Getting a reg cab 13' need help!

For off-road I prefer an auto unless you go with gears and crawl box then you wouldn't have to worry about using the clutch

 

I have the 6-speed manual transmission and love it. Some earlier models have had issues with the throwout bearing, but that is supposed to have been fixed (I haven't had any issues, but don't have that many miles yet either).

Honestly though, the auto transmission in these trucks is very nice. My previous Tacoma (2005), was an automatic and it was great. I hate to discourage anyone from buying a manual transmission, so let me just say that if you decide to go auto, it won't be a bad choice either.

If you choose to go with the 4 cylinder engine, I'd also say manual is the better choice, but for the V6 I'd say it's just matter of personal preference.

 

yes.

 

It's not that bad. I hated it for the first week or so. But now I don't mind it at all. Girls can sit in the middle. You have a safe dry place to recover from a night of drinking with outdriving. My only complaint is on longer trips I wish it would recline a hair.

 

might have worked for you. I had a 12 reg cab 5 spd. It was fine day to day, but anytime i had to take it on the road that bench killed me. Trips home to WV were miserable. I tolerated it the time, but I didn't realize how much i hated it till i traded up to my 13 SR5 access cab. World of a difference, for me at least.

 

Just don't let a dude sit next to you or you may grab the wrong stick.


I never test drove a 4cyl Tacoma, but if it was me choosing I would probably be looking at the 5spd over an auto with the 4cyl first.

In your case, I would borrow a car/truck with a manual and have a friend teach you how to drive it to see if that is something you like to do every time you drive. Even if you don't end up getting the 5spd, it never hurts to know how to drive it. If you get a bit of practice at least you can test drive the Taco in both transmissions and make up your mind then.

 

Just don't let a dude sit next to you or you may grab the wrong stick.


I never test drove a 4cyl Tacoma, but if it was me choosing I would probably be looking at the 5spd over an auto with the 4cyl first.

In your case, I would borrow a car/truck with a manual and have a friend teach you how to drive it to see if that is something you like to do every time you drive. Even if you don't end up getting the 5spd, it never hurts to know how to drive it. If you get a bit of practice at least you can test drive the Taco in both transmissions and make up your mind then.

 

If you want to learn how to drive the stick go out in a field put it in 4 low and learn how to operate the clutch when you get to the point of feeling how it works switch back to 2 high and try it some more. I have been driving a stick for 51 years the automatics are light years beyond what they were 10 years ago but I'll never own an automatic I just like being in control of when and what gear I want. The 5 spd. in the 2.7 is an excellent blend, the automatic 4 spd is a proven unit the basic design is decades old. Either one is a good choice.

 

4cyl always = 5spd.

I learned how to drive around the ranch a little bit, but when I bought my first manual truck, its all different in the city. so basically, like coming from complete newb status too.

the reg cab is very difficult to stall, first is pretty low and that motor makes plenty of torque at 1k rpm.

my first truck was auto, my last two + my car are/ have been manual. I even force fed it to the ol' lady and now she wont look back. and trust me, if she learned it, anybody can

 

I have the manual and love it, I could care less about the bed length I lost. However if you are a serious off roader the auto might be a little better for you on hill starts and for crawlin.....Gotta love the e-brake starts lol

 

Why don't you just test drive all of them? Then you'll know which one to get.

 

I Have had both a 2010 rc 5speed 4x4 and a 2013 rc auto 4x4 and i prefer the auto, better seats a lot less issues with the trans, i like the auto but it is a tad slower then the 5 speed with bigger tires but it will get moving if you want it to. My 5 speed had a bad LUK clutch so it would slip, throwout bearing chirped had that replaced, clutch pedal squeaked, my girl couldn't drive it if she had to and i couldnt shift into first if i was going any faster than 2 mph, 2nd gear always grind unless i shifed over 3k from 2st to 2nd. i love the auto much smoother IMO.

 

I'd love to have a V6 regular cab with bucket seats.

 

I really like my '13 reg cab, 5 speed. The bench seat of quite comfortable. Plus the center seat belt sits low enough that my 5 year old fits in the middle just fine....meaning that if I need to I can haul both of my kids.

No regrets on the seating or the manual tranny.

 

Curious about your bucket seats. Did you add them after purchase or a special order. Just got a RC with bench seats and not particularly happy with them and would like a center console.

 

His is an sr5 package, 08 was the last year for the sr5 package in a single cab. They came with bucket seats.

 

They are talking about the 6spd. We are in the regular cab thread

 

Yea...benches suck. You can't fit a 3rd person in there anyway. Sticks are cool until you leave it in reverse and forget to set the e brake on a hill and are rudely awakened by your neighbor at 5 am because your truck is parked against his bumper

 

As a generalization , the 4spd auto is 1 more mph, but reported to be slower acceleration , while the manual 5 spd is better acceleration 1 less mpg....no tsb as far as I know , its a 6spd thing maybe.

In the end it really comes down to what you want to drive.

The bench seat, its either no prob or it isn't liked, mine is fine w. me. I drive up to 4 hrs in it without getting out. (p.s. I don't drink coffee)