I just came from a 4.0 v6 Ford (92' Explorer) and went with the 2.7 with standard transmission. I am plenty happy with it. For freeway its great, drop it into 4th for big hills or passing and if you push it it will definately go. To me I feel like it has very comparable power to my old car and a lot better gas mileage.

 

The manual is the better choice as you can gear accordingly to compensate on steep grades etc. I have had no problems with the 2.7 but came from a 88 Ram-50 2.6L that was only 110hp.

No regrets here, especially with 27.7mpg average after 7700 miles. Some here with the 2.7L 4x4 are getting 23-24.

 

Get 4WD!

I think you should get the 4x4.It is always better to have and not need.
Than to need it and not have it.

 

I'd pass on the 2.7 liter. Especially if you have any sort of hills or plan on pulling/loading up the truck with any sort of weight. I have 2.7 liter and regret nearly daily for no getting the 4.0. Around town driving the 2.7 is fine but add any weight, hills or towing and the thing is gasping for more power.

 

If you like to drive really fast most or all of the time get the 6cyl but if you want to drive normal the 4 is fine. I have no problems towing my 1500 - 2000 lb trailer and since I dont drive my truck like a sports car I dont miss it.

 

If you dont plan on going off roading or pullin a trailer. I would get the 2.7 Though I would test drive them both the 4.0 and the 2.6 and see what you like best. I traded in my 2005 reg cab 5 speed 2.7l 4x4 for a 2006 auto excab v6 4x4 sr5. I would never go back to the 2.7l 4x4 again. I get maybe 1-2 mpg worse with the 4.0 than I did with the 2.7

 

I love my 2.7L!!! I have no complaints and I 4x4 on a regular basis. So, if you want to save some money get the 4cyl!!

 

I have an '05 2.7 5-speed reg-cab 2wd in Iowa where it's fairly flat.
I have no trouble doing 90 on the interstate with a motorcycle in the back 400miles each way and getting low 20's mpg.

I went with the 4 because they are toyota's most reliable/proven design, though if they did offer the 4.0L in the rag cab 2wd that would be a hoot!

 

I test drove the 5spd 2.7 and thought it was pretty good until I test drove the X-Runner. I couldn't go back to the 2.7. If you're concern about MPG then I would go with the 2.7. otherwise test drive the 4.0 and decide then.

 

The 4.0 is a very nice engine.

 

The rule of thumb is to get the biggest or most powerful engine a particular car has

 

I would probably go with the 4.0 if I could, but since I couldn't in the regular cab I'll just be happy with the 23-24 MPG I've gotten the past two tanks.

 

I'm on the verge of moving out of my 1997 Jeep TJ Sport into a new Tacoma. After reading these forums for a couple of weeks, I get the impression that not many of the regulars are driving the 2.7 litre engine.

I've test driven the 2.7 (in automatic, my local dealer doesn't have a manual at the moment), and it felt reasonibly responsive. However, after driving the big 6 cylinder in the Jeep for 9 years, I'm wondering if I'll miss the larger engine.

My 4x4 days are behind me, and I don't see me hauling a trailer any time in the future.

I suppose what I'm asking for an opinion of highway power on the 2.7 litre engine. I don't do a tonne of highway travel, but don't want to commit to a vehicle that I'll be unhappy with under the hood. I tend to keep my ride for some time....

I'm in Montreal and I got the baseline canadian tacoma (5spd 2.7 access-cab 2wd) I made a couple of trip with the bed loaded and the rear suspension bottoming out from all the weight; the truck was perfect on driveability, handling and power. My only wish was for a 4wd version with the 2.7 but Toyota canada chose not to import that flavor of the tacoma.

I get 27-28mpg on the highway driving with an eye on the scangauge to keep MPG over 25.

I would get a 2.7 again but in 4wd. plenty of power with great mpg.

 

Good stuff, folks, thanks for the input. I'm going for the 2.7 for the gas milage and the knowledge that I won't be towing or carrying a lot of cargo (except mountain bikes )

Now I need to go get one of the local dealers down closer to the wholesale cost, and I need to get rid of my TJ. Anyone want to buy a Jeep?

 

Can't wait to see another Taco in Ottawa :clap:

 

I'd love to buy a wrangler as a second vehicle. Hauling mountain bikes and such you'll be perfectly fine with the 2.7. I have a such a love/hate relationship with that engine.

 

Good stuff, folks, thanks for the input. I'm going for the 2.7 for the gas milage and the knowledge that I won't be towing or carrying a lot of cargo (except mountain bikes )

Now I need to go get one of the local dealers down closer to the wholesale cost, and I need to get rid of my TJ. Anyone want to buy a Jeep?

dont buy a 2.7l 4x4 for the gas mileage. I did last year and I was sorry. I got just as good of milage with the v6 auto as I did with the 2.7 5speed.

 

Prerunner Considerations

I have the prerunner access cab manual in a 2.7.

The higher stance looks great and costs less than 4wd. It also get better mileage than 4wd. However, the higher stance reduces the gas mileage improvement (vs regular cab or access cab non prerunner), and makes it slower accelerating on the highway.

I am satisfied with my purchase, but would urge all to consider this trade off before buying.

 

I have the prerunner access cab manual in a 2.7.

The higher stance looks great and costs less than 4wd. It also get better mileage than 4wd. However, the higher stance reduces the gas mileage improvement (vs regular cab or access cab non prerunner), and makes it slower accelerating on the highway.

I am satisfied with my purchase, but would urge all to consider this trade off before buying.

i also have a prerunner 2.7L access cab. i love mine so far, except on hills. does 85-90 on the freeway just fine (feels like 70) and still gets 23-24 MPG. i haven't driven it really hard yet (now have 2,000 miles) but i need to test the acceleration on it

 

Good stuff, folks, thanks for the input. I'm going for the 2.7 for the gas milage and the knowledge that I won't be towing or carrying a lot of cargo (except mountain bikes )

Now I need to go get one of the local dealers down closer to the wholesale cost, and I need to get rid of my TJ. Anyone want to buy a Jeep?

Make sure you get the 5 lug non-prerunner. Otherwise get the v6 the 4 banger is really under power in the prerunner/ 4x4. Just my .02. I had the 2.7 in my 98 Taco and it was a sled, I am getting better mpg in my 05 D-Cab 4.0L. :thumbsup:

 

The 98's were a 2.7 or a 2.4?

 

the mileage blows with the 4.0 but you can never have enough power, i came from driving a 400+ hp Trans Am so im bias. Personaly i think if the 2.7 was peppy enough for you when you drove it then enjoy the gas mileage and cheaper payments and cheaper insurance. but at least drive a 4.0 before you buy a tacoma!!!

 

The 98's were a 2.7 or a 2.4?

The 98's where a 2.7 in the 4x4 and Prerunner and the 2.4 was in the 5 lug mini. :thumbup:

 

I also have a 5 speed 2.7 4x4 Access Cab. I came from a tired 22RE running 5.29s and 35s for my commute 70 miles a day. The 2.7 is a HUGE improvement over driving the 22RE for the past 7 years for me at least. I get consistent 21 mpg driving about 50% highway / 50% city. If I was coming from a full-size or sports car of some sort of course I would feel underpowered but I dont so im happy! I also wanted AC and power windows which I didnt have in my old pickup. If I got the 4.0L it would have been bone stock.