Does anyone else here have/like manual ??? or am I standing alone

It was pretty easy for me to get a 6-speed in both my 12 & 13's.
There's a lot of posts on the board about the trans being clunky and problematic but I haven't every had an issue with mine. The TRD short shift is pretty nice.

 

I really wanted a manual truck. Its actually the reason I looked at the tacoma, but i really wanted the double cab and to me a short bed just seems like a big trunk. Unfortunately the dclb isn't offered in stick, however, I have to say the transmission algorithms are very good on this truck, also paired with how torque-y the engine is, it doesn't really bother me. I normally can't stand autos, even in like a porsche or GTI where they should be top notch they drive me nutss (i don't drive my truck any tamer either)
I was really glad for my auto this summer though, I fell longboarding, tore my labrium, couldn't even really put my arm out to close the door for a few weeks, and then had surgury some time after and was in a sling for 6 weeks and was pretty weak for 2 more.

 

Manual and 4x4 was the only way I was going to buy, I had to do a lot of searching and waiting for one to arrive in Hawaii, but I am glad that I did!

 

Likewise. When I was looking for a Tacoma my brother asked if I was going to get a manual or automatic. It sounded like he'd disown me if I got an auto. But that didn't influence my choice, I was already fixated on a manual.

 

When i bought my 2010 plain-jane AC 2wd 5-speed - I had one requirement. Manual Transmission. This was 8 months out from my first hip replacement, and 6 months out from my next required hip replacement. I considered it ongoing physiotherapy.

I've been driving for nearly 30 years .. i learned (difficultly at that) on MT, on a 3 on the tree Chevy Nova. Not one of the sexy one's either - it was a 4 door. Only one of those cars since has been an AT, and i expensively smoked the electronical-control based transmission in that... never again.

MT is a pretty good theft-deterrent around here. It keeps you aware of your surroundings in congested traffic, it keeps you better tuned to speed/rev matching at any given time, and it keeps you awake when you might be otherwise tired. Availability of a MT would be the deal maker or breaker for any given vehicle i might be considering to purchase. I am well aware that there isn't the fuel economy savings advantage, that MT once had.. but that's all secondary to the MT experience.

Anyone who's complaining about the 5 speed's 'truck-like' shifting.. obviously hasn't driven a Ford equipped with the 3 speed stump-puller...

 

The weld shop I worked at had an old f350 with a 4 speed, super low first (rarely used) and the shifter was like 2 1/2 feet long! Was like working out on a rowing machine! Good times...

 

It might have been a 4... it was a Muncie transmission in an ex- road-works '88 F150 with F250 running gear. That was 15+ years ago that i had that vehicle. Indeed, like a rowing machine.

 

Mines a manual......never owned an auto yet(and won't)

 

Second Tacoma, First Manual, First 4x4, First Supercharger. I liked my Auto prerunner, it treated me well, but the manual with a Hurst Core Shifter and an extra 100 hp or so sure is a blast to drive around

 

I've had my share of manual transmissions but the Southern California commute makes an MT impractical for me. My first Toyota pickup - '94 4x4 V6 - was manual I loved driving that truck!

 

It's a bummer that not many trucks have that option. In the Colorado only the 2wd 4 cyl comes with an option for stick. If you want a 4x4 pickup with a MT it's either a tacoma or frontier. Maybe a Ram with the Cummins, not sure these days.

 

Just put a URD short throw kit in there and it's tits, 3rd gear up in rpm is a fun gear goin sideways