fellas and ladies,
im in a predicament. Ive been doing my reseach and now im stuck. im looking at two different trucks, and wanted second opinions. one is a 1993 22re 5spd with 85k original miles. it was recently in an accident, but has been completely repaired, with no frame damage. or i can go the 97 tacoma route, 130k for about the same price. i like the 2.7 because i drive a mountain route everyday. what do you guys think? i want this truck to last, but i dont want to be stuck going 15 mph up the mountain everyday. colorado folks, i drive up the hill from lakewood to evergreen daily. any help would be awesome. thanks.

 

i cant speak much about the 97, but i just bought a 93 with the 2.4. i am impressed about how much power that little engine has. i have taken mine up through the mountains in PA, and there is some downshifting involved. highways with a grade mine stays in 5th, but the curvey hills is where i have to downshift. i am sure with some wieght, things will change, but like i said, i have not felt like i was running out of power on the hills. 2.4 is really good on gas too, mine does like 25 mpg highway. i think staying close to the stock tire size is the key, unless you want to re-gear with bigger tires.

 

I'd go for the 97. Properly cared for either should go to 250k+ miles, so I'm not sure the mileage difference is worth 5 years for the same price.....especially with the old one having been in a wreck. Do you know the details on the damage? Fender-bender is a lot different than a serious crash, obviously.

Plus that 2.7 is more powerful than a '93 3.0 V6.........

OTH, the old one shouldn't have a lot of trouble getting up to Evergreen, especially if you take Bear Creek Canyon. You'll be rowing it up if you take I-70 though......I certainly have to row the 3.0 to maintain 75 up from Morrison Road.

 

i know that the 93 spun out in a recent snow storm, and front bumper, grill and fenders were replaced. the radiator or motor wasnt touched and seems to be in great shape. i like the tacomas a little more, but ive just heard great things about the 22re and the 2.7. yeah, the canyon road is always an option. any other thoughts?

 

97' without a doubt...

 

The 97.

I have 130K on mine now and that is nothing for a Toyota if it has been maintained. Mine runs like new. I think the 2.7 is a good engine. But, the 22RE is too.

The extra power compared to the 22RE is nice. The 2.7L is no powerhouse, but it ain't bad for what it is.

 

I'd go with the 97. I'm currently looking to trade up to a newer tacoma, but I cant find any that are in a decent price range for their mileage. I cant justify spending 12k on a truck with more mileage than i've already got lol.

 

i would go for the 97, the 22re is a good motor but my friend has the 2.7 and its pretty nice too

 

The 2.7 in my opinion is the supreme result of everything Toyota learned from the 2.4 22RE. Don't get me wrong - the 22RE is a very reliable motor, but the 2.7 is just as reliable and has more power.

Just to correct someone here, the 2.7 does not have more power than the 3.0 3vze V6. It has 3 foot pounds less torque, the same horsepower (150) and it's torque is higher up in the RPM band.

Also keep in mind when you look at the trucks themselves, the Tacoma weighs less than the pickups. The Tacoma weighs about 350-400 pounds less, so you'll gain performance and gas mileage that way. But the Pickups do have heavier duty frames than the Tacoma's.

 

coed, thanks for the great info. much obliged.

 

I'd go with the 97 purely for the extra displacement and the looks.

 

I'd go with the one that runs better

 

looking it up on edmunds.com the regular cab 97 tacoma weighs about 150lbs less than a 93 reg cab dlx. I was actually surprised to hear that, thats why i looked it up.

 

97 newer and i like how the tacoma looks and it has more hp

 

I guess Id be the oddball, I personally love the older Yotas better and Im pretty faithful to my 22rs. Plus with that low of mileage Id buy it If I had cash. I'd seen alot of probs with friends Tacomas in the past

 

Just because the mileage is low doesen't mean you wont have problems down the road. I would actually expect the maintenance on both trucks to cost about the same down the road, even with the mileage difference.

 

97 is a 5spd too?

 

This is a no brainer, the 97 without even thinking about it.

 

I would think about it. If I wanted to run a camper, or do some heavier duty hauling, the 93 frame is a tougher, heavier duty, frame that would tolerate working with an extra leaf spring better, and it also provides a more solid ride because the leaf springs have more frame to push against instead of hopping a lighter C channel frame.. The 22RE also has lots of aftermarket support and it's easy to mod/work on including cams, headers, exhaust systems, intake systems, etc.

I would honestly have to think this one out depending on my needs. The 2.7 liter is a sweet motor, don't get me wrong, but the 2.4 22RE in my opinion is found behind a better truck.

 

yeah definitely 5spd for the 97. i like the tacoma personally. ive heard the 2.7 is about as easy to work on/mod as the 22re. nothin fancy, but a header and full exhaust as ive heard the exhaust manifold cracks. but first i have to get it. ha. thanks for all the great replies, any one else feel free to add you
$.02 thanks again. i will keep you updated on my purchase.