Tacoma engine?

[reb]

Someone told me the new Toyotas spec the gas mileage for the 2.7l automatic better than for the manual transmission. Maybe so, but I doubt it. My '09, 4x4, 4 banger (stick shift) gets a consistent 25+ mpg (except for off-roading). I occasionally tow a small trailer with no problems. It is not a speed demon, but holds its own on the highways.

The engine has a great reliability record.

Gas mileage is largely a matter of driving habits.

 

[Jim Nelson]

Back in 2006,when diesel fuel went over $5.00 per gal., I bought a 2001 Tacoma from the original owner.This guy was a business machine service tech. and bought a new Tacoma every 100,000 miles and sold his old one. He had all his service records and had just had the truck serviced and tuned prior to sale.It was a great truck for what I needed and I was real happy for about 50,000 miles when it developed an intermittent rattle in the engine only under a certain load.I had a couple of mechanic friends listen to it and we all agreed that it sounded like it was coming from the front of the engine and was probably the timing chain getting a little sloppy. No one, including me, wanted to tear into it so I took it to the dealer and they eventually found that it was wrist pins. They wanted an arm and leg to rebuild it so I sold it to one of the mechanics there who said he would get one of the Japanese take out engines and resell it.
This is the only time I have heard of an engine problem in a Toyota an I have several friends who've owned several of them.
Now I checked the oil on my wife's 2007 Solara with the 4 cyl. when I was getting ready to change oil and it wasn't showing on the stick.I'll watch this closely and hope it was just an anomaly.

 

[ArlyA]

Jim, The grief you had seems to be rare and that was over about years ago. The last new truck I purchased was a Chevy love back in about 81 (does that date me?;-) and at this point, looks like we'll go for a new Tacoma with the access cab and the 2.7 engine. Maybe a manual transmission too but the fuel ratings are about the same Reb. We tend to keep our auto's for at least 10 years and of course it will be 4wd. We do get snow here... Any other comments or suggestions?? Thanks to all for your help

 

[kc5dlo]

When I was once deciding between a 4cyl and a 6cyl, I went with the 4 because the 6 used a timing belt that I did not want to replace every 60,000 miles. Not sure if that is that is the case with the 2 you are considering.

 

[reb]

... the fuel ratings are about the same Reb...

What I meant to say was that I doubt that the actual fuel mileage is near the same. Check out the link by Spindifferent for user comments.

Some of the users complain that the auto transmission is too sluggish with the 2.7. Maybe the new ones are better, tho.

 

[ArlyA]

We're going to the dealership and test drive both these transmissions late this month with the 2.7 engine. The auto is rated one mile per gallon better fuel mileage than the manual is. Go figure. But the auto does cost $1500 more. Whats to do, what to do?

 

[dmccarty]

We're going to the dealership and test drive both these transmissions late this month with the 2.7 engine. The auto is rated one mile per gallon better fuel mileage than the manual is. Go figure. But the auto does cost $1500 more. Whats to do, what to do?

I drive a manual transmission in a full size, crew cab pickup. I think Dodge is the only full size truck where one can order a manual anymore. Anywho, I suspect I could beat the automatic transmission in the MPG game. Flip side is that it is pretty easy to change the transmission oil in the auto while it is not so easy to change a clutch. One worry I have with the manual, is that if I ever have an injury to my left leg or right arm, I might not be able to drive the truck until I heal which is not really a concern with a auto transmission. I did have an injury due a car accident in my left leg once. Ever shift I made for a few months left me with a slight stabbing pain in me knee. :shocked: Not good at all but I dealt with the pain since I had no choice.

It is a tough decision.

Good Luck,
Dan

 

[firemech]

Hit the ECT button to pull trailers with, will make a huge difference!

 

[firemech]

Have owned Toyota's since 1976. Have put between 300 and 500 thousand kilometeres on each one with no problems relating to the drivelines (early ones rotted away in Ontario). Never had a problem with any four cylinder engines, early 90's 3 litre V6 had head/ head gasket issues (which Toyota looked after) Liked the 4 litre V6's in both manual and automatic but must say Don't like my wife's 2016 3.5 V6,,,,, too much plastic on the front and hood, no access to tow hooks and find the automatic transmission "nervous" doesn't seem to know what gear it wants to be in. Love the 2011 Tundra shop truck though.. 5.7 with trailer tow package; yes it is a little thirsty but will pull as well as my ford super duty on hills

 

[TXHF]

Have owned Toyota's since 1976. Have put between 300 and 500 thousand kilometeres on each one with no problems relating to the drivelines (early ones rotted away in Ontario). Never had a problem with any four cylinder engines, early 90's 3 litre V6 had head/ head gasket issues (which Toyota looked after) Liked the 4 litre V6's in both manual and automatic but must say Don't like my wife's 2016 3.5 V6,,,,, too much plastic on the front and hood, no access to tow hooks and find the automatic transmission "nervous" doesn't seem to know what gear it wants to be in. Love the 2011 Tundra shop truck though.. 5.7 with trailer tow package; yes it is a little thirsty but will pull as well as my ford super duty on hills

We've been a Toyota family since 1984 with many different ones and only ever been mechanically stranded once. Lost a fuel pump on the 1987 2wd mini with the 4 cyl. One clamp, two bolts and 10 minutes on the roadside had it fixed. I called a NAPA store and had them deliver the part with the gasket to where I was broke down. We've had the mini trucks, Tacomas, Tercel, Corollas, Camry, Tundras and RAV4. They are all highly dependable and you'll not find me driving anything else. We strayed a couple times but always came back to Toyota. The best non-Toyota we owned was a 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan, the loaded maroon one with all gold trim and blacked-out windows.... good times with the family in that van!