Tested auto a few weeks back, tested manual today

So a while back I tested the 2016 Tacoma. Some of you may remember my thread I posted. I was pretty hard on the sluggish acceleration of the auto from a dead stop. It felt pretty lively at high speeds but I felt Toyota engineers dialed the throttle back way too much for my liking.
Today I popped in a local dealer and saw they had a manual 4x4 on the lot. It was a Sport Access Cab .
I wasn't planning on testing one but I knew I had to try it as soon as I saw it.
My initial impressions were that the manual felt pretty damn good. Dare I say it 'torquey" from a dead stop. I know trucks are light in the rear end, but I had to finesse the clutch and throttle so I wouldn't chirp the tires. Shifts were crisp yet smooth. Some people have said the shifter feels more like a car with a manual transmission but to me it still felt like a truck. It reminded me a lot of my Uncles 6 speed manual FJCruiser he has with the 4.0.
I felt I had good torque even below 2000 RPM's. I didn't have to downshift as much when I had to accelerate after slowing down. I know I was really harsh on the auto, but I really think the manual transmission redeems what I did not like about the auto I tested. I really enjoyed my test drive and felt like I had all the power I needed.
My only gripe is that the manual isn't offered in the DCLB configuration. All you Tacoma-nerds know about that already, but I did complain about that to the sales manager and he said he has had a ton of customers express similar sentiments.
But yeah, I would totally consider a manual Tacoma know. Feels like driving an actual truck. I am gonna give the automatic another try before I really get into the market for a new Tacoma but wow the manual was really nice to drive.

 

I look forward to more reviews on the manual transmission trucks. My '07 is a 6 spd and I test drove a 2016 manual and absolutely loved it. To me it is a vastly better truck than mine in every way. Not only does the '16 have all the little things that were missing (heated mirrors, locking tailgate, bed light), now I can get luxuries like dual climate control and a sunroof plus it's so much quieter and shifts so much smoother. The power from the 3.5 felt good with the manual. (My other/summer car is a Mustang GT with 330 HP so I know what a little power feels like) I had no intention whatsoever of buying a new truck but after test driving a '16, I had my '07 on Kijiji. Fingers crossed, I hope to finish the sale of my '07 and finalize the purchase of a '16 tomorrow - TRD Sport Upgrade 4x4 DC SB manual

 

Good luck on the sale and good choice in going with the manual. The manual has made me re-think the 2016 Tacoma entirely.

 

I test drove a manual transmission DCSB a while back and was also impressed. I just wish they made a TRD OR access cab with the manual.... (Lucky Canadiens)
Oh well, at least there is a manual AC Sport. I guess for a couple grand I can turn it into OR with after market upgrades.

I did think the clutch was very car like, wondering if I can add a stiffer spring to make it more like my 1996 Taco?, not my wife's old 2001 Rav4

 

To be honest, I've never even driven a Tacoma automatic... 2nd Gen or 3rd Gen. I'd never buy an auto so I don't see the point. I'm hoping more reviews like this of the manual pop up. Many 3G Taco reviews reference the constant shifting of the trans and the lack of perceived low end torque. I didn't abuse the 2016 on my test drive but it pulled very well, especially from 3000 to 4500 rpm.

 

I picked up my OR DCSB M/T last night, and I love it. I don't have anything to compare it to except for a short test drive of a '15 M/T. The feel of the shifter felt better on the '16, seemed to have a tighter engagement and the throws were a bit shorter. The last Tacoma I owned was a 1st gen, and it was an auto, so the only thing I have to compare it to are an old Ranger and an old S-10.

 

If only Toyota offered the DCLB with a manual...I would only have one kidney but I'd be driving one around right now.

 

I own a 2.7L Gen 2 5MT, I have driven a Gen 2, 4.0L 6MT, and both TRD sport AC 6MT and the TRD OR DCSB 6MT and the TRD OR DCSB Auto. The new 3.5L resembles the 2.7L 5MT in terms of powerband, very similar as Kevindust mentioned @3500+rpm. The Auto to me isnt an option as well and it's a true pleasure to drive a manual, especially the new one in the Gen 2.5. The throws in this transmission are smooth, and makes it leaps and bounds better than anything offered in the Gen 2.

 

Very interested to hear more reviews of the manual 3rd gens! My 15 is the first auto I've had in 17 years. I think that's def the route i'd go.

 

I have 3500 on my MT now and still like it. My last two pickups were Ram 1500 and F150 manuals, so although they had v8s, the weight to power ratios were similar. This shifter is still a little notchy, but very short throw compared to my previous rigs. I had an FJ60 Land Cruiser with a manual and have driven Gen1 and Hilux with manuals...this feels more car-like with its shorter throw.

 

I've had no regrets with choosing the MT. I've had my truck for 12 days and 600 miles so far, with one 200 mile fishing trip under its belt and 1 hunting trip yesterday

My take:

The MT is so much better than the auto I test drove on the highway. I climbed some pretty steep grades in 6th gear from 55-70mph and never felt the need to downshift. The engine stayed happily right around 2-2.5k rpm

The MT feels more powerful not only from a stop, but throughout the rpm range

The clutch is easy and the throws are solid and kind of short. The clutch grabs way at the top which took a little getting used to coming from driving mostly BMW's with a stick

OFF ROAD - Took the truck on a hunting trip yesterday and played around with 4-Low and the Diff Lock. I'm not new to off roading, but never off roaded with a stick. When you drop this truck in 4-Low in first gear and let the clutch out you're really crawling. It'll get you up and over anything with your feet off the clutch and accelerator and not stalling. It just putts you along at about a half a mile an hour. I guess that's our version of crawl control. It's pretty cool

Overall extremely happy to be back in a manual truck. I haven't daily driven a manual since I was 16 learning to drive my dad's 4Runner. The Taco with the 6MT is truly a pleasure to drive

 

The power to weight ratio of the manual felt a lot like some V8's in full size trucks I have driven.

 

Y'all are making me happy about picking a MT.

 

You're gonna love it dude!

 

I want to also mention I'm not missing any power coming from my 4.7 V8 4Runner. The 3.5 can pull no problem and you can definitely tell it can if you have the MT. Too bad the AT guys are dealing with shitty shift point programming

 

I would happily take a 2 mpg hit if it meant it wasn't a lethargic dog like the auto.

 

I can't complain with MPG. I got 10-14 in my 4Runner depending on time of year and city/highway. I'm getting 18-22 in my Tacoma. It's pretty much cut my fuel costs in half

 

Picked up a TRD Sport DCSB M/T a couple weeks ago. Never driven a M/T as an everyday driver before my new Taco. I find it easy to drive with smooth shifting. I feel like I have plenty of power and don't need to downshift much on highway when climbing hills and such.

Brother has a jeep Wrangler M/T and was impressed with the Taco transmission, much easier to drive. Glad I went M/T.

 

Has Toyota gone with a lower reverse gear in the 3rd gen than what was in the 2nd gen? Or do they still think I want to back my boat into the lake at 20mph?

 

First M/T taco, but reverse is pretty fast compared to other M/T vehicles I have driven. barely need to give it throttle and it backs up fairly quickly. Took a bit to get used to.