New guy here with questions

[The Shape]

Ok first post here and have quite a few questions for you guys. I am looking at buying a new small truck and the Tacoma has my interest. Currently I drive an '87 5.0 Mustang. It's fun and powerfull and has been dead reliable for the six years I have owned it. However I am spending alot more time Mountain Biking and doing other outdoor stuff lately and I hate sticking a bike rack or hauling gear around in the Mustang.


I am looking at the regular cab base model 2wd 2.7 automatic Tacomas. I really just want a plain tough little truck. My main concerns are reliability which is why I am looking at Toyota. I am not interested in modding the truck. It will see it's share of gravel roads but no off roading. How reliable is the 4 cylinder/auto combo? I am looking for something I can keep the oil changed and other regular maintance up on and just drive for miles and miles and miles. I don't want to spin wrenches and shift gears I have the mustang for that. This will also be my first brand new vehicle. What is the factory warranty on the new Tacomas? I don't put more than 6K miles on a vehicle a year tops so I figure if I get a truck with a really reliable drivetrain and a well backed factory warranty it should last me a long long time.


So mainly I am interested in how reliable these 2.7 engines are when backed with an auto trans. And any other thoughts or suggestions you guys might have. THANKS

[Droppedmytaco]

I have the base model with the 2.7 auto. The truck has more power than any other 4cyl truck i've owned. You won't be winning any street races but it does pretty good for what it is. I have not had any complaints about the reliability of the drivetrain. The auto trans is smooth shifting. I have done some cosmetic mods to my truck but the engine has been left stock. I have added probably around 500-600 extra pounds to my truck with the add ons I have done and it still has plenty of power. The truck does pretty good in the mountains too.
I would reccomend you at least color match the bumpers. That was the first thing I did and it makes the truck look so much better.

[Droppedmytaco]

You might want to check out the 4cyls unite thread. That will give you an idea of the people you could direct questions to or PM's. There are not a lot of the 4 cyl guys here.

[msibille]

either use the search this forum button for the warranty info, or go to
toyota.com where you can dnload the complete brochure.
In fact, when I went thru "build your Toyota", it allowed me to dnload a brochure customized to the build I was looking at.