Are the 3rd gen 6mt trucks fun to drive compared to other manuals?

Is your '03 manual? I haven't driven a first gen manual so I don't know how it compares to 3rd gen, but if you're driving a manual now I think you'd be very bored if you switch to auto.

 

Unfortunately not, but I do daily drive a manual 05 corolla

 

Does it really? I'm surprised by that, given it's a RWD truck. No, the shifter jiggles around no more than it did the day I drove it off the lot. Never had any trouble finding the shift gates, it just snaps into gear. Just be gentle and don't rest your hand on it while driving, but you already know that..

 

not at all. super tight, no play, 93k.

 

Oh yeah. I swear I read your opening post...

 

I dont think there are any cables in our trucks.

 

The Tacos are direct shift. No linkage other than your arm.

 

not really, the clutch engagement happens almost at the last 10% of releasing, most sporty manuals I drove happens around 50%
pedals are not optimized for heel toe, also I saw somewhere that you can't even heel toe on Tacoma due to programming that overrides accelerator while braking.

On my Corolla, it has iMT mode, basically a software controlled rev matching aid. I've been enjoying braking and downshifting simultaneously without needing to multi-task with the right foot.

Tacoma 6MT could really benefit from auto rev matching

 

Paging @MOC221_ !!

AutoBlip is back on the table.

 

Upon further research, it appears I was wrong. My apologies.

 

Did you know if you release the clutch on the corolla with no throttle, it won't stall in 1st? It's crazy how smooth and easy they are to drive.

 

I have not tried it, but a few folks say that they heel toe? I think someone makes a spacer for the throttle to level it out with the brake.


The engage point is a bit too far out, but I don't think that changes the nature of it? For me anyway.

 

I've owned an 81, 86, 89, 01, 13 and my current 21OR 4x4 truck. All bought new, all manuals. I really liked them all but the 21 is probably the easiest to drive. All manuals are (sporty)!

 

I did stall the Corolla a few times, now think about it you're right it never happened when in 1st gear
I accidentally started in 3rd instead of 1st and it stalled. I hope I didn't break anything because the variable valve timing is now controlled by a fancy electric motor.

 

You'd definitely know it if you touched a valve. BTDT that with a broken belt on my bike. Stalling is never an issue other than to the ego. After almost 25yrs of marriage, I don't have one of those either. Hahaha!

 

I can't heel toe...
I think long travel of anything makes it less sporty, such as you'd want the gear shifter to be short-throw so it cuts down the amount of time physically your hand needs to travel, same with clutch range of motion.

 

Interesting. Damn old folks running into store fronts ruin all the good things.


I'll take the "it's a truck" cop-out there. I agree that shorter is better, but everything feels appropriate enough except the engage point, which I am so used to that it doesn't even come to mind anymore. Now the first time that I tried to drive a 3rd Gen, it absolutely confounded me for a moment.

 

I can heel-toe just fine! Well, I don't call it that, it's more of a big-toe-on-the-brake and right-side-of-the-foot on the gas and roll your ankle out a little bit and... Whatever, the Tacoma lets you have a lot of throttle before the brake override warning comes on.

 

Best thing about owning a MT Tacoma is you get to tell everyone you have one!

 

I haven't figured it out yet. I guess I ought to practice more often.