Selling my VW for a Tacoma as my DD?

[Brake Weight]

Gearing makes a difference.

 

[ken_79-fj40]

I'm on tacoma number 5 now after a long string of 22re powered 4x4's since the late 80's. In the first generation tacomas I never had a 2.7. But a few friends did and reported never seeing more than 20mpg. I had three 5 speed 3.4 4x4's that all had 4.10's. I got 18.5-19 mpg commuting 90 miles a day averaging 65-70. In 2005 I bought a second generation 2.7 5 speed 4x4 extended cab. When new with stock 245/75/15 tires it got 23mpg. And was reasonably peppy around town, but gutless at speed. I then installed 265/70/16 all terrains (same height but wider and far more aggressive) and mileage dropped to 21.5. My daughter outgrew the extended cab so last year I sold it and I bought an 05 double cab 4.0/automatic 4x4. It's actually surprisingly fast and it gets 20.5-21mpg. So if you can afford a second gen truck and don't mind the larger size for mileage at least it's a better way to go in my opinion.