New to the forums test drove 2 tacomas today

lol I like that last part.

It wasn't a dig at all. I have been in 3rd gen, and enjoy it. It rides great, and I didn't notice a transmission being too "shift happy" if you will.

By "casual" I meant most people, who don't have some preconceived notion as to how a truck should drive. More and more, trucks are driving smoother and more like a car (hell, that was Chevy's whole angle with the Colorado). I think that's great, most people just need a nice vehicle that can haul stuff on the weekends. Hell, that's what I needed! The only reason I didn't wait is because I wanted a truck now (not a year later) and didn't want the first year production. I also thought the front end was ugly, but it grew on me (especially in quicksand ). Everyone I know who bought the truck after being "car" people love it. Most people are more than happy.

But then you get the hardcore folk. Who want big low end power, and something that will just climb in revvs to keep power instead of shifting to keep RPM's low. Those people, it would seem, are the most unhappy with their 3rd gen.

 

Just driving it until you get used to it. It likes to be revved. It's pretty gutless in the lower RPMs.
You should see if you can take them for an overnight test drive (the AT and the MT). Put some miles on them and see what you think.
You're fortunate to have an MT locally that you can test drive. I bought mine out of state and had it delivered. Never test drove it.

 

Yah I live in a larger metropolis so theres 3 large dealerships within 20 miles. Costs are low, I was quoted OutTheDoor 34k today for an AT TRD 4x4. It's a good time to buy. But I want to buy a MT for 31k. However, I just don't know after driving that thing. I'm going to try to rent one from enterprise or something to see whats up.

 

I have issues with AT and I test drove a manual to see if I would like switching. Your post echoed my sentiments about the manual.

I don't really understand the circle jerk about these manuals.

 

I am on my 4th Tacoma in 17 years and my 2017 is by far the easiest shifting of all of them, the shifter falls into gear with practically 1 finger all except for Reverse which can be a bitch to engage. You might want to test drive another Manual Tacoma as it sounds as if something was wrong if you were having to manhandle it to get it in gear.

 

Oh yes I love it. I change gears by the sound. I don't look at the RPM's usually. It's got 3600 miles on it. My wife even likes driving it. I had a Ram before and she was scared to death of that beast.

 

Oh and the MT thing. I just think it's fun. It gives you something to do, makes you feel more connected to driving your ride. And it takes me way back to 1985. I bought a 83 4x4 back then and it was a MT.

 

From driving manuals since '74 (3 on tree, 3 on floor, 4 speeds, 5 speeds and last 6 speed) some of 'em real dogs (first three vehicles were VWs) I can honestly say my MT is the most enjoyable I have owned. I, too, look forward to driving my truck every day.

Will add the shifting has improved over first 1300 miles on the truck (as well as the engine!)

 

I had a RSX Type S and the 6 speed and it was just amazing, the thought of going from that to a manual Tacoma just left an impression that I wouldn't be as happy driving it as I would my RSX, at this time I was also driving a 1990 T4R V6 AT and the 4 speed in that was not a happy one so the AT in the Tacoma compared to that is just amazing. don't get me wrong I don't mind the manual Tacoma's by any means but for me it had to do a lot with the centre console design hahaha. I love my AT and have no regrets getting it but I have also never thought damn I should have gotten the manual. My foreman has a Manual OR AC, and he loves it. Either way you can't go wrong.

 

I came from a 911 and no matter how much I manage the expectation it's difficult to say the least

 

you know, man, I've just never had a vehicle that was rewarding to drive off the showroom floor. or even a used car. it takes time to find the things and make them right for you with any new undertaking.

my MT truck is so perfectly setup for me I'm blown away. I've spent years slowly modding vehicles, but this one came together in about 6 months and almost perfectly. and i don't even have the incoming ECU tune yet. when that comes out we'll all be happier, MT guys included.

basically i would just use loaner or floor model experiences as a guideline, not necessarily representative of what's possible with the hardware.

 

Give it about 20,000 miles. It's stiff because it's a brand new Toyota transmission. You gotta break it in first

 

So true. I know the feeling man, so much potential!

 

this is true, in my case it loosened up nicely by about 5k miles, but i also use one of these heavy solid metal shift knobs, 733g of powder coated metal (and leather, in my case) which will make your shifts smooth whether you like it or not.

https://anarchy-motive.com/products/6-speed-goliath

 

You think the shifting on a Taco is stiff? Try a International Harvester all wheel drive Multi fuel 5 ton dump truck.

 

I test drove a used 2016 and brand 2017 on the same day. Both manuals. I noticed that the 2017 was really stiff and felt weird, but the 2016 felt perfect. I think there is just a break-in period. At least that is what I am hoping.


I have adapted to my MT, and I think its fine. The only way it won't rev hang from 1 to 2 is if you shift at 5-6k RPM 1st to second. Or you can shift at 2.5KRPM and shift slower than normal. My second gen I4 manual was similar.

 

You appreciate the AT when you need your hands for the woman next to you.

 

I've owned a a few Honda Civic Si's, a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X, Dodge Challenger R/T, and a few Wranglers. They all had manual transmissions. What I noticed is that there's a big difference between the manuals in the cars and the manual in the Jeeps. A truck transmission doesn't shift as smooth and crisply as a sports car or regular car would. That said, the manual transmission in the 2017 TRD OR I just bought is much closer to feeling like a car transmission than the Jeeps. After the Wranglers I don't expect a trucks to shift like an EVO or a Challenger, but I was pleasantly surprised at how much smoother it is than the Wrangler's manual.

 

That's because a truck transmission usually has a top mounted shifter with a direct linkage, whereas car shifters often use cable driven linkages to dampen vibrations.

Totally true, I have a flossy redhead grip rod weighing in at 533 grams. Also a URD short shifter will greatly improved the engagement feeling and overall feeling of shiting and makes it a lot more fun to drive. Probably up there as far as smiles per gallon among mods IMO.

 

Not necessarily for dampening the vibrations. That's just the difference between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive vehicles. FWD uses either cables or linkages for gear selection by the shifter. RWD has the shifter placed on top of the actual transmission for obvious reasons.

That being said, its astonishing that people think the Tacoma has a rough shifter. I shift my Tacoma with one or two fingers at times because its just that easy to get into gear. The dog box in my race car or hell even the manual trans in my wifes BMW is sooo much more notchy and rough than the Tacomas. I wonder how you snowflakes would like shifting those!