tough crowd here. I thought we liked tacos?
I did (doing?) something similar, had a Mk7 golf R MT that I sold last year, now I'm waiting on a new tacoma (MT as well, it might be a while). The golf was fantastic, but just didn't get driven enough. My motivation was slightly different, the roads here are good, but I bike to work, so most of my driving was to a trailhead, my garage, or the hardware store so I'd end up spending more time in my truck. I prefer trucks for an adventure vehicle, occasionally tow cars, need to fit 4 people, and strongly prefer a manual. Looking new, the taco is the only game in town.
The seating position is low, with your legs stretched out in front of you. It's more car like than truck like, which is polarizing. If you fit & like it great, if not, plenty of other options. Sounds like you sat in one and it works for you.
Drivetrain: I've driven two (both manuals, both 2020's w/ about 20-30k on them), the first one turned me off, big time. The 3.5 felt very anemic (and I generally like motors that need to rev), throttle response was lazy (both tip in and rev matching), rev hang was bad. The 2nd felt much better, more like I would expect it to drive from the reviews. Still not a stump puller, but had no problem with light acceleration from lower revs and noticeable step up (almost like coming on cam) at about 3500. It still had lazy throttle response but wasn't actively fighting me. My last toyota was a supercharged 3.4 in a 3rd gen 4runner, I loved that motor, great throttle response, plenty of torque, supercharger whine. It set a bar that the 3.5 couldn't hit, unfortunately. There are tunes available that address the rev hang & throttle response (and even add some more low end torque), I'm already planning to tune mine, but I'd probably still be OK if I couldn't.
If you've driven a manual toyota truck/SUV, the transmission & clutch should be familiar. Tall gear shifter, long throws, but relatively accurate. I think it fits the character fine. I've never driven an auto one and have no interest in those, I don't hear great things about them.
On the chassis/suspension, stock toyota trucks/SUVs have ridden the same to me for almost 30 years, lots of suspension travel, somehow soft & stiff at the same time, very poor body control. A decent set of aftermarket coilovers/shocks does wonders and is worth every penny. I'd buy a TRD pro for that alone, but they're unobtanium. I plan to source a set of pro suspension for mine at some point, but again, I don't actively dislike the stock ride, it just doesn't want to be hustled. Aftermarket is flush with options.
On the quality/reliability front, toyota's have never been high "quality" vehicles by german car standards. What toyotas have done well for me is look, drive, feel, operate at the same level for decades. My old 4runner had 300k and was 23 years old when I sold it, everything worked, the switches felt the same as they always did, nothing in the interior was cracking, peeling, or sticky. It still drove great, I trusted it everywhere, it was not well taken care of before me either. I'm not sure new ones are built to that standard anymore (are any?) and others have closed the gap, but I still put a BOF toyota near the top of the heap to hold up over the next 20 years.
Looks wise, I go back and forth. I don't like the giant protruding grill, but everyone seems to be going that way now. The hood is pretty tall and roof line low, not the greatest visibility or airiness to the cabin, but I can cope. The TRD sport & pros add that alful hood scoop, the extra height noticeably reduces front visibility (at least for me, i'm short).
Interior: I seem to have a tolerance for toyota hard plastics as they don't bother me, but others (looking at you GM) really do. I'm not sure if there is a real difference or I have rose colored glasses, but I like's what I likes. Ergonomics are good in my view, I love toyota's cruise control stalk. Really this is a personal preference and easy to determine if it works for you by sitting in or driving one.
Towing: I haven't towed with one yet, but I don't see it as having any trouble dragging a miata to the track, especially in MI. I don't subscribe to the "oversize your tow vehicle" mentality that seems to be prevalent on many forums (not so much here thankfully) for the typical weekend warrior that's towing a handful of times a year. I'm sure you need to be willing to use the upper half of the rev range of that little 3.5, but is has enough power to handle the job. Again, the autos might be a different experience as they seem to like to hunt, with a manual, you can stick it in a lower gear and let it eat. Caveat here is I don't have a lot of mechanical empathy, a lot of what is acceptable from a towing perspective is down to each person's preference. It's certainly rated for it though (6,400 lbs IRRC) and I'll be towing my track car with mine (E46, uhaul trailer, probably around 5500 lbs).
Taco's speak to me, but if I wasn't hell bent on getting a midsize/manual/truck, there are objectively better performing adventure/tow vehicles out there and they're probably a lot easier to get your hands on. It wouldn't be my first (or 10th) choice as a commuter vehicle. As far as the market, it's hot. Tacos have been easy sellers for years. When I was cross shopping them back in 2012 it wasn't a ton different. Manuals were very hard to come buy, they were selling for MSRP or close to it, and used examples were at or sometimes above new prices. Now its the same, just turned up to 11. I'd find a nice clean 2nd gen if I could, but the asking price for those is batty, new it is.
I've started my search in honest only a week ago, but I've probably contacted a dozen dealers. I've got a deposit/waitlist down with 2 and I've heard 3-18 months. If I was more flexible on colors, trim (TRD sport for example), or options (looking for a premium pack w/ a moonroof because I'm bougie) I could probably find one within a month or so. Toyota doesn't build to order, so when you put in an "order", your reserving a spot in line. When toyota releases their build list (twice a month), dealers match up orders with similar trucks, then you get to decide if it's similar enough or if you want to keep waiting. Unfortunately toyota is leaning into the skeezy dealer model and loading these up with accessories (think tube steps, tonneau covers, roof rack, trim, etc.) to skim some more profit. You don't have a say in this, it's a take it or wait for another one that may (or may not) have fewer accessories. MSRP is likely the best you're going to find. If it's sitting on the lot, there's probably a markup on it. Most MTs are coming through already sold. Don't sell your daily until you have a replacement, obviously.
TLDR: midsize, MANUAL TRANS!, tows, hauls people, reliable, killer resale value, what's not to love about a taco (aside from availability)? They need a few tweaks, but the aftermarket is strong. If you don't need midsize and/or manual, look elsewhere, you'll get a ton more for your monies.
