New to the forums test drove 2 tacomas today

I've been lurking the forums for a couple of weeks now as I'm looking for my first truck. I have to commend you all this place has been a HUGE source of great information, things I didn't even know to ask were brought up here and the prices posts have been so helpful in understanding the actual paid value of these trucks.

I'm posting to tell you guys a first impression of the 2017 Tacoma from a non truck drivers impression. First I drove a MT TRD OFFROAD and honestly, I was so disappointed. I LOVE manuals, I drive a WRX currently and this manual was super stiff and had a huge amount of rev past the clutch. Ive driven clutches in cars my whole life and the action from the Tacoma made me want to just walk away.

Then I drove the AT and my lord, it was much much smoother ride. I really love how the truck just saunters over tough terrain like its nothing and it had some get up and go. I'm looking for a truck to go camping and fishing in the western NC mountains and with the AT i just could see it happening.

I've read the MT celebration thread before and I decided I definitely wanted a MT but after driving it. Nope... maybe it was a bad shifter or maybe the truck was abused (it had 84 miles on it) but there was no way I could see myself driving that to work or long trips. I hope the MT enthusiasts have some insight because the 4 miles i drove this thing it was a job, not driving.

Regardless, I'm a MT guy all the way and I just want to say thank you to the community here for providing such great info as it as been invaluable so far.

 

Welcome to the forum

 

Thanks! what you driving?

 

16 TRD off road, wish I had gone with manual transmission

 

MT is overhyped, AT all the way. Welcome to TW

 

Personally, I HATE trucks with a manual. I love doing my shifting in a sport/muscle/fun car, but I don't like it in trucks. It's something about the throw of the shifter more than anything, I just don't enjoy it.

Good luck on your hunt. It seem casual drivers are happy with the third gen. I know it gets ragged on here, but I know quite a few people that love it.

 

See this is my exact conundrum. I looove driving a manual but the damn thing felt so stiff. I want to wish the MT into being a decent ride... maybe I just didn't have enough time to find the sweet spot... but IDK ... i've been driving MT for 20 years now.

 

Thanks. Yeah, it just felt right driving the AT. The new tacoma just felt like it was engineered first to go with the AT and then at the end they threw a MT in it.

 

TBH I didn't test drive a manual because one wasn't available. I purchased mine in Oct 2015. Kinda want to go in and test drive one, just because. Doubt I'll trade mine in.

 

Yes, this will be my first new vehicle so I don't even know what a new clutch and manual is supposed to feel like. It just had some rough switches from 3rd to 4th that were jarring and I thought WTF. I went into this thinking manual all the way and now I'm definitely flipped.

 

Do it! I felt like I was taking crazy pills driving the vehicle. I'm trying to figure out if it was just me, or is there another way to drive it or if what I expect from going from a car to a truck is just not going to happen.

 

Welcome to the Madhouse!!!!

 

Bottom line it's a truck. It's going to drive like a truck. I have a 2017 MT and I can't wait to drive it every day. I know its not a 911. Manage expectations my friend.

 

So you love it? How many miles? Also, how do you drive it? where is the sweet spot in the rpms?

 

I feel like Luke in front of the emperor. I don't want to give in!

 

Yep. I've got a 6sp with just over 4k and it shifts much smoother than when it was new.

 

This is a truck I want my 3 year old to inherit. I feel like manual drivers... just get it. So this little bit of hope you guys are telling me... makes me want to try another manual. What tips would you have on driving one after some experience?

 

My experience was identical to this in almost every way. Came from a WRX manual and planned on getting a manual truck. I test drove the manual truck first....then got in the automatic and it felt so much more refined, quiet, less vibration, etc. I ended up buying the auto.

Even with the somewhat goofy shifting behavior (Mostly now remedied with the use of a shift-sense unit), I don't regret getting the auto at all. A friend of mine at work bought a MT Taco right after I did and he loves it.....you can't go wrong with either one imo.

 

Fwiw, I never owned an AT vehicle before this 3rd gen. I really like it and don't see what the fuss is about it at all. I would imagine the MT would loosen up after you break it in, as others have said, probably could find a TW member to let you take a spin in theirs if possible, as it is a big decision going to the "dark side" lol.
Good luck and welcome to TW!