SR DC 2.7, yes or no?

I've previously owned 3 Toyota trucks: 89 reg cab 4wd 22RE manual, 97 Tacoma 4wd ext. cab 2.7 manual, and an 04 Tacoma 4wd reg. cab 2.7 manual. All were pretty much base trucks and all were very good vehicles. Last week I was sandwiched on the interstate and my Ram was totaled.

I'm currently looking at new SR Tacomas. I was always happy with the 2.7 engines. I don't haul very often and I never tow. I will get more use out of the backseat of the DC than I will the longer bed of the Access Cab, so I'm looking at the 4dr.

Never had a DC, 2wd or automatic in any of the previous Toyota trucks that I've owned. Would like to hear opinions of this configuration from those who have owned a DC with the 2.7.

 

Yes

 

Test drive

 

Will browse the local lot tomorrow. Probably test drive and purchase later next week once the insurance settlement arrives.

I drive 70% highway or interstate miles and 99.9% just me.

 

I have 2.7 with 4wd and access cab so I can’t comment on how it works with double cab. But I can tell you the 2.7 is a really good engine and sounds right for your needs. I’ve had my truck 5 years and not one complaint so far. If you can, test drive it on hills and at freeway speeds and see if you can live with the acceleration. It gets up to speed (70/80) ok but it’s not quick about it. It’ll go up hills at 70 but revs pick up quite high. Might not be best in passing situations. Try and make sure you know what you’re buying. Doesn’t bother me but I don’t get in a hurry. Mpg is same as V6 so no advantage there. Transmission is the CV model and you should think about that on test drive also. It’s different. It shifts via a computer whether you want it or not. Once you get it dialed in, it’s great, but many buy the truck and complain about it later so check it out carefully before you sign. Good luck!

 

Had my DC 2.7 for almost a year (be a year on the 17th). Got just over 9000 miles on it. Ive driven it out of town and mostly local back and forth to work (about 10 miles each direction). I will say if you are going out of town with more than two people it's not the most comfortable trip but for 1 or 2 people it's fine. The 4 cylinder is not gonna win me any races but I'm not in a rush anyways. I can thrown some stuff in the back and haul it off or even hook a light trailer with my lawn mower on the back and pull it around if need be. Truck does what I need it to do.

 

I would go with the 6, if you need the power you'll have it, since the fuel mileage is about the same. The better reason in my opinion would be for resale should you decide you aren't happy with it.

 

I have a 09 5 speed access cab 2.7L and my pops has a 2014 auto DCSB with the 2.7L which I drive on occasion. The 4 banger in the double cab gets around just fine, but don’t get in a hurry. Also having it downshift on the highway to maintain speed gets a little annoying at times, but the truck never complains turning the revs and will definitely get you where you want to go. The only problem i see is that you use it mainly for highway. If you’re patient I think this would serve you well, but if you want passing power for on the highway the v6 might be a better option. Personally though, I’d go for the 4

 

Went by the local dealership and took a look at a few Tacomas, SR and SR5's. First impression is that the styled steel wheels on the SR look better on the 245's than the alloy wheels look on the 245's for the SR5. May prefer the look of the Access Cab over the Double Cab, though I tend to waffle depending on which one I'm currently looking at.

It will probably come down to inventory and price. There's so little to choose from that I'm not sure if there is any room to negotiate. At this dealership, there were a handful on the front lot and a few more with Pre Sold notices on the back lot.

 

Like others have mentioned, test drive. Drive a 2.7 and a 3.5 back to back, under the conditions you would normally use it, and see if you are satisfied with the power.

Around town and on flat highways the 2.7 might be fine for you. Especially if you are not loading the truck down. If you are adding weight and/or driving in a hilly or mountainous area the V6 would be a better choice IMO.

 

2.7 auto really is disappointing to drive. I really enjoyed the 2.7 manual and wish they still made it.

I live 1km above sea level and it feels like an absolute slug. We used to sell 2 a year. Now Canada doesn't even offer it anymore.

 

My Ram that was totaled was a regular cab, long bed, 2wd Hemi. Truck was an absolute rocket ship and the fastest vehicle I've ever owned. So, a DC 2.7 will definitely feel slower in comparison.

However, in the meantime, I'm driving my mom's 2nd gen Ford Focus sedan with the 2.0 automatic. Now, that is a slow vehicle. So, the longer I drive the Focus while waiting for the insurance settlement, the faster anything will seem in comparison.

 

I have the 2.7 SR AC 4wd auto. I enjoy it around town, for camping, for chores at the house, etc.

I wish it was a manual but it is what it is. It can be kind of dog especially in the AT if you drive it like an old woman, but if you give it the right pedal it's fine. I don't really have shifting issues, use 'ECT Power' and manually shift / downshift the sequential tranny as needed and it's good. For example, on freeway long gradual uphills I usually lock it into 4th gear to prevent gear hunting.

That said, I have a '22 Civic for highway driving to and from work 60 miles one way because the 2.7 is surprisingly terrible on gas. At 75-80 mph (speed limit of 70) I see about 14 mpg. I have slightly larger tires (265/75 16) and a 1" lift but I highly doubt those contribute hugely to the shit MPGs. It's a factor of the RPMs and constant shifting that the truck has to do to maintain speed. On top of that, it's not really a super comfortable seating position for 120 miles a day. If you have a significant highway commute I personally would focus (no pun intended) on a higher-end economy car like a Civic (the new Civic is incredible and available with a 6 spd manual in the hatchback and it's like $25,000, and I can fit pretty much anything into the cargo area).

 

I have a '17 SR DC 2WD and love it. Plenty of power for normal driving, and it lacks the enhanced "electronic" stuff I wanted to avoid anyway. I'm a fan of regular controls for AC and such, as I have no desire to have sophisticated climate control and other gadgets. Less stuff to break, and much easier and less expensive to repair. I had to add cruise and intermittent wipers, and that gave me all the features I need. I also like that the 2.7 is still made in Japan. I drove a 3.5, and while a bit torquier, didn't really get any WOW factor from the difference.

 

Well, since I rarely haul and never tow, you're probably right about the Civic. In fact, I'm now looking at car options along with the Tacoma. I drive 45 miles round trip to work with 70% of it on the highway at 70 mph. And 6 days of each month, I drive a 140 mile round trip with 95% on an interstate at 75+. A Honda Accord/Civic might be the right option. However, I haven't had a car as a daily driver since 1989 when I got my first Toyota truck and have driven a truck ever since.

 

The description on your intended use suggests to me that you would be better served by a small sedan. I had a Mitsubishi Mirage many years ago and it was great fun you drive. It was super fast for the price and got great gas mileage.

 

I hear ya man. I'm not a car guy (and I'm keeping my Tacoma but it's parked mostly now) but it's hard to justify a truck for a commuter. If you already had a truck and it got pressed into commuting service cause you got like a new job or something, that's one thing. But to be actively shopping for a new ride with intent to use it to commute, never haul a trailer, and rarely use the bed... it'd be nonsensical to not consider a car. Gas ain't getting any cheaper and I'll take 40mpg over 14 any day...

 

I actually looked at some video reviews of the new Ford Maverick. But, I just can't do that.

The thing that's bugging me about the DC 2.7 is the idea that it will be constantly hunting gears on the highway and that if I drive over 70mph, I'll actually get sub 20 mpg.

 

Motorweek did a test on the Maverick, it was far quicker than l ever expected at high 5 seconds 0-60 times.

 

Honestly the Maverick seems to be a hit if you get over yourself and realize you don’t need a truck you just want one.

That being said the 4 cyl turbocharged mustang and camero get good MPG on the highway at 70-80mph and are fun to drive.

have you considered a Toyota FR86? (FR-S / Subaru BRZ)