Thinking of switching from Ram to Tacoma, need advice

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this yet but go test drive the manual before pulling the trigger....I was dead set on a manual because all (4) Toyota trucks I have owned have been manuals. I didn't like the 6 speed 2021 at all, just not what I expect from a manual truck.

Brian

 

Could you please elaborate on that? I think it will help the OP in his decision-making, and also I'm curious what you didn't like about the MT vs other Toyota trucks.

My very first car when I was 16 was a Toyota pickup, manual transmission. As soon as I drove my current Tacoma, it brought me back 30 years to my first ride, and I loved it! I know that trucks and transmissions have evolved over the years, and maybe it was my nostalgia, but a part of me likes to believe that somehow there's some Toyota DNA that links my current truck to my very first ride, and I love it.

 

Idk what that means

 

Really? It means you were being sarcastic.

 

Welol kind of, but not really. Just about everyone on here says to not get a Tacoma so…

 

Just about everybody??? I'm thinking it might make sense for you to recount.

 

I am not sure what he meant but, some find the 6 spd MT to be clunky and inconsistent engaging, the gear ratios are oddly spaced, and reverse is way too high.

 

Pedal travel seems way too long and it's lite as a feather which made finding that sweet spot to give it gas difficult for me. Why in the world is reverse and 1st side by side....? Maybe I'm just getting to old to enjoy a modern stick shift....?

That said....Go test drive one, even a used one if you have to and see for yourself.....Maybe it's just me.

Brian

 

Pedal travel is always an interesting subject on manual transmission vehicles; I don't get my Tacoma until Tuesday so I cannot opine on that one yet, however, here are the cars in our stable (owned by wife, son, daughter, daughter's intended, and of course myself) in year order:

• 1989 Ford Bronco Eddie Bauer 5.0 liter 5-Speed -- High and very stiff clutch pedal
• 1995 Ford F-150 Single Cab 8' bed 4.9 5-Speed -- Very low and smooth clutch pedal (first time I drove it the engagement happened so quickly I stalled it)
• 2006 Acura TL 6-Speed -- Medium height engagement with very fluid travel
• 2016 Mazda3 s GT 2.5 6-Speed -- Medium height engagement with very fluid travel
• 2019 Ford Mustang 2.3 Ecoboost 6-Speed -- Low(ish) clutch and pretty stiff
• 2022 Toyota GR86 6-Speed -- High(ish) clutch and very fluid travel
• 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 6-Speed -- TBD

 

If you want to call a 15% increase about the same then you and I have different definitions of "about the same". LOL.

 

I got 3 different manuals I drive now....99 Tacoma 4X4, 09 Toyota Matrix and a 1972 Corvette. There are all different so it's not like I'm used to driving just one. I guess I would have gotten used to it but I really wanted the remote start and the crawl control seems like it might come in handy.

Brian

 

I noticed the same thing but I kind of expected it when I went to buy one. My dad leased a V6 5 speed 4Runner back in 93 and that also had a high floor with low bucket seats. I kind of like it as it makes it feel more like I'm driving a car rather than a pickup truck.

 

Great advice… unfortunately no manuals in the area here at all.

 

Not even on used lots....? Someone else will have to chime in if all 3rd gen manuals are the same, the one I drove was a used 2021 but it only had around 20,000 miles so I don't think the clutch or transmission was worn out.

 

If I find a used 2016 + I’ll prob test drive it.. would want a relatively new one to duplicate what I’d expect with a new build.
Regardless, it’s become a moot point. Thanks to all the great input on this thread I’ve decided to not trade in my Ram and instead hold off a few years and buy a used manual as a second truck if I still want one then.
You guys have been terrific in the pros/cons and based on those right now it would be quite detrimental to lose everything I have in the Ram in exchange for a 6 speed manual.. because that ends up being the only reason. Everything else makes losing the Ram a tough deal. Chief among that is keeping roughly the same gas mileage in exchange for a much smaller truck and less powerful engine. I think I would really end up regretting my decision.

 

It's all about priorities. For me the extra hp on the few trips pulling my boat were minimal compared to the amount of time I spent hauling a quad or snowmobile in the bed or occasionally commuting to work.

 

Reverse has been in that spot on the Tacoma since 2005...

 

I hear the 2023 Tacoma will have a special manual transmission edition that comes with a blaupunkt cassette player and hand-adjustable mirrors for that retro feel.

 

What I’m saying is it doesn’t make financial sense to switch and purchase a new vehicle just for a 2mpg increase.

 

I've yet to have the chance on test driving a manual 3rd gen. Inventory is never there and manual trans trucks are few and far between.