Is the 3rd gen 4 cylinder that slow?

Currently in the market for my first car/truck. I’m pretty set on a Tacoma because it will last me years and years due to the reliability. And they simply just look badass. I am mostly just using it to get around town with maybe some light towing occasionally like a jon boat or jetski. trying to find an sr/sr5 double cab with mid-low mileage. I have found some that fit my budget, but they are 4 cylinders. So my question is, is the 4 cylinder really that slow? Even with ECT mode on? Because I have heard that makes it a little quicker.

 

Slow relative to what? The 3.5?
Yes, it’s slow.
It’s always been slow, even back when it was in the 1st Gen trucks.

The 2.7 is reliable engine. Fast and powerful, it is not.
You buy the 2.7 because you want a reliability and it’s fairly cheap to maintain.
I think it will fit your needs, if you are only doing LIGHT towing, but the double cab part is going to hurt you.

BTW, Welcome to TW!

 

150 Horsepower in a 4 thousand pound truck, pretty self explanatory.

 

My humble opinion ...

If I simply wanted a city-runner with some covered-but-open-bed space for mid-duty hauling, maybe. But that does not mean realistic MPG will be too much higher than the V6.

But any towing duties and it is out of its depth. Assume you will someday be towing bigger thangs than your current plans.

 

I find my V6 slow, can't imagine the I4.

 

It’s quite simple. If you plan to tow anything, buy a V6.

 

If you want a truck that goes fast the 4 cylinder ain’t it. From what you hear the 3.5 ain’t it either. 2.7 is reliable and affordable to maintain and can 100% handle a jon boat in the bed or a jet ski trailer. If you want fast truck look into a v8 or a turbo offering like tundra or eco boost.

 

I don’t care if it’s “fast”, I just don't want it to be so slow to the point where it’s annoying and very noticeable. Does the ect mode speed it up at all?

 

Try driving an 80’s era 4-banger SR5 and you’ll appreciate the awesomeness and power of the 4-cylinder 3rd Gen engine.

But then drive it off road and you’ll cry over what they did to the new generations of Toyota Trucks and what delicate little pansy foo foo trucks they’ve all become.

 

0-60 in around 11 seconds

 

I had a 2.4 in a 1999 Tacoma which I drove 125,000 miles. Hauled up to 3000 pounds in the bed and trailer. This was Los Angeles to Chicago with a 3000 pound load. Mostly at 60mph. Slowest was 30 mph with up the Ike Gauntlet (over 9000 feet in elevation) with half the semi's passing me. I made it.
Most of the time the truck was unloaded and driven at about 700 feet in elevation. I loved it. Not a race truck but kept up from a stop light with normal traffic. Pulled my jetski trailer from Los Angeles to Laughlin, Nevada many times without issue at 65+.
Most of the time the 4 cylinder is not great but that is all that is needed. Want is different.

 

Drive one a fair distance and decide for yourself.

Towing a Jon boat or jet ski is no problem if you are ok with the performance when not towing.

Yes the v6 has more grunt. Yes the V6 gets close to the same MPG. If resell matters the V6 will have a bigger market. If you are a lonnnnng term owner it won't matter nearly as much.

The v6 also has a higher risk of more mechanical issues / repair costs and costs more initially, as you have found.

 

Quite honestly, I have driven one, and it wasn’t as bad as I expected. You’d have to test drive for yourself. I think you would be fine with it.

 

Highly recommend you test drive as what is annoying and noticeable to you is very subjective. I have a 2.7 but 5 speed so no ect mode. It’s slow, but it doesn’t bother me. Keeps me out of trouble. No issues accelerating up to highway speeds or cruising on highway at 70.

 

4 cyl manual is great , love mine , plenty of power , look at the problems with the shitty 6 leaks etc & how’s that automatic transmission working out for you , fell like you got your moneys worth ,I payed 25 grand for mine new and I’ll pull you pro 4x4 s out when you get stuck

 

4 cyl auto is good. I had it and actually drove it faster than my actual v6 mt because now I have to change gears and I am lazy….

 

The above have all pointed out the pluses and minuses. 4cyl will tow and haul. Just not a big boat/trailer. I went from a second gen TRD to the 3rd gen 4 cyl. The only think that can bother you is the gear hunting. If you’re okay with that and your not trailering heavy loads for distance or off toading get the 4. It is less expensive to buy and maintain. Undercoat either. Enjoy

 

I bought a new 2016 4 cylinder 5 speed. Slow and underpowered is an understatement. If it was merely slow AND got good fuel mileage I might have kept it. Being passed by semis in hilly terrain was the last straw for me. 5th gear was useless unless going downhill. Coming home from a road trip I stopped at a GMC dealer and traded it in.

 

One needs to test drive a 4 cylinder, and decide if it's for you. Really depends what you've been use to. I came from a v8 tundra, and test drove the four cylinder tacoma auto, and thought it was ridiculously slow when trying to keep pace with traffic here. The v6 is a rocket in comparison.