I bought the '06 SR-5 about 3 months ago. I traded down from my 2000 Tundra V8, you can't even compare the two. However if you trade down you will be sitting in the same truck but with less power.
I love my Tacoma as it's great on gas and it drives like a big old car on the highway. I have the automatic as I do lots of city driving, it's not too bad power wise so I think the standard would do okay and yes you can only get the 5-speed.
The only thing I hate about my truck are those UGLY steel wheels

uke: ....I don't know why Toyota can't offer nice wheels with the SR-5 package like they do with every other vehicle they make!? I'm going to upgrade the wheels, lower it a bit and am currently buying a used X-runner skirt package :funnyup: I can't wait!
So anyway, like sputnik767 says go for a test run and see for yourself and let us know what you do. Good luck, Tim