2012 taco 2.7 5spd noisey?!

So, I picked out a used 2012 Tacoma access cab 4x4 with 15000 miles on it. I'm still technically test driving it. I'm supposed to drop off a check with the dealer tomorrow when my bank opens.
I don't know nothing about Toyotas. But mine is real noisey. When I'm reverse it wines kind of loud and when I press the clutch to and down shift, it sounds like a jet engine winding down.

I was taught by my dad to down shift as an aid to slowing down the vehicle along with braking. .. (is that right)
And the engine is pretty noisy too. With only 15000 miles, it shouldn't even be broke in good. .. right?
Is it normal to hear all this noise? I've just always had terrible luck with vehicles so I'm nervous. I got a Toyota because of its legendary reliability Compared to other auto makers.
Thanks

 

It's hard to say, because noise can be a relative term... Like if you are coming from a Lexus or Caddy. Best thing to do before buying any car is to take it to a trusted and independent mechanic for a look over.

 

Reverse whine is normal for any manual transmission. Straight cut gears make lots of noise.

Toyota manuals aren't exactly known for luxurious refinement, smoothness, and silence. For example, you'll likely find the 5 speed rattles like a box of rocks at idle when it's warm and the A/C is on (it's exactly the right conditions to rattle the gears), or the stick might shake a bit in 5th, or it'll likely have some whine in some of the forward gears as well. It'll grind a little bit shifting to second gear on cold mornings and you'll learn to double clutch first if you aren't at a complete stop. They still last a long time.

The thing to really look out for is clutch slippage. Sometimes they have the Aisin that lasts for ages, sometimes they have the Luk that can't hold a hill in 4th gear by 25k miles.

 

Well, that depends. Downshifting can be good or bad depending on the technique. If it's downshifted without double-clutching (or at the very least, blipping the throttle), that's a lot of synchro wear.

If you're looking to save gas, you can just leave it in 5th and coast down. The fuel cut works all the way to 1000 rpm so it doesn't use fuel again until 25 mph. The ultra-gauge is great for figuring out when this happens. Personally this is what I do when slowing down; I slow down in 5th, and as soon as I feel the engine 'buck' at 1000 rpm I shift into neutral, letting the clutch out to minimize wear, and complete my stop.

Lots of times downshifting can use MORE gas. If you put it in a gear that makes the engine spin faster than 2000 rpm, the fuel cutoff will not work until it gets under 2000 rpm again.