4cyl over 6cyl, any regrets?

At least in the US.

In Germany most vehicles are diesel, geared high, and aerodynamic because it matters more at 120 mph. Sure you get better at 80 vs 100 vs 120 but designed right and you can do way better at 120 in a diesel VW van than 60 in a gas Tacoma.

 

if you go to the auto bahn the tacoma isn't the vehicle to take. you need a fast car that can go 200mph

i've been 155mph on the interstate in a 2006 mitsubishi evo ix mr that i used to own. i could here the wind flapping through the windows and doors. it was scary as hell!!! i was afraid the car was gonna fall apart.

 

I have a friend with an identical model as me but with the V6. Not impressed as I didn't even know it at first. One could argue that if one is going for poorer mileage you might as well go a for a couple mile/gal less and drive a full size truck.

Most of the time I'm perfectly happy with my power ratio. I sure like my gas mileage better.

 

bought the I4 in a 2013 - 15 months later, traded it for evil twin with V6. 4 cyl. underperforms. Everything else about the truck, no problem

 

X2 on the above statement.

I totally agree, when it comes time to change the oil on my daughters 2012 4 cyl Toyota messed up when they decided to locate the oil filter way up under the engine. It's a hassel and mess to deal with, removal-installation, but it has to get done.

 

^^ 1. Lay on back under filter location.
2. Put hand inside 2 plastic convenience store bags (without any holes in bottom helps)
3. With hand covered in bags reach up and remove filter allowing filter to drop into bag.
4. Have new filter primed and beside you for install.

The job gets easier the more you do it.

 

No problem with filter location here. Don't even need to jack up the 5-lug to get to it. Certainly not difficult.

 

It's what people are accustomed to that largely determines their choices. I've solely owned underpowered stripped base model 4 cylinder stick shift vehicles since 1983, so I really like simple, economical, cheap to buy, cheap to maintain, long lasting vehicles.

But when I transitioned from my 1996 Tacoma to the 2012 I immediately realized: Yikes... this is a lot larger heavier more encumbered truck than my little nimble spartan gen 1.

So I resolved the issue by making the engine match the vehicle it is in.

Greg

 

IMO is just boils down to how big of hurry you are in. Everyone is either satisfied or not with the performance of there vehicle.

In 6+ years of ownership I have regretted it just once. When I had to pull a 4wd pickup out of a ditch. Either that or I needed more traction.

Mine has always been able to get out of its own way. Punch it at 3K RPM in any gear and it will surprise you. Mine got 25.1 MPG the other day according to the Ultragauge, doing a actual 75-80 on the interstate with moderate sidewind at 2 o'clock, plus A/C on the full time. At 80 MPH I am turning 2550 RPM. The I-4 at that RPM to me anyway, is plenty responsive without downshifting, must be coming up on the torque curve. and probably the VVT has started to come on line at that RPM also..

Its nice that we live in a semi-free country, and can buy and drive what we prefer to.

 

Agreed. I've never even thought about the 2.7 being difficult to change. Now my daughter's old 4cyl 1999 Cavalier with 4 speed auto was a different matter! You did that one strictly by feel, you couldn't see the filter no matter what you did.

 

i agree. i have had a bunch of toyota pickups in the last 20 years, majority of them 4cyl. when i went with my current truck, AC 4x4 w/2.7, i mistakenly thought the 4cyl would pull the truck efficiently on the highway. it wasn;t the case.

iirc, it is 4300 lbs, WAY heavier then any other toyota i had previously. it is great around town, but on hilly highways (what i have most by me) staying up with traffic is a chore.

the v6 would get better mileage given the way that i drive, and prior to this truck, i neveer would have thought that. oh well, live and learn.

it is still a nice truck (save for the a/c compressor) so i will keep it for another few years till the rust starts, then upgrade.

 

The v6 was just right in my '07 Fj, conversely, the 4 cyl is just right in the rc. The 4 cyl only has one head gasket and the spark plugs will outlast me. Roll up windows, etc. are part of the k.i.s.s. principle. ....everything you need and nothing you don't.

 

I miss my AC I4, but I do like my DC V6 and have recently gotten a camper that is dry at 3,200#. Wet it could be done by the I4, but it would not be any fun. I wish I could have both!

 

I wanted my 2.7 2012 to be as peppy as the 2.4 1996 it replaced so I used bolt on mods that increased the torque by 22% on the dyno. Now it's at least as responsive as my Gen1, and even on steep freeway grades I don't have to downshift out of 5th.

 

I've come to the conclusion that I do regret buying this truck. It's not so much the four cylinder, as I like the mileage I get from it-- it's the tranny bolted up to it.

I just rollled 145k yesterday and the whining is bad enough I don't dare use 5th gear anymore. If the bearings aren't strong enough to handle the torque of the four cyl long-term then this tranny shouldn't be in a truck.

I'd rebuild if it was an option but I guarantee the reduction gears up front aren't worth saving.

At least with 4th there's no torque on the countershaft and it's not putting torque through the gears but 3400 rpm down the freeway sucks donkey balls.

 

That sucks... Is that a common issue being reported by other Taco owners with similar mileage?

 

Perhaps. I think google may have found a trend amongst Toyota 5 speed truck trannies

http://www.yotatech.com/f116/how-long-did-your-tranny-whine-hum-until-died-169561/
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/cause-5th-gear-whine-220044/
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/77796-whining-sound-5th-gear.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/259002-2000-toyota-2-7-5speed-4x4-trans-whine.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/4-cylinder/331930-whining-sound-driving-me-crazy.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/237131-high-pitch-noise.html
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/80397-whiny-manual-trans-why.html
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/5-speed-transmission-whine-97-tacoma-v6-135759/
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/transmission-noise-87-22re-5-speed-207841/
http://www.yotatech.com/f2/5th-gear-noise-89-4cyl-4x4-72927/
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/noise-3rd-5th-gears-127116/
http://www.yotatech.com/f120/89-4runner-transmission-noise-3rd-5th-142754/
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/whats-going-eventually-happen-my-whiny-transmission-200859/
http://www.yotatech.com/f116/5th-gear-noise-256843/
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/33526-whining-transmission-specific-gears.html
http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1252291_.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/79-1st-generation-1995-5-2004/310711-5th-gear-noise.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/10-hardcore-tech-competition/31287-99-4runner-5th-gear-whine.html
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/8.../191858-manual-transmission-whine-93-4x4.html

My next truck WILL be an automatic. I've been burned twice now by Toyota manuals, first time being the typical 6 speed killing its synchros dance, and now this

 

Just picked up a 2015 4cyl 4wd with manual. It's not quick by any stretch of the imagination -- but I've been having a lot of fun driving it. Justified buying it knowing we'll be buying a house soon enough and I've always been a DIY'er -- so will need something with a bit of utility. I'm certain the 4cyl will handle whatever I throw in the back or tow just fine.

My other car which has been my daily driver the last 8.5 years (and is going into storage until I finish grad school) is a '97 BMW M3 sedan. The transition from a torquey inline 6 to the tacoma was big, but it's a different kind of fun. I appreciate the more relaxed commutes..

 

Hate to hear that. The auto is often maligned on here as a poor option with the 2.7, but I'm happy with mine. Works flawlessly, power is fine for me, mileage is great, and you just don't see many problem threads on the auto. Works for me.

 

Well i still cant find a reason that makes me regret getting my little 4cyl access cab work horse. Even with the lift and bigger tires i am still finding myself getting pissed at other drivers for going too slow on the interstate. I wanted a small truck with a little room in the back for the kids and a small easy to work on engine and that is what i got. tons of room under the hood so i dont get pissed off when i am working on it and plenty of room and power to get me where i need to go. MY TRUCK IS AWESOME