thinking of downsizing to two door taco

Unless its a 4x2, you arent going to see a gas milage difference. While the 4-cylinder is a smaller engine, it doesnt really get any better gas milage because the 4-banger has to work harder than a V6 would.

 

The weights, turning diameters, etc. are nearly identical for the access and four door. Hence, there is no off-roading advantage unless you go to the regular cab where you would see a significant reduction in length, weight, and turning diameter. As mentioned, four banger, manual locking hubs, and manual tranny will equate to improvements in economy. You might want to consider investing in a Scangauge II and some hypermiling driving skills to improve your current economy.

 

Must have been 4x2 regular cabs, because thats really impressive milage for 4x4, Access Cab or Doublecab.

 

I have a 08 Access cab and there are a couple of things you should consider if you go that way. One is that if someone is in the back, you have to get out or your passenger has to get out and open the back doors. A pain in the butt. Also, when you are in a parking lot, you really have a tough time getting anything into the rear doors because of the way they open. Since both doors on one side have to be open, in what is called suicide doors, you can't pull a shopping card up and unload it. The doors effectively block you out. None of these problems are huge, but they really are a pain. I will never buy an access cab again.

 

Access cab 4 banger tacos will get above 21 mpg, the 4x4 will be 1-2 mpg below a prerunner and maybe 3 below a 5-lug. My 5-lug and many access cab owners I know consistently get 25-28 mpg so a 4x4 access cab will get around 22-25 depending on how you drive. Honestly if I had it to do over again I'd be getting either a standard cab 4x4 or an access cab 4 banger 4x4. But until my truck is totalled, stolen, or paid off I will be happy with my 5-lug taco, more-so when I lift it and put some better rubber on it.

 

thanks for all your opinions, i actually had a king cab 2000 taco for 3 years before buying this one so i know what they are. i will keep mine for now, check out the new ones at the stealer, and if i like them i will look out for a very good deal before i buy one.

 

When does Toyota plan to come out with a Tacoma redesign? I heard it would probably be 2010 or 2012... I think I'm waiting until spy photos come out and then I'll have time to either get a current Taco or wait for a new style. If it looks/functions like the current Hilux being sold everywhere but here I'll be happy to wait.

 

Toyota typically does redesigns every 5 years, but I recently saw a timetable of when Toyota plans to redesign various models and it said the Tacoma isnt due until 2012, so who knows.
When they do redesign it, rest assured that the pics will be released 6-12 months before the trucks are available, so you will have plenty of time to decide what to do.

 

Good to know. I'll have the '08 paid off and be able to save quite a bit before the '12 is sold...