Life changes… considering a 2023 i4 double cab SR

I’d like to know what the community thinks of longevity of the 2.7l in a SR trim level double cab truck and any common things to look for when buying one. The one I am currently looking at is at CarMax and will have the balance of the factory warranty and power train. The price is somewhat reasonable for a Tacoma.

Thoughts?

 

In regards to longevity, I don’t think you could pick anything better.

Speed is another thing. And gas mileage isn’t necessarily better than the 3.5v6.

 

My wife and I drive about 6,000-7,500 miles a year maximum between two cars I am not too worried about fuel efficiency compared to the v6. I am trying to buy a truck for the next 10-15 years that also can occasionally be used as a roadtrip car for my family of 4. I remember the power of the 2.7l from my 2014 Tacoma but that was a 4x4 with the 4speed transmission.

How do people like the new 6speed mated to the 2.7 in their 2wd trucks?

 

consciences is that it is not family road trip friendly

 

Don’t know how many kids you are looking to haul, but my daughter, 4, is completely comfortable in her forward facing strapped type seat in my DC. It’s a graco Transitions model and it’s behind me at 5’9”. It’s not exactly choice number one for a long road trip but it would absolutely do the job for our family of 3 if I needed it to do so. There’s not much room for much else in the cab but remember…you have 5’ x 4-ish’ of bed space plus the under seat storage. Put a good water resistant cover on it and you have more trunk space than anything short of a suburban.

As said, the 4 banger is nothing to write home about for power but flat out expect 3-400k of life out of it easily and reliably if you keep the Mx up. Third gen’s well cared for are extremely reliable.

 

i bought my TRDOR in 2022 and I thought I needed all the bells and whistles. I don't do any real off roading or towing and in retrospect I would've been entirely content with the 2.7 ext cab but I'd want the SX appearance package. Saw a few and they look great.

 

Kids are 5 and 7 also they are in transition car seats similar what you have. We don't travel by car but once a year and no further than 7 hours.

 

I suggest shopping around unless you are willing to pay up for a haggle free purchase. CarMax IMO is never reasonable because you will pay full retail price.

 

If you were happy in your 4 speed 4wd 2.7, the lighter 6 speed 2.7 should be pretty satisfying

 

If you don't need the open bed of the truck, something like a RAV or Highlander would be better on fuel and road trip comfort.

 

For the few occasions when you are road-tripping with the family you can always just rent
something more appropriate for those times.

 

Sounds like you're already aware that the I4 in the 3rd gen is considered an extremely reliable motor. Given your use case and unconcern for MPG I'd think about a larger vehicle as you're wanting this to serve you when your kids are teenagers+.

 

Double cab 2.7 will suck hard, especially with 4 people and fully loaded.
You will regret it (and I'm a huge 2tr-fe fan and a major hater of that bullshit 3.5 2gr-fks).

Also with 2 kids, they will outgrow the 4 door taco in months and you'll be looking for a different vehicle anyway.
Tacoma is a horrible vehicle choice for your described needs, let alone the 2.7

 

I mostly agree with this. No haggle also allows you to know what you are going to be paying before you ever walk through the door.

Yes, we shall see on the test drive.

We currently have a VW Tiguan it’s comfortable but doesn’t tick all the boxes need day to day without dragging the trailer, and that gets really old.

Completely reasonable thought especially the once a year use.

Yes, it’s true we could outgrow the truck. I like the idea of a full sized, yet my wife is semi-opposed to getting a full sized again.

The other trucks I am considering are the 2025 Silverado or Colorado with the TurboTax engine 2wd. Silverado extended cab is more what I would be considering for the maximum bed space. I am just not ready to spend market price on either of those so I am doing some test drives and looking at all my options.

 

Fwiw OP, if you're trying to convince yourself that the 2.7L 3rd gen will work for you... I drove a 1st Gen Xterra with similar hp and tq for 150k miles.. I also towed a small 2600lb camper with that SUV loaded for about 15k miles. It was a dog loaded/towing but never complained. If you're a patient man and your kids get along with each other nicely enough to be squeezed in the back seat then go for it.

Find a 2016 or 2017 manual transmission 5spd and it'll probably hold it's value amazingly.. as there weren't many of those produced.

 

I will just add my 2 cents here. I purchased a 20 back in December of 2019, to be my everyday driver. I am completely satisfied with my purchase. I did this with the hope that it would be the last vehicle I would buy new or used from a dealership of any kind. I will add its not the only vehicle I have.

 

Hey Tokyo. I think it would last a very long time. Only thing different I would do is get other prices in the same mileage range. You may be pleasantly surprised.

 

@Bishop84 have you seen any common issues with 3rd gen 2.7l trucks?

Could you clarify this? Are you saying look for other brand trucks with similar mileage for price comparisons?

 

what I think he’s getting at is to shop around outside of Carmax. There are a lot of 3gens out there and you may find that similar mileage pricing varies wildly.

Carmax tends to have good low mileage vehicles but their prices can be sometimes ridiculous. I did a quick search in my area and there’s a pretty common 23 Offroad with 9k miles on it for sale and Carmax wants $48k which is absurd. Plenty of similar examples and mileage around here at $40k or less.

 

Phuck NO! Other dealerships, sellers, other Tacos.... Don't look at one only.