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BayRunner · 05-21-2023, 12:33 PM

I’m a bit of a Toyota enthusiast and keep up with their developments. Toyota has been in the process of migrating their trucks and utility vehicles over to a new platform. It’s now time for the Tacoma to be redesigned and Toyota has released the information for the all new 2024 Tacoma. It looks interesting and will include a manual option. However not sure if it will able to be flat towed yet. Here’s some reading for reference.

https://pressroom.toyota.com/2024-toyota-tacoma-is-the-ultimate-adventure-machine/

Bangorbob · 05-21-2023, 08:07 PM

I've had 4 tacoma's. Just sold my 03. I won't be able to afford the new one as the old ones are expensive as heck.

boiledowl · 05-23-2023, 06:54 AM

Those automatic tacomas are gas hogs

theroc · 05-30-2023, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boiledowl

Those automatic tacomas are gas hogs

From everything I've been reading, the MPG should be SUBSTANTIALLY better. The old-school V6 that has been used now for years is being replaced by a turbo 4-cylinder with about the same HP but more torque.

BayRunner · 05-30-2023, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theroc

From everything I've been reading, the MPG should be SUBSTANTIALLY better. The old-school V6 that has been used now for years is being replaced by a turbo 4-cylinder with about the same HP but more torque.

While I love our Toyotas, the mpgs of the newer turbo driven engines looks good on paper and theoretically. However, the real world usage doesn’t work out that well. Two model years into the new redesigned Tundra where the incredible reliable V8 was replaced with the twin turbo V6 with supposedly much better mpgs. Real world reports say maybe 1-2 mpgs better and that engine is wound so tight it is not reliable at all. Many reported engine replacements with less than 40k miles. The new Tundra is one of the worst trucks Toyota ever built and really screwed up with it. Meanwhile mine with the naturally aspirated V8 keeps purring on with nice power and reliability.

mbridinger · 05-30-2023, 07:04 AM

I am waiting for the Stout but will never sell my 02.

theroc · 05-30-2023, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BayRunner

While I love our Toyotas, the mpgs of the newer turbo driven engines looks good on paper and theoretically. However, the real world usage doesn’t work out that well. Two model years into the new redesigned Tundra where the incredible reliable V8 was replaced with the twin turbo V6 with supposedly much better mpgs. Real world reports say maybe 1-2 mpgs better and that engine is wound so tight it is not reliable at all. Many reported engine replacements with less than 40k miles. The new Tundra is one of the worst trucks Toyota ever built and really screwed up with it. Meanwhile mine with the naturally aspirated V8 keeps purring on with nice power and reliability.

Yeah, sorry, I misread the comment from one of Toyota's engineers when he said that the MPG will be "substantially" better than current models. He was referring to the hybrid Tacoma (duh!) which obviously will get better gas mileage than the current V6.

But even the turbo 4-cylinder with the 8-speed automatic should also get "much better" mileage than the V6 but maybe not "substantially" better. Going to a turbo I4 with an 8-speed should hopefully get at least more than 1 or 2 MPH better mileage than a V6 with that clunky 6-speed they've been using for years now.

I'm a diehard clutch-pedal manual transmission person so I'm looking forward to the TRD Off-Road. I'd actually prefer the new i-Force 4-cylinder to the 3.5L V6. Many decades ago, I despised turbo engines. But technology has come a long way from back in the 1990s. The new i-Force is technologically much more advanced but in the long run, may (or sure, may not) be just as reliable.

So for me, I'm looking forward to buoying a TRD Tacoma with that turbo 4 and manual transmission.

boiledowl · 05-31-2023, 05:28 AM

I have never heard too many positives on any turbo engines doesn't matter who makes them.

theroc · 05-31-2023, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boiledowl

I have never heard too many positives on any turbo engines doesn't matter who makes them.

Well, to each his own. Nobody wants a gas hog but yet you don't want a 4-cylinder turbo either which would normally get better MPG than a 6-cylinder that has equivalent output.

I've had good luck with the two 4-cylinder turbos I've owned. I had an Audi A4 that had the 1.8T that was used ubiquitously across the Volkswagen model line and I never had one problem with it, and actually still have a 2006 Subaru Outback that I used as a toad that has a 4-cylinder turbo (XT Limited with a 5-speed manual) that is now 17 years old and has never needed ANYTHING (yet) but routine maintenance (it IS a "gas hog" though and "supposedly requires" premium gas).

Sure, like I said, I was never a huge fan of a 4-cylinder turbo and probably through the years, would have preferred a normally aspirated V6 or V8 but turbos have come a LONG way especially in recent years. No, YOU don't have to buy one but I'm okay with them especially one from Toyota.

Everything You Need to Know About Toyota's New 4-Cylinder Turbo Engine

ctechbob · 06-06-2023, 09:05 PM

I dunno. Those little turbocharged I4's have given me exactly what I needed. I needed a truck to replace my 20-year-old Accord and something I could use for around-the-house type stuff. Fits in my garage and isn't too big (Midsize Truck instead of full-size) and still allows me to tow a sizeable travel trailer when we go camping.

I'm getting about 22-24 MPG (short tripping to work and back) when not towing and 9-10 over a 500 mile trip with a 50mph average speed.

I practice rather aggressive maintenance and I expect the thing to last me a good 10-15 years. Not too bothered that it gets worked hard.

Turbo technology is quite advanced these days, everything you own was delivered by something with a turbo, and its been that way for decades.

theroc · 07-10-2023, 04:27 PM

Well, I've been doing more reading and watching more videos on the new 2024 Tacoma and the more I research, the more I like it.

Like I have said, I'm considering either the Tacoma or the Gladiator as they are the only pickups of any size that offer a third pedal.

I no longer do any type of off road travel or recreational off-roading. I don't really need a lot of what Jeeps offer. Although I'm okay with the Gladiator that has a V6 with its manual transmission, there are a lot of features and handling characteristics, etc. that I really don't need or care for in the Jeep. Therefore, the new Tacoma offers much more of what I'm looking for. They say it will feel more like an SUV than a truck ...and the Jeep with its solid axle up front is not something I really need or want at this time.

Yes, the reliability, smoothness, and quietness of a V6 is traditionally we all desired. However, as has been discussed, the turbo engines are being used more and more by all manufacturers. The i-Force MAX hybrid in the Tacoma should be phenomenal and I don't believe can even be compared to the old V6 they've been using both in performance and MPG. However, for me, I'm not opting for the Max as like I've said, I "require" a manual transmission.

Generally, the 2.4L turbo i-Force will still probably feel much peppier and nimble than the old V6. Yes, it will be a slight bit noisier and might have to be revved higher to take advantage of the power but I've owned 4-cylinder turbos since the 1980s and am used to it.

I just viewed this video yesterday from an engineer giving his opinion of the new Tacoma and how it may feel to drive and discusses the new 2.4L turbo as it compares to the old V6 and is basically saying the same thing I've been thinking for awhile now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HUrnOhxE3o&t=27s

JoeJunior · 07-16-2023, 11:27 AM

I've never understood how Toyota dealers could do such a great job selling Tacomas and do such a dismal job selling Tundra full size pickups.

And it's not like the styling on Toyota trucks is good. They're far from being the best looking trucks on the market. It's the same with their automobiles when they joined the ugly front end club 5-6 years ago.

I hold the Toyota engineers in very high regard. They finally scrapped V-8 engines and have put their talents in other directions. If anyone's going to put out a great small 4 cylinder with a turbocharger, it's Toyota.

That said, I'm on my second Toyota Hybrid--a new Venza. I'm getting 40.5 mpg on a vehicle that's very nice and only cost $32K. I previously ran a Camry Hybrid 69K miles and got 49.5 mpg out of it--a $27K vehicle.

My other vehicle is a 2020 F150 STX with the 2.7 Ecoboost. The thing's a rocket and it gets 25.5 mpg on the highway. It was a $33K vehicle 3 years ago, but prices are not more like $50K due Ford's excessive profits being moved over to their EV Blue Oval Division. At the time we bought the Ford, it was a whole lot better value than a Tacoma at the same price.

Pelagic · 07-19-2023, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theroc

I no longer do any type of off road travel or recreational off-roading.

If you did, would you still consider a manual trans? Seems like it would be an impediment on the steep incline stuff and not as practical. Although this would be more on the extreme end of off-roading where you are doing steeper inclines on rocky terrain. Perhaps a manual is just fine for 80-90% of most off-roading.

BayRunner · 07-19-2023, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelagic

If you did, would you still consider a manual trans? Seems like it would be an impediment on the steep incline stuff and not as practical. Although this would be more on the extreme end of off-roading where you are doing steeper inclines on rocky terrain. Perhaps a manual is just fine for 80-90% of most off-roading.

I do some fairly serious wheeling in my Toyota Tunda and a manual trans is not necessary. In the steep and rocky terrain I simply go to 4-Lo and control the gear selection with the stick. No need to deal with a clutch pedal. The son does the same in his Tacoma.