Test Driving Looking to Buy New

Ok Test drove 4 4x4 tacomas today. One manual 4cyl, one automatic 4cl. Then a used 09 6 cyl auto and a new 6cyl auto.

Manual 4cyl and Auto 4cl seemed to have the same power and pep. Most automatic usally feel weak but this one didn't. I love a manual but this one, the 1st gear is real short and have to shift to 2nd in no time.

Now when I drove the 2013 6cyl, didn't seem to have much more than the 4cyl, now the 09 6cyl seemed to have more pep.

Im wanting to buy but now im more confused than ever now. Please help. Has anybody noticed any of this? Thank you!

 

Test drive them again......

Is PEP the only thing you're concerned about? What other things do you like or need in a truck? Are you concerned about gas mileage? Towing? 4 doors? Fullsize bed?

 

Gas Mileage is what I want, just noticed that about the pep. Mainly concerned about the 5speed. I was really set on it, until I drove it. It just seemed as soon as I took off, it needed to be in 2nd. Like it had a real short shift, maybe its where I havnt drove a manual in a while. The automatic seemed to have just as much power but would it have better or worse MPG? Sticker says 19/21 on both. The V6 didnt seem to have that much more power.When I drove the 09 I really noticed it,like they took power away. I really am set on 2013 and up, just because the new interior, touch screen and backup cam.

 

1st is very short, indeed. If you're in a hurry, buy a Corolla...seriously.

 

that's funny because I own a Corolla lol. IDK I just would like to make it though the intersection before I shift to 2nd. Does the 5 speed give a big advantage over auto in MPG? The sticker and Fueleconomy.gov says 18/21 for both

 

It's a personal preference.
I've probably heard more complaints on this forum about the clutch's than anything else. The Auto gets complaints about the 'lurch'.

When I was test driving the 07's when they were new (in 2007)....I didn't like how the manual tranny shifted. The RPM's stayed UP when the clutch pedal was depressed and it made it difficult to match the gas to the 'already revving' engine. I've owned manuals all my life and this was extremely annoying to me.
So....I picked the AUTO and haven't looked back.

That was 7 years ago...I hope Toyota would've fixed that revving issue by now???

My legs & knees are happy with my decision. The maintenance is easier on the Auto. Auto is 'technically' better for towing. You just put it in D and go.....

My truck 4.0L access cab Sport gets 18mph consistently mostly highway miles. It would get much better mileage if I drove it 45mph all the time. For some reason, it loves that slower speed.....

 

What complaints about the Clutch?

 

Search "throw out bearing"

Squeak.... Squeak.... Squeak...

 

I have a 2013 auto v6 and my dad has the 2013 4cyl auto. I get better gas mileage. I chalk it up to the fact that he has to shift a lot more to keep speed. If you couldn't tell the power difference between those two engines there's something wrong.

 

Just search this forum.... put 'clutch' or 'manual transmission', 'throw-out bearing' in the search box.

You can search google also.....