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Buying a taco: 6 speed 4x4 vs auto prerunner looking for some advice

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by mikeakatex5, Jun 2, 2008.

  1. Jun 2, 2008 at 4:42 PM
    #1
    mikeakatex5

    mikeakatex5 [OP] New Member

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    I just graduated college a few weeks ago and can't wait to get rid of my commuter car I used to save gas on my 3 hr trips from school and home every so often. I was originally looking to buy a GMC Sierra but gas prices had me looking at Tacomas. I finally test drove one last week and loved it! So I'm looking at getting an 08 doublecab the question is do I get a 6speed 4x4 or an automatic prerunner. I really want the 6speed but it gets worse mpg than the auto from what I've read. I am going to put a 6" lift on with 33" tires either way but don't want my mpg to go to hell. I guess I'm just looking for some insight from the experts... you guys. Thanx
     
  2. Jun 2, 2008 at 4:44 PM
    #2
    rocivm

    rocivm miss south !! haha!!

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    perfect decision, perfect!!!! completelly agree.
     
  3. Jun 2, 2008 at 4:46 PM
    #3
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    FlimFlubberJAM
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    Lifting and putting bigger tires on is going to negatively affect your mpg. To what degree depends on your driveing style. I have the Auto, and I personally think its the best automatic tranny I have ever driven in any vehicle. Im lifted about 3" and getting 18-20 mpg. I drive just a smige more aggressivly than most. :)

    Oh, And welcome to the site.
     
  4. Jun 2, 2008 at 4:56 PM
    #4
    ToyoComp

    ToyoComp Addicted Mod'r

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    Completely agree with chris4x4 as tire size will alter your mileage more than the transmission. You might consider what you'll be using the truck for - trailer, off-roading, or even the type of roads you drive as there are advantages to both. For me, pulling a trailer into the woods there is no substitute for the 6speed 4x4. If you are in heavy daily traffic and don't anticipate doing heavy duty offroading then the automatic is better, IMO.
     
  5. Jun 2, 2008 at 5:16 PM
    #5
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

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    3” spacer lift, 285/75/17 KO2, Spidertrax 1.25” spacers
    Auto 4x4.

    If gas is a concern, only do a 3" lift.
     
  6. Jun 2, 2008 at 5:19 PM
    #6
    tacodave06

    tacodave06 Active Member

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    central valley
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    mine is an auto 4x4 and it shifts very smooth but i agree it depends what you primarily use the truck for
     
  7. Jun 2, 2008 at 8:03 PM
    #7
    mikeakatex5

    mikeakatex5 [OP] New Member

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    Wow this forum rocks. You guys reply fast! The truck will be a pavement pounder for the most part with very little towing involved now and then. I drive with a light foot (for mpg reasons) so I figured the 6 speed would save me on gas with the bigger tires. If I go with the auto I would most likely drop 4x4 because I don't really need it and if its like most other trucks 4x4 will just drop the mpg.

    Also does the size of the lift do anything to gas mileage? I always thought it was just the tires.
     
  8. Jun 2, 2008 at 8:25 PM
    #8
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Lifting increases the frontal area of the vehicle, so, the bigger the lift, the more the frontal area, thus the more drag = :mad: mpg.
     
  9. Jun 3, 2008 at 8:25 AM
    #9
    Chickenmunga

    Chickenmunga Nuggety

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    I came from:

    automatic Accord - boring but easy to drive
    5spd '81 toyota 2wd truck - my buddy's, fun as HELL
    automatic Ram 250 long bed diesel - never let you forget you were driving a very large truck

    I wanted to reassociate with the little toyota - having fun in a truck without feeling cumbersome like the bigass dodge. I thought part of that fun would be the manual transmission, so that's all I was test driving.
    However, I visited one lot where all they had were automatics - drove one and immediately changed my mind. To me, the 6spd is a laborious transmisson, making the vehicle feel more like a lumbering truck than a nimble vehicle. I feel much more relaxed in my auto, and have a greater desire to drive it. Maybe the short shift kit would change that or a 5spd 4cyl, but those weren't options I was after.
     
  10. Jun 3, 2008 at 10:32 AM
    #10
    Chester

    Chester Well-Known Member

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    I got a stick because a auto is garbage on a trail,frustrating to no end.Shifting becomes a brainless manuver after years of driving.For your application a puddle hopping prerunner sounds like all you need.Hope you enjoy the 12-15 mpg.But you'll look cool right.
     
  11. Jun 3, 2008 at 11:09 AM
    #11
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    Application is the key to what kind of transmission- and for you...It sounds like the auto would work just fine.

    Good luck with your choice!! and welcome to the board!!!!
     
  12. Jun 3, 2008 at 11:12 AM
    #12
    Demoncleaner

    Demoncleaner Well-Known Member

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    Before you get to 2x4 vs 4x4, auto vs manual, and a 6" lift... have you a got job already and getting paid to truely afford this? Straight outta school (mostly likely with heap of bills) you might want to wait a bit till your settled and have finances figured especially since sounds like your truck will be for fun rather than necessity. You may catch a great job elsewhere and if you end up commuting with a lifted truck, you may wish you still had that commuter car.


    However, if you got the cash....Drive em all, take what you like best and suites your needs, with a 6" lift any mpg difference between the trannys and drivetrains will be measured in tenths.
     
  13. Jun 3, 2008 at 12:21 PM
    #13
    Khaos

    Khaos Big Member

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    Most people prefer Auto on the trail, especially those newer to off roading. The only people I know who drive stick do it because "its cool".
     
  14. Jun 3, 2008 at 1:35 PM
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    Chickenmunga

    Chickenmunga Nuggety

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    All the normal TW BS
    I'd like it for going down hills with large loads, but even then you can get downhill assist and jake brakes.


    Stepping back though, the OP lives in the SF Bay area, right?
    Get automatic. The stop and go traffic will kill you, and you have those steep hills on those little roads that are going to be a pain, like in the Russian District.
    Get 2WD. Your weather is mild, and 90% of your driving is pavement. Get limited slip or whatever if you really need the help.
    Buy the vehicle out of state if possible to avoid the high prices of your area


    Other notes:

    -biggest gas change is 4wd vs. 2wd. From what I remember reading, engine size comes next, and everything after is < 1 MPG

    -Lifting might not affect the MPG, and larger tires might effect it slightly, but the definite hit is the cost of installation. The tires wear faster (I assume you are looking at offroad tires) and have a high replacement cost. The lift kit requires a good amount of money as well, from my understanding.


    Questions for the OP (please bear with):
    -I'm not going to get in-depth on money, but just make sure that you have a steady income, a budget you can live with, and enough still in the bank for those "left turns" in life. Understand that you need a career, and you may have to job hunt for a year before it comes.
     
  15. Jun 3, 2008 at 2:08 PM
    #15
    Spank

    Spank New Member

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    Can you even get a manual transmission these days? When I bought my 06 double cab 4x4, I couldn't even find one to test drive in South Texas.

    Still I probably would have opted for the auto since you can't eat a taco, talk on the phone, program the gps, and change mp3's at the same time as shifting six miserable gears.

    This isn't the 1950's? Why would anyone want a manual transmission these days unless it is strictly a play toy?
     
  16. Jun 3, 2008 at 2:22 PM
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    Wolfpack

    Wolfpack Well-Known Member

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    You can't get a new doublecab with a 4 cyl can you??
     
  17. Jun 3, 2008 at 2:30 PM
    #17
    nd

    nd Radical Town. It's a hell of a place!

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    yes you can, it just depends on the pkg. you cant get a sport, double cab long bed with a manual but you can get it in some DC configurations
     
  18. Jun 3, 2008 at 5:01 PM
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    mikeakatex5

    mikeakatex5 [OP] New Member

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    Well from what I'm hearing, I'm def leaning towards the prerunner now. As far as the financial aspect I saved alot of money before school so I don't have any bills from college and I'm already working and my commute is only 10 minutes. So as of right now (but I'm not buying for about 3 weeks) it looks like the 08 dcab prerunner with the sport package is what I'm gonna get. Thanks alot guys and I'm sure you'll be hearing from me more once I get it.
     
  19. Jun 3, 2008 at 5:31 PM
    #19
    WilsonTheDog

    WilsonTheDog Kylie's dad

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    ^That's a good choice. I don't offroad and we don't have any weather here that would require me to have it so I personally didn't need or want 4X4. Auto, I had back surgery 2.5 years ago and couldn't drive my manual trans truck at the time so I've gone auto since then. Plus, I personally didn't like the manual in the Tacoma's. Just didn't "feel" right to me.

    As you can see, it's personal preference but the auto in these Tacoma's is a good one. My only gripe is that I wish it had an autostick option (I loved that in my Altima 3.5SE). I think you'll be happy with your choice.
     

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