Which is better V6 Auto or Manual?

the manual transmission adds 20hp.

 

I drive the manual but my last 2nd gen tacoma was an auto.

The auto is nice, better milage, press and go etc. Easy and good.

Now I love my manual. Other than the throwout bearing issue I'm not sure how wide spread the other issues mentioned are. I've never even heard of some of them and others I've almost never seen mentioned.

The throwout bearing issue is now fixed afaik.

As far as auto vs manual depends what you're doing. A ton of highway driving? Get the auto for the better milage. Want to go with bigger tires without regearing? Manual generally handles that better. RelentlessTaco ran 35s without regearing on his manual and said it was great. They will also give you a bit better highway gearing.

If you spend a lot of time offroad I personally believe manuals are better for this. You have a lot more control, so with some extra learned skills you can handle a lot of stuff better than you can with an auto IMO.

You can rock more easily using clutch work. You can force the right gear to lower your torque to avoid breaking the wheels loose.

For expedition travel I like manuals better as well. If you smack your transmission pan in an auto and lose your ATF you're pushing your truck home Manuals can limp by slowly on small amounts of oil. Also manuals tend to fail in a slow and predictable manner. You also often only lose certain gears while others remain useful to you.

If I was buying a new vehicle though it would be a tough choice. All those positives for the manual I mentioned are nice, but boy it is sure nice to just slap it in gear and go sometimes! If you want the last drop of skill and performance out of your truck manual might be the way to go, but if you just drive around town or do lots of road trips with less offroading then maybe auto is the answer.

 

It might not but it sure feels that way!

 

A manual transmission might save your truck from a retarded car thief. That is if you live in an area where that's a problem.

 

I suppose you could nose into a downhill parking spot and put a 5 speed knob on it, really tick them off trying to find reverse...

Manual feels like it adds 20 hp because the motor torques the frame like nobody's business every time you shift!

The auto feels refined, just smooth and simple. The manual feels ....like you do the second half of deer camp when you haven't shaved and need a shower really badly but can still be a crack shot when you head out into the woods.

 

I like my six speed. vroom vroom!

 

Personally I don't like the Taco's 6spd. It's sloppy and cheap feeling. I wasn't impressed.

That being said, the auto is a little funky at times too! But unless I'm mistaken, the gearing on the auto is going to give you a little better gas mileage and IMO is just a bit better suited to the engine in general.

 

Do you want your girlfriend,wife ,or kids to drive it--Go with the auto--if you want it for YOUR TRUCK--get the manual!!!!

 

My wife is very against the manual and is trying to talk me out of it. This is going to be a tough call.

 

IMO the auto is most likely better for most folks that are 4 wheeling, because there is some slippage, the mileage is nice too...but I like the stick...for me it just works!!!!

 

If you are planning on doing much towing, especially a heavy travel trailer, Auto is a better choice.

 

Had a 09 Silver, Prerunner, Auto, DC, LB for 2 years and was lovin it then decided to trade it for a 2011 Silver, 4x4, manual, DC, SB. Lovin it even more now.

 

I've driven both, manual is more fun. Speaking to the problems the manual has, I had a squeaky throwout bearing, Toyota was more than happy to fix it, and washed my truck while they were at it. The 2nd gen manuals are getting more and more scarce, and I bet you when time comes to sell your truck later down the road, coolness factor goes way up if it's got an old fashioned shifter. Plus every time I drive someone they say "where did you get a manual truck?" food for thought....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X_Ot0k4XJc

 

I drove a manual for 14 years before buying my Tacoma , needed a DCLB and have to admit , originally was a little disappointed to not be able to get it stick .

That being said , I now love my auto , I can shift when I want to or not when I don't . I can still limit my gears for snow driving and engine brake , so I am happy .

 

I think the perception everybody has of the auto shifting 2 gears on grades in Cruise Control , is actually the torque converter unlocking in D , then it shifting to 4

 

Exactly!

 

If I were to every buy a truck with an auto trans, it would be Toyota, I loved the auto I test drove. BUT I am a manual kind of guy, so I had to get the 6 speed. I have 29,000 km's on my 2010, and it is tight, and never had a problem. Off road, or on.