Do You Regret Buying a Four Cylinder?

After being out of a Tacoma for the last few years I'm beginning to look into buying another one. I want an access cab 4x4 for under 30k, which generally speaking rules out the V6. Yesterday I stopped by my local dealership and drove a two wheel drive 2.7L with the automatic transmission. They didn't have a 4x4 access cab on the lot with a four cylinder so I picked the one closest to what I want. After the test drive I felt like it had enough power to get around town and on the highway but just barely. The 2.7 has a great reputation for reliability which is more important than power to me. But I'd like to ask the 2.7 owners here, do you regret buying the 2.7 Tacoma? Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew before you bought one?

 

No regrets. I used to drive a Mazda pickup 2.3l Which was a dog with 32" tires, so the Toyota 2.7 is an upgrade for me. I like the simplicity and reliability of the 4cyl, plus more room to work in the engine bay. Can still tow a decent amount if need be.

 

No. I love my truck. It does everything I ask of it. On average I get 20mpg. The only time I wished I had a V6 is when I am towing my camper. The 4 cylinder does just OK. I tow maybe 3-4 times a year, so no big deal.

 

Mine gets me to Walmart and the laundry mat once a week. Good enough for me. Only wish I would not of bought a black truck. (Like to have that red truck!)

 

Not one regret about getting a 4cyl!

 

I regret not buying it sooner, kind of like that time I bought a bark collar for my aunts shit head lap dog, should of done it months ago.

 

I love mine it's great on gas has 36k and works great as it just rolled out the dealership

 

My biggest beef with the engine is not the engine, but rather the gear ratios that are in the Automatic. (both 4x4 and 4x2)


When power starts to get a little anemic because you are up at high elevations (5,000+ feet above sea level) the overdrive gears just can't cut it, and the gaps between 3-4-5 make for awkward driving. On a serious grade thru the mountains you will have 4th not giving you the grunt you need, but dropping into third is an alarming jump in revs (which will put you back into steady acceleration).

It'll absolutely get you where it needs to be, it just could have been geared much better.

All that aside, given the opportunity to buy all over again hell yes I would take the 4 banger every time, I just might spring for a manual transmission.

 

It all comes down to how you use the truck. I was perfectly happy with my 4 cyl until I started towing my TT. I've ordered a 2018 3.5 TRD sport with a 6M.

 

Nope, love my truck. I think the manual trans performs better with the small engine, but they are harder to find. Mine has 195000 miles and runs like a champ

 

Nope. But I'm glad I got the manual, for the reasons stated above, I'm very happy with the gearing. I don't plan on towing much more than a small teardrop trailer, so towing power is not a concern for me. It makes for a great adventure vehicle, and I've enjoyed the 23.4 mpg over the last 36k miles.

 

I couldn't be happier with my 4 cyl auto 4x4 utility cab , highly recommend getting one

 

Love my 4x4 SR AC in the 2.7L. It gets me to work, fiancé loves it, and I can haul the day to day stuff.

 

I bet you can get a 2017 SR5 V6 access cab for 30k, if you negotiate a bit. My dad has a 2015 SR5, with the 4 cylinder In it. I've driven it quite a bit. I like it a lot, it just could of used a little more oomph for me. Especially once I was on the interstate, and going 70. I really had to put it to the floor if I wanted it to pass someone quickly. That's the one thing my dad wishes he would of done, spent the extra 3k or so and got the V6.

 

To answer your question.....No.

I use my truck as my main vehicle and have over 30,000 miles on it. It does what I wanted in a small truck, gets me around with the ability to throw things in the back and gives me @24-26mpg. I don't tow anything, so I can't comment on that. The only downfall is driving up hills. It can be slightly anemic, but I figured that going into it.

 

I have the V6 and wish I had more power lol, not sure how you guys are happy with a 4cyl but to each their own I guess.

 

I had a 2013 2.7 5spd. Three months ago I had had enough of the 4 cylinder. I live at 5800 feet and it seem like every where I go is uphill. The 4 struggled up the passes and would be in 3rd to get up usually below the speed limit. The final straw was Rabbit Ears pass. 400 pound motorcycle in the back and 3rd gear from Steamboat Springs to the top wound out to barely maintaining 50. It took 1/4 tank of gas to get to the top. I traded it the next day.
My v6 did the same pass a few weeks later loaded with kids and camping gear effortlessly and the gas gauge barely moved. Overall I lost 2-3 mpg and gained a whole lot more hp. I went from a truck that I tolerated to one I absolutely love. What works for me might not be for you but I would never go back to a 2.7.

 

Love my 2.7!!! You need a manual though they autos just don’t have what they need!! I run 33s and it does fine pulling my 6x8 enclosed trailer.... no speed demon but it powers right through. I’m gonna get the lce header this winter and be done!! Around town it’s awesoeme

 

I would by a 4cyl regular cab all over again. It's still all the truck I need. That said if a regular cab v6 was offered I'd buy that. I'd like to get a 3rd gen in the future TRD OR in any configuration. Holding out for the OEM led headlamps, it's got to happen someday.

Ideally if wanted to tow something, and could afford it I'd buy a full-size one ton truck.

Oh mine is a 4cyl automatic 85-90 is fast as I could push it, which is faster than it needs to go. I think a manual would have been quicker, just didn't want to shift gears in a pick up, the pedals are close together, and I wanted bucket seats in my RC.

I wanted to add that my 4cyl sounds like a mail truck going down the road, I think the exhaust tip is partially responsible for that.

 

Love my 2010 4 banger 5 speed. It's got plenty of pop when I want it. Pulls my teardrop camper and toys easily. Most trouble free vehicle I've ever owned, to the extent that I'm having a hard time selling to pull the trigger on a 2018 6 cyl 4x4, but I just need more truck for future adventures. You know, Alaska and all that...