1st Gen -> 2nd Gen Double Cab??

Hi all,
I posted this in the 1st gen forum, but figured it applies to 2nd gen taco owners as well. I've been debating on "upgrading" to a 2nd gen double cab Tacoma. I currently own a 2004 double cab TRD 4x4 and absolutely love it. Plus, it only has 80k miles on it! I've been falling in love with the newer double cabs in the magnetic gray metallic, and with a 6 speed manual trans.
Has anyone made the switch from 1st to 2nd gen, especially from auto to stick? Also, of those who did it, are they happier or do they regret it?
I know for a fact the one thing I'd miss is the compactness of the 1st gens...
Thanks in advance!
Tony

 

you cant go wrong with upgrading to a newer model, unless you cant afford it

 

Reciently traded in my '02 DC for a new one. Had some reservations about trading in a perfectly good paid for truck for the new one, but am glad I did. Night and day difference, the 2nd gen DCs are much more refined than the first gen.

 

Thanks for the replies!

BBS- Defibitely like you said- some hesitation on trading in a clean/paid off truck!

Whippersnapper- Is there any current faults with the 6 speed? I know the earlier model 6 speeds ha some issues, but I'd assume are resolved now. Anything you know/ heard of?

 

My brother in law has an '03 (the red one in my sig), and I have a 2012. I've had the pleasure of driving both quite a bit. Both are great trucks, but 2nd gens do have more interior room, and in my opinion are a nicer ride all-around.

I have a 2012 6 speed and love it. If you're the type of person that really prefers a manual transmission, then I say don't listen to the negativity...unless you're considering a pre-2010 MY. The clutch is responsive and easy to drive, and the shifting is buttery smooth in mine. At the very least, take one for a test drive and see what you think. FWIW, mine also came with the "TRD Sportshifter" option.

 

I have a 2012 6 speed and love it. If you're the type of person that really prefers a manual transmission, then I say don't listen to the negativity...unless you're considering a pre-2010 MY. The clutch is responsive and easy to drive, and the shifting is buttery smooth in mine. At the very least, take one for a test drive and see what you think. FWIW, mine also came with the "TRD Sportshifter" option.[/QUOTE]

Is there a common issue with the pre-'10 manual trans? I test drive a 2012 TRD offroad 6 speed and loved the shifting. I also worked as a Toyota tech for 5 yrs, but haven't seen too much manual 2nd gen tacos to compare to. What is the "TRD Sportshifter?"

 

I obviously don't know how to use the quote function yet! Sorry, still figuring it out...

 

It has been well established that the manual transmission (6 speed) isn't all that great. Many folks complain of difficulty shifting, worn clutches, and most of all having to replace the throwout bearing due to noises/and vibrations. Word is that Toyota has fixed these issues, and that the 6-speed manual trans since the 2010 MY is much improved. Now, these statements are only based on what I've read others posting on here, so I don't claim to have factual knowledge of this, however I will say that my 2012 manual transmission is fantastic (but then again, I don't have *that* many miles on it either).

To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what the "TRD SportShifter" is, but it came as an additional option on my TRD Sport, and I believe it's similar to the URD shortshifter, providing a shorter, faster throw when shifting. Mine also came with this pretty nice TRD shift knob, so I got that going for me as well.

 

I have an 05 6 speed and I throughly enjoy it. Shifts great and does what I need it to do. Had the throwout bearing replaced at about 80xxx miles and went ahead and got new clutch plates while they were tearing things apart. Moving parts are going to wear and vehicle maintenance is inevitable, but I am very pleased with the truck as a whole.

 

you gotta get the 6-speed manual if you upgrade! its totally aweseome!! makes the truck alot of fun to drive!

 

I had a 2002 TRD OR that I absolutely loved. We had a second kid on the way, so I needed more space. I almost bought a third car just to hold onto my 2002, but ended up trading the 2002 (with only 72k miles on it) in for $10K, and walked out the door with a new 2010 TRD OR Double Cab.
I've had it for almost 3 years now. I miss the straight-forwardness of a two door truck with a manual transmission and nothing that beeps at you from the dashboard and tries to lock up random wheels if you power-slide in the snow, but the comfort-level in the 2nd Gen is night and day compared to the 1st gen. I can now drive more than an hour and my back doesn't hurt. At this point, I couldn't go back. But I still miss my old truck. That thing was a beast. The salesman who sold me my truck actually bought my old one and I can visit it every now and then at the dealer when I'm in for service.

 

I would go for it, I love the 6 speed in my 2012...I don't know that it is worth getting a short shifter as the synchros are slow enough where you'll grind them with the stock shifter if you're really pushing it...