Anyone Trade an Auto for Manual 3rd Gen?

Thanks man, glad it has worked out well for you.

 

My auto does just fine. I think most manual drivers like to put it in the upper rpms before shifting. I don't feel the need to hit the high rpms. My auto shifts fine to me.

 

Mine was going to be a 4K hit. The truck had 2k miles. And I was going from a premium model to a full on base model.

After thinking about it. I drive in a lot of traffic and do a lot of off road. So I just kept my auto. First one I've ever had from a long line of manuals.

Now a sports car...no effin way would a drive an auto.

 

I did. Basically same situation, no manuals available and order arrival was 5+ months out. Settled for a AT since I had an auto in my FJ. For me it was a big mistake. I say if you prefer a manual then get one. I was displeased with the way the auto preformed, especially compared to the old 4L/auto combo in the FJ. The manual in this truck is actually very nice, especially once broken in.

 

My exact same experience. Seems crazy to me dealers don't stock more MTs. Sales guy told me something like "The MT Off-Roads usually sell within a few days after they come in" Looking around I see ~10 AT sitting on the lot... If they sell so fast/good why the hell don't dealers order more Manuals After wasting an hour of my life they conceded to order me a MT at $600 over MSRP . Needless to say, I walked... 2 months later found a great dealer 150 miles away willing to order one, no BS, no pressure and great price... Drove 3 hours to get there the next day, $500 down, in-and-out in less than 20 minutes, should be here in Dec!

 

Test drove an AT and an MT as I was looking at the TRD Off-Road. I've driven/owned manuals only and that's my preference for driving. I liked the way the MT drove much more than the AT and ultimately got an allocation for an MT. My only beef...the shifter knob looks like a PoS compared to the rest of the interior but that is a cheap/easy fix

 

Yup, pretty much what every dealer in DFW told me when I was originally looking. I have been hoping to find a used MT just to get a chance at driving one before I make my mind up for sure.

 

I think if anyone is on the fence and actually considering the MT, they should just get it. The only cons I really hear mentioned are using it in traffic really. In my experience its probably the easiest manual to drive in traffic that I've had.

The pros vastly out weigh the negatives. The gear ratio is perfect on the MT. If you plan to go with 32s or 33s the auto will be a complete dog. With 275s on my truck and the MT it feels almost the same as the AT did stock. First gear still has noticeably more torque even with the 275s too. Also if you have concerns about your AT fluid being low checking it can be a pain if your not handy. Checking the MT is much easier. Honestly I've had both and it's not contest IMO.

 

The gearing is the biggest issue. Had the AT had the 4.3 gearing the MT has I don't think there would be as big of an issue. The bogging down is what drives me crazy.

 

That and its programming/logic. Even with the TSB it wasnt great. I ultimately ended up using ECT at all times in conjunction with S mode. I would leave it in 3rd until it got up to speed and then select 4th. Without doing that it would always attempt to go to 4th at around 30 mph since I accelerated too slow. I mentioned it when I traded it in and the salesman actually took me out and drove it the way he drives and the truck drove a bit better. Basically if you flogged the AT all the time it was reasonable. But if you drove casually like I normally do it was always trying to conserve gas and was bogging. Using S mode prevented that to some degree.

At least with the MT I can completely control that issue.

 

True. Toyota's attempt to improve their CAFE rating in order to meet government standards has hurt the real world driving experience. The smaller engine with a smaller torque curve coupled with taller gears in the diff and in the AT has helped in the EPA lab but not on the streets.

 

100% agree with you. ECT holds the gear much better and doesn't upshift into 5th at 20-30 mph. My other concern is I am relocating to Atlanta for work and I hear the traffic is horrendous, not sure how much more I will enjoy driving the MT in that bad of traffic.

 

Agree the knob is just, I am not even sure what to call it, just not a fan yet.

Don't buy until you relocate, figure out your new environment before.

 

They make more on autos?

 

Drove a manual TRD OR and honestly didn't like it. The biting point of
the clutch is toward the end of release point. I like it when the truck or
car starts moving forward as soon as you let the clutch off a bit. But thats me.

 

If manual owners would press down the gas pedal on the auto like most do with the manual then you would realize that the auto is not that bad

 

What? This makes no cents to me. In fact I tend to be heavy on autos than when I have to drive them.

 

Most every video i have seen people driving manuals they seem to really wind them into the higher rpms before shifting. Makes perfect sense to me.

 

K, I see what your saying now. I only jump on it when I am really pushing for the high speed, I actually think I need to bring up my RPMS a little more. I was focused on this yesterday, got a little better mpgs