Am I Making A Huge Mistake??

Dude, that sucks. Because thats what I got in the 4 cyl. and I have to stick with stock setup or it will get worse. There were V6's out there with the same mileage that I could have got for the same price as the 4cyl. I screwed up.

 

Live and learn ... let me throw this out there.

Did the dealer you bought this truck from have any V-6s on their lot? I'd call them in the morning when they open and find out if they might have a truck you'd be happier with. Since you just bought the truck from them, my gut feeling is you stand the best chance of not taking a horrible hit by going back to them, if they have a truck you like.

Don't beat yourself up too much here, this is one of those life lessons you'll never forget and be wiser because of it. Hang in there, chin up.

 

No, Unfortunately I bought it from a dodge dealership who had taken it in on a trade. It was one of the only Tacomas on the lot. The others were pre-runner double cabs. I have no regrets about the Access Cab, I love it. Just wishing I'd gone with the V6. But....It's been 12 hours and I've made one drive so maybe, my outlook will improve. Cant wait for all the 'told ya so' guys to get in on this.

 

Don't fret the told ya' so guys ... we've all made the wrong decisions at some point in life. Anyone who claims they haven't is very likely not being honest.

And consider this, these trucks hold their value extremely well. I won't sugar coat it and say you're not going to take a hit, but reading the realizations you've come to, and picking up what you'd like to do with the truck (tires and lift) and how you're going to drive it, I'd at least look around for a V-6 you like and see if you could work a trade in. I think I read where you went 50/50 finance/out of pocket. You've probably got some room to take the small hit from the out of pocket side and come out with a payment in the ballpark of where you're at now.

Whichever way it works out, I wish you the best of luck.

 

Driving 80 mph isn't going to help fuel economy for sure but you're still saving at least $20/week in fuel + lower insurance cost.
Use 0/20 motor oil. ( I wonder what's in it, now)
Make sure the tire pressures are up.
Switch out the rear diff oil to synthetic.
Remove the rubber gasket between the hood and windshield cowl so heat can escape to help the engine not run so hot.
It's not just mpg but hours per gallon, too and in the long run the 4 will save you a ton of cash.
I'm going to assume because you bought the truck at a Dodge dealer and if they changed the oil they used 5or10/30. The 2.7 needs 0/20 for proper oil flow through the VVT screens.

 

Just my .02. Only reason I opted for a 4cyl over a v6 is the proving reliability and dependability of the 4cyl. Along with easier and cheaper maintenance, for me anyways. If you plan on keeping it for the long haul instead of trading every couple yrs the 4cyl in my opinion is the better way to go.

 

Trade it in for a 5-lug if you want mpg.

 

Yea, lots of people think that the 4cyl is a gas sipper. Once you add 4x4, slightly bigger tires, and normal driving speeds, all that goes away. I made the same mistake, and ended up going with a V6 after a year of the 4cyl. I live right off a busy single lane street and have to merge every morning with people doing 50+. The 4cyl was a good way to get your heart pumping in that situation. Thank goodness for the occasional granny with a 5 car gap.

 

I just did a test last night with the new tires and I lost 2-3 mpg on highway it appears.

 

Which tires? 2.7?

 

If your reason for selling soon is because you won't be saving gas after all, consider how much you would have had to save on gas to equal the hit you'll have to take in selling it.
Your thread title "huge mistake" would definitely apply here.

 

No. At least mine doesn't. The fact that it's an aerodynamic brick doesn't help.

If I'm doing 55-60, I can barely squeeze 20 out of it. I think my record was 20.5 on especially flat highway.

If I'm doing 80+, I get 15 MPG.

So you're doing better, just not substantially better.

Granted, I also have the biggest Tacoma so an access cab V6 may do slightly better. Doubt it's a big difference, though.

 

SLOW DOWN!!!

 

Have had 2.7 auto, 3.4 manual, 4.0 auto. Didn't like the Toyota 6 speed when I was test driving 2012's. The 4 banger with a manual might be a good set up, but of all of them that I have owned, 4.0 auto is my favorite. I always have to add bigger tires and such, so I loose all benefits from the 4 cylinder. This is how you learn what you want and like. Go slow with that 4 banger and it will do fine.

 

If you plan to buy a 2.7 with an auto tranny ad are dead set on 265's just make darn sure you get p-rated tires, not LT. That little motor will have a hell of a time getting heavy LT tires rolling. It's super noticeable even with the v6.

 

Don't know about California, but Northern Maine has 75 MPH limits and I believe much of the south does too, so with the OP going 75-80 there's a good chance he's within 5 MPH of the limit.

 

The OP is in Fl and states he travels mainly in the S. So do we even care about Cali?

Nope. Unless you mean S Maine. Actually in this case you Maine-rs are outliers on the east coast.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_limits_in_the_United_States

But please. When your cousins come here for the winter, ask them to at least drive the posted limit, not the 10 under they normally do while palm tree gazing.

 

eleventy-billion opinions in this thread, and by the time I hit "post" there will be eleventy-billion-and-one.

Only one opinion matters: yours.

Only one way you can form it: drive the truck.

Go down there. Give the guy a fifty dollar cash deposit to show that you're serious, tell him to get in and shut up; and that you're going to take a long test drive until you're satisfied.

Now drive the truck. Accelerate from short stops. Find some highway. Find some hill if you can. Accelerate to merge into lanes on the freeway. Drive it like you already owned it. Keep the radio off. Feel it. Listen to the sounds and vibrations.

Once you're done - either decide it's good enough and pay up the rest and take the truck.

Or thank the man for his time, get back in your car, and head for home with nary a look back. Sacrificing a single "Ulysses S Grant" is *nothing* compared to buying the wrong truck and kicking yourself every single day you drive it.

 

Shoulda read a few more of the eleventy-billion and saved the one.

He already bought it, took it home and is having buyer remorse.

Your counsel is good. Just late