Newb considering Taco sport MT...couple questions

At least look into the clutch accumulator delete. That thing will make you question if you even know how to drive a manual, it's awful.

 

I’ve got a 2020 and 40k on my MT and I love it. Mine is bone stock and I’ve never felt the need for a tune. I also have an 04 MT wrangler and the taco is a little less forgiving but shifts way smoother. Overall no complaints. I hit between 18-20 mpg and sometimes get up to 21.5 but it’s not much of a difference.

 

If you are even considering the MT. You will likely much prefer it!

go for it - I really makes the truck!

 

The only tacoma to own is a manual one . Shift it when you want to , be happier . I bought another one last year , went from 2010 to 2021 . But I still got a manual one . Nicer truck , but the power seems to be less than the old one . I can't imagine driving a automatic one . They must be gutless .

 

As others have said the reverse gear sucks, but you get used to it - along those lines the accumulator is an odd duck, also something you have to get used to unless you delete. I have to drive my manual Mazda differently than the Tacoma, but not earth-ending as some would have you believe. I average about 16-17 mpg city and 21-22 mpg hwy <70 mph - begins to really suck gas 70+

that being said here’s a list of mods I’d suggest in order of preference

1. KDMax tune
2. Anytime front/rear camera
3. Auto-Tailgate lock (if you have a tonneau)
4. 2LO mod for reverse if you plan on towing

bonus: Clazzios if you like leather seats

 

Is the sport not good for off road adventures?
My 2021 sport 4x4 disagrees

 

It's still a 4wd Toyota, but some of the wheeling I do, a locker makes all the difference.

 

Hey guys, OP here. Stopped over at the dealer today with the gf on way back from BBQ. They had a used Pro out front, not sure of year but it was blue. Ive heard that they have specific colors per year, so u guys probly know what year blue is. Anyways, it was unlocked so my gf and I sat in it and checked it out. One thing I noticed immediately was that it seemed big. Probly not what you guys thought I was going to say...lol. But please keep in mind Im coming from over 10 years of 2 door Wranglers (no 4 door Jeeps here) which are short, skinny, and high. Makes the Tacoma seem very long and a little wide. Also the seating felt kind of low, more car like. None of this is bad, or a jab, just my initial observations.
They must have had some new ones come in late Saturday, cuz they had 6 that werent there before. None of them were the ones I was considering, but it was nice to get side by side comparisons between models. I can now confidently say that the OR catches my eye much more than the Sport. Its hard to tell from pics, vids, etc. But when sitting next to each other, the OR really jumps out....aesthetically. They also had 2 LBs. Boy, those are very nice and really balance the truck out front to back in my opinion. Too bad no MT with LB. Btw, the bed seems slippery as hell. Must be the composite, hence the bed mat suggestions?
Next step will be actually test driving. Will hopefully be able to try out an OR vs sport and see how they each feel.
Still seems weird that Ive done this much research and havent even test drove the vehicle yet.
Strange days were living in bro's....(forgot from what movie)....lol.

Wish me luck and just wanted to say thanks for all the advice and suggestions. Seems like a great bunch of guys on this forum.

 

The Toyota Bed Mat is a must have option, bed is too slick without.

 

good luck, as far as sport vs OR, doesn’t matter, get the one with an MT (ACLB for sport or DCSB for OR or Pro) - only real difference for street driving is the suspension which you’ll change regardless

As my granpappy always said, MT>Lockers


Aesthetically, the Sports have the Skewp with color matched wheel trim, and ORs have no skewp and black wheel well trim - I agree I’d prefer the black, but the skewp really grew on me, Pros are the best of both - there’s no other difference, and all are swapable if one or the other bugs you

 

i came from a civic so it feels like a race car to me lol

 

You could look towards a local FB page, I’d bet there’s some locals that’d be more than happy to let you test drive. Now finding a stock one might be more of challenge.

 

Welcome!

I am still sorting through my thoughts on the ‘05 vs ‘16. Such different trucks and I love them both for different reasons. got the ‘16 first. I totally understand what you mean by “feels big”. For me the scoop was extra stuff obstructing forward vision. But many people like the look.

Third gen DC is night and day different to 2nd Gen RC, despite many similarities. RC MT was the truck I wanted when I started looking in 2017 and discovered I was SOL on new.

 

You may want to make sure to test drive a 2020+ Tacoma with a power adjustable drivers seat. Then compare it to a non power adjustable seat to see the seating difference. The power adjustable seat can get you off the floor. I have the power adjustable seat on my 2020. It enables me and my wife to drive the truck comfortably.

 

I did notice the Pro I sat in didnt have that. Didnt know that was a 20 and up thing. Good point.
Ill be buying new so ultimately will be testing new.

 

How long have you had the motorcraft in your transmission by now? I’m at around 5k or so and it’s starting to not seem so great anymore…not sure why. Lots of notchy 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd shifts. I think I’m going to try Ravenol

$28 75W-90 Synthetic Gear Lube - 1 Quart (Pack of 2)

75W-90 GL4 semi-synthetic.