Will I regret if I buy a 2.7l taco?

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a 2nd gen Tacoma but I'm leaning toward the 2.7 4x4 with the 5spd. I don't need to tow a big trailer or haul anything heavy. The only scenario I would think I may seek for power is towing my dirtbike to the track. I'll also need the truck to get to my hunting/fishing spot. So, I'll need the truck to do some off-roading but nothing crazy. I read some posts about the off-roading ability of these 4 bangers and realized they will be OKAY. I'm still in college and I'm driving an old Tundra which is thirsty on gas and costly to fix anything. I think this is another reason that I'm leaning toward the smaller engine. So in conclusion:

• Daily driving
• Able to get to my hunting/fishing/hiking trip (Pennsylvania backcountry road)
• Hauling my dirtbikes (with those trailers under 500lbs)
• Easy/cheap to fix (as long as better than my 07 Tundra)
• I drive almost 2xxxx miles per year

I have almost convinced myself on this but still looking for your opinions so will I regret if I buy the 2.7 Tacoma?

PS: one more question to ask, is the Toyota warranty transferable on these Trucks? Like the frame warranty?

Thanks in advance for any of your comments!

 

You’re in college? Just buy an old 4x4 pickup, doesn’t need to be a Toyota.
Save ya money man

 

Coming from a Tundra I doubt you will enjoy the 2.7 much. Not really a gain on fuel mileage. I would look for a 4.0. Year the frame warranty is transferable as long as no one has cut on the frame or drilled holes in it.

 

If you never drive a Tacoma with the 4.0, you won’t regret it.
If you don’t need the power, then the 2.7 will be just fine.
FWIW, the 2.7 doesn’t get much more MPG than the 4.0 (4WD Trucks at least)

 

Yes! I'm looking at the rangers at the same time but I'm always a Toyota guy. Of course, I'll keep my eyes on others as well.

 

I've had my base model 2.7L since new and am pushing 145K miles (Mine is 2WD, but the 2TR-FE is the same engine regardless of how the truck is configured); Only thing directly related to the engine that I've ever had to replace is the PCV valve, and that that was less than 5,000 miles ago!



As for the frame warranty, it is transferable but it's only good for 12 years from the original purchase date of the truck; 2010 Tacos sold between February and June would be the oldest ones still eligible for a frame replacement. My truck was purchased new in September 30th, 2009; By sheer dumb luck, my local dealer found perforation less than a week before the warranty period expired! That was September 24th, 2021; I had a new frame before Thanksgiving!

 

I feel the transmission on my Tundra make the truck not very pleasant to drive (always looking for the right gear), but you are right, I think I'll test drive the 2.7 first.

 

See also:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4-vs-6-cylinder-tacoma.744393/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/4cyl-over-6cyl-any-regrets.289240/

 

How old of a Tundra?

 

My Tundra is 2007 4.7 with almost 160000 miles.

 

There was a guy out of Louisiana who put a million miles on his 2007 Tundra 4.6; Honestly, if your Tundra is paid for I'd just keep it!

 

Going from the 4.7 to the 2.7 sounds like a recipe for disappointment

 

I get 18mpg on 265/75/17 KO2's at the pump going either slow on surface streets and in city traffic or speedily fast along with late night LA traffic, neither which are ideal fuel consumption cases in my 2.7 5 speed prerunner. It's currently at 185k miles. To my butt dyno it has much better power than the 5vz V6 in my 4runner and 1st gen Taco plus way better mileage.

It will easily exceed safe driving speeds as long as you don't enter a headwind (in the desert) or are loaded down and going up a hill on the freeway.

 

That's something I'm also considering. I got 11 mpg around State College and I don't really need a full size. I bought it before the covid when everything was cheap. That Tundra was close to me and a very good deal not to pass...

 

Right...I think I better test drive 2.7

 

I enjoy the 5 speed 2.7 4x4, but for hauling? no way.

 

You paid cash and have the title? No payments?

 

Oh, lol. Well I’m that case you might not mind the 2.7 as much. My dad had an 06 and it was a great driving truck but yeah that tranny and braking sucked! Still, drive both. You would be a lot happier with the 4.0 but the 2.7 would do. I’m this market however I would hold off or buy a beater.

 

Make sure you stay up to date with the timing belt on the 4.7. That’s about all that will kill that engine.

 

Thanks for the advice! I drove my friend's new 3.5 and a 4.0 FJ and I agree, feel better than my 4.7 Tundra