Prospective buyer looking for advice

If you're considering the V6 with just the regular manual, I'd consider skipping it. However if you're willing to pay an extra $400 for the TRD quick shift that's the way to go. I consider myself a manual snob and I have one (DC with TRD quick shift manual) and really like it.

Also try to see if you can find a V6 manual to test drive.

 

LB vs SB for hauling is a little over argued.
If you have something you haul all the time, dirt bikes, mountain bikes etc and the SB wont fit it, then sure the LB makes sense.
However I have a SB with a cap (even more limiting) and was able to get a load of 4"x4"x12', 6"x4"8', and 4"x4"x6' home in one trip.

most times the limit of a haul isn't going to fall between 5-6' so your gate is going to be down or stuff sticking out over it regardless.

I personally would never want a truck in a stick unless it was an efficient lil 4 banger and I needed every last whp it had

I would base your purchase more on what you want transmission wise vs bed length. as you don't have daily parking issues

 

Here's the story:

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,110598.0.html

 

I am so

 

Don't let the problems some have mentioned discourage you from the manual. There are many who have the manual who have not had any issues. This is my second Toyota truck with a manual, I would not get anything other than that, Personal preference of course. i much prefer the look of the DCSB and have not had any reason to have a long bed. Any extra 10" isn't going to save the day for me also personal preference. It is your truck so get what you want and enjoy it to the fullest!!

 

I have the DCSB, but if buying again I would probably go DCLB. The longer wheel base has more stability when towing.

 

Automatic. Automatic. Auto.

Manuals are for sports cars and farm vehicles only.

 

^^^^^^ tell that to all the guys and gals who wheel there manual taco's.including me....

Manuals.....not just for sport cars and farm vehicles anymore....

 

Having owned both a short box manual and a long box auto. Auto is way nicer. I hate the 6speed in these trucks, it is aweful.

The nice thing about the short box is it turns very sharp.

 

Manual is great for towing or hauling any type of added weight in the bed as they are geared lower. The long bed is very nice but I would venture to guess I could make do with a short bed. Also I would agree the dcsb looks great. I vote short bed manual.

 

No DCSB auto in Canada?

 

In manual only. Thus my dilemma

 

If as your kids get older and you want to do some non adventurous camping, the long bed with the cap would be a better option for sleeping.

 

Test drive both. I had a 2011 SB and I traded it in for a 2012 LB. The driving difference is night and day. I prefer the LB and I transferred my Bed extender from my SB to my LB and I haven't had to use it as of yet. Plus now I fit in the bed of my truck when I go camping.

 

Regarding manual v auto. I've had Tacomas in both configurations. Either is fine. Like yourself, I've always driven a manual, but my latest Taco is a V6/auto and I have to admit it's pretty sweet. There have been several threads, here, regarding the relative reliability of the auto v manual when paired to the V6 and the general sense I've taken from the discussions is the auto is a bit more reliable as well as marginally more fuel efficient.

Regarding lb v sb. I've always preferred the lb, but my kids are 6' 5" and 6' 2" and never ride in the back. I bought the Taco primarily as a 'thing' hauler and not a 'people' hauler so the lb is best for me. Plus we sometimes camp, and sleep in the bed. I suspect, with some imagination you could make either work for you.

Welcome to the group!

 

I really like my man transmission. That said, I would not hesitate to buy the auto trans if it meant I still had the six foot bed. I know many owners love their short bed, but the six foot bed is an important feature to me.

 

While I'm a huge fan of the short bed, especially for looks...it sounds like you'd be better off in a long bed. Your gut doesn't like the idea of an MT in a truck, and since you won't be driving/parking this thing downtown often, the extra foot of bed will be more useful than cumbersome. Plus, if you're not planning on off-roading/wheeling, the longer wheelbase won't be an issue, and if you decide to tow something later on the wheelbase will provide slightly more stability.

 

Wouldn't blame you either way.

I love a manual transmission, but I went auto for my truck because, let's face it, it's not a sports car (used to have a Mustang), or even a sporty-ish sedan (came out of an Accord). I can't see a manual transmission turning this thing into a "sporty" vehicle. I've been happily moseying about with my automatic these last few weeks, and I sure wish I had the money and space to keep another fun car in the family, but the truck is what I needed/wanted more at this point in my life. The automatic suits the character of the Home Depot runner/kids' activities mule that it is.

As for the long bed, I've yet to fill mine to capacity, but as someone above said, a "real" truck bed is 8' long, and those are pretty rare these days. 6' is, of course, 20% longer than 5', that's not insignificant. But I predict my loads will either fit just fine in the 5', or else be tailgate down, even in a 6'. I also have a "hitch haul" cargo platform good for a bit more stuff if needed. I didn't test drive the long bed, but I wouldn't want to try and maneuver anything longer than my short bed in a parking lot.

 

I was in the same dilemma. I would rather be too long than short. The extra space came in handy building my kids play set and finishing up my house.

 

It is funny that a manual transmission keeps being referred to as a sports car transmission. Take a look at a semi truck. That's not a sports car, nor is a tractor or a motorcycle or a bicycle for that matter. There are many reasons to have a stick shift other than to be "sporty" I chose the manual transmission so that I could select which gear the truck is in which is the primary reason to get a 6 spd. I do feel more in control while wheeling and don't have the truck shifting at precarious times. No I don't feel that it is as smooth as my Acura was nor as accurate, but I am ok with that since it isn't a sports car. I have nothing against the auto's it just doesn't fit what I wanted.