New 4 cylinder with 4X4

Hi I'm planning on buying a new Tacoma (my current one is 16 years old). I want a 4X4 for the few times a year we get fairly deep snow in Maryland, but the office "expert" says I really should get a V6 because a 4 cylinder doesn't have the power for 4wd. A new 4 cylinder is MUCH cheaper than a V6. What do you guys think?

I should mention that I only use my truck to drive 20 minutes back and forth to work on weekdays and I only expect to use 4x4 a couple of times a year in the snow.

Thanks.

 

The office expert has been misinformed.

 

Do you need blistering off the line acceleration? No? It will be fine.

Mike

 

He said 4WD vehicles are much heavier than 2WD. I'm trying to find the weight difference now.

 

Which area of MD are u from?

 

Never trust a woman! ;-)

 

SOMD. I noticed they have a 4 cylinder 4WD Tacoma at Bayside in Prince Frederick in the color I want. I was going to go check it out.

 

4x4 4cyl A/T is 4220 Lb. curb weight vs 3980 for the 2 wheel drive.

 

Youll be fine with the 4cyl. theyre trying to upsell you. drive one for yourself and get the feel for it. no, I wont be as giddy as the V6, but I don't think itll ever have too little power to effectively use 4x4

 

That's not much of a difference. I'm going to take a look at it this weekend if they still have it.

 

My current Tacoma is a 4 cylinder 2wd and I love it. I don't think it will be a big deal.

 

What color? Do you have other specs on it?

 

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/695096474/overview/

Dark gray.

I haven't bought a new vehicle in 25 years. I wonder how much I should low ball the salesman.

 

^^^^^^^^
This

I have a '15 2.7L manual and just did the heavy snow we got a couple weeks ago on the east coast. Did fine, lost only a little mpg doing it. Having had the 4.0 V6, I can say that if you're not towing (or not towing much, which you likely wouldn't do in 4wd and snow), you'll be fine. Only other place I can think where you'd see a marked difference is if you put bigger (or heavier) tires on it. Then the V6 has an advantage. No MPG difference between the two, in my experience. I have an Access cab now, had a V6 Access cab and a DCLB with V6.

 

I wouldn't walk out the door unless you can get it on the road and OTD for that price.

 

That 2.7L 4 is pretty much bullet proof. I'd take it over the new V6 that's having issues.

 

Great info guys. Thanks!

 

Apparently every 4WD Toyota truck made from 1947-1993, and more than half of them made since 1993, are incapable of getting through snow? I hear tell that many are still stuck on roads in far away places.

 

Don't know if you want 4x4 4cyl in standard or auto but you might want to test drive both. Then you'll feel the difference.

 

Your office expert is a knuckle head, not well versed in Tacomas or real world use.

Your description of vehicle use was excellent, and the 4 banger will do you just fine.

To your 'how to low ball salesman' do your internet research. Lots of reasonably accurate pricing sources out there. And shopping for a simpler truck, regardless of what the salesman says, it won't be in as much demand as the gussied up ones.

In fact, you could spec out what you want online, then send an email to all Toyota dealers within a distance you are willing to drive to pick it up. Tell them you're a cash and carry buyer; no trade, and either have the cash or preapproved financing. You'll get back quite a spread of quotes, and some who try to upsell you. Go with the one who is closest to what you requested at the lowest price. Nothing wrong with counter offering based on you internet research either.

I would suggest you drive it first. Overnight, 100 mile limit or so if you can get them to play. It's a lot of money to make a mistake with.