New to Trucks - observations and some dumb questions...

Howdy everyone!

I've been looking for a new car for about a year to replace my 2007 Forester XT (basically a WRX wagon with 70% the same mechanicals). So my criteria for a replacement were:
Manual Transmission
>200 HP
Cargo Space
4WD/AWD
<$40K

I hoped Subaru would offer a new wagon or SUV in manual (e.g. Legacy, Forester, Outback) but they put CVTs in all of them and that's not what I want.

The Tacoma was the only thing that met all those criteria and I've wanted a truck for a while, so I stopped at the dealer to test drive one last week. They said they could get me a 2016 OR DCSB V6 MT in Quicksand in a few days. After a lot of back and forth they didn't budge on MSRP, but they gave me $1500 over the value on the Forester, sight unseen. Considering it had 90K, was lowered with a WRX suspension and had notable rust around the gas cap (which I disclosed to them), I decided to take the deal and I picked it up on Thursday!


Observations:
- I've only put 100 miles on it so far but I'm really enjoying the truck. It's as fun as I'd hoped (despite still breaking it in) and I can sense there's more power to explore as I work up into higher revs and WOT. It's quite stable on the highway going 75, but I do have to remind myself that it's a truck not a sports car.
- I can see why some people feel the Tacoma isn't as refined as it could be in areas like the transmission, but Subarus aren't always so refined (I've also got an older STi) so I'm ok with it.
- The shifter has some really long throws so I'll probably cut it down or get a short throw kit.
- I explored the 2000-2500 RPM range in 4th, 5th and 6th and don't have the steering wheel vibration that some have reported. I feel some extra "rumbling" in the gas pedal, but I chalk that up to engine growl under power and it's not unpleasant. I've heard the vibration can take time to manifest so I'll keep an eye out for it.
- The front seat is not that comfortable and I would like height adjustment. I wanted heated seats but didn't need the tech package so I might look into a replacement seat.
- I've got a lot of accessories I need to research and think about...

Some questions from a truck noob:
- I like to heel-and-toe, but when I first tried it, my foot slipped off the brake and in between the gas resulting in a terrible turn, which the Tacoma handled gracefully. I figured out that I need to actually do a true heel-and-toe and can't just twist my foot a little like most modern cars. I know it's a truck, not a sporty sedan, so am I just being silly and this isn't worth the bother?

- When I blip the throttle to rev match, the engine seems pretty unresponsive and my first thought was that it could use a lightened fly wheel. Is this crazy talk for a truck? Do people put in lightened fly wheels into trucks? Or does a truck/offroad vehicle actually do better with a heavier flywheel so there's less chance of stalling while crawling or towing or something?

- Am I supposed to do most of my driving in 2WD? The dealer mentioned something about not using 4WD on dry pavement. I'm used to full time AWD so I never really thought about it. In the STi, if I lock the center diff it makes clunking noises when turning, even in snow, so is that the same for a 4WD truck? What if I turn off the automatic diff? My understanding is that basically gives you an open diff. So when should I use 4WD and when should I turn off the automatic diff? And when do I use A-Trac?

- On a related and very important topic I've only ever done AWD donuts (in the snow). In the STi I leave it on open or automatic diff and it does donuts like a champ. In the FXT it took a little more coaxing until I put the STi rear sway bar onto it and then it did donuts pretty well. So, what's the best way to do donuts in the Tacoma?

 

If you want it to be an STi, drive the STi instead.

Drive it like a truck. It's a truck.

No mods will make it not a truck.

 

ha, point taken. Thanks.

 

True but a super charger helped a little.




Congrats on your new Tacoma!

 

Welcome to TW, nice color truck, love the manuals

 

I've noticed the throttle blip issue with most modern cars. It's annoying and frustrating and keeps me thinking back to my 99 civic sir that did NOT have that issue...