auto or manual trans??

I'm on the hunt for a 1st gen and not sure if i should go with a auto or manual. I plan on running 33's and pulling a small trailer with 4wheeler or a ranger. I know 5 speeds are usually are trouble free, but i've heard autos pull better in most cases. Do autos hold up with bigger tires? I dont want to worry about burning up a auto. I appricate any info i can get.

 

Manual all the way. Much easier to maintain and are more reliable.

 

Thats my thoughts too!

 

i have an auto with 195xxx miles and no problems

 

I've had both in 1st gens. My current truck is an auto. I think I prefer my old 5-speed over this one for off-road but the auto is a very good tranny for most everything else and still decent off pavement.

The Tacoma auto is very stout and there guys with 5-speeds on here that are trouble free with well over 200K on them. I think it comes down to what you prefer. You can't go wrong either way.

 

thanks guys!

 

195k on what i believe to be the original clutch. no problems, just drained and refilled the tranny fluid shifts like a dream.

 

Manual FTW..wish my 2nd gen was a standard

 

Manual FTW! there are cheaper and easier to maintain and more fun to drive, i think everyone should drive a manual

 

Always manual. No question.

 

It all depends on you and if your willing to slap gears all the time, i have a 5spd and pull a trailer with a lawnmower and sometimes a golf cart and it does just fine. It all depends on how you drive it too. I prefer a manual because to me a automatic is boring to drive. just my $0.02

 

I have a 5 spd manual.

I love manuals but the next car I am going to buy is going to be a manual also (2011 Subaru STI).

I guess if I had to do it all over again I would pick a Auto Tacoma since having 2 manuals in the stable that the wife cannot drive kind of sucks. But oh well, the tacoma gets rarely used anyway.

 

I've been looking for a 02'-04' tocoma v6 for around $12,000 . I can find a few, but they have a good amount of milage on them.(130-170,000 mi). Would anyone think twice about buying one with that kind of milage? Would it be a good idea spend a little more on a lower milage truck?

 

I would wait. Yes these trucks last forever but its nice getting one with low mileage if you are going to pay $12,000.

I just bought a 2002 Tacoma, Xcab, 4x4, V6, TRD, Manual, 1 owner, pristine shape in/out, 70k miles for $13,000. You have to be patient, as I waited 5 months for the right truck to come by.

 

That sounds like a good deal! I look daily on auto trader. I believe i will have to be ready to jump if can a deal like that!

 

Auto

 

209,000 miles on stock clutch. 5 speed all the way

 

I got an auto because that's the only choice for a double cab

 

Paid 8k for mine in sept. '08 with 146,000 miles on it. It is running great so far.

 

I like my manual. If you have to drive in traffic a lot then I would go for the automatic.

That being said, I looked for a while before I got my truck. I had a great deal of difficulty finding an automatic 4x4.