Tested auto a few weeks back, tested manual today

No, that would add all sorts of mechanical complexity to a truck with a manual transmission. The benefit of a manual off road? Well, you are actually driving it not just riding in it.

 

1000 miles...I couldnt be happier! It shifts smoother than my 07 FJ M/T. Not quite as "torquey" as my FJ which makes it less "jummpy" of the line but has more power and acceleration at about 2500rpms (feels like the turbo in a wrx!!). Also less torque at lower rpms makes it more bearable to drive in traffic and easier to "baby" when needed. Still plenty of torque to get up steep inclines. No computer gear hunting like the automatic tranny which i think is very nice for all around control of the vehicle (offroad control, driving over mtn. passes etc.). Its alot of fun to drive! Also nice finding the sweet spots in each gear that give you best MPG readings and having complete control over that. 6th gear is good for the highway and cruises with best MPG around 65mph. I was a little bummed when i found out i couldnt have crawl control and a M/T... but who needs crawl control when you are a competent driver, have a manual tranny and also are equipped with A-TRAC/rear locker! All-in-all im very happy i went with the M/T being that i love driving stick and its becoming harder and harder to find(especially in newer trucks). I just like the simplicity/reliability that a M/T offers and enjoy every minute that im behind the wheel!

 

wish I could have chosen the manual tranny, but I do soo much driving in rush hour traffic...I just couldn't do it.

 

I just test drove the 2016 TRD Sport DCSB in AT and MT. To me the automatic seemed to have more umph but I didn't rev out the manual when I test drove it. That said, neither one seemed to be as fast/powerful as my 2005 TRD Sport DCSB. Am I alone in feeling this or is the power band in the manual higher for the 16 vs 05? Or maybe the MT that I tested was just a dog.

 

Power band is definitely higher. Myself and others have commented however that there are like three separate power bands. The first kicks in around 2400 rpm, with a bigger bump around 3400, and then hold on to the seat for the bump at 4000+. It took some getting used to but once you know where those powerband/torque points are you can choose a gear so you are just on the edge of them based on the task at hand.

 

Was going to order a manual offroad.. But a limited came into my hands and I didn't have to wait... So far the shifting has gotten way more responsive without the ect on... I was suprised how fun the sport shift mode was allowing us with the auto to shift where the power is. I think the shifting and response get better over time as the motor breaks in over 1k and the computer learns your driving style.

Also may be placebo but I use shell vpower after the first dealer fill up.

 

I used to drive a manual and loved them but occasionally my wife and I have to change vehicles and she couldnt ever get comfortable driving one so I have been driving ATs on my last 2 tacomas. Now that I have gotten used to the autos I like them and manuals seem to me to be to much work to perform the same tasks of getting you where your going.

 

Sub'd for later reading

 

So I thought I would like an OR AC 4x4 with a manual shit trans, no go I find out?

 

Ditto. I've driven thousands of miles off-road with manual transmissions and love the firm control they give you over the powertrain. I actually drive in 4-Lo quite a bit because the trails I'm on have a mix of technical stuff followed by a mile or two of open country. Often find myself in 6th gear of 4-Lo. Kind of weird-sounding, but flows naturally on the trail. I can see some advantages to an auto, but they'll have to pry my clutch pedal off my cold, dead foot.

 

I may have to test drive a MT V6 3rd gen. I made the (for me) very tough call to go auto in my '14 because I couldn't stand the manual they had in the 2nd gen. I miss having the third pedal.

 

No surprise here. Manual in the 2nd Gen was way better too.

 

I currently don't have a '16 yet, but am looking for a TRDOR with manual transmission (tough to find). I used to have an FJ with a 6-speed man transmission and in low, with A-trac turned on and rear-locker, you pretty much accomplish the same thing. It's all about sending power to the right wheels. Should be the same on the Tacoma.

 

Basically, if you aren't sure whether you want an AT or MT, you should get an AT. Only the ones who positively want a MT should get it, otherwise you'll regret it. If you say "I want a MT but I always have to drive in traffic", then you don't want a MT. I have to drive in traffic but I don't care, I want a manual. Don't try to rationalize it, you either want it or you don't. I don't try to compare it with an AT by way of HP or seat of the pants torque values, I just enjoy my MT because I love having control over my truck. If that's not your thing, then you would've known it way before reading these online opinions. I didn't need anybody to tell me that I wanted a manual, in fact it was the opposite, the dealership tried to talk me into an AT just because they thought I would be happier getting my truck really quick. They were shocked that I was willing to wait 3 months to get the truck that I actually wanted. I got my ride and I fell in love with it before I even got into 6th gear. Its the right color, right setup, and most importantly I've got control over the gears, something 90% of Tacoma owners can't say. So am I happy? You damn right I'm happy. And I would attribute 99% of that to being that I have a MT Tacoma. Long story short, if you want a manual get a manual. If you want an AT, have fun with your AT. Love you guys, just keepin it real.

 

A new vehicle will obviously have a new flywheel and pressure plate. Prior to the surfaces breaking in, they are very high friction and can be difficult to engage smoothly. After the clutch breaks in (smooths out), engagement will become much easier.

 

Hello TacomaWorld! This is my first "new" post... I started a TW account back on 12/12/2010 (but that account doesn't appear to be active anymore(?)) so I signed up again today. It's a weird coincidence that I'm re-signing for this same forum almost 5 years "to the day" of my first sign up!


Anyway, back on topic, I currently have a 2006 TRD Pro Access Cab w/ MT and after researching this forum for the last few weeks, I went in to submit my order for a new 2016 Tacoma today. I was planning to get an AT because of SoCal traffic and also because I was weighing that there might be a bigger audience for AT's if I ever decided to sell some day.

I submitted my order for an automatic and because I was in a hurry, I wasn't going to bother to go on a test drive. I just assumed it would be at the very least similar/better than my 2006 (which I think is a great truck). After driving away I couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps I made a mistake; particularly when I kept thinking about all the posts that stated the AT felt sluggish to some, and others thought the truck was excessively hunting for gears. I called my dealer back and asked them to hold off on submitting the order. I decided I needed to find an AT somewhere and at least go for a test drive so I could compare that to my current truck (I couldn't find any 2016 MT's).

Well I found an automatic 2016 to test drive and all I can say is I'm VERY happy that I did! As soon as I drove it off the lot and accelerated into traffic I knew instantly that I would be changing my order to a manual. Also after that test drive it all became clear; I really do like driving my MT. In fact, it's never been a big deal driving it in traffic. I still feel the AT might have a slight advantage when it comes time to sell (in maybe ten+ years) but in between, I'll enjoy shifting and what I think will be a more responsive vehicle (i.e.; something more like my 2006).

I changed my order to a 2016 DCSB, OR, 4X4, MT (7545) and I think it will be the right decision for me... Now if I can only find one to test drive!

 

Ordered silver OR 6mt, after 8 weeks ended up buying blue Limited auto 2 days ago. Hope I don't regret it but young kids in the back combined with a lot of stoplights made me shift weary in my accord 6mt. That had a nice manual as Hondas are known for.

 

You'll be happy you did what you did. When I saw my local dealer had a rare manual on the lot I had to test it. I am trying to convince myself a 5ft bed will be something I could live with since I want the manual so much. In a perfect world a DCLB OR 4x4 MT would be available but it's not. =( Anyway, I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the manual.

 

For what it's worth, I've had my 2007 DCSB 6M for three years and not once have I wished for a long box. The 5 ft box has taken everything I've thrown at it; including hauling my four wheeler, hauling sheets of plywood and patio stones from Home Depot or hauling the max payload of gravel. I've also used the truck to tow my 5000 lbs camper with no issues, while storing a generator, fuel and mountain bikes under the tonneau cover. I ordered a 2016 in the same configuration, in my eyes a DCSB 6M is the only way to go! It's just so much fun to drive every time I get behind the wheel, something that cannot be said about any vehicle with an automatic trans.

 

Agreed... Plus I think I already knew what I wanted but I'd been talking myself out of it.

What I am going to miss is the push button start! I've grown accustomed to that feature in my other cars so I was looking forward to having it in the new Tacoma too. I can do without the JBL or the crawl feature but the lack of a push button start seems ridiculous. You'd think they'd standardize that across the whole line of cars. So since there's no push button start I assume you can't unlock the doors by touching the driver-side door handle either?