Buying a new Tacoma Access Cab - 2.7 or 4.0? Auto or Manual?

[Sisyphus]

As much as I love my LC, my patience as dwindled for buying used high mileage Toyota's and not knowing what maintenance has been done and whether or not OEM parts were used over aftermarket. Unfortunately, one owner, low mileage LCs with well kept records are few and far between so I have decided to let mine go and buy a brand new Tacoma, which would be a first for me.

Knowing this, I am wondering whether or not there appears to be a reliability difference between the 2.7 and 4.0?

None of the trails that I drive require the power of the 4.0 and I never pull a trailer so I was wondering what all of you thought of going with the 2.7?

Also, how's the manual transmission on the newer Tacoma's? I have heard that your MPG suffers quite a bit with them, is this true?

Also would be interested in knowing if upgrading the speakers and stereo package was worth it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Wasatch]

I "upgraded from a RC 2.7 5spd to a AC 4.0 6spd.

-2.7 is slow (unless you plan constantly drive it with nothing in it or bumpers, armor, etc.).
Mountain passes and highways were brutal at times.
-5spd transmission is amazing! Rock Solid, very little slop.
-Gas mileage was nice (when unloaded). Got around 23 mpg with an ARB bumper, lift, and full skids. I ran 235/85/16 tires.


4.0 is a whole other world compared to 2.7. Quicker, have a 6th gear, and it accelerates in 6th too.
-Highway I get around 20 mpg, city/mixed its more like 16 ish.
-the transmission isn't as "solid" feeling as the 5spd, but it's more a difference in driving style (if that makes sense).
-With the 4.0 comes the goodies such as the offroad package, sport, whatever. (I have the offroad which means LOCKER!)
-I don't think my MPG is affected by the manual trans. but I also refuse to spend money on an AT (that's just me).

Overall, I vote the 4.0. 6spd. Manuals make things safer in poor weather and hairy situations. plus you save like 2k getting the manual (which probably negates the 1-2mpg difference between transmissions).

 

[Martinjmpr]

From what I've seen the biggest drawback to the 4 cyl is that it's a "poverty package", i.e. they cut corners on everything. Not even sure if AC is standard on the 4 cyl models. Some people like this as it's kind of a "blank slate" (as in "why not get the cheapest wheels and axle since I'm going to replace them anyway?")
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As far as MPG goes, from everything I've read the 5 speed auto on the V6 gets the same or better MPG than the 6 speed manual. I find that hard to believe, personally, but I've heard it from a lot of sources. I can tell you that the 4.0/5 speed auto combo is pretty sweet (it's what I have on my 4runner.)
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The only combo I would absolutely avoid would be 4 cyl/auto. That's going to be slower than molasses running uphill in January. So I would say your reasonable choices would be:
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V6/Auto
V6/6M
I4/5m

 

[jeverich]

As the owner of a 2007 Access Cab 4x4 CPS (Cheap Prick Special) 2.7 I4 - I'll blab about what I like and dislike about the truck..

Maybe I'm somewhat unique - I like roll up windows and no options on my truck - not that I had much choice, as I bought the truck from my father in 2010 with 70k miles on the odometer.

Sound System: The stock speakers are garbage. I've upgraded to a mid-level Alpine head unit and speakers. Works fine for me (note, I still use an Aux. input to play audio from my iPhone)...

I will say that the 2.7 is pretty gutless in it's stock incarnation. Even more so when you up-size to 255s for tires. That being said, changing the gear ratio to 4.88s and adding an ARB locker to the real axle was one of the best modifications that I've done thus far, and greatly improved my trucks drive-ability. In 4LO, the truck is nearly unstoppable and gets me where I need to go and then some. That being said, if you're a speed demon and enjoy cruising at 80+, then don't get the I4. Personally, I don't drive fast - if you're expecting a fully loaded and armored rig to perform like a race car, I'd suggest looking elsewhere..

Mileage is a consistent 19.5 / 20.0 MPG Highway (fully loaded with roof top tent, gear etc.), consistent 65 - 70 MPH.

Yes, I'd stay away from the auto-trans. 4 cylinder. There's often times that I'll down shift from 5th to 4th for an extra boost on a long climb. I think that it'd be difficult with an auto transmission.

Still on my stock clutch at 152k miles, and a fair amount of hard use.

Pretty sure that AC comes standard on all of the Tacomas - although, the bearings on the drive side of my compressor went out 20k miles ago - and I've been running with no AC since then. No big deal for me..

I enjoy the fact that my rig is a close relative to the 22R/22RE predecessors. Basic, doesn't have many things that can break, etc.

I'd look for a used, low mileage 4 Cyl. if you choose to go that route. From what I've seen, the prices are considerably lower than it's equivalents in a V6 power plant.

Feel free to ask any questions.

- Jake

 

[Tacovendor]

I have the 2.7 base regular cab, crank windows AM-FM and AC and when it's fully loaded and it does fine, winch, bumpers, sliders, fridge and 500 more pounds of equipment. I heard that some Tacoma's will no longer have a standard transmission available? It's pretty much bomb proof, I have zero complaints.

 

[Tinfish]

I have the 2.7 base regular cab, crank windows AM-FM and AC and when it's fully loaded and it does fine, winch, bumpers, sliders, fridge and 500 more pounds of equipment. I heard that some Tacoma's will no longer have a standard transmission available? It's pretty much bomb proof, I have zero complaints.

I have the same truck but stock. It will hold 80 on the freeway and it did fine towing the largest size of uhaul trailer for 600 miles. I've overloaded the bed and it was just fine, not even bottomed out though there was more weight than the rated capacity.

But it's not fast by any stretch of the imagination and if you want speed and power get the bigger person engine. The five speed manual feels super solid and tight; I haven't driven the six speed enough to give a fair comparison. I don't like autos so I never considered that option, honestly.

 

[jeverich]

Agree totally with the above posters.. Glad that 2.7 Owners are coming out of the woodwork!

Just a side note - Toyota has axed the single cab from their lineup.

 

[cdthiker]

I have a 2012 rc 5 speed 2.7. It is a great little truck I drive extensively for work all over the rocky mountain area the ONLY time I wish I had the v6 is going up the long pass from WY to Denver with a head wind coming at me.
Other then that the tryuck holds 75-80 on the highway just fine with some down shifting to fourth on the long hills.
there are a couple of threads on the long terms life of these trucks over on Tacoma world. there is a fellow with the 4.0 who has 375k miles on it with the original clutch/. lots of guys running the 2.7 for a lot of miles as well.
I use my truck like a truck and it acts like one. In the summer I get 22/23 MPG combined with a mid rise topper and racks on the top. in the winter I get about 19 miles combined with a lot of 4x4 use in the snow and a lot of sand in the back for traction.
I have pulled 3000 pounds many times with the truck and moved all sorts of dirt, firewood etc with it. It just keeps doing it thing.
Truck just rolled 60 k and I bought it brand new. Nothing but good things to say about it. if you want to tow a bunch then get the 6 if you want to drive fast get the 6 and by that I mean the I4 will do just fine but the 6 is going to get up to speed faster
good luck

 

[neverstuck]

Do you just use your truck as a trail rig? Do you do long trips with lots of weight? Both the 4.0 and the 2.7 are pretty bullet-proof. Theres a guy on Tacomaworld who has almost 400,000 miles on his 4.0. You don't hear about many problems at all with either engine though. It does seem that the 5AT is stronger than the 6MT when it comes to the 4.0 if you go that route.

I vote for the 2.7 i4 if you're just using it as a trail rig and not longer loaded trips.

 

[jim65wagon]

When buying a vehicle I tend to get the engine with the most power that I can afford. Why? Because sometimes I make mistakes. Sometimes I pull out in traffic and misjudge the traffics speed or distance. Or misjudge that gap in traffic for passing. That extra horsepower can be really beneficial in some situations.

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I have driven both the 3RZ and 1GR equipped trucks and I like them both. I have a 3RZ in my '83 Toyota with 35's and it really scoots, but it weighs about a ton less than a modern Tacoma. I built a '87 4Runner with a 1GR and I am very happy with that one too. It can pull a mountain grade in 6th gear at 80 mph with 37's...no problem.

If I were purchasing a new truck, I would have to consider the body style (single cab, extra cab, double cab) and the tire size I want to run before I made the final decision. And also the type of driving you do.

The 1GR is thirsty, but at roughly 270 hp and roughly equal torque, it has V8 horsepower both down low and up high in the revs. I think it is my favorite engine Toyota has ever put into a mid sized package.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

I would buy a 4.0 and get it with the auto trans. I have the 6spd and the rev hang is terrible. If someone ends up coming out with a turner that eliminates the rev hang, then I would say 6spd for sure, but as things are currently I would go with the auto trans.


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[DaveInDenver]

What do you mean by rev hang? I'd have thought an automatic might take time to change gears from forward to reverse but does Toyota add something electronic to prevent shifting into reverse on the MT? My old W56 has a reverse lockout pin that won't let you go into reverse accidentally when coming from 5th to 4th. You can hear it click if you shift into and out of 5th sitting at a stop light.

This can be irritating when it gets old and makes getting into reverse tough but I wouldn't call it a 'hang'. It's like anything mechanical, sometimes it gets balky.

 

[tacollie]

Rev hang is caused by the ECU letting off of the throttle a hair slower than the driver. Supposedly it increases economy and decreases emissions. Lots of modern cars have it. It doesn't affect drivability in my opinion but can be very annoying for some people. I got used to it pretty fast.


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[Tinfish]

Interestingly that is a complaint you only hear about the six speed. I have noticed nothing like that on my 2.7/5spd. (I had a Subaru once that had a terrible amount of that until the computer got re flashed under warranty, so I can understand why people would be unhappy.)