How do you like your manual transmission? A couple other Q's too

Yeah, the 6 is def out of my price range. Plus there are a few other things i don't like that the 6 cyl versions do that the 4 cyls don't, just nitpicks but hey it's my truck in the end.

 

The V6 trucks have some nice options like all the TRD stuff, 17 inch wheels, and tow packages, just to name a few.

 

base model 4cyl 5spd is what I've got,, a little over 5100miles, I think you were shy on the gas pedal in your test drive. I haven't found mine to be slugish in 1st at all.

last road trip going at 70-72mph, coming back on a different route 60-62mph, got 25 mpg.

real pleased with mine, some adjustment coming from a standard cab silverado.

mark

 

went from a 3.4v6 in my 4runner to a 2.7 in the new tacoma, couldn't be happier. openeing the hood i have a hell of alot more room to work than the 3.4 and its just so simple.

 

I've got the '10 4x4 SR5 Access with the 4 cyl manual. Not too much lag, and definitely not in first gear. 5th gear is where it lags the most, but only uphill. Other than that it's not bad, plus the gas mileage, even with the 4x4, is still around 22-23 mpg.

On a side note, I've noticed a bit of notchiness when shifting from 1st to 2nd. It's almost like you can feel the gears crunch (even with the clutch all the way to the floor). Anyone else notice this?

 

^yes sir

 

06 base access with the I4 5 speed.

...

first gear is low and you need to shift by 15mph, 2nd gear is a great gear and is good from 10mph to 60 if need be. it really winds out if you try. even with a normal shift, once you are 2nd or higher, it's fine. you are never go to win a race, but it's quick enough and gets up to speed well enough that i don't feel like i'm going to get run over.

i hardly ever hit 3k, so i don't get the stress, although i have wound it up to the red line once or twice. no need to really get that far up in the RPM range with normal driving. most of time, i'm out of a gear and into the next between 2.5 and 3K RPM

i last cruised on the highway doing 80mph and it was pulling about 2.6K rpm.

anyways, long story short, i think it's fine for what it is. no major issues or regrets.

i'm at 53K miles and still orginal clutch.

 

absolutely, im glad someone else mentioned it, ive got a 4cyl 5 speed that has that odd cruch to it also, although mine is more pronounced shifting 2 to 3. Glad im not imagining things since this is my first stick vehicle.

 

I think they all do that, my v6 does it too, apparently you can fix it with a short throw shifter

 

I had an 09 V6 access cab with the 6 speed, traded it in 2 months back for a 2010 reg cab with the 2.7 5 speed. Both trucks are great, but i find i like the 2.7 just fine and enjoy the better gas mileage. I had been getting 18ish with the 4.0, i now get 23ish with the 2.7. Same commute and driving style. I'm not one to get on it all that often so the 2.7 suits me just fine. She is not real quick off the line but moves well enough for me. As far as the transmissions go, i find that the 5 speed is a bit smoother than my 6 speed was. Both transmissions have a bit of a long throw, but as others have said, its a truck.

 

Yes 2nd almost seems like it's catching a little, but gets far better after warmed up. After 1st I shift in N and barely put pressure on 2nd and it pulls in with a little more pressure. You have to give it a second before shifting into 2nd otherwise it grabs for me. Every other gear is fine though. Also try shifting at almost 3k rpm for 1st or 2nd it seems to shift much smoother without rough shift. 2k or 2500 for the rest of the gears if mpg is a concern.

I also have a SS shifter and though it shifts much better no dice on the rough 2nd shift....it seems more about rpms and oil temp.

 

Thanks all. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, but I'm glad I'm not the only one experiencing this.

 

2008 sr5 access cab 5 lug

The shift quality is really temp sensitive. Now with summer coming on, it is shifting real well. In the winter until you have driven a few miles, it is next to impossible to shift into 1st while moving. In the summer no problem. I would love to change the transmission fluid to Redline or Amsoil. I thinking of that at 30k miles. IIRC it takes 3.5 qts. I think at 100K this stiff balky shifter may loosen up a bit. I find the more you force it the balkier it gets, like you are beating the synchros to the punch so to speak. A smooth light effort seems to get the best results.

Happy Motoring to all

 

i bought my 08 5lug 4cyl brand new and about the 6month lifted it and put 31inch tires on about 6mos after imo the manual shift is the only way in a 4cyl if driven "correctly" it cruises i tend to shift at about 2700 rpm and as someone else said im only a bit sluggish in 5th due to lift an heavier tires but i think its just cuz it was new it took me awhile gettin used to the ol electric throtle body delay but... i love it!

 

I love my V6 6-speed, i can down shift, rev match, and toe-heel no problem, granted the drive-by-wire has waaaaay more lag than my WRX in terms of throttle response, Im about the same off the line with my friend's SC300 with a 1JZ swap

 

I describe my truck as "not fun to drive (on the street)." It doesn't inspire me to drive fast, downshift and apex corners, or give me an exhilarating feeling. Its a truck it's not exciting to drive on the road. Once you get it off road that's when the fun starts. If you are buying a 4cly 4x4 for on road performance, you have got the wrong idea.

 

I've driven manuals since 1974. The Tacoma's first gear is soo low that it reminds me of some of the Yamaha dirt bikes I had in the 70's. The low gearing coupled with the stoutness of the truck's build makes me believe
the truck will make it to 2050. I don't mind the long throw. The gear/clutch combo is smooth.

 

This is all great feedback everyone. I test drove a 6cyl 6speed yesterday and it did feel a little more uppity, in the end it's still a truck. In the past i've driven a heavily modded TransAm and an Acura TL so bear with me if my history skews my expectations. It's a truck and i've come to understand it drives and handles much differently than a car.

Also, off topic but what exactly does "lugger" mean? 5lugger, whatever. And why is it called that?

 

I've had my 09 4X4 4 cyl. since Sept 08. While it was not "fast" I found no issue keeping up in traffic. As for being "luggy" just get the rev's and clutch release right and it moves smoothly and quickly.

The clutch should last 80,000 + if you drive it right, but I can't comment on replacement as mine is too new but I bet it ain't cheap!

The only issue I had with gears is going down into 1st...this took me a while to figure out! This is all about getting the rev's right and it'll slip right in! This is even more critical in winter, as mentioned already by others, but the same rule applies "rev's"! Once you've done it a few times you'll hear and feel the right rev's so you can do it quickly and easily...this also works for those having trouble from 1st to 2nd!

I may be missing something here but one of the feature's I liked about this shifter was how short and easy it is compared to every other truck I've driven. Have you driven a Ford lately! I have owed 2 prior, both 4 cyl. and manny's - very long shifts. I test drove all the trucks before getting the Toyota, my wife commented that she'd have trouble driving them due to the long shift's but not the Tacoma...it's so easy I shift with just my finger tips!

Go out and test drive again just keep your rev's up a little and it'll make a huge difference...trust me. It's a truck and needs to be driven like one!

 

x2

On first-to-second, I actually figured out how to shift it smoothly. I don't know how, I just do it