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Typical newbie question - Need experienced owners advice

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Dusto, Nov 3, 2011.

  1. Nov 3, 2011 at 6:07 PM
    #1
    Dusto

    Dusto [OP] New Member

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    First post. This will be long. Sorry.

    I currently own a vw rabbit which gets a Canadian 25-27mpg depending on the season. I only drive/own a car because of my grooling commute to work. 260km daily, soon to be 180ish (note: I carpool every other day)

    I have always owned trucks before this car (f150's). I hunt, fish, and find myself borrowing friends trucks a lot for pulling my small boat, ice hut, getting in the hunt camp road, wood pellets for the stove and chores around the house.

    Long story short I want to get back into a truck and realize given my commute it may not be the best choice of commuter vehicles, but I feel the Tacoma is my best bet and the commute is 95% flat highway, which helps.

    I would like some input on 2 Tacoma's I would be interested in:
    -double cab 4x4 v6 auto v6
    -access cab 4x4 2.7L 5 speed manual

    Any input will help. highway behavior, mpg differences, ride quality, comfort level for 1hr non-stop driving, performance for on-ramps(specifically the 2.7). I don't mind whipping through the gears if that what it takes in the 4 banger.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Nov 3, 2011 at 6:19 PM
    #2
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    Tony
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    I have owned both... I4 and V6, the I4 is decent, BUT lacks in power compared to the V6. I got 20-22 in the I4 city/highway and get 16-18 city/highway in the V6. Most of my driving are short trips, less than 30 minutes.

    If you are concerned about saving gas and will use the truck 90% of the time for commute, the I4 will do fine. I use my truck for work and haul/tow constantly so I need the power of the V6.

    I didn't like the 5speed. When you take a corner at 12-15mph, its too high of speed to shift to 1st. The transmission will go in first only if you are traveling less than 10mph, however 12-15mph is too low of RPM for 2nd so I ended up riding the clutch a lot, because of that...

    Lastly if you have a long commute, do NOT get regular cab with bench seat, it gets VERY uncomfortable after about 10minutes and your lover back WILL hurt.
     
  3. Nov 3, 2011 at 6:27 PM
    #3
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Get the DC V6
     
  4. Nov 3, 2011 at 6:28 PM
    #4
    iroh

    iroh Well-Known Member

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    The 2.7L/5spd isn't bad in the regular cab, actually its pretty snappy, but the access cab is at least 10% heavier and it may leave you wishing for the V6 more and more.

    With the 4WD and comparing those two trucks, the mileage isn't all that different. The 2.7/5MT is U.S. EPA rated 18/20, and the 4.0/5AT is rated 16/20 (21 for '12).

    I noticed that with the 5MT too. Never driven a tranny so useless in a parking lot.
     
  5. Nov 3, 2011 at 6:34 PM
    #5
    wolftree

    wolftree Well-Known Member

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    Dusto, You did not state how many people will be riding in your carpool. If only one other person besides your self, either cab is good. If there is more than one other riding, I would suggest the double cab unless they are small people. Go sit in an access cab back seat for an hour and you will see what I am speaking of.
     
  6. Nov 3, 2011 at 6:49 PM
    #6
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    http://pressroom.toyota.com/article_download.cfm?article_id=3139

    The V6 5-speed auto 4x4 gets better highway milage than the I-4 5-speed manual, due to the taller 5th gear and taller axle ratio in the V6 auto. Weight has little impact on highway mpg. Go ahead and get the V6 double cab 4x4 auto if you can afford it.
     
  7. Nov 3, 2011 at 6:56 PM
    #7
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    Since you are in Canada and want to go off-road, I would suggest 2009+ TRD Off Road version which has rear locker and A-Trac, if you can afford it...
     
  8. Nov 3, 2011 at 7:09 PM
    #8
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    ^ Playing around with the Toyota.ca online build tool, an Access Cab TRD OR is about $40K out the door in Canada. Not quite as bad as the 4Runner Trail though ($51K out the door).
     
  9. Nov 3, 2011 at 7:40 PM
    #9
    drwoodr

    drwoodr Well-Known Member

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    On the issue of gas mileage, I have a 2012 V6 DC 4X4 Short bed, and yesterday took a mostly highway trip. Filled up before leaving and again when I got back, and even with some slow traffic at the tolls and a couple miles of slow traffic due to an accident, I got 21 mpg (US), exactly what the rating is for highway. That's a bit over 25 mpg (Can), so not much different than your rabbit. Only had 2 other fill-ups, and mix of city and highway, got 16 and 17 mpg (US) on those.
     
  10. Nov 3, 2011 at 7:43 PM
    #10
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    Can only get that in Access cab here
     
  11. Nov 4, 2011 at 4:18 AM
    #11
    Dusto

    Dusto [OP] New Member

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    I would be looking for new 2011/12 4 cyl and maybe a 1-3 year old v6 just to keep the payments down. As for my carpool, i only pickup 1 guy, so no issues with having guy jammed in the back of an access cab.
     
  12. Nov 4, 2011 at 4:34 AM
    #12
    jpmorrisvb

    jpmorrisvb Well-Known Member

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    Ya you guys ... what he said .... (hey, it's Friday ... couldn't resist .... :cool:)
     
  13. Nov 4, 2011 at 4:36 AM
    #13
    Dusto

    Dusto [OP] New Member

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    If this proves to be true in a real world application, its a no brainer.
     
  14. Nov 4, 2011 at 6:42 AM
    #14
    Dusto

    Dusto [OP] New Member

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    I find it hard to believe the V6 will match or do better than the 2.7 in any situation.
    BUT
    Specific to hwy mileage; Are the 4x4 4 cylinder owners saying that the V6 is without a doubt harder on fuel by 4-5mpg so they can justify their purchase and not feel like they made a mistake?
     
  15. Nov 4, 2011 at 10:10 PM
    #15
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    It's the gearing. Note the difference in axle ratio between I4 5-speed 4x2 and 4x4. The V6 5-speed 4x4 will be at a lower rpm at highway speeds.
     
  16. Nov 4, 2011 at 10:59 PM
    #16
    4Wheelin4Banger

    4Wheelin4Banger Supercharged Toyman

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    I love my 4banger 5spd MT. Plenty of power & good MPGs. 20MPGs City & 24MPGs Hwy with a 3" lift. From what I've heard the cruise control on the auto 4bangers suck. But they work good on the 5 speeds, at 67 to 75 they hold speed on most hills. Some hills you will need to downshift for but the same holds true for the V6s. I never concidered the V6 but it does come with some stuff you can't get with the 4banger. I figured I could add better goodies to the 4banger than came stock on the TRD OR.
     
  17. Nov 5, 2011 at 9:36 AM
    #17
    myname150

    myname150 Well-Known Member

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    I can vouch for those as well ^

    City driving, If I'm really cautious i never get more than 17MPG, it's usually 15-17MPG. If it's all highway (like my 50mi round trip to school) i can get at least 20MPG, but I have yet to achieve 20MPG again.

    Also, I would consider that you can never have toooo much power, but it does suck to be underpowered. Now I've read here that the I4 has quite a bit of grunt, so it's probably more dependent on your budget.
     
  18. Nov 5, 2011 at 9:53 AM
    #18
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon Musk Moderator

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    Get the V6 DC and b done with it
     

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