2013 Tacoma manual transmission: initial thoughts

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
01/19/2016 at 12:04 • Filed to: Manual

I am not used to this at all. The clutch is very heavy compared to any other manual I’ve driven, and the gates (gaites?) are not receptive. You have to manhandle it, which is the antithesis of my association with manual regular Toyotas.

Also, don’t stall this thing in traffic. I don’t know which did it, but I had to pull my e-brake, turn off my lights, put my foot on the brake, and stomp the clutch to get it to start in traffic. I think I tried every conceivable combo before that. Makes me wonder how I even drove this far.

I have not found the sweet spot from a dead stop yet. I will roll backwards more than I want to, and I’m feeling anxiety similar to how I always feel when there’s a car right on my ass on an incline, and you’ve just learned how to drive stick yesterday.

My usual work vehicle is at the shop, so this will only be a one day adventure. I don’t want to imagine driving this through the Seattle area 30,000 miles a year. I mean I’d get used to it eventually like any other car, but I’m okay that I don’t have to.

DISCUSSION (20)

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 12:09

So the fact that it has a manual is NOT a selling feature anymore?

That said, about the only thing (I think) that would ruin it for me completely and permanently is that starting procedure.

jjhats > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 12:10

wheres the 4x4 shifter? and do I spy a c2 corvette style handbrake?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
01/19/2016 at 12:11

This isn’t me car shopping, this is just a loaner.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > jjhats
01/19/2016 at 12:13

It’s the same hand brake on any manual Toyota pickup since the 70s (and autos until I think the last gen Tacoma, which has a parking brake for autos).

4x4? Not this one.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 12:17

Just the same, my thoughts on the matter.

Vimto > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 12:17

I had a 2007 5-speed Tacoma with the 2.7L. I learned how to drive manual on it, boy was I rough at the start. And I held up traffic fairly often at first because I’d panic after stalling. But you do get used to it. When I sold it and bought a stick shift car, I was blown away by how light the clutch was, the short throws, etc. compared to my truck

I enjoyed it, and I miss that truck.

atrombs > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 12:26

So you can’t restart it unless the lights are off? That’s weird, and really annoying. I’m trying to think of a reason why that would be a feature and coming up blank.

vicali > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 12:51

Grind it till you find it..

I would think it was either the clutch switch or the brake that was stopping you from getting it restarted. Is there a clutch/cancel switch on the dash still?

I learned on my 86 sr5, I couldn’t believe how easy shifting was when I got my second car..

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Vimto
01/19/2016 at 12:54

Wow if you learned stick on that, you can probably drive anything now!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 12:55

Unless it’s a facelift feature, what you described is quite odd. Our pre-facelift doesn’t do that. It’s a bit tricky to get used to, but I got used to it and enjoy it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 13:11

The newest toyota stick truck I have driven was an 87 4-runner with a 22R and it was really easy to drive. My dad’s 78 long bed 1/2 ton had about 6" of shifter play, but was still easy to drive. Stupid modern cars.

tpw_rules > vicali
01/19/2016 at 13:36

Some cars will prevent you from starting the engine once the computer has latched the engine starting, I guess to prevent grinding the start. In my Saab I have to turn the key all the way OFF before it will engage the starter again, nothing happens if I go from run to start. I suspect a similar thing is happening here, though I’d sit in the driveway and figure out exactly what you need to do to restart it after stalling. I really doubt it cares about the handbrake.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
01/19/2016 at 14:14

Tempted to agree. Manual for pleasure, slushbox for work.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
01/19/2016 at 14:18

Yeah I’m sure I just fucked up somehow (other than stalling... fail).

This is nothing like my 89 or 80 lol

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > atrombs
01/19/2016 at 14:22

I’ll stall it later (in a parking lot) and see if I can replicate the problem... duplicate?

Vimto > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 14:38

Lets just say doing hill-starts with a conventional handbrake is a breeze for me.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 20:33

I really enjoy the one at work. It’s pretty fun to wind out, though the gearbox is a bit noisy.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
01/19/2016 at 20:35

My 80 longbed couldn’t be any easier to drive. The gaites may seem a bit firm but if you just shift anywhere near it, it’ll grab no problem. The clutch pedal has the same tension all the way through and engages exactly where it should, and the pedal isn’t 2 feet high of the floor. Feel like I’m doing quad stretches on this Taco.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
01/19/2016 at 20:37

Yeah! What the hell is that? The auto I usually drive is quiet as hell, but the same engine with a manual on this one was decidedly louder when accelerating... revs even sounded different. BZZZZZZBRRRRRRaaaawwwrrr

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/19/2016 at 20:46

I don’t know, but it’s lasted 270k+ miles and has been the learner car for many an employee. Something was done right to it.