what tacoma to buy

Never owned a stick in my life, and I've had this and my old Chevy 4 banger Colorado that both moved out just fine for me. I am a closet gearhead, love hot rods and hoping to buy one in the next 2-3 years, so it's not like I don't love speed.

 

You have to remember too that the taller Tacomas would more need the V6 because they're carrying around bigger tires, most of the time the 4wd gear, and if it's a double cab that's more weight.

My wife had a 1st gen (96) ext cab which I believe had the full 8 foot bed. Hers was a 4 banger and she never minded it..and I never drove it b/c it was a stick but that truck could move out in a hurry.

You can always do small mods to it like a K+N filter/cold air intake if you want to wake it up a bit. I haven't touched anything on my 2010 though.