Tacoma engine?

[ArlyA]

We'll be traveling to a town with a Toy dealership for the weekend. I'm still trying to get the sales person to response so as we can test drive a plain jane truck with a manual and auto transmissions. I'll report back if that happens. Nonetheless, everyone's comments have been very helpful.

 

[RoyJackson]

We'll be traveling to a town with a Toy dealership for the weekend. I'm still trying to get the sales person to response so as we can test drive a plain jane truck with a manual and auto transmissions. I'll report back if that happens. Nonetheless, everyone's comments have been very helpful.

Just an FYI... Toyota doesn't sell a standard cab Tacoma anymore...just the extended cabs and crew cabs. I wouldn't be too surprised if there are no Tacomas with a manual transmission on the lot, either.

 

[ArlyA]

We are getting the access cab. I learned today that the dealer we planed to visit has sold all the 2.7 powered ones they had. Oh well.

 

[dfkrug]

Just an FYI... Toyota doesn't sell a standard cab Tacoma anymore...
just the extended cabs and crew cabs. I wouldn't be too surprised if there are no Tacomas with a
manual transmission on the lot, either.

And, the "Xtra cab" has 4 doors, tho they are smaller than the crew cab's 4 doors.

I heard that manual trans sales in the US are now down to 4% of units sold. I buy only
manual tranny vehicles, but I can see clear advantages to ATs if you tow heavy trailers.

Most folks don't change the oil in their trannies, prob cuz the owners manuals usually
specify no change interval. With an AT, changing oil is hard, but doing it every 50-75K
miles can make a world of difference in its lifespan.

 

[dfkrug]

We are getting the access cab. I learned today that the dealer we planed to
visit has sold all the 2.7 powered ones they had.

My Tacoma is my only car (of dozens) that I bought new. The dealer told me you can not order
exactly what you want. Turns out, not true, according to folks at the factory I visited shortly after
the purchase.

Order exactly what you want, if you have the patience. Dealers want to sell you what they have,
even if it is the wrong color, or loaded up with all sorts of crap you don't want.

 

[ArlyA]

We are getting the base model and the dealerships near us do seem to stock them. The one we were communicating with and planed to visit, seems to have sold there plain innovatory off. At this point we are getting the SR version with the access cab, 4wd with the 2.7 engine. Since the automatics are getting the same fuel mileage as the manuals, I've become indifferent to either one, but the autos do cost more. Hardly care about the color. Do note that we don't stay up and night worrying about fuel mileages.

My Tacoma is my only car (of dozens) that I bought new. The dealer told me you can not order
exactly what you want. Turns out, not true, according to folks at the factory I visited shortly after
the purchase.

Order exactly what you want, if you have the patience. Dealers want to sell you what they have,
even if it is the wrong color, or loaded up with all sorts of crap you don't want.

 

[dfkrug]

If you don't care about gas mileage, the current 4-liter V6 is very smooth and powerful. But
the Taco is a big and heavy truck now, so don't expect to see even 20mpg. The 2.7 I-4
is very popular among those who want better mileage. The 2.7 is actually more powerful
than the 3.0 V6 that I had in my old '89 Toyota 4x4, my most reliable vehicle of all I have owned.

 

[RoyJackson]

If you don't care about gas mileage, the current 4-liter V6 is very smooth and powerful. But
the Taco is a big and heavy truck now, so don't expect to see even 20mpg.

Got to disagree with you...mostly highway, I'm seeing 21-22 MPG. Mixed, 19-20 MPG
This is in a 2016 Crew Cab V-6, automatic (6 speed).

I will say fuel economy when the truck had <15K miles wasn't as good as it is today with 25K miles.

 

[dfkrug]

Got to disagree with you...mostly highway, I'm seeing 21-22 MPG. Mixed, 19-20 MPG
This is in a 2016 Crew Cab V-6, automatic (6 speed).

My statement is based on "real MPG" #s quoted by Motor Trend, as well as anecdotes from friends. One has a
'15 with V6 AT, "Prerunner" 2WD 4D Xtracab, and he rarely gets over 20MPG on a tank.

You did not say if you had 2WD or 4x4, Roy.

"Your mileage will vary", or so they say. A couple of times I got 25MPG in my 3.4V6
4x4 Taco, but usually it is 19-21 all-around.

 

[RoyJackson]

You did not say if you had 2WD or 4x4, Roy.

My Tacoma is 4x4...

Of course, a lot of it is how one drives...I don't get on it often. I've also found the 6 speed auto gets a bit better fuel economy at 71-73 MPH (less downshifting at that speed). Shifting down to 5th or (rarely) 4th on secondary roads helps too...again, less downshifting.