I'm a 4.7 owner that regrets not getting the 5.7. I do tow a 6500 lb boat though.

From a mileage perspective, if you drive casually around town they get virtually the same mileage. If you romp on the 5.7 a lot the mileage will suck. Also, I'm not sure if the 4.6 gets the 6 speed trans, in my 08 4.7 you don't get a 6 spd trans and a tow haul button without the 5.7.

You might pay a little more up front but if you ever go to sell it, most of the lookers will probably prefer a 5.7 and will realize it will cost a little more than a 4.6 so you will have more value.

 

Id go with the 5.7. Rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Better resale in the future and I doubt the gas mileage is a huge difference between the 5.7 and 4.6.

 

If you can drive it gently enough, a 5.7 can probably match a 4.6 on the highway and come pretty close to it in the city. The 4.6s are awesome motors capable of great mileage if configured right and driven properly. The problem is the same with that motor as it is with most vehicles that advertise great fuel economy as a selling point: People believe they should be able to get what's on the window sticker while accelerating normally from light to light and cruising at 75 mph on the highway with themselves, passengers, and normal amounts of gear in the truck. That's not how those numbers are calculated. So you can get great mileage out of a 5.7, but you will not be able to get 70 more horsepower out of a 4.6.

I have an 09 Crewmax 4x4 5.7. STock wheels and tires, only a few small add-ons like a bed cover and step bars. On a road trip with less than 1000 miles on the clock and 300 pounds of people and gear in the truck I managed 18.7 mpg highway with the cruise set just a tad under 65 mpg. I'm sure it's capable of 19 or maybe even 20 if I were to try for that again with the truck broken in and just me in it. In most stop light to stop light, stop and go, heavy-footed city driving with lots of idling time at lights I average 13.5-14 mpg.

Now take a wild guess... what do you think a 4.6 liter 4x4 Crewmax is rated for??? How about... 14 city, 19 highway. In the real world, apples to apples, with the same driving style, the two trucks will in all likelihood get the same mileage.

So you're saving on initial purchase price and in return you're getting less power, very similar mileage, and poor resale. Alot of people CLAIM they want a small engine just for the sake of having a small engine, because all that power and 'growliness' just doesn't seem all that necessary. If that's genuinely how you feel, pay less on initial purchase process for the motor with alot less power and negligible, if any, mileage benefits.

I don't even tow. I ponied up for the 5.7 because I love it. I never even gave the smaller motor a chance. I test drove a 5.7 Crewmax and immediately started talking numbers. It was the 4.7 that was offered back then but I wouldn't do it differently now. And I know I will save more money in the long run if I love the motor so much that I want to keep the truck as long as possible. As opposed to if I had gotten just enough motor to do what I needed. And the lack of power, disappointing mileage, and lower fun factor made me want to or need to upgrade in a few years as a number of people on this board are currently contemplating.

In the long run it can be VERY expensive to purchase a vehicle you do not thoroughly enjoy. More expensive than the big engine option. More expensive than the limited package. More expensive than any mileage penalties from the big engine.

 

So you can get great mileage out of a 5.7, but you will not be able to get 70 more horsepower out of a 4.6.

These types of thread comes up alot and this is the best response I have ever seen.

Just look around the forum and see how many bought the small engine and wish they got the bigger one. I dont recall ever see anyone saying they were unhappy they got the big motor.

I understand the money aspect and if you cant swing the extra on the 5.7L then get the 4.6, but if you can skip the starbucks and afford the 5.7L you will never regret it.

It is honestly the best motor trans combination I have ever had in a vehicle.

 

I got over my ego for wanting the 5.7 and opted for a 4.6 DC 4x4. My mileage isn't bad and many of the 5.7 guys are getting close to what I get in my 4.6. However, I opted for the 4.6 because I saved a significant amount of money on my configuration versus the same truck with a 5.7. As for resale value, I don't think that my truck is going to depreciate as much as the difference in purchase price. I towed 6000 lbs a couple times in my truck and I did fine (it was mostly rolling terrain, not flat but far from hilly).

If you are the type of person that may find yourself craving power, opt for the 5.7 though. Save yourself the money upfront rather than trading it in later.

 

from a former 2006 Titan LE crew cab 4x4 owner...i went to a 2007 Tundra Limited crewmax 4x2...hands down this is the best truck i've ever owned. wouldn't trade this engine for the world...i get great milage in my opinion (16.3-16.7 all of the time, mostly city) and the truck is just solid!

i think you'll miss the growl of the Titan, as the Tundra has a much quieter exhaust note...and you'll miss the Titan's subwoofer if you had it...as the Tundra's system is much less "rock out" mode. but other than that, i think the 5.7 is your safest bet...i don't think the savings is really there long-term with the other engines. good luck with your purchase and welcome aboard!

 

If the choice is between a new 4.6 or a used 5.7, I'd go with the new truck every time. Unless you are talking about a demo or something that has 5K miles or less. I just don't like buying used vehicles, just a personal preference. Having said that, I've got the 5.7L and would not trade down to a smaller engine and I rarely tow anything.

 

I dunno man... I'm a 5.7 owner so I'll be a bit biased toward it.

However, since you're coming from a Titan with a good amount of power out of their 5.6, you might find the 4.6 not as comfortable for day to day driving.

Personally, I like being able to pretty much idle off the line on all but the steepest of hills. Other cars you have to punch it to get going - but not hte 5.7

Again, new > used (assuming you're gonna keep it for a while and depreciation isn't a factory). The 5.7 option runs just over $1300... or about 4% of the overall purchase price for an MSRP of 33k

-rockstate

 

I vote for 5.7. But then again, visiting sites like this one will influence you to spend a lot more money than you would otherwise. Hey, life is short.

 

I'll toss in another vote for the 5.7.

 

Buy your trucks like I buy my computers, maxed out with all the upgrades. Helps on the resale. Calculate the math. Saving on the gas is like packing lunch twice a week rather than eat out. Small price to pay.

 

Thanks for the candid, honest responses. I didn't want to start a pissing contest as I know this has been discussed before.

I was definitely on the fence deciding which engine, but you guys really knocked my fence down with your 5.7s. I think I wanted to hear how great the 4.6 was for budgetary reasons.

I live in the SoCal mountains and occasionally need 4wd when I can't ride my bicycle to work, but I can chain up for the times I need it. Maybe I'll compromise and find a 5.7 2wd (a little weight savings and maybe more mpg). I couldn't even find a Doublecab 4.6 in 4wd new or used in CA. I tried to build one on the Toyota site and it wouldn't let me.

 

I would go with the 5.7L also. I worked for Toyota and after seeing how these are built and what they can handle I dont see an reason to go with the smaller motor. With the supercharger installed on mine im still getting 15.0-15.8 MPG on a regular basis regardless of highway or city driving. The 5.7L tows my 20' enclosed trailer loaded with the dirt toys like its not even there, it towed flawlessly BEFORE the supercharger as well.

Mine is a 4x2 and I love it. The weight savings is minimal in the grand scheme of things, MPG are about the same, but the tow rating are slightly different in 4x2 vs 4x4. I got mine as a TRD off road 2wd, SR5, DC, 5.7L, the only thing i wish the DC had that the crewmax has is the power up/down rear glass, mine has power side to side. I dont like the feel of the Toyota leather seats. My buddy has a Limited crewmax and even he likes the cloth seats better.

 

5.7 Man. You won't regret it.

 

I have yet to read a post about someone regretting buying the 5.7 over 4.6!

Just the truth. The 5.7 will accelerate off the line at idle as stated before and is a cruiser for sure.

Drive both and see what you like.

 

5.7 for sure! You'll be kicking yourself in the ass for not going with the 5.7

 

We are all going to have our opinions. In the end it's up to you. Here is my two cents for what it's worth...

1) Test drive a 4.6 and 5.7 back to back (I did this)
2) Ask the dealer what incentives are going on (I have 0% APR)
3) Consider what you want to add on (wheels, tires, lift, cap, cover)

Owning almost exclusively Toyota since 15 years old, having an underpowered engine is no fun. While the 22RE was great, man I hated getting passed all the time. I owned an 06 4runner, then a GX470. I thought that engine/tranny set up was GREAT. Now I have a 11 DC 5.7 2WD and by far it's the MOST entertaining truck I have driven.

99% of the time I use the engine. I take off quick, I'm not sure what the speed limit is on the freeway (in town I drive like a granny however), and yes, I turn off the "nannies" in the industrial area where I work and try to wear out my tires so I have an excuse for new ones. I'm getting about 14.5MPG. Keep in mind I'm working on building up so I also have the truck lifted a bit.

This truck is hands down more fun than the 4Runner and the GX470 even though they both had the smaller V8. The best part though? It also drives like a dream and for having power, it's smooth, quiet, and refined all at the same time.

I "almost" went with the 4.6 and let me tell you, I DODGED A BULLET. Couldn't be happier. My only wonder, is if I should have gotten the Crewmax. I have used the full extent of the bed many times so I think I went the right way. My daughter in her car seat fits great with two adults also in back with the DC. The truck is perfect for me and the fam...

 

I noticed you mentioned mileage twice. I wouldn't worry about it, get everything you want on the truck. From what I have read as well as first hand experience, if you take it easy on the 5.7 it will do okay for what it is. I can manage 20mpg on flat ground doing 55. It's not fun, but it is possible.

On a real life road trip that included both freeway at 80 and big city driving, including LA, I averaged about 17.5.

 

better to be looking at it than looking for it.......5.7

 

back in august i traded my 2007 5.7 for the 2011 with the 4.6 - no regrets here, still plenty of power for my use and almost 3 mpg better mileage on the freeway. At the time i was looking for the best deal so going with the 4.6 i saved 3 grand , in my case that is more than a year worth of free gas.

 

If mileage is a priority, I wouldn't get full size truck. If you need a full size truck, suck it up and get the 5.7.....

 

I would go for the 5.7, the milage is decent and if you want to pull something there is plenty of power, also I would think it would be an easier sell at tradeoff time

 

only problem with the 5.7 is that some of the 4.6 and 4.7 owners will hate on you and say you got a big ego. 98% will leave you alone though

 

I really ddin't consider anything but a 5.7. I can't say anything bad about the 4.6, I just feel like I got a bigger weiner with 5.7. There I said it.

 

Damn egotistical 5.7 owners.lol. I got me a 5.7 to make up for having a small peepee. There, I've confessed.



2007 Supercharged and Murdered Crewmax 5.7.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ and what does this say then?

 

bad dad has a hot wife that only likes his truck, thats how he keeps her "coming" .

only reason i got the 5.7 was cause i needed the hauling and towing caps, if memory serves me right my dc has the highest caps aside from the long bed.

 

I bought the 5.7L because I tow and 90% of the time it is 5k or more in total weight since my flat bed is 2k dry. This is probably the best tow vehicle I have owned to date. Someone asked me how do you like it and I replied it is my Tow Vehicle and my fun mobile at the same time.