4cyl v 6cyl - advice to newbie

Unless you're considering the new 4th gens that will be out soon that is coming with a new engine I'd go with the 6 cyl. If you are looking for fuel mileage stay with a car. If you plan to haul or tow anything get the V6.

 

Iesurfer why v4 for reliability?

 

Thanks for these links, I did try the search before posting and didn't have much luck.

 

Drive both and pick the one you like best but remember, the 2.7 is a truck engine and 3.5 is a minivan engine.

 

There are perfectly fine alternatives to a truck for general homeowner use.

I used a 4x6 utility trailer, made from an old boat trailer for 25 years or so. The tilt feature was handy many times. I fitted it with 13" wheels and car tires along with buddy bearings and hauled all kinds of stuff all kinds of places. Including camping in some remote areas.

No worries about messing it up, getting it dirty or inspections. Registration and tags were cheap. And no insurance!

The other benefit was I could loan it to friends (who will want to borrow your truck) with no worries, and my daily transportation could be pretty much any type of family vehicle wife was in the mood for at the time, allowing me to have sportier rides

It was even fine behind a number of 4 cyl Accords we owned in the 90's and early 00's

Last point. Finding and outfitting a trailer, along with adding a hitch and wiring to an existing capable vehicle will be way cheaper than any truck purchase. That could be important as the costs of homeownership start to soak in.

PS, for the 'well why do you have a truck now' crowd, we no longer live where I can conveniently park a trailer, and I still need to haul stuff a few times a year, and we still enjoy having a 2nd vehicle. So my little 5 lug fills the bill. I think of it as a motorized and air conditioned trailer.

 

There is no substitute for power.

 

My advice to the op, if a 4x4, is to take a test drive in a 4 cylinder on some hilly roads. You'll quickly find out if you can live with it. I know it made my decision pretty quick.

 

V6, 4x4, and leave it stock.

 

I've owned both the 4banger and the v6 and THIS RIGHT HERE. I will never understand why anyone buys the 4cyl. This truck is made for the v6 get the v6.

 

--Art, you made me laugh! Back in the day, I dated a girl who's parents both had Pinto's with AUTOMATICS! Those cars were slower than the 7 year itch.

 

My first taco 1993 had a 4 and was great on gas that is about it. The power sucked for towing and high way driving. Traded on V 6 and never looked back.

 

This sounds like the Ford guys who claim the Ecoboost in the Ford GT is just a truck motor put in a supercar.

 

I'm good with either with a manual transmission ... but I wouldn't own either with an automatic transmission, period.
My GOB 2¢ FWIW.

 

not saying the 3.5 isn’t reliable but the 2.7 is one of Toyotas most reliable motor if you search high mileage 3rd gens most are 2.7 however I have a single cab 2.7 and man does it hate hills on flat ground freeway and city driving perfectly fine but slightest of inclines it struggles I can only imagine in a double cab mine is lifted with heavy tires however

 

The 2GR-FKS is not a super reliable engine tho, so it's not such a clear-cut decision to make if someone's looking for a light duty mid size truck to basically use as a DD with the occasional towing. There are definitely trade offs.

 

Toyota doesn't build a V4 engine, in fact, I don't think they ever have; the two engines currently available in the Tacoma are the I4 and the V6. As far as reliability goes, assuming you own your vehicle for say, a quarter million miles, the difference in reliability between the I4 and the V6 will be minimal, if at all.

 

Because the 2TR-FE doesn't have as many issues with oil leaks, coolant leaks, fubar'd cylinder #3 etc etc as the 3.5 V6.

The 3rd gen v6 is great when it's working perfectly but if you're looking to keep a truck "forever", there's better powertrain choices in terms of reliability

 

Well, my 1993 toyota 4x4 extra cab pickup leftover had the 3.0 v6 and it was a turd of turds. It didn't make a whole lot more hp than the 4 cylinder, and ate twice as much fuel. If I didn't get it at at a bargain price of $9k, it would of remained on the lot.

 

Had i4 & v6 (both 3rd gens), do yourself a favor and get the v6. Don't let people scare you with these "common" v6 issues, its a solid engine.
I bought a 17' metal boat, pretty light, and the 4 banger just wasn't cutting it, miserable to tow with IMO.
The 4-cylinder has a certain charm, and it really is bulletproof, but it belongs in a much smaller, lighter truck.

 

The 4cyl is only available in access cab config if you want/need 4x4. I love my truck, but not having enough space for the family bites. Thankfully, I now have another car for those sorts of adventures.

The 4cyl is a great Home Depot hauler, though.

I will say, in my opinion, if you're going to be towing, don't buy a midsize truck. Its just not practical.