Stick shift diehard

Hey guys.
I've done a little autocross, unofficial road racing, and some mountain runs akin to rally racing, have ridden motorcycles for over 40 years, and hate automatic transmissions with a passion.
I'd rather heel toe and double clutch or rev match any time.

My current truck is a 1998 Ford Ranger XLT 3.0 4x4 step side Off Road that I have invested a good amount of time and money into the mechanical's a couple years ago. The 3.0 motor is anemic with power only between 3k and 4.2k, and I really don't want to gut the thing and do a motor trans wiring harness, and ecu swap for a 4.0.

I'm looking into getting either a Tacoma TRD Access cab (6 cyl) or a Dbl cab... in Sport or Off Road, but not set on which one yet. Wish they would put that hood scoop on the Off Road!
Anyway I only want a manual transmission for my next truck and Toyota is the only one left making a true truck with them.
I think my biggest concern is getting a very low interest rate so I can afford a new one. I have excellent credit, and I'm open to any suggestions as I don't normally buy new vehicles. Any thoughts on prices to work towards would also be helpful.
I promise to post a pic when I get one!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

At this point in time you'll find inflated prices and no special interest rates. Sucks to be a buyer right now.

 

Well, I come from the same mindset - manual transmissions forever - and I've done autocrosses in my brother's 240Z and later his '73 911 and even a great track day at Laguna Seca in my own '88 911 - so I understand. But when I was shopping three years ago for a new Tacoma, I needed the double cab long bed so I had to come to terms with an automatic transmission, and despite all the complaints here on TW about that transmission, I have no issues with it at all. Yeah, it shifts a lot, but so what. That's what it's supposed to do and if you had to shift that much with a manual, well, it'd drive me crazy - and hell - I probably made 85 percent of the shifts, both up and down in the previous '93 Toyota - without using the clutch at all. After three years of the 2018 Taco, I have never regretted for a single moment having an automatic transmission. I love it. My gf can drive it and I can drive the 911 anytime I want to. Only that more often than not these days, I don't really care to. Never thought I'd say that.

 

I'm not in a have to buy imediately if things aren't like they should be. What is causing all the issues, or is it just the time of year? I would love a fair price and 0 percent or maybe up to 2 percent, but 4 doesn't sit well with me at all.

 

My first car was an automatic, and after riding 2 stroke dirt bikes (always in peak power) the 3 speed auto drove me nuts cause it was never in the right gear except on the interstate. I have a work truck that's a Colorado 4x4 and the trans will shudder if I left off the gas going into a clover and then re apply the throttle. It's done it since new, and the dealership thought it was normal. I have to admit that I may have just a touch of O.C.D.

 

At least you're not gonna buy a Colorado. After 25 years of driving that old Toyota truck I was dead set against another and actually test drove a Ford F150 and a Colorado. That was an eye opening experience, so I broke down and drove a Tacoma and it just felt like home. This is literally the best vehicle I've ever owned, and now that I've upgraded to the 2020 LED Tacoma headlights and added a front camera, it's even better.

And btw, that hood scoop does nothing. It's all cosmetic and it also blocks a good bit of your view over the hood, which itself has grown way out of proportion over the years. I'd day drive a Sport and an Off Road and see if that scoop bothers you. I didn't really realize at the time that that forced me into and OR and that that was a completely different truck in terms of suspension, tires, wheels, etc., but I really appreciate that it's not nearly as severe a ride as the Sport and really is better off road with the softer suspension.

 

Thanks for the tip about both the scoop and the suspension. I had it in my head that the OR would have been a harsher ride. Nice to see that it's not.
I'm starting to read some threads on here, and there is really good information. Over million mile trucks, holy smokes!

 

There is a chip shortage for building the ECU's (for all manufacturers) this has also drove used car prices thru the roof.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

I guess I won't get in too much of a hurry then.
If I have to waiti to get a fair deal I will.
Thanks for the info.
Now I can focus on learning more about all the stuff that can be done to one.
I can't leave anything stock. Already looking at cat back systems Lol!