2.7 SR Automatic 4x4

Greetings,

This is my first post on the forum, though I've been reading it for years. I apologize if it's uncouth to post somewhere other then the new members section for my first post.

Anyways- I took a 2005 sr5 4x4 2.7 access cab manual from 80k miles to 170k miles and loved every minute of it. That was an incredible truck that I regret getting rid of. I ended up buying a camper that I needed a full size for, and am now looking to get rid of the camper/full size combo and go back to a taco/wall tent. I miss having a Tacoma

I really like the looks of the 3rd generation, and even more so I like the price tag of the SR/UT combo. I would be looking at purchasing this winter, so I'm not sure if I'd be catching one of the last 2017s or the first 2018s.

The catch though, and the thing that has me doubting myself, is that I'm thinking about going automatic this time instead of manual for various reasons, mainly ease of others driving it.

I'm having a very hard time finding reviews of this combo anywhere on this site or elsewhere.

Are there owners of this combo that would like to chime in on how this combo performs? How much will I wish I went with the 5-speed when it's hunting for gears on hills? I live at 3200' and regularly drive mountain passes up to 6-7k. I won't be towing with this, but it'll wear a fiberglass topper and be pretty full of gear often.

I will obviously test drive before purchasing, but it's hard to get a real world idea with the factory p-rated tires and no load in the bed.

Thanks!

 

@dirty deeds

 

It has a new transmission auto 5 speed in the 3rd gen and it has 4.30 gears. I would think that on hills you let it rev and keep the auto in 4th gear and it won't hunt just be climbing at 3500 rpm those 4.30 gears probably do pretty well. I had a 2015 2.7 auto so only had 4 gears with 4.10 gears but I would just leave it in 3rd and it was fine, still pretty slow though.

 

@stun gun

I would get the manual if I was getting the SR, good luck and welcome

 

I have this combo, and I wouldn't get anything else. It's a lot of fun to drive and the build has a lot of advantages- good gear ratio, big rear end, engine built in Japan, tranny is a simple gearbox. But if you require an auto (bad back, knee issues) you should obviously get an auto.

 

I have an SR 4x4 auto. I got the auto as I will be passing it to my kid next year. If I was the one to drive it, I would have gotten a manual. Anyway, the auto is a 6 speed and it does fine on inclines. There's the regular "D" setting for highway and daily use but to prevent hunting for gears on hills, use the "S" setting and ECT button. The ECT button lets the tranny rev a little more before shifting up. The 2.7L has adequate power, just don't expect it to win races.

I've driven the 3.5L in both auto and manual and you're not missing much by getting the 2.7 as you'll feel the 4cyl move around 3K-4.5K rpms. As for the V6, doesn't move until 4K+ rpms.

SR does not have keyless entry, fogs, intermittent wipers, and cruise control. Can easily be added with your choice of alarm, and oem parts.

I'm sure you already know what the Utility package does not have. Just make sure you will not want the rear seats later.

Also since you're coming from a 2nd gen, the 3rd gen no longer has the pop up rear windows.

 

Chances are it'll be impossible to find a manual 4-cylinder at a dealership, so you'll be testing out the automatic (this was my scenario before buying my manual trans 4-cly). I really liked the automatic, its a good match w/ the engine.

Hills, plus a cap and plenty of gear, I'd definitely go for the automatic. The manual's a bit more fun obviously, adds a little old school feel to the driving experience, but the clutch throw is vast and you're going to have to do a fair amount of shifting on the hills.

 

Since I am in SoCal, I actually had to drive up north to get an SR AC in 4x4 as only Pre-Runners are sold in the south. CA is divided by Toyota into two regions. Up north, almost all the dealership that I searched inventory had auto's and manuals but I guess it will all depend on where you are as I know CA has a higher market selection than most states.

 

Yeah, tacoma inventory varies drastically from region to region.
I had to go to Ohio to get my truck, no dealerships around here (NY) wanted to order a manual 4-cly and/or budge from MSRP pricing.

 

They are out there, maybe check cars.com

I would prefer a 2017, since the 2018 will come with Toyota safety sense, something I would rather not have, but to each his own.

Found this nice red SR 4x4 with 5 speed, but they are rare, again, good luck whatever you decide.

http://www.autonationtoyotalibertyv...a-Tacoma-c7969ac90a0d04fe7162913b6e40cb9a.htm

 

I was willing to get my truck in another state as well but preferred to get it in the same state for tax and registration purposes. This is how I found out that southern region dealers did not get the SR's in 4x4. As far as I know, in 2016 dealers did not budge on the pricing much and mostly sold at MSRP. It wasn't until the last half of 2017 that I saw decent pricing around my area. For Labor day weekend, Toyota even offered $500 rebate on them which is almost unheard of. Last I saw any rebates from Toyota on Tacoma was in 2009.

 

Kicking myself for not getting that white one but it is what it is. Welcome to TW!

 

For some time in 2016 several people a month would travel to/buy from toyota west in ohio (via sales person Dean Mahalati), it was like a extended group-buy for trucks!
As a result of the crazy sales volume he had/has, the prices were nice and low. I ended up out the door (except ny sales tax) @ $24,087 for my utility pack taco.

dean.mahalati@toyotawestohio.com
614-870-8200

 

Very helpful, thank you.

The only option I'd like that the Utility package guts is cruise control, but it sounds like that's an easy fix, and possibly will be added to the Utility package for the 2018s.

I never used the back seats in my 2005, they were only in the way.

I'm in Montana, and it seems like 90% of the SRs our lots get are 4x4 5 speeds, although I have seen a few automatics.

That red utility is the first I've seen, sharp truck! I was leaning towards the darker grey.

 

Love my utility beard.

 

I have a 2014 manual 2.7 access cab 4x4.

OP asking for 3rd gen. I don't know shit about those

 

Whoa.

Dunno why I tagged you here, don't even remember reading it.

Probably because I am a retarded retard.

 

If you can, get manual... it will shift when YOU want it to shift... I've learned to love my 2016 2.7 auto but if I could turn back time I would definitely get manual.

EVERYTHING ELSE is perfect... love mi truck!

 

No. No you wouldnt. Edit: not after 7 years

 

Well you look ahead in time steve... your post made me feel old hahaha now that my wife is expecting I instantly thought about my grown up kid!
But seriously you're right... I think I'm just miss driving manual... haha