The v6 is overrated, while a good engine the mileage is terrible and power comes in at too high rpms. I have a v6 and I'd get a L4 if I were to buy another one.
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Vehicles owned - 61 Ford Frontenac 33mpg, 66 Chevy Van 28mpg, 68 Buick Electra 16mpg, 66 Plymouth Valiant 28mpg, 64 GMC Van 22mpg, 71 Chevy Pickup 14mpg, 77 Olds Cutlass 20 mpg, 89 GMC Fullsize Jimmy 16mpg, 72 GMC Pickup 18mpg, 98 Toyota Tacoma 18mpg
If you are only looking at a daily driver and no hauling or towing, In my Opinion, the 22R/22REC was one of Toyota's best engines. Not much on power or speed, but dependable and durable and easy to work on.
For your use the 4-cyl would probably be "best". Good gas mileage when used as a commuter car, and a reliable, dependable engine.
But it has only 3,500 pounds tow rating. That's not much. In my case I need the 6,500 pounds tow rating of the V6 with the V6 tow pkg, so that's what I'll buy soon.
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2010 Corolla LE with auto and CC. Previous Toys bought new: 1986 Camry LE stick shift, 1988 pickup, 1992 Camry LE V6, 1993 Camry XLE, 1995 T-100 V-6 stick, 1999 Avalon XLS. Current "family" car is a 2009 Odyssey EX-L. Will probably add a 2011 Tacoma SR5 V6 towing machine soon.
I've got no problems with my 4x4 2.7L (4cyl). Yah I wish I had the v6, because the gear ratios are sooooo close (especially 1st gear ending at like 15-20mph). But I get pretty good mpgs. I've towed my friend's 4000lb car no problem (out of snow drifts & down the road). In Low 4x4 & 1st gear I can practically idle the engine up 30 degree + inclines. It is what it is. I've driven the v8 4runner & tundra & they freaking haul compared to my car. But I got this truck to haul wood, motorcycles, furniture & I can't exactly afford 12mpg.
If you bought a truck (no matter the size) for good gas mileage then you bought the wrong kind of vehicle.
That is absurd and incredibly ignorant. Some people NEED a pickup, but not a gas guzzler. The 4-cyl tacoma is the ultimate balance. Not bad on fuel, but has the utility of a truck.
That is absurd and incredibly ignorant. Some people NEED a pickup, but not a gas guzzler. The 4-cyl tacoma is the ultimate balance. Not bad on fuel, but has the utility of a truck.
You're right, some people need a truck. However it's well documented that the 4-cyl taco is a gutless wonder. Hell I know from experience that the smaller trucks with the old 22RE were and are gutless wonders. Sure you're getting "better" mileage, but in order to do anything (like hauling any decent sort of load in the bed, or towing something,) you're mileage goes right down the drain.
So my original statement still stands. If you're buying a truck (any truck) and expecting good mileage then you're a fool. There's not absurd or ignorant about it. I'm not out here spewing BS because I'm some fanboi, I'm using my real world experience and knowledge to make my statements and decisions. If you disagree, well good for you.
You're right, some people need a truck. However it's well documented that the 4-cyl taco is a gutless wonder. Hell I know from experience that the smaller trucks with the old 22RE were and are gutless wonders. Sure you're getting "better" mileage, but in order to do anything (like hauling any decent sort of load in the bed, or towing something,) you're mileage goes right down the drain.
So my original statement still stands. If you're buying a truck (any truck) and expecting good mileage then you're a fool. There's not absurd or ignorant about it. I'm not out here spewing BS because I'm some fanboi, I'm using my real world experience and knowledge to make my statements and decisions. If you disagree, well good for you.
And in one post, you compound the ignorance you previously spewed. It doesn't matter if mileage drops while hauling. It STILL won't burn as much fuel as a bigger engine doing the same amount of work and EVEN IF IT DID, do you really haul something that big ALL THE TIME? Or only a small fraction of the time you drive? Double nothing is still nothing, and it isn't difficult to rig up a chainsaw to haul a million pounds. It won't go fast, but it will do the work. So clearly, your statements remain ignorant and absurd.
And BTW: I don't care how much you load into the bed, unless you're driving like a complete retard, it isn't going to have any measurable effect on mileage.
I *absolutely do* expect to get VERY GOOD mileage out of a HARD WORKING PICKUP.
And yes, I get it.
Tacomas aren't really trucks in the true sense, the box is too small, the frame is too light(and prone to rust), the rear suspension is questionable, but as a utility vehicle and daily driver a great little machine. I used to do a lot of hauling with my old trucks and if I still was I'd probably have bought a full size chevy or just kept the 71 pickup with the 454, it only got 4mpg less than the tacoma gets. If all you want is a daily driver that you occasionally use to haul then the 4 cylinder but if you want a worktruck then buy a fullsize. If you want to be a boulevard cruiser or trail cruiser hero then the v-6 Tacoma with the supercharger, regardless of all that I would expect any newer small truck with any motor to get better mileage than my old 66 chevy van and am disappointed that with all the modern technology available nobody seems to be able to do that.
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Vehicles owned - 61 Ford Frontenac 33mpg, 66 Chevy Van 28mpg, 68 Buick Electra 16mpg, 66 Plymouth Valiant 28mpg, 64 GMC Van 22mpg, 71 Chevy Pickup 14mpg, 77 Olds Cutlass 20 mpg, 89 GMC Fullsize Jimmy 16mpg, 72 GMC Pickup 18mpg, 98 Toyota Tacoma 18mpg
For what? Most "full size" pickups have 6-foot boxes these days, same as Tacoma. In fact, a lot of "full size" pickups have SMALLER boxes than Tacoma.
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the frame is too light(and prone to rust),
Compared to what? Your 1971 chevrolet? I doubt that you'll find ANYTHING new that measures up there...
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the rear suspension is questionable,
I will grant that IN THE US, it tends to ship from factory a bit too weak for people who actually like to work their truck like a truck, but those destined for Canada come well sprung. No trouble carrying the vehicle's printed payload capacity.
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but as a utility vehicle and daily driver a great little machine.
Well that would be the key, wouldn't it? Maximum efficiency is found by using the vehicle most suitable for the uses that the owner requires. It doesn't make it "less of a truck", just more practical for the requirements.
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I used to do a lot of hauling with my old trucks and if I still was I'd probably have bought a full size chevy or just kept the 71 pickup with the 454, it only got 4mpg less than the tacoma gets.
I somehow doubt your mileage figures. I have a '77 chevrolet C20-350, and it comes nowhere near Tacoma in fuel mileage... in fact, it'll burn way more than double the fuel. Are you sure it had a 454? Could that have been a custom installed engine? (which would invalidate your numbers...) From what I can tell, the biggest engine shipped with '71 chevrolet was a 402. The 454 wasn't available until '73.
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If all you want is a daily driver that you occasionally use to haul then the 4 cylinder but if you want a worktruck then buy a fullsize.
Wouldn't it be better to think about the kind of work it will have to do before making such a broad statement? If work for you is pulling around a 3000 pound trailer and nothing else, Tacoma will do quite well. If your numbers are more like 15000 pounds, you would be best advised to get something larger.
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If you want to be a boulevard cruiser or trail cruiser hero then the v-6 Tacoma with the supercharger, regardless of all that I would expect any newer small truck with any motor to get better mileage than my old 66 chevy van and am disappointed that with all the modern technology available nobody seems to be able to do that.
I'm not quite sure if I believe all the numbers in your signature. If your '98 Tacoma is only getting 18 mpg, then that is definitely US GALLONS. If your '72 GM pickup got the same 18 mpg, then I really have to believe that you're comparing apples to oranges and using IMPERIAL gallons there.
You do know that there are at least TWO different sizes of gallons, don't you? The IMPERIAL gallon is considerably larger than the US gallon.
Then do define the "true sense".
In the true sense, simple, strong, regular cab 8ft box no air no power windows or seats
For what? Most "full size" pickups have 6-foot boxes these days, same as Tacoma. In fact, a lot of "full size" pickups have SMALLER boxes than Tacoma.
Most fullsize pickups today are used as boulevarde cruisers and even their 6ft boxes are larger than the Tacomas(width and depth)
Compared to what? Your 1971 chevrolet? I doubt that you'll find ANYTHING new that measures up there...
That's true and an example of the sorry state of the automotive industry
I will grant that IN THE US, it tends to ship from factory a bit too weak for people who actually like to work their truck like a truck, but those destined for Canada come well sprung. No trouble carrying the vehicle's printed payload capacity.
Being from Canada my Tacoma had the crappy reverse bowed leafs and I have seen a few others the same so not sure if there is any real difference between the basic models sold in either country
Well that would be the key, wouldn't it? Maximum efficiency is found by using the vehicle most suitable for the uses that the owner requires. It doesn't make it "less of a truck", just more practical for the requirements.
Yes a good little utility vehicle
I somehow doubt your mileage figures. I have a '77 chevrolet C20-350, and it comes nowhere near Tacoma in fuel mileage... in fact, it'll burn way more than double the fuel. Are you sure it had a 454? Could that have been a custom installed engine? (which would invalidate your numbers...) From what I can tell, the biggest engine shipped with '71 chevrolet was a 402. The 454 wasn't available until '73.
My 71 came with a 350 manual trans and got 15 around town and 19 on the highway, I put in the 454 and mileage dropped by 1 so long as I didn't open up the four barrels then it got really exciting
Wouldn't it be better to think about the kind of work it will have to do before making such a broad statement? If work for you is pulling around a 3000 pound trailer and nothing else, Tacoma will do quite well. If your numbers are more like 15000 pounds, you would be best advised to get something larger.
I think thats what we are talking about here, the Tacoma is not a work truck except maybe as a parts delivery truck but once again a great little utility vehicle
I'm not quite sure if I believe all the numbers in your signature. If your '98 Tacoma is only getting 18 mpg, then that is definitely US GALLONS. If your '72 GM pickup got the same 18 mpg, then I really have to believe that you're comparing apples to oranges and using IMPERIAL gallons there.
I continue to be disappointed by the mileage modern vehicles get and yes I am well aware of the difference between the gallons being a Canadian.
You do know that there are at least TWO different sizes of gallons, don't you? The IMPERIAL gallon is considerably larger than the US gallon.
Difference is about 20% US gallon is 132 fl oz and the Imperial gallon is 160 fl oz
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Vehicles owned - 61 Ford Frontenac 33mpg, 66 Chevy Van 28mpg, 68 Buick Electra 16mpg, 66 Plymouth Valiant 28mpg, 64 GMC Van 22mpg, 71 Chevy Pickup 14mpg, 77 Olds Cutlass 20 mpg, 89 GMC Fullsize Jimmy 16mpg, 72 GMC Pickup 18mpg, 98 Toyota Tacoma 18mpg
Difference is about 20% US gallon is 132 fl oz and the Imperial gallon is 160 fl oz
20% is huge.
And note that just like gallons, there are also multiple sizes of fluid ounces. The IMPERIAL fluid ounce is SMALLER than the US fluid ounce.
It might make more sense for you to use metric. I don't think you have the knack for the alternative.
3.785411784 liters per US gallon.
4.546090282 liters per IMPERIAL gallon.
BTW: If you ask any American, they'll tell you that there are 128 fl oz in a gallon.
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22re vs v6
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