into your needs. If your planning on towing alot or want power go v6, if you want MPG and dont mind not being able to beat traffic when merging on the hwy go 4 cyl.
I get in the hi 20's- low 30' on mpg to ranch,depending on cargo weight to and from, plus idling driving on ranch roads.
To and from work is 19 miles each way, if I keep it at 65 mph- 1/2 a tank or less for 5 days driving. 70 and above fuel consumption goes up on my truck.