Quick Tacoma(-related) question...

[dookie]

Bear with me please...I know zip about the Tacoma and am frantically doing my research on a dozen different vehicles. New vehicle wasn't on the radar a few days ago, but my Montero was totaled a few days ago and I have just a week or so remaining on the rental.

So, was there ever a 2.7l 4x4 double cab? I think I'm seeing V6 auto only? Gotta have 4 doors with kids/friends/carseats. How is real-world fuel economy with the 4.0l?

Any other suggestions (Toyota or not)? This is primarily a daily driver...'expedition' use is light-duty...deep sand on the OBX, some mild(ish) fire/logging roads in western NC. Fuel economy and ground clearance are significant factors, as is reliability/serviceability (everything I've ever owned has gone 200k+ with mostly DIY service). Budget is <25k, ideally <20k. Also on the short list, Outback/Forester (~9" stock clearance surprisingly, with lifts available up to a couple inches).

Thx for any advice.

 

[grampswrx]

There was never a 2.7l 4x4 double cab. Not even in the prior generation. I have had a couple foresters and they make great cars. However, they are tiny compared to the tacoma. I had an 05 double cab long bed. I got about 20mpg in that combined. In my 05 forester I got about 24 mpg pure highway. That was a turbo. If you get the NA motor, you will get better mileage.

I think the forester is a comfy car that can double as an expo rig. It will handle your offroading. The tacoma is a great offroad rig that will do be ok in daily driving for you. So you choose which you really need. The back seats in the 04-08 forester is pretty tight. The double cab (05-present) back seat is much roomier. My wife has a 2012 4runner that gets about 16 around town and 21 on the highway.

Have you considered a rav4? The new ones are nice, relatively cheap and get decent mileage. Can't lift them though...

 

[Dwill817]

Not to call you wrong, but in the 1st gen Tacomas there was a 2.7 DC but not 100% sure if it was Prerunner or 4x4.

I say 05+ Tacoma. Should be able to land a 4x4 DC for 20k with decent miles. My dad just bought a 2010 with 55k, TRD Offroad for 21k from a dealer, but it was a Prerunner. Seems like you could get an 06-07 with around 100k for 20k.

 

[2025 deleted member]

I think you can get a new 2.7 dc.

 

[Clutch]

I think you can get a new 2.7 dc.

Only in the 5 lug 2WD. IIRC.





Could lift it, and toss in a locker...if you don't absolutely need 4WD



Though a Suby Forester's mpg's would be hard to pass up, if you don't need a light duty truck.

 

[dookie]

Yes, I see the 2.7 4x2 DC...I need the front wheels driven too! RAV4 is a non-starter...the part-time, when-the-computer-decides-it's-needed AWD doesn't cut it in deep sand, nor does the clearance. Foresters being considered are 3rd gen (09-13), which appear to have significantly more back seat room.

Thanks!

 

[Plannerman]

Not to call you wrong, but in the 1st gen Tacomas there was a 2.7 DC but not 100% sure if it was Prerunner or 4x4.

It was a prerunner, not a 4wd

My 05+ Tacoma had been a fantastic vehicle. My MPGs have decreased a bit since lifting it and adding bigger tires and lights. On the way home from Arizona last week, my best tank was 19.1. My lifetime average for every tank to-date is 18.3 MPGs. If I'm hot rodding or driving really fast, I'll dip to maybe 16.4 MPGs.


Sent via fat thumb

 

[deadbeat son]

My wife and I have both a 2nd Gen Tacoma DC and a 4th Gen 4Runner, both with the 4.0/auto drivetrain. Around here, the 4Runners are priced lower than the Tacomas. The 4R has a considerably roomier rear seat, is more comfortable overall, and gets better fuel mileage. My previous car was a WRX. While I don't have any Forester experience, my vote would be for the 4Runner unless you really need/want a truck.

 

[Wainiha]

If you get the Tacaoma check for TSBs. I think they have one for the leaf pack. Not sure about the throwout bearing. But URD has a sleeve for the bearing issue. I think the 05s had this problem(manual of course). I think by 07 it was fixed.

I'd get the 4.0L with that size truck loaded with family and gear.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I've heard that the 2nd gen DC Tacos with the auto transmissions actually get better MPG than the ones with the 6 speed manual (even Edmund's says the 6 speed manual is rated at 14/18 and the 5 speed auto is 16/20.)

I think 16/20 is pretty respectable for a vehicle of the size of the Taco. My 4runner has the same 4.0/5 speed auto and I love it. Plenty of power and while the MPG isn't great, it's not terrible, either, for a vehicle of this size and capability.

Every time I think of switching to a crossover, I compare what I would lose (ladder frame, low-range, true 4wd) with what I would gain (5 - 6 MPG max - and that under the most ideal conditions) and I stick with the 4x4. The tradeoff just isn't worth it to me.

If I could gain a solid (and consistent) 10 MPG and not lose any towing capability, I might be tempted. But the current crop of "crossovers" doesn't offer me this.

 

[dookie]

My wife and I have both a 2nd Gen Tacoma DC and a 4th Gen 4Runner, both with the 4.0/auto drivetrain. Around here, the 4Runners are priced lower than the Tacomas. The 4R has a considerably roomier rear seat, is more comfortable overall, and gets better fuel mileage.

Wow...my preference is the 4runner for sure, but they seem to command much higher resale here in the southeast.

 

[SIZZLE]

I've got a DCSB 4x4 V6 with the auto and am getting 19 mpg in mostly freeway driving cruising at 75 mph. I like the truck. The engine and tranny are great, but definitely lower quality overall than other Toyotas i've had. Four doors, an open bed, and a strong v6: pretty hard to beat.

 

[tanglefoot]

The previous-generation RAV4 (2006-2012) was pretty cool--it included a push-button center differential lock and was available with the Highlander's 3.5L V-6...big power with really respectable fuel economy. It was available with a 3rd-row seat and had 3500 lbs of tow capacity with the V6. I think the previous-gen looks a lot cooler than the current gen as well.

I used to be in the "gotta have true 4wd and low range" crowd but I've been turned. My sister got a Mazda CX-5 and man is it nice-driving (and averages right about 30 mpg).

The Honda Ridgeline might also be worth a look. It's highly-rated and innovative and the off-road tests I've seen found it to be plenty capable.

 

[Clutch]

Every time I think of switching to a crossover, I compare what I would lose (ladder frame, low-range, true 4wd) with what I would gain (5 - 6 MPG max - and that under the most ideal conditions) and I stick with the 4x4. The tradeoff just isn't worth it to me.

If I could gain a solid (and consistent) 10 MPG and not lose any towing capability, I might be tempted. But the current crop of "crossovers" doesn't offer me this.

I am pretty much in the same boat...what little I would gain in mpg's...loose a lot in capability. I could make a crossover work...though I'll bet I would be cursing it as soon as it wouldn't go up some moderate to difficult terrain. For example we had to layout some route charts for our dual sport ride...there were some spots that were easy for the Tacoma...I don't see something like a Subaru Outback making it, without tearing it up.

 

[deadbeat son]

Wow...my preference is the 4runner for sure, but they seem to command much higher resale here in the southeast.

Man, that's too bad. I just double-checked my figures by looking at AutoTrader. The cheapest <100k mile '05-'09 DC Tacoma 4X4 within 100 miles of Denver is a Maroon '06, with 88k miles for $19k. It's definitely an outlier price-wise, the others are significantly more. I paid less for our '06 4R with 55k miles a month ago, and I overpaid because it was clean and had such low mileage.

Good luck with your search!