Manual transmission Fan Club and BS thread (All Generations Welcome)

I've had both over the years , the auto doesn't make you lazy and a manual doesn't make you a super hero driver

 

Yeah, I had a Model A roadster for 25+ years. Drove a Studebaker pickup as a kid, they all worked. Even the European 4-speeds on the column worked. Just take some familiarization

 

There's nothing wrong with an auto if you must drive in city traffic. There's nothing right with an auto if you drive secondary roads and two-lane highways with 10% grades. You can't replace brake pads every month.

 

This is the truth. Some just prefer a manual and like the benefits that they offer. I just find that those who have never appreciated the benefits will always claim modern autos are superior. I have said before if all I did was rush hour traffic driving in some big city then I would probably drive an auto. Thankfully I live in the middle of somewhere so traffic is the last thing on my mind.

 

It's an American thing apparently. You hardly see any Hilux with autos, or Land Cruisers, or anything if you travel in Asia, S.A. or Europe.

 

I drive the latter and your brake pad comment is ludicrous speed

 

I will disagree on the column shifting manuals. I never could drive one of those beasts. I always felt Un coordinated trying to shift on the column.

 

I live in steep country and trucks are getting brakes regularly here. Drive these passes at the posted 45-50 and you'll be riding the brakes most the way in many autos. Google Hwy 550 or most dangerous roads.

 

Agreed again. This may have been true in 70s and 80s pickups but with today's breaking systems I'm not sure if it is true any more. When was the last time you heard of breaks overheating on a modern truck? Auto or manul.

 

Huh , I drop it down a few gears and never touch the brakes

 

With shifters like the modern auto in the Tacoma it makes this task safer and easier.

 

arguments on the Internet don't bother me as much. It's the look and questions I get when looking for a manual that irritates me.

a couple of years ago i was looking for an A4 manual so I called local dealers to see if any were available to test drive. Every person i spoke to either said "hmmm a manual? you do know you're in California right? hahahahaha" or "a manual? what do you want a manual for?" So annoying to have to justify wanting a manual.
Now it's the same thing with Toyota. Walked into one dealer just to get numbers and they asked me a few times if I was sure I really wanted a manual. I walked away.

When I'm good and ready - TRD OR 4x4 6SP in magnetic gray.

 

The manual feels really great in the 2016 model. Loved the way the engine supplied power. Way better than the auto!

 

Long live the manual! I only buy vehicles with a MT, even when I had an 75 minute commute (one way) in heavy stop and go traffic. While I acknowledge that modern autos have come a long way and are starting to surpass MT in terms of efficiency and shifting speed, I will still pick the manual purely for the engagement and fun factor.

 

As long as they make a manual I'll have one. After they stop I'll just rebuild my old one.

 

I'm definitely part of the manual fan club. My last car was an automatic only because it was a hand me down from my wife. I was patiently waiting for the Tacoma redesign to finally get back into a manual. It's just way more fun.

 

I got the 2016 4x4 TRD OR M/T, this thing is a blast to drive. I wouldn't have bought it without the 6 speed M/T I know we are the minority and not the majority wanting a M/T. I was supprised a few years back most manufactures went away from them. Still have a Ford 7.3 w/6 speed, I'll just have to keep it forever. I went to Ford dealer wanting a new one some time back nothing but autos dealer said it is better (LOL) I said good you buy it.

 

Future 3rd gen M/T owner (someday). I can't get either my wife or 18 y.o. daughter to drive cars with auto trans, so it's a pretty difficult thing when shopping for a new or replacement car- they have VW TDI's now. I have a '95 T4R with a manual, and love driving it. I've owned many auto trans cars and trucks, but they were only available in that configuration. My first Toyota (when I was 16) was a '70 FJ40 with a 307 V8 and the original 3 speed manual (converted to floor shifter). That thing was a beast to drive.

 

manuals are all fun and games until you have a surgery or an injury.

I had a mole removed on my upper back (they cut it out rather than skimming off the top). I was surprised when I was driving my manual how uncomfortable my back was while shifting. every little stretch was a wince of pain. Then leg surgery, a knee issue, oh man, not fun.

I live in a stop-and-go crap traffic area, and my wife can't drive a manual well, so now its autos for me. I don't mind. Sometimes (not very often) I'll still do the muscle memory left foot reach when starting a car, looking for a clutch. Funny how the brain is wired for things like that.

I would still probably opt for a manual on a sports car, but that would be it for me. The rest will be autos from here on...

 

Trucks should always be manual!