4 or 6 cyl for my situation?

I am on the verge of buying a new Tacoma and I am seriously considering getting a 4 cylinder instead of a 6 due to the gas mileage. I live in the mountains of NH so I do have steep hills to climb. I try not to pull any trailers but I will be hauling my Honda Rubicon 500 ATV in the back of the truck occasionally. Can you give me your opinion on whether to go with a 4 or a 6 cylinder? That would be much appreciated.

 

I'd get the six cylinder, but here are the numbers from fueleconomy.gov. These numbers are for 2WD Tacos

4 banger / manual tranny
20 city 26 highway
4 banger / auto tranny
19 city 25 highway

6 banger / manual tranny
15 city 19 highway
6 banger / auto tranny
17 city 21 highway

 

Drive both and see if you notice a significant difference in the power band. I personally think the resale on the 6 is better should you ever get rid of it. You wont go wrong with either one. More power the better IMO. I want a supercharger asap.

 

Hey Big Woods, Welcome to TW. Could you post some more info? Are you looking at 2WD or 4WD, and manual or auto? Also standard cab, ex. cab or double cab? Might make a difference about which engine to get. I have had both engines, and the 4 cyl. was a little underpowered in the mountains of westerm Maine.

 

ok so im new to TW. and i am in the same situation as this guy. Only difference is i am in high school. and i need a car cheap. So i was wondering if i should get a 4cyl or 6? I live in Nor cal so im only 10-15 min. away from the snow and go up there frequently since i snowboard. I also dirtbike so i need to kno if i will be able to make it up hills with a dirtbike in the back if i get a 2wd 4cyl automatic

 

Id go for the six. You may not need the power every day, but its nice to have it there incase you ever do need it.

 

i have the 2.7 and live in very hilly terrain love the 4 banger more then enough power.do a few mods, remove secondary filter, afe pro dry drop in filter and change muffler, that should do it. i also haul a 07 honda rancher and dont even know its back there.

 

ok cool. but what do i do about the whole 4wd issue. when will i really need to use 4wd?

 

i would go with the 4wd, still good mpg's, still plenty of power and no prob selling if you ever need too

 

Get the six, you will be much happier.

And think of the future not just what you do now. You may end up towing a trailer. And with the steep hills around you, you will regret not getting the six.

 

yea but i found this great deal on a 4cyl. i could always upgrade later

 

thing i like about the 2.7, simplicity of the motor less moving parts means less thing to go wrong. i will back this up i had a 96 tacoma 4 cyl i sold to my brother it now has 290,000 miles on it. only reason i sold it was because i needed a truck i could put a child seat in and a little safer for us

 

yea well my dad has a truck too so if i need to pull anything i can just use that

 

I would not buy the 2.7 with the automatic for what you want to do.
I have a '09, 2.7, manual, access, 4x4 and its got plenty of balls IMO.
It's got 4:10 differentials and the Aisin tranny is geared correctly...you just have to know how to use it.

When gas goes back to $4.00+ it will be nice to have the 2.7
On the first tank, it's looking like 400 mi range

 

ok well the way im starting to look at it. i can take my moms 4wd highlander into the snow and my dads 4x4 sierra 2500HD

 

Id go the with the V6 if you can afford it. All the haulin will be much more enjoyable with it than the 4 banger but insurance is cheaper, gas burns less, truck payment is cheaper. So more power = more money or less power = more money in your pocket. Its all in how you look at it.

 

I have the 2.7 4 cyl, auto and am quite happy with the performance. You may have to down shift at times going up some mountains....so what the majority of the time you will be just cruising along getting great gas mileage. Now with the price of gas low it won't make that much difference but you can count on it going back up to $4/gal sometime in the future.

But what do I know as I'm an old man and drive like one to.
Pete

 

yea well, more money in my pocket is better, which means i can put more mods on my truck which will make it better. So i think im gna go with the 4cyl. now the other ?. what kind of cab do i want

 

i tell ya i got my 08 2.7 5 speed 4x4 in july and went 440 miles before the fuel light came on, just something to think about. if your heart is set on the 4 cylinder make sure its a MANUAL.