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Manual or Auto. -------The big decision.

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Rupp1, Mar 11, 2012.

  1. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:05 PM
    #41
    forana

    forana Well-Known Member

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    No money, all went to truck...
    I forgot, I have one complaint. 6th gear is too low. It'd be better if I could do 60mph at a lower rpm than 2000
     
  2. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:09 PM
    #42
    Bodz

    Bodz Well-Known Member

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    Depends where you live. If you're in the country and spend most of your truck time offroad or just driving for fun then I'd definitely go with a manual BUT if your truck is your daily driver and you have to commute in traffic every day then save yourself the hassle and go automatic for sure. An automatic is perfectly acceptable offroad too, just not quite as much fun. The automatic transmission on the 2012 Tacoma is excellent, I'm very impressed.

    Both have many advantages and disadvantages, it's personal preference and the choice is yours, no one else's.

    Go with your gut!
     
  3. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:09 PM
    #43
    BuzzardsGottaEat

    BuzzardsGottaEat Well-Known Member

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    x50! Only legitimate complaint. I do a lot of highway at 75. . .
     
  4. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:15 PM
    #44
    Irish020

    Irish020 Well-Known Member

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    I did some wheelin' yesterday and let me tell you the automatic delivers the goods....I've had manuals before, but this automatic has got it right!
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:18 PM
    #45
    TRDyota09

    TRDyota09 Well-Known Member

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    6 SPEED FTW!!!!!
     
  6. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:20 PM
    #46
    cintocrunch

    cintocrunch Special Substitute Guest Member

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    Get the manual, you won't regret it...most people that complain about the Tacoma 6 speed are the same people that put quick shifters on it...it is a truck manual not a sports car
     
  7. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:30 PM
    #47
    TheMrGExperience

    TheMrGExperience Because Tacos are too mainstream...and Im poor.

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    i wouldnt get a manual unless you get a 4 banger. the 6speed m/t is f**king horrific imo
     
  8. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:33 PM
    #48
    TRDyota09

    TRDyota09 Well-Known Member

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    Exactly, its a truck, of course its gonna have long throws, maybe a long clutch, and its never perfect. I believe that's just life at its finest when in a truck. Also if it had a name tag such as Porsche or ferrari, that's when I would be disappointed but overall its only gonna be as good as you make it out to be!
     
  9. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:37 PM
    #49
    ruler1

    ruler1 stump thumper

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    I was going to buy a second gen. The dealer told me 4x4 and manual were almost impossible to find used. I'm sure the auto has its advantages but I vote stick. They last longer. And not having the wife drive it is a win all on its own. The truck I did find cost me an extra 1500 because it had the 2.7 and the stick with locking hubs. I will not own another automatic truck until I am very old.
     
  10. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:38 PM
    #50
    iroh

    iroh Well-Known Member

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    The manual only has about five strengths compared to the auto:
    -better control on snowy roads
    -more control with a trailer
    -longer-lasting brakes depending on how you drive
    -simple inexpensive fluid changes
    -immune to the schizophrenic cruise control program

    If it had a taller final gear and shifted better than a '50 Ford it would be a no-brainer. Too bad it doesn't. If I had a go again I'd be surely tempted to buy the automatic and I absolutely abhor driving automatics.
     
  11. Mar 12, 2012 at 6:41 PM
    #51
    ScreamingTaco

    ScreamingTaco Huge Member

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    I had a 2007 (27,000km) and have a 2008 (77,000km), both with manuals. Zero issues on either.

    I will admit that the Tacoma's manual was a little weird to drive at first. The flywheel on the 2007 was quite heavy and trying to drive it like a sports car was an experience as the truck would lurch if I dumped the clutch too fast. The throttle control was also a little weird due to the CPU holding the RPM for a moment before releasing when changing gears.

    I've since learned to drive it more conservatively and feel that it drives/shifts fine. It's no sports car... but it's not supposed to be.

    The first gear is a little short... but the short gear makes a lot of sense when driving off road or pulling weight.
     
  12. Mar 12, 2012 at 9:18 PM
    #52
    ceeeee

    ceeeee Active Member

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    I specifically only looked for a manual. I don't want my girlfriend driving my truck for one, i don't mind driving manual in the city or anywhere for that matter, and i control when the shift happens. If i want to shift at 2500rpm and slowly ramp up or rev up through gears i can. But main reason is i have had trouble with automatic transmissions in other vehicles in the past and they are a pain in the ass to take out and rebuild. I would rather pull a manual transmission and repair or replace parts than an automatic if i ever have to. Automatic is more popular of course nowadays as most automatics are supposed to be as reliable as standards, and there is hardly any fuel savings gained.
     
  13. Mar 12, 2012 at 10:33 PM
    #53
    MotorsportsAustin

    MotorsportsAustin Well-Known Member

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    wow, this is exactly my view on it too. change the word girlfriend to wife and it's dead on.

    I'll add I also tow and live in a really hilly area. First my Tahoe auto trans shat, then my X5 V8 auto trans shat, and the F350 7.3 has a rebuilt in it now.

    To be fair, Aisin manual trans are pretty crappy, the one in my Tacoma included. I've driven better shifting and more refined Freightliners and Volvo 18 wheeler tractors.
     
  14. Mar 13, 2012 at 7:26 AM
    #54
    OZ-T

    OZ-T You are going backwards

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    I can't get over people choosing their transmission based on their spouse / friends not being able to drive it , lol

    Grow a pair , the word you are looking for is " No "
     
  15. Mar 13, 2012 at 8:20 AM
    #55
    Taylor

    Taylor Check out NASA Spec3!

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    I don't drive stick, but I see you people complaining about a short first gear.

    I may be wrong, but can't you just launch from second? If 1st is that short, I'd think you wouldn't have much trouble starting from 2.
     
  16. Mar 13, 2012 at 8:36 AM
    #56
    badger

    badger Well-Known Member

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    The problem is that the gear ratios were not well concieved. 1st is not a good granny gear, nor is it a good first road gear. Second is too tall to launch in. 6th is not tall enough. Reverse is twice as tall as it should be. They should have made 1st a granny gear for all the things you use a truck for, and second should be the normal launching gear unless you are under a heavy load. 6th should be a real overdrive not just another gear.
    The 4.0 has plenty of torque to support a 4 spd tranny 95% of the time. Having a true granny gear and a true OD would make it a real serious truck tranny. The reverse gearing must have been designed by a highschool summer hire :rolleyes:
     
  17. Mar 13, 2012 at 8:37 AM
    #57
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    I have had 2.7L Taco with 5 speed now I drive 4.0L Taco with automatic. Having both, Automatic ALL the way. The Toyota's automatic is amazing unit, shifts flawlessly and you can manually select any gear you would like!

    I call BS on three points;

    - trailer control is fine! I tow a lot and if it seems to struggle in OD, I flip it to 4th or 3rd!

    - fluid change is easy and inexpensive as well! I have done it on my Taco on friends 4runner with the same transmission!

    - whats wrong with the cruise?? I had cruise on my 2.7L with 5 speed as well as on my 4.0L with Auto in both trucks the cruise worked fine and as it should...
     
  18. Mar 13, 2012 at 8:41 AM
    #58
    friction

    friction Well-Known Member

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    You would think, but on my 2.7 it is actually pretty tricky. I often launched from 2nd in my previous vehicles, but no dice on the Tacoma 5 speed.
     
  19. Mar 13, 2012 at 8:43 AM
    #59
    05RedTaco

    05RedTaco Nom Nom Nom

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    The 1st & 2nd gear on the 5 speed are horribly spaced! When turning, its too fast to shift into 1st and too slow to shift to 2nd so I always had to slip the clutch to get going... annoying!
     
  20. Mar 13, 2012 at 8:51 AM
    #60
    friction

    friction Well-Known Member

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    Indeed! I love my MT, but below 3rd it can be a PITA.
     

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