2018 SR 2.7 or 2016 SR5 3.5

I've been lurking for two and a half years since I leased a 2016 SR5 DCLB 4x4 with a 3.5L and AT. It has been a good truck, but I do have the vibration in the gas pedal and floor from 1800-2500 RPM, the clunk from the rear axle during a stop when cold and some surging at 1000RPM under light throttle. Despite that, I like it overall and have just under 25,000 miles on it.

My lease ends in a few months and I'm debating buying it out or trading for a new 2018 SR ACLB 4x4 2.7L. Buyout on my lease is $23866.00. I don't want to spend more than $25-$27K on a new purchase if I go that route. I test drove a 2.7 today and was ok with it but I do like the power of the 3.5 above 3500 RPM. The 2.7 was rougher at idle (of course, inline four) but did not have the annoying 1800-2500 RPM vibration. I don't need the DC and the AC is a little shorter and easier to park.

I'm also looking at long term issues as I want to keep this truck for 200K+ miles. The 2.7 should be much easier to maintain. I've seen a couple threads about leaks developing in the 3.5 that look expensive when out of warranty.

Finally, I don't like telemetry stored by corporations about my (boring) life. I like my privacy and wondered if Toyota is pulling data OTA from the 2018s or just when they are brought in for maint? I ask this because of the privacy disclaimer page in the owner's manual. Yes, I will take off my tin foil hat now...

So, collective TW wisdom, what would you do? Buy the 2016 and live with the minor annoyances, or go with a new 2018 base SR?

 

buy it out you'll already owe less than it's worth at that point

 

Sounds like you answered your own question. And that's all that matters.

 

Buy it out. More truck for the same or less money.

 

Keep the V6. I don’t understand how anyone can survive with less power.

 

2.7 liter is the better engine Also, its actually made in Japan.

 

I say keep the V6. You won’t be happy switching to the 4cyl after driving the V6 for 3 years.

 

Keep the V6
(Says the 2018 2.7L owner)

 

Thanks to everyone who has jumped in so far. I think my gut is telling me stick with the V6 also. I can probably get under the truck, add an exhaust damper and move the cable mentioned in the vibration mega-thread and reduce that annoyance. I may try to get the latest transmission TSB although my local dealer bulk orders rubber stamps that say "Could not replicate the problem"...

The only thing I really like on the 2018 that I don't have is the adaptive cruise. Wonder if anyone will ever figure out what it would take to add that to an older 3rd gen?

 

Adaptive cruise is freaking glorious! Even on my 2018 $22,000 SR

 

You won't like the 4 banger. IMO you want a new SR5 V6! You only live once... get what you REALLY want!