4 cylinder Toyota Tacomas?

[tlapinski]

Does anyone have any personal experience with the 4 cylynder toyota tacomas? I am looking to better my gas mileage. I test drove a 4 cyl 5-speed tacoma this morning. It felt pretty strong for having half the engine of my gas guzzling Durango. I am running 120+ miles each way to where I fish, on top of 79 miles round trip to work 5 days a week. I am really sick of putting out half my paycheck to the gas stations. My mom is on her second straight 4-Runner, with the current one having a bit over 250K on it, but they havd both been 6 cyl's. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.

[cheferson]

4 cyl s-10's suck, no sack

[chris L]

I had an 87 toyota 2wdr before they became the tacoma . It was a great truck and had enough balls to tow my 16ft boat . Never a problem with anything major sold it at 246K miles and only cause I needed an extra cab for 2 kids . I used this truck for work and it carried many thousands feet of wire , ladders , payout stands and other assorted tools . Gas mileage was great just dont remember what I got per . maybe 25 highway and 19 or so city .

Im on my 4th toy , you cant go wrong .

[Clammer]

I had a four stick & A 6 stick before the Tacoma // then when to the Tacoma 4 stick /great on gas /the only time you could tell it was a 4 //uphill with the air on //// I got rid of it because it a was a pain in the !@# to shift ,while looking at street maps , But It was a great truck /// my last two have been 6 automatic,s /milage isn,t that great /but alot has to do with the way I drive //////////

[BigBo]

I've got an '04 Tacoma Xtra Cab 4x4 with V6 and auto. Highway driving, I'm getting 19-20mpg. City, I'm getting 17-18mpg. I think the 2.7L vs 2.4L has more nuts, but the mileage isn't a whole lot better than the V6 (3.4L).
Did you test an '05? or a used?

[tlapinski]

I test drove a 2002, 2.7L V4, with 50K, extended cab, 5 speed. they said it gets about 19 / 23 mpg. MUCH better than my durango pulling about 11 / 15.

[Raider Ronnie]

I have a 1988 Toyota xtra cab with a 4 cly and 5 speed
You can't kill these trucks!

[fishaholic18]

Originally posted by Clammer
but alot has to do with the way I drive //////////

Like an animal!!!!

[Pete_G]

It may only be a 2.7 I4, but it's not pushing around much weight so it moves out pretty well, especially with the 5-spd. If you test drive a 6 though, you'll notice a difference.

My V6 auto Tacoma generally gets around 19mpg, and a friends I4 auto gets a couple mpg better. Mixed driving.

Most people seem to feel the 2.7L 4cyl is a more durable engine then the 3.4L 6, which is saying something considering how many high mileage 6's there are. Such as your Mom's.

Maintenance expenses over the life of the truck are lower with the 4cyl too; it has a timing chain instead of the 6's belt for instance.

If you're planning to run this thing into the ground or pouring tons of miles on it, the stick is probably better then the auto. The auto's aren't known for having problems, I've just never heard of anyone killing a 5 spd without trying to do so.

Lastly, get a 4x4. 4x2 Tacomas are real ugly in the snow.

[Nebe]

T-

get the 4. More reliable and if your not pulling a boat or a camper, you dont need the extra horses.

[Raider Ronnie]

I've got close to 100k miles on the origional clutch!!!
But it' started slipping lately so time to replace the clutch!!!

[tlapinski]

Originally posted by Eben
get the 4. More reliable and if your not pulling a boat or a camper, you dont need the extra horses.

you have a YO, right? what is yours?

Pete - it is a 4x4. despite the beach driving i do, i can't see why anyone living in NE would get anything else.

thanks for everyone's advice.

[Nebe]

Yeah.. I have a 96 tacoma LX V-6 extracab 4x4 with oversized sand tires mileage is arond 15 in the city and 20 highway-

I love it, but i dont need the 6 cylinders

[TheSpecialist]

Toby those new Chevy Colorodos have a 5 cylinder. You get close to the 6cylinder hp, with 4 cylinder gas performance. You could probably get a good payment on one as well.

[Clammer]

TOYOTA

[Slipknot]

Originally posted by tlapinski
I test drove a 2002, 2.7L V4, with 50K, extended cab, 5 speed. they said it gets about 19 / 23 mpg. MUCH better than my durango pulling about 11 / 15.

I get 16-19 on my Silverado ext. cab 4x4 8' bed 5.3 lt. motor.

That toy should get closer to 30 with a 4 cyl.

[Vectorfisher]

You took the words right outta my mouth Slip my 4x4 F-150 X cab 4.6 V-8 gets 18 MPG highway, not sure why anyone would want half the truck to get 1 MPG more.

[Nebe]

Toby another plus to a 4 banger is that it will be a tad lighter and will not sink into the sand when your on the beach.

[ThrowingTimber]

Commuting to fishing is the only reason I got my Tacoma. I have the 4 cyl and I'm very happy with it. Ive never had a situaton where I've felt "underpowered" on the sand, it pretty much handles anything I toss its way Im very happy with mine although only being a 4 it does kind of drag its ass when you first get on the highway. Overall Im very happy with how my taco runs I wouldnt plan on towing something too heavy though.

[tlapinski]

TT, I forgot you had one. Is it a standard or auto?

I won't be towing anything with it. The only real weight addition I would be putting on her is a cap. I have seen some pretty light weight alluminum caps. It doesn't have to match like the fiberglass ones to make me happy. I just need a place to lock up an extra rod at a couple places i fish. I wonder how well she'll do with the 55 gallon livewell loaded up in the back though...

[chris L]

Originally posted by Raider Ronnie
I have a 1988 Toyota xtra cab with a 4 cly and 5 speed
You can't kill these trucks!

with a 22E engine ? that engine is killer the body would rot away after years and the negine just keeps on ticking . Just changed the oil and it ran for ever .

[Fishpart]

My friends just bought a Suburban and it gets better mileage than the Durango they ditched......

I have only heard good things about the Toyota.

[Krispy]

don't do it Toby! you will never be happy with a 4-cyl. Slipknot is right, your worried about a few mpg for a 50hp difference.
Also, pay up and get the crew-cab.
I got 90k on my Frontier and she runs beautiful and the body is as tight as the day I bought it. You might want to check the Nissans out too.

[fishsmith]

Toyota trucks rule, just look at consumer reports all red eye's.

[tlapinski]

Originally posted by Krispy
don't do it Toby! you will never be happy with a 4-cyl. Slipknot is right, your worried about a few mpg for a 50hp difference.
Also, pay up and get the crew-cab.
I got 90k on my Frontier and she runs beautiful and the body is as tight as the day I bought it. You might want to check the Nissans out too.

but i don't need any of the power in the durango. the smaller truck fits my needs better. i don't have kids, so i don't need seating for them. i don't have anything to tow, so i don't need the towing capacity. all i do is drive a million miles to work and fish. i think this will fit me fine. i'll know tomorrow night if they'll give me enough on my trade for the durango. that is the only limiting factor right now.

Krispy, i test drove several 4 door frontiers. nowhere near the get up and go i wanted. the 5 speed was ok, but the auto's sucked. i test drove a 2004 frontier 4-door right before the tacoma. the frontier felt like a snail. that was the 4th auto frontier i have driven. if i could afforf it, the 3005 frontiers have a ton of power. i am just not willing to shell out for a brand new ride.

[reelecstasy]

'01 4Runner.......It is easily the best ride I have ever owned...and it's ATOYOTA.....nuff said...
(palindrome)

[Jigman]

'99 tacoma, 5 speed, 4 cyl. Does just fine for me. I pull my boat (16 foot skiff) with it. Only time I feel like I could use a little more power is on steep hills. Been a good truck, on road and off.

Jigman

[fishsmith]

I pulled a 21 privateer with a tacoma 2000 4cyl 4x4 , handled pulling out of plymouths low tide slime ramp no problem.

[tlapinski]

you guys are making me very happy with all the first hand positive experiences of this truck. thanks a lot.

[HighTide]

Got a 2003 Tundra V8, didn't get the 4x4 and I have yet to have any problems getting through the snow- great truck

Toyotas are a good choice