2018 Tacoma TRD Sport Manual - First Impressions driving

Hi all. I'm a newbie to the forum. I'm two weeks into my brand new 2018 TRD Sport, and thought I would share some of my impressions as I was looking for this kind of feedback from owners before I purchased. First thing to note - and it is key - I am a manual transmission person, so mine is a Sport with 6-speed manual. Also, important to add, I also own a 2014 Tacoma TRD Off Road, also manual. I mention this only because it is widely known the biggest complaints about these new models is the crappy auto transmission. Moreover, my impressions of my new Sport is necessarily in comparison with my 2014 O/R. I know it's early having owned it only 2 weeks, but here are some preliminary impressions. While I love the truck, and overall do not regret the purchase, I will begin with what I dislike the most, my biggest complaints and then stuff I love about it:
1. Hood scoop: I know, if I hate so much why go for the Sports model. First, I was undecided between the Sports and the O/R. And for us manual people, they are hard to come by so sometimes you end with what's available (dealer did not have O/R in manual and I didn't want to wait). Second, I was not necessarily opposed to the hood scoop, my main reason for going for the Sports model is that I thought (incorrectly, so do your homework first) that the Sport was taller/higher off the ground than the O/R just going by the extra wheel/tire size. They are the exact same dimensions and ground clearance. My biggest complaint about the useless scoop hood is actually not cosmetic (but I know people love the looks, and that's fine). My issue with it is actually safety related - visibility on the front end. The scoop makes the hood tall and bulky. You will need to get used to the distance between you and the car in front of you.
2. Second big complaint is that Toyota is making this generation way too bulky, the truck is bigger than it needs be. First, I buy Tacomas for the reliability and value, not necessarily for looks or technology etc. I love the new design, however. Sleek lines and cuts, especially on the back side. Inside is great too. Best cosmetic feature for me is the grill. I'm liking the wind-guard, and have had no problems with ground clearance. But I do not care much for the bulk or this aggressive, bulky look. If I want that, I'd get a Dodge! The bulk makes the front end way bigger and taller (thus more obstruction from the scoop). Please note, I bought the truck without seeing in person beforehand or test driving it. Yes, possibly dumb, but as a Tacoma owner I knew I wanted the new model and was going to buy regardless. But I recommend jumping into it and test driving before purchase because in person you realize better how big (and longer and taller) the front end is. So overall, I'm having to adjust and be extra cautious in terms of distance to cars in front of me, visibility of objects, curbs etc in front, my turning radius, how far I am from the sidewalk, etc. To be honest, just on this point, I wish I had gotten another Off Road.
3. I would like to hear from others, but so far I find the 2018 Sport rides a bit bouncy, a bit too soft and jumpy on the back end. Look, I'm used to my very stiff but confident and precise ride in my 2014 O/R, so I know I just need to get used to the smoother Sport. It could also be my tire pressure. However, don't get me wrong, it rides smooth, and is super quiet (unlike my 2014 O/R). It just does not feel as firm, precise, confident on steering. But I'm sure I'm getting used to it.
4. Manual transmission: I know everyone has their personal preferences, but manual is the way to go. Best feature of truck. Smooth, silky, effortless. Sweet shifting tranny. It's no Lexus, so you can't do it with your pinky but it is smooth. Way, way better that my 2014. It's a high clutch which I love, and the shifter is easy. Yes, I still hate and don't understand why R gear is next to 1st gear, and it will happen plenty that you get the wrong one. I wish Toyota had built some button or mechanism on shifter that you had to press or pull first before going into R - as my old Saab used have. Other than that, manual transmission is awesome. I do wish that Toyota would design the manuals for no-clutch start (the switch is for emergency only). It's nit-picking, but I owned a manual Ranger and it had no-clutch start, it's just more convenient.
5. Speaking of manual transmission, I have no complaints that we hear about the automatic. Obviously. But I will say that so far the truck feels a bit heavy and sluggish getting out of the gates. My 2014 had a bit more jump, it seemed to respond quicker out of first gear. The 2018 Sport seems a bit ponderous and heavier accelerating from zero. But it's not serious, and I am being conservative driving it. But it's my impression for now.
6. A few more quick observations: I love the quick, responsive, maybe even grabby brakes. People complain about the brakes being too strong and overly sensitive. I love it. It's what I want. I cannot stand soft, ambiguous brakes. I do want to stop on a dime! I noticed a big difference in braking when I had bought the O/D manual compared to the 2014 automatics which seemed way too soft for my taste. (I will also add here that the driver side pedal area and underside has a bit more room but Toyota still needs to do a better job here to provide more spacing for the knee area and pedal area. if you have big feet, you will bump the underside, and if your a big person your knees may knock the steering underside. It was worse in the previous model). Visibility, nearly 360, is great for a bulky truck. I always turn my head and not just rely on mirrors, and I can't really say there is a blind spot. Yes, the seats suck and Toyota has yet to figure out how to make a truck high off the ground AND still provide adjustable seats. This model does not feel like you're sitting on the floor mats, and it's been comfortable commuting in it, but still. I do not like to adjust my seat upward. The interior is very pleasant, very roomy (nobody in the back seat yet, so I have nothing to say). I'm an average sized dude and find it has plenty of room. The arm rest is softer than previous model, although the door side arm rest is rougher. The technology, the TSS, yeah, it's cool. We want the extra safety and confidence, of course. The etune display is bigger, seems to be easier to navigate. Definitely a step from tech in the 2014.
That's all for now. I hope this helps somebody out there who is deciding. At any rate, we buy Tacos for the reliability and durability. At least I do. So the specific differences, pros/cons between the different models seem to be secondary to the fact it is a Tacoma!

 

Welcome.

 

Nice truck, enjoy!

 

Nice truck.
I test drove a 3rd gen DCSB 6MT Sport before I bought my DCSB 6MT OR. I agree with you on how the sport rode, and the hood scoop. I love my seats btw.

 

Welcome. My '16 carries heavy weight very good, better than all my last trucks, no front end wallow. It is bouncie going over slightly bumpy, slow speed roads (1st gear). Reverse is too high.
Duane

 

welcome MT brother. nice truck.

next stop for you: OV Tune. for the throttle. if you're a MT guy you need good throttle.

see you around..

 

Welcome to the Madhouse!!

 

We might have a giant hood scoop but we have the best looking Tacoma. Nice truck.

 

Manual Transmission owner here as well. I have an Off-Road. As far as not liking your hood scoop, there is a thread where people want to trade for a scooped hood...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-hood-swappin-n-tradin-thread.413378/

I'm guessing there might be some close by to you and would even throw in some cash for the trade of the added scoop.

 

Sharp ride!

Welcome to TW.. Lol don't mind the shenanigans in here.

Haaaay, DCSB Sport M/T... You from Canada, or can you get that config in 'Murica now?

With regards to your point #5, I'll have to agree with St. Germain - A lot of the sluggishness/heavy feel and general numb throttle can be taken care of with OVtune. Worth a look if it bothers you.

Enjoy!

 

You could always get the DCSB Sport Manual here, the ACOR Manual is what they took away.

 

Congrats on the new truck

 

Huh.. so you can get the sport M/T in AC and DCSB in the states. Well I just learned something.

 

The sport in manual is sooooo much easier to find here and anywhere even remotely close to me. That’s y I waited and got a manual OR. My perfect combo. I agree with some stuff u said about performance and such though.

If I were u... I would immediately post to the swapping thread and make some money. People r literally waiting in line for hood scooped hoods.

 

I think the model number is 7543 for the Sport DC Manual, the Sport and Off Road are priced exactly the same which always seemed odd to me as my personal opinion is you get more features in the Off Road.

 

Love having my locking diff. Hopefully I never need it, but it’s there if I do. At least a little more reassurance.

 

I’ll take that tall ass fake hood scoop off your hands, PM sent

 

I too would swap you hoods if you are close to the central Michigan area

 

I guess I don't understand your complaint about "bulk." Pretty sure the 3rd gen adds only 4 inches to the 2nd gen. My 2017 fits in the same spot my 2011 SR5 sat in.

 

I agree with this. When I see a 2nd gen and 3rd gen driving, I notice the subtle changes, but the size doesn't look overwhelmingly different. Now 1st gen is an entirely different story...