New to the forums test drove 2 tacomas today

NickleCityTaco · Jun 23, 2017

firegiver[OP] initial post: ↑

I've been lurking the forums for a couple of weeks now as I'm looking for my first truck. I have to commend you all this place has been a HUGE source of great information, things I didn't even know to ask were brought up here and the prices posts have been so helpful in understanding the actual paid value of these trucks.

I'm posting to tell you guys a first impression of the 2017 Tacoma from a non truck drivers impression. First I drove a MT TRD OFFROAD and honestly, I was so disappointed. I LOVE manuals, I drive a WRX currently and this manual was super stiff and had a huge amount of rev past the clutch. Ive driven clutches in cars my whole life and the action from the Tacoma made me want to just walk away.

Then I drove the AT and my lord, it was much much smoother ride. I really love how the truck just saunters over tough terrain like its nothing and it had some get up and go. I'm looking for a truck to go camping and fishing in the western NC mountains and with the AT i just could see it happening.

I've read the MT celebration thread before and I decided I definitely wanted a MT but after driving it. Nope... maybe it was a bad shifter or maybe the truck was abused (it had 84 miles on it) but there was no way I could see myself driving that to work or long trips. I hope the MT enthusiasts have some insight because the 4 miles i drove this thing it was a job, not driving.

Regardless, I'm a MT guy all the way and I just want to say thank you to the community here for providing such great info as it as been invaluable so far.
Click to expand...

Coming from a WRX it will feel really sluggish and stiff. Its your first truck, so you won't have anything to compare it to but this is one of the smoothest truck clutches I've driven (but its still a truck). An upgraded shift knob will make placement a bit more natural. The stock Chode is awkward and too low in my opinion. A ball shiftier will bring up the height a bit too. It takes some getting used to but if you are a manual fan I think you would grow to love it. I have the 6 speed access MT, so I would highly recommend that configuration.

Musubi3 · Jun 23, 2017

@OP, regardless of what you pick, you need to be happy with what you're driving.
IF you're considering the automatic, see if you can test drive it on inclines and straightaways.

rtzx9r · Jun 23, 2017

until Toyota can match the transmission in my S2000 (regarded as one of, if not the best transmission) then it's AT Tacoma for me.

dnlskier · Jun 23, 2017

Man, I have one AT, my previous CR-V, and 4 manuals - this is my 5th. One was a 2008 Forester and sorry, but this was FAR smoother and more refined the than the 08 Forester. Try another truck.

stevotivo12 · Jun 23, 2017

bladsville said: ↑

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!
Click to expand...

I happen to agree with you the shifter on my taco is fine too, im not complaining. I think it gets the job done and then some

Log in or Sign up

Welcome to Tacoma World!

New to the forums test drove 2 tacomas today

#41
NickleCityTaco Well-Known Member

#42
Musubi3 Well-Known Member

#43
rtzx9r Well-Known Member

#44
dnlskier Well-Known Member

#45
stevotivo12 Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in

Log in or Sign up

Useful Searches

Welcome to Tacoma World!

New to the forums test drove 2 tacomas today

#41 NickleCityTaco Well-Known Member

#42 Musubi3 Well-Known Member

#43 rtzx9r Well-Known Member

#44 dnlskier Well-Known Member

#45 stevotivo12 Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in Entire Site Forum: 3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)

#41
NickleCityTaco Well-Known Member

#42
Musubi3 Well-Known Member

#43
rtzx9r Well-Known Member

#44
dnlskier Well-Known Member

#45
stevotivo12 Well-Known Member

Products Discussed in