Will I regret if I buy a 2.7l taco?

It’s not too bad in the 2wd 5 lug since it’s a lighter truck (with stock tire size). Every now and then mine feels like it’s got some pep- it’s a torquey motor. Advantage of tje 5 speed is you can rev it out. My truck rarely gets above 3k rpm

 

The 4cyl is ultra reliable. Even more so with a manual. 4x4 is a heavier truck though and you will feel it. I feel it coming from 2wd 3.4 to 4x4 4.0.

 

I’ve had both the 4L and 2.7L. Both worked fine for light off-roading and even towing. I do like the increased power of the V6 for highway/defensive driving

 

I can only speak from my perspective of 99% highway and a couple of trails every now and then. I don't tow anything but have worked mine hard on my last 2 houses. Been heavy loaded with dirt, sand, sod, landscape stones, etc. and never had an issue. 12 years old and 155k with the only unplanned maintenance being a LF wheel bearing. The reliability of the 2.7L with the 5MT makes me question whether I should even consider upgrading to one of the last MT 3rd gens. For what I need as a daily driver it's perfect. It may be underpowered, especially on a heavier 3rd gen, but I don't mind it alt all. My experience is 21 MPG all the time which isn't that bad. Best of luck!

 

I have an '07 w/ the 2.7 and 5 speed. Love the combo. Steep hill? Downshift. Need to make a quick pass? Downshift. I've yet to either win or enter any races with it. The worst I've done for fuel mileage is 18, best is 23. So if you're getting 11 right now in the Tundra I'd guess you'd get 18-19 with the 2.7 or 15-16 with the 4.0 (fuelly.com shows about a 3mpg difference between the 2.7 and the 4.0). There are big financial differences between getting 11, 16 and 19 mpgs when you drive 20,000 miles a year and gas is $3.50 - my math says you'll save about $2700 per year with the 2.7 or about $2000 per year with the 4.0, you're currently spending about $6400 on gas per year with your Tundra....that's a lot of cash!

 

Dang I WISH I was only paying $3.50 a gallon… It’s about $4.30 here where I’m at in NorCal

 

I regret the 3.5 can’t imagine a 2.7 lol

 

Get the 4.0 v6, there's times I wish my 4.0 had more power without towing or hauling anything, couldn't imagine a 4 cylinder, especially if it was a 4x4 with that extra weight. If I were you I'd probably keep the tundra and just maintain it.

 

I had a 17 TRD OR, auto, same color as yours, I really disliked the power off the line on it
I now have a 07 Base 5 speed, and I enjoy driving it a LOT more than the 17 I had .

I Have to say that I have done a lot to it, and I am hoping to keep it as long as possible.

My answer to OP:

I recently completed a cross country trip w/ my truck
I drove from Florida to California, the truck had about 600 lbs of extra weight.
I got from high 19's MPG to a best of 25 MPG
That is w/ bigger wheels, tires.
The truck is re-geared and speedo is more accurate than it was before, verified w/ GPS.

My suggestion would be to do the math on the how much fuel you use.
Also, do you need to carry others w/ you?
because that is the one thing you could not do much about.


Project Lil Taco - YouTube

 

Did you ever tune your 2017? It changes the driving the experience 1000%. I used to hate life driving the truck but I’m now completely happy without outside of towing my 3400lb trailer.

 

I did not, I thought about it, but I knew I was not going to keep the truck
(I have done a tune on a prior vehicle and loved it)
From what I read, the tune made the "throttle respond faster"
I was thinking of maybe re-gearing it, but decided I was not keeping it.
When doing research about it, I found many others felt the same way as I did

I am glad you are happy w/ yours

 

Got a 2011 2wd extended cab 2.7 5spd. Served me well so far. Hunting, fishing, carrying everything imaginable including snowmobiles, dirtbikes, ATVs, building supplies, towing 2000 lb boats. Cheap to operate and maintain, super reliable. Haven't been to dragstrip yet to compare 1/4 mile times but ample power for what I need.

 

Best truck I ever had, 2002 Tacoma reg cab sr5 4x4 manual.

 

Yup that truck was a beast for my 17-year-old self!! Mine was the access cab though. I had big plans for it with no money so that was tough. I ended up trading it (I don't know how the dealership was ok with buying it with its rusted-out frame but they did) for a 2015 VW CC with the 2.0T and had a blast with it until I got my current truck. Had all the turbo noises a person could want. I ended up giving the VDub to my wife and then she got T-Boned and totaled it 5 days later

 

Yea I regeared and didn’t noticed a huge difference. I’m happy enough but know I’d be happier back in a full size truck.

 

chain - good
belt - dumb

 

Hey interference with a belt - dumb. But 4.0’s are chain driven too no?

 

True, if you're talking about lifting/bigger tires/armour for instance. My MPG has pretty much stayed constant, but I've done none of this except at one point had Nerf bars..mainly because my father in law was not the most steady on his feet when I got it and made it easier for him

 

Had my 2010 2.7 auto single cab for 9 years..2WD. Does all I need, I don't haul a trailer though. Currently at 122K and got it under 7K. I can get 20-23 MPG city depending upon time of year.

I came from a Chevy Colorado 4 banger so I knew it wasn't going to be much different, though this one is better by a little (my Chevy was 4WD).

That said it can't hurt to drive one first.

 

the lil 4 banger handles and rambles for sure! Waiting on new lights and grill....