I agree with you Gene. The thing is if he only wants one vehicle, and needs (or just wants) a manual transmission truck, as his daily driver, a Tacoma could be a good choice.

- Kudos to you for doing your part to save the manuals

- My situation is exactly like yours, I've had a '17 double cab, MT, Quicksand OR for 60k now. Very happy, no problems as expected. The only thing I don't like is the engine tuning. MT does not have the constant shifting issue the AT does (Obviously) But the tuning is weird. You have to keep your foot in it and wind it higher than you may be used to. (But I still get the same 19 or so MPG no matter how I drive).

- Get a good test drive in, make sure you do some merging see if you ok with it, and the cabin size.

- Tundras are cool, but no MT, even worse MPG and may be too big for your garage (My Tacoma barely fits inside my suburban cookie cutter garage)

- Think hard and look carefully at TRD Sport vs Off-Road. They are almost the same price. Sport you are paying a-lot for basically: 17" rims, painted fender flares/bumper and a FAKE hood scoop). Off-Road: your get ATRAC, a real rear diff locker a lightweight skid plate and different shocks. Rims/Tires are the same OD, just 16" with "Fatter" Goodyears w/kevlar (< Some hate on-line with these tires, but they are fine by me for what I do).

- I drove the Sport and the O/R back-to-back. Yes the Sport was more planted/firm, but I preferred the softer O/R, it absorbs pot holes, bumps etc. very well. O/R get like .5-1 MPG less at highway speeds, but when your in the 20MPG arena already, what's the difference.

I have had a Tacoma as a daily driver since 2005. Not the same Tacoma. Drove my 2005 until 2016. Drove that 3 years, then got a 2019.

quote:

Originally posted by Broadside:
Can anyone explain to me the selling points of the TRD Sport trim level over the SR5?

I was looking over Toyota's Web site at the two and nothing really jumped out at me as justifying the price increase.

For me, the ability to option a manual trans in a NEW vehicle. That is it. If I could get a new SR5 with a stick, I would gladly do so. I have heard nothing bad about the 2.7l, but not a lot of praise for the new 3.5 v6. I want a stick so v6 TRD it is.

quote:

Originally posted by Speedbird:
- Tundras are cool, but no MT, even worse MPG and may be too big for your garage (My Tacoma barely fits inside my suburban cookie cutter garage)

The Tacomas, save for the single cab model, have a 127" wheelbase, just 3" shy of a Suburban.

Daily driver.... How many miles do you commute?
I get 18 mpg in winter, and 20 mpg downhill with a tail wind in summer.

Not the most comfortable, but ok.

I have a 2011 TRD offroad 4 door w 5ft bed. I use a hitch extension for kayaks and plywood, etc.

I do love it, but if I commuted more than 12 miles one way, not sure it would be my go to.

I bought certified pre owned. instead of 3/36,000 new, I got 7/ 100,000 used. Was 3 years old, had 24000 on it.

I had pass side cv axle leak fixed, fan replaced, drivers side wheel bearing replaced, windshield resealed, alternator replaced under warranty. I have 131,000 miles currently.

Maintenance? It is a hog honestly.
Oil and filter 5,000
grease drive shaft 5,000
Change, Front, transfer, and rear diff fluid every, 30,000
spark plugs 30,000
changed coolant 100,000
Transmission difficult to change fluid, but doable.
Then normal everything else.

Would I buy again, yes, but I use it as a truck a lot.

For just running around, i'd buy a jeep that is more fun, same mileage, and similar maintenance. :-)

Toyotas aren't great for tall folks, I'm 5'9, and have to kink my head to get in.

Definitely test drive one.

I own a 2018 TRD Off Road and I love it. I live in Colorado and it sees 4WD frequently in the mountains and in winter.
I'd have to discourage you from getting one due to your stated usage though. I think a Honda Ridgeline may be more street friendly and comfortable for your needs.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
.....I think a Honda Ridgeline may be more street friendly and comfortable for your needs.

But he wants a manual and Honda does not offer it on Ridgeline.

After I ruled out a Tacoma, mostly do to the ergonomics, I ended up buying a Ridgeline myself even though I had to give up the manual transmission, and 6' bed for 5'-3". The Ridgeline definitely rides and handles better, is more comfortable, and offers greater forward visibility. The seats themselves are all day comfortable. Probably gives a bit better mpg than a Tacoma but not enough to make much difference. In my typical driving I get 19-21mpg. The in bed trunk is so useful I would find it difficult to ever get a truck without it now.
I posted earlier in the year I rented a new 2wd Silverado in AZ for a week and while it ran fine and rode ok on smooth roads I couldn't wait to get back in the Ridgeline because it handled and rode so much nicer, especially on gravel and dirt roads. Plus the full size truck was harder to fit in parking spaces and just maneuver in lots or any tight places.

My commute is about 30 miles a day, but I'm looking at houses and may end up adding to that some. I currently drive an S10, so I get about 23mpg in summer and about 19 when it snows with about 300lbs of sand in the bed for traction. I am willing to accept the mileage for now to get a stick. I have no interest in a Daimler/Chrysler/Fiat product of any kind at this time.
Considered a Crosstrek as a more economical option, but they are kinda cramped inside and lack power. The new 2.5l motor is CVT only. Looked at a Civic too. Nice enough, still feels small.

quote:

Originally posted by wolfe 21:
My commute is about 30 miles a day, but I'm looking at houses and may end up adding to that some. I currently drive an S10, so I get about 23mpg in summer and about 19 when it snows with about 300lbs of sand in the bed for traction. I am willing to accept the mileage for now to get a stick. I have no interest in a Daimler/Chrysler/Fiat product of any kind at this time.
Considered a Crosstrek as a more economical option, but they are kinda cramped inside and lack power. The new 2.5l motor is CVT only. Looked at a Civic too. Nice enough, still feels small.

Look at a used Lexus. At your budget you can get a like new one with very few miles on it. You can thank me later.

I have an 06 Taco. It is a 4 cyl access cab model. Perfect for local use and normal loads.
No way is it a hot rod, or a tow rig.
But I love it around town. 20-25mpg.

Alternative - Honda Ridgeline

I bought an 03, later found a 2015 when I wasn't looking for one. We used the 2003 as a baseball travel vehicle and it served us very well. Gave the 2003 to the son. Fast forward to today. I gave the 2015 to the misses and she absolutley loves it She has the truck feel without that big truck feel. One thing I would advise you to buy is a bed extended that allows you to haul items with the tailgate down.

The rear drums are stupid. They DO last forever tho.

I also like the dated design. Everything is proven and works. Hell, the 6-disc changer in my '09 still works perfectly. This thing is 12 years old!

quote:

Originally posted by DoctorSolo:
The rear drums are stupid. They DO last forever tho.

Despite their disadvantages, drum brakes provide more braking power than equivalently sized discs, and have a larger friction surface at work. They also make for an easier and cheaper parking brake install, which is important in manual transmission vehicles. You don't want them to overheat (discs neither), as this can glaze the pad and cause decreased braking power. But in normal use, I like rear drums.

It's my daily driver. (although now - I'm working from home and don't drive daily...)

Went to look at/sit in one yesterday and the only thing the local dealer had was 2 Tundras. Not even a used third gen. One 07 ish with double the mileage of my current driver.
This might be harder than I thought. Did see a nice used Sierra extra cab.

If you can swing it I say go for it. During some of the best years of my life I had a Barcelona red 2011 4x4 TRD Sport Tacoma as my daily. It was the first vehicle I ever bought brand new. Sometimes I wonder if that truck is thinking about and missing me. . It was a fantastic daily!

It was perfect for moto acquisitions & such. That resale value is just FN mental! The Taco holds its value like a champion.

Driven in both the Taco and New Ranger, not the Colorado, found that the seating position and narrow doors made entry and exit a bit more difficult than a full size pickup. We are similar in height and weight.

For the money you can have a nice full size pickup for similar money and there's significantly more room, capacity and towing ability with a full size pickup.

Make sure you'll be comfortable inside either of those mid size models. Gas mileage isn't going to be much different for any of them.

I agree with you Gene. The thing is if he only wants one vehicle, and needs (or just wants) a manual transmission truck, as his daily driver, a Tacoma could be a good choice.