Can you sell me on a 3rd gen? Update: You did!

Sorry. Seriously. I'm so used to it in my job that I forget this is the internet and nobody really much cares what is right or wrong.

 

Please go test drive a few with manuals. If you haven't driven a manual in a while you might be surprised with the buttery smooth shifting and softer clutch throw on these trucks now. Way different than what my 1997 Taco clutch is like, or all the other manual trucks and cars I've owned.

Willingness to settle for the weird shifting of the auto to avoid driving a manual in traffic is just silly talk.
With the auto, you have to hope it learns to shift how you want it to, if not you just have to deal with it.
With the manual it's all up to you. That and with the manual, you get 4:30 diff ratio rather than 3:909 in the auto.

 

It's all good brother. I'm wasn't saying you're wrong, just that the exchange was unnecessary.

Guy A: What is your opinion?
Guy B: Gives opinion.
Guy C: your opinion is wrong!
Guy B: but I didn't say...
Guy D: stop starting shit!

Geeze.

 

If I lived somewhere remotely flat, maybe a manual would be an option, but it's probably not in the cards. My wife also drives it on occasion, and she would be a hard no on the manual, lol .

 

I get the apprehension as it is understandable, but please test drive a few before you rule it out.
This truck in a manual is way easier than any other I've had the experience with.

My wife drives my new truck (with manual) just fine, no complaints.

I see you are in the PNW, as am I. Hills all around us, but this does not change my opinion on you giving it a few test drives.
It takes away the "ho hum" power delivery of the auto and makes it really fun to drive.

You can scour the TW threads and read far far too many complaints about how the auto shifts and feels (I felt it as well and ruled it out), the only complaint you will likely find with manuals is the reverse gear is a bit on the tall side.

 

I have been driving manuals for the past 30 years, while I can usually schedule my day to miss rush hour traffic, occasionally I'll hit it...even though I love mannys...it does get a little old. It never fails, leave a little extra room between the car in front and myself, so I don't have to push the clutch in and just idle along...some jackass slips in and cuts me off. Must resist not to dump the clutch and ram my ARB bumper up their ass....must resist!

Luckily I have an option of avoiding the interstate all together, and can take the back way home through the country. Takes 45 minutes longer, but avoiding the assjackery on the interstate makes it worth it.


To the OP: I don't care for the 3rd Gen either....need a new truck, but not impressed enough to shell out $35K++ for something that is just "ok". Long time Toyota fan here, but don't quite understand why Toyota sells so many of them. Hell, I don't know why I even visit the 3rd gen section!!?? Must be for entertainment value...

Problem is I don't care for any of the new trucks out there. Have test driven just about all of them...and while yes they are all nice, they just don't have that "right" feel to them. No one os building exactly what I want, always miss a few marks here and there. So I just keep on fixing my old shit.

 

Because they look so cool ...why else would so many people spend so much on an underpowered overall underwhelming vehicle, they just simply look so cool. I’m in same boat as OP and those that share the same sentiment with being disappointed with an actual drive in one... but I still like the damn thing, warts and all.... it’s just so... so.... cool looking

 

I really like my 3 gen. Coming from a 08 fj cruiser manual and years of manual trans cars. I still opped for the auto after I drove it. Truth, after I got the shifting tsb it got better but I think its just geared wrong. But that can be changed. I pull a camping trailer and have a rtt mounted so it is more of an issue for me.

 

And the fact that they sell so many means a lot of people share your opinion.

 

Yeah they look so cool rolling around the malls.

 

No pot being stirred, people to sensitive maybe? And for what?

 

Ha ha!

Think that is my main problem don't care for how it looks. It is rather wimpy under that machismo skin. All looks and no substance.

That said, I have been driving underpowered Toyotas for years and years, and don't mind it. Think if you're gonna to have an underpowered truck that can't haul much it should get damn good fuel economy, but it doesn't.

With the current tough guy body, it doesn't match the drive train. Always thought the Taco should gotten the 4.7 V8 as an option. IIRC it put out 315 ft/lbs of TQ. For the weight gain it has gotten over the years mainly because of added safety features, that would of fit it nicely, and still would of gotten similar crappy mileage as the new 3.5.

 

Whatever man. I see WAAAY more bro’d out fords that never see a speck of dirt than I do tacos around here. Frankly I don’t see any bro’d out tacos, just regular people who buy a small truck and drive it.

 

Careful the SwoolenGoat you might offend people here with your opinions, I mean it’s not like it’s a forum open to discussion or anything.

 

Seriously though, if you don’t like the 3rd gen, why come in here and just keep saying the same thing over and over? State your opinion and boogie.

Those of us who actually own them have a lot more insight to offer the OP, seeing as we actually live with them.

 

RocTaco do you even read threads or just get triggered by lil things that you don’t like. No one is comparing any brand to another or talking about bro’ing anything out.

 

+1

 

There are some days I like the look of it, for some odd reason the grill doesn't look as huge in person than it does in pictures online. But I think if it is going to look tough it needs some power underneath the hood to back it up. It still feels and drives like a Toyota, do like that...and the interior is night and day over the old stuff. The engine is however underwhelming.

The speculated specs of the new Ranger look promising. Guessing HP/TQ in the 300 range, and perhaps 25 mpg HWY...not crazy about the turbo for long term reliability though. And after owning Toyotas for 26 years now, be real hard to buy anything else.

 

LOL - meant to post in MGM thread. Oops!