Planning on getting my first Tacoma

Greetings all,

My current vehicle is a pre Tacoma 1987 Toyota Pickup. It's an "extracab" which means there is about a foot behind the seat to store stuff. Only extra was a tilt steering wheel. I added my own cassette AM/FM radio. She's been a great truck for the past 27 years but getting to that point where things are starting to go. Body of the bed is rusting out, heater doesn't work, trim is coming off and now the hydrolics on the rear breaks have a leak and need to be replaced. The engine is still strong and could probably go another 100,000 but I'm thinking it's time to move on. Toyota trucks have earned my loyalty.

As you can probably guess, I'm a cheapskate and I've been looking at used trucks but as you probably already know the resale values on 4WD Tacomas are astronomical and it doesn't seem to make sense to buy a used truck for a pittance of a discount off of new. I've been considering getting an absolute bottom of the line 2016 4 cylinder Access cab with 4WD. (I live in Colorado and 2WD pickups are awful in the snow). No one around here even has a 4 cylinder to test drive and all the talk and reviews are of the 6 cylinder. Unfortunately, to get a 6 cylinder it looks like you have to go with either an SR5 or double cab which adds about 5k to the price. I'm used to the 4 cylinder 22R engine and having a 2 seat vehicle.

Anyone have any experience with 4 cylinder Tacomas. Looking for reassurance that I'm not nuts to go this route.

Cheers,
Rich

 

Buck up and buy the 6 cylinder dclb you will be a lot happier you spent the extra money, try and find a 2015 you will save some cash there and you won't have to deal with all the headaches of the 2016

 

If you have driven a 4 cylinder/ Extra Cab for the past 27 years and are happy with it....and if you really are a cheapskate..... I would go with the 4 banger. I have a 2014 AC with the 4 banger and am very happy with it. I don't agree with the above poster about going with the Double cab...sounds like you don't need it-- at least not for the past 3 decades . Go to the dealer and take them out for a road test....the 2015 and 2016's 4's and 6's and see which one suits your needs. Oh, and I also don't agree with having to deal with "all the problems" of the 2016....I know 3 people that have bought them and love them...no problems to speak of yet. If I was looking to buy new now I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 2016...that's just my opinion though. Congrats on running your last Toyota for 27 years!!!

 

Stay away from a 4 cylinder:
- no fuel savings (look it up)
- no power

Stay away from a '16
- too expensive
- questionable styling
- questionable drivetrain
- unproven gizmo-mobile

Look for a low-milage 12-15
- DCLB for better traction/handling in your neck of the woods
- save a pile of money
- proven 6 cylinder 4w drivetrain
- should still have enough warranty for piece of mind

 

27 years on the old girl... nice!

Anything you get now, whether it's a 2002-2016 will feel to you as a vehicle from the distant future compared to your 1987 Toyota.

 

I would look for a deal on 15 4cyl, but I think for a 16 I would get the V6 if the mpg pans out... seams like some people are getting good mileage. So if you can get the same mpg and have a 6 I would get the V6...

But if you are happy with the 4 it should be fine lot of people have them on here...

 

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Looks like opinions evenly split but glad to see a few folks don't think I'm nuts. I think File IFR nailed my thoughts. Would love to find a stripped down 2015 but don't think there is one to be found in this neck of the woods. Toyota dealers around here would love to make a deal on a sedan but can't seem to keep Tacomas on the lot.

 

1) A 4 cyl is underpowered for the size of the 2nd gen (or 3rd gen)

2) You actually get the same or better milage with a V6

You're in Colorado. Think about it. You want to buy a bigger truck in mountainous terrain. You need 4wd because of the weather conditions.

So:
1) heavier/larger chassis than 1st gen
2) mountainous/hilly terrain
3) need power to run 4wd
4) no fuel mileage advantage with a 4cyl

It all adds up to a V6.

Merry Christmas!

 

Welcome and do it!

 

welcome! i have a 15,2.7,4cyl, 5spd. i love it, i avg.20plus mpg. best,23mpg,worst 19.8 . its a daily driver, i put on 82 mi. per day. not bad for a 4x4. however the 6banger is nice, good luck.

 

Thanks for this post. Good to know that someone with a 4 cylinder out there does not regret it. I agree with the many folks who recommend the 6 cylinder. If money were not an object the 6 cylinder would be a better choice but is it worth $5000 to me? The good thing with the almost insane resale values of Tacomas around here is that I feel confident I could sell a low mileage 2016 after a a couple years if I really feel it doesn't have the power I need. If its power is similar to my '87 4 cylinder though I'll be fine.

I have one on order so with a little luck I'll know in 2 - 3 months.

 

i like my 2.7, but i live where it is flat. if i lived in the mtns states might be different.

 

I mostly drive in the plains but do a moderate amount transporting mulch, compost, yard waste - hence the need for a pickup. Wife has a Subaru which we take skiing and tend to use if go we far. Probably sounds weird being in Colorado but not really into off roading. I'd rather get out of the car and hike. It would be awesome to have a Prius and a decked out 4x4 too but that's not in the cards.

 

should be fine. good luck.