About to buy my first Tacoma, I4 or V6?

I agree with DoorDing here. If you're planning regular beach and snow use, I'd opt for 4WD if your budget allows. FWIW...If I was still back in VA where I grew up I'd probably have a 2WD Pre-Runner. Living where we have snow 7-8 months of the year, I never considered 2WD.

 

Definitely V6. Had the I4, loved the gas mileage - power just didn't cut it and I had a 5 speed. Gas mileage isn't great but I love the V6 and am so glad I got it. I also have the TRD Catback Exhaust on my Truck.

 

http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/tacoma/2011

Nope lots of v6's getting 20 mpg. Looking at the I4 section there are very very few people getting 25+ with most sitting around 22.

If the OP is buying a brand new Taco I'm sure he can afford the 1 mpg difference

 

If that's how you view Fuelly, good for you. Great contribution.

 

If your so defensive about you truck maybe you got the wrong one?

 

n0rth has a really sweet I4 build:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-builds/114291-n0rths-tacoma-build.html

 

Not defensive in the least? Just not sure what your input or experience with your older AC 4x4 V6 has to do with a new Prerunner I4 DCSB? You've added snarky comments that have nothing to do with anything OP is asking about and can't speak from experience on the combo he's considering.

My truck is perfect for what I use it for, which is nearly identical to what the OP has said his own uses are. He's asking about my specific configuration, and I (and a few others with that config) are giving honest input and opinon. You are doing the opposite and feeling good about it, apparently. Don't care why, maybe you're defensive about yours because if you don't justify it then you got the wrong one? Or maybe you settled for what you're driving when you purchased it, or bought what everybody else thinks is cool? I bought exactly what I wanted, and it does everything I do flawlessly while costing less in every single way. Glad to hear your income means less to you than mine does to me, must be nice! Sorry practicality and financial discipline is such an annoyance for you.

 

That is killer. Owner reports and builds like this speak louder than words! The I4 is more than adequate for what OP wants to use it for.

 

I gave him my perspective. He said he wanted to go into the mountains for snowboarding with buddies. That's literally the weakest point for a I4 2wd. I had a 2wd truck so it will be nearly the same as a taco 2wd. A fully loaded DCLB with 4 guys in it is not going to be pleasant on mountain roads. Maybe the I4 DC 2wd is great for you but for his needs it is not as many other members have also stated in the thread.

You seem defensive because I pointed out the 2 mpg difference on fuelly going by the top of the bell curve and you responded with a snarky one liner about how I can't read fuelly or something?

What I was getting at is that if your really worried about MPG's your probably better off in another vehicle. The new Ram Diesel 1500 supposedly gets 40 mpgs on the highway.

 

Done clogging OPs thread!

 

My 1st gen was a PreRunner w/I4. It was a great truck, but I always regretted not getting the 4x4 and the V6. I now have a 2nd gen, and you can bet your life I didn't make that mistake again!... Just saying...

 

From experience man - I know EXACTLY what you are talking about. But I have no regrets from my I4 - loved and babied the shit out of that truck.

 

I have no regrets from my I4 Access cab. I got 24 MPG this weekend on a trip. I just wish I would have got a truck with 16 inch tires. I hate the look of the 15 inch but that's all I could afford. I will drive it until to cows come home

 

Go for the v6, I had a v6 prerunner and loved it- now I have the I4 4x4 5 speed access cab for the sake of insurance. It's slow as shit but I commute and off road in 4lo a lot. Sometimes I wish I got the auto 5 v6 4x4....

 

Took this pic today, specs are in my sig '14, DCSB, I4, Auto, PreRunner. This is a legit 6% grade near my place I drive everyday. My truck has about 350lbs of work supplies in the bed, and 200 lbs of tools in my slimline Lowes brand toolbox.

Easily keeping up with speed limit and flow of traffic, about 2200RPM. Truck is actually in 4th gear, A/C is on to boot as it's about 98 degrees today.

*Edit* Please ignore my orange maintenance light on, just rolled over 5,000 miles so it's steady on until I can get in for an oil change.



And just for poops and giggles, same day, same load in box, just a little further up the highway. This section is about 4% but still no problem for my DCSB, I4, PreRunner to do 80mph+. Truck did downshift to 3rd to get to 80, but wasn't really struggling. I don't really ever go that fast in the truck, just wanted to prove a point. Actually first time I had taken it to 80 since I got it.

 

I'm not sure of this but I had an 2011 SR5 I4 AC. Not only agree with what everyone is saying about the power vs. gas mileage [totally worth the trade off]

But. . . The seats were horrible. Absolutely aweful. I don't know if the sport seats are available in an I4, if they're not that would be enough to steer me toward the V6.

Definately go 4x4. I will never own another truck that is not 4x4.

 

I have a 2014 DCSB I4 SR5 prerunner... I HATE not having 4wd, I HATE the engine whining on speed (>65 mph). HOWEVER, I LOOOOOOOOVE my truck and no I have never driven the V6 4x4 version. I towed my 1976 F100 on a tandem axle trailer and it didnt even flinch at highway speed (more than normal atleast) Just like others posted you will get addicted. I bought it to be "responsible" and not hurt it. That didn't last long, it is still a very capable truck. but upgrade upgrade upgrade. I paid near $30,000 out the door i could've gotten so much more. but you live and you learn.

 

Same here. Just needed a vehicle. And I once I got the taco my interest grew so much. Wish I could go back and get a 4x4. But meh. What can u do?

 

Damn. I have a 2012 AC I4, SR5 and my engine doesn't whine at speeds greater than 65 MPH.

I hate to point at it, but you got screwed on the price. No way should a Prerunner cost nearly 30K. I paid less than 21K out the door.

 

Are you kidding me? V6 fer sure with an Automatic.