Sold my 2015 thinking about buying a 2017.

I sold my 2015 Tacoma TRD-OR DCSB before I left for Korea. Loved it but since it was going to sit for a year I sold it when I got an offer I couldn't refuse. I'm moving to Anchorage in Feb so I am shopping for a new vehicle. I am thinking about a 2017 Tacoma TRD-OR DCSB 6MT. The 3rd gen lost 100 pounds of already low payload capacity. The 3rd gen weighs 200lbs more and GVWR only went up 100lbs. Even my wife's Odyssey minivan has 400lbs more payload capacity. I would like to be able to haul firewood but I guess I might have to tow a trailer for that. Maybe I should get a Jeep Wrangler then. I think I can get a better deal on them through Military Auto Source since I am stationed in Korea. I wish Toyota participated in that program. I am pretty sure I will get ripped off buying any vehicle through the Anchorage dealers and MAS will bypass that. I could get a F-150 for more capability but those are big and expensive. Any comments are welcome.

 

F150's don't come in a 6MT.

its taco or jeep for you.

 

The payload is much higher than its listed weight on the offroads If you were to go with a Dakar or similar leaf packs. The rear axle can take 25% more weight than the non off-road models (excluding trd sport manuals)

 

And the v6 manuals are insanely smooth once you get some miles on them.

 

Just buy a hilux......

 

6mt's go quick and could be hard to come by. Everyone I called on one they were gone. Finally I went in to just put the deposit down and wait for one. Luckily I got one just being shipped and no one else had the deposit on it.

The guy showed me the list of like 12 in the Portland region (northwest) and all of them were recently sold or had a deposit down besides 2. The one I got being shipped and another one 500 hundred miles away that would cost me.

So what I'm saying is, if that's what you want don't waste anytime. Go to the nearest dealers and see what's available in their system.

 

That's HIGHLY debatable

 

I know. I want another 6MT. Plus I know I'm going to need a truck.

I use to sell cars. I just hate getting ripped off. I know anchorage AK is a tough market to get a good deal. Only one toyota dealer in town.

 

Yeah I think I am leaning that way. I loved my Tacoma. And I think a new leaf pack would help mitigate the payload issue. I just wished Toyota included a little more capability with the new redesign.

 

Drove up to Flagstaff and up to the Mogollon Rim pulling a ~2500lb pop-up camper and maybe 300lbs of gear. Engine was screaming at 5000RPMs on most of the inclines and climbs. I wouldn't be comfortable towing more than maybe 4000lbs with this truck just based on engine power alone...especially in AZ summer heat. I think it is a decent occasional tow vehicle if you're talking 3000 to 3500lbs max. Anything more than that and you're really going to be maxing out this motor for the steep mountain climbs. Flat road you might be more comfortable towing closer to the max weight limit. But honestly it's more of an issue of lacking low end torque and engine power for those heavier uphill towing needs.

 

That sounds about right. Smaller NA motors dont like the heat and especially elevation of some of AZ. AK is mostly lower elevation and cooler air but I wish the new motor had a little more torque. The 6MT with its 4.30 rear should help a little. But I hate hearing high revs.

 

So a Tacoma can haul a bed loaded with firewood ?

 

If you are towing with this truck you will hear high revs, and remember the suggestion is never to tow in overdrive gears.

 

Say you have two people in the truck with a little gear, thats 400lbs. That only leaves you 700lbs for wood in the bed. That's the problem with the low GVWR. A cord of wood is 4000lbs dry not fresh cut. That's a lot of trips out of the woods.

 

Yeah man if you're doing that kind of hauling maybe with a Utility trailer?? Even then I think it's too much for this truck if you're running up mountainsides.

 

Says a dude with an Auto?

 

Says you with a... 1996 Runner? Seriously though the 6 Speed MT has not been without its issues:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/manual-transmission-clunking-in-neutral-going-over-bumps.442955/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/6-speed-manual-transmission-issues.442707/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/manual-transmission-getting-stuck-in-gear.415438/
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-cab-manual-cheap-clutch-pedal-design.442338/

 

First one is a BS thread and second one had 1500 miles. I can't be bothered to look any farther. Good detective work though.

 

You definitely want to buy it and drive it there. That's what my son did.

Be careful, he was almost killed after he hit a patch of ice and ended up upside down in a lake. He and his buddy made it out and everything turned out ok. Air Force training likely saved their asses.

 

Dont worry he has no idea what he's talking about, toyotas clunk in neutral going over bumps. In the sticking in gear poll, 94 % mt owners didn't have the issue. I'll Reiterate as someone who OWNS the manual with 15k miles. It's butter, my 2nd gen was way more notchy at 100k. It's gotten even smoother with more miles. The clutch pedal squeaks from time to time but not nearly as bad as my 2nd gen. I'd also bet you anything that I could take any of the hills you towed and keep the rpms under 3.5k. Hell, I hardly ever downshift through the mountains at highway speeds. The 4.30 gears+ direct drive make a huge difference.