Manual vs Automatic

also side note. the redline on this truck might be 6200 but it was tested at over 8500 revs. Its run every day in the lexus IS350 with a 7200 rpm redline i believe and in some other lexus vehicles. The motor is fine with being revved out. If youre thinking about towing though, especially in wind, or on a road with grades, or during inclement weather, or pretty much any other real world situation youre likely to actually have to tow through, id recommend the manual.

I'd also recommend the manual if you wanted to carry your family around, or go on a trip, or go for a nice drive, or do just about anything else you might want to do with a truck.

If you want better MPGs and thats your reason for getting one truck over another, did you see the nice Prius they had on the showroom floor? Its also got lots of cupholders as well... But if you wanted everything else that a vehicle can offer, then get the manual

 

Test drove Manual and Auto yesterday, so I like the Manual more than the auto. Manual is more driver involvement, and I've noticed that with auto, I use more brakes than the manual because auto doesn't actually really downshift when I apply the brakes. Maybe it's just me coming from driving manual since I was 15.

 

Test drove a 2017 Taco OR AT yesterday and was less than impressed. Didn't like the constant back and forth shifts at highway speeds. I live in CO where the air is thinner, inclines are abundant and winds are a factor. Need a drivetrain that better matches the environment. Will test drive the MT when it arrives at the dealer next week. After reading this thread I am encouraged about the MT. I love this truck!

For comparison purposes my wife has a '14 4R Limited. It has the 4L 5 Speed AT and it works well in CO. It's no drag racer but is certainly better than the 3rd Gen Taco 3.5L AT. Kinda wish Toyota dropped this drivetrain in the 3rd Gens but I guess it's all about CAFE these days.

 

I wouldn't care if it never stayed in 6th. You couldn't give me a manual transmission. Get in stop and go traffic and you will be wishing for an automatic.

 

True. If I was in stop and go a lot, I'd spring for the auto. Many folks on here don't see stop and go much.

 

as the saying goes, Driving in traffic sucks. Driving in traffic with a manual sucks less. enjoy your AT & 3.91's compliments of CAFE.

 

Yea I am getting more used to my automatic if you just mash the gas it does fine. A manual is not for me. If you want to be shifting gears all the time knock your self out. I would rather be relaxing sipping on a cold beverage lol

 

You manual guys complaining about the rpms being to high in 6th. I will swap my 3.90's for your 4.30's. Lol. I think Toyota got it ass backwards on the gearing. Automatic needs to 4.30's and manual needs the 3.90's

 

lol wut. yeah you can have your 4.3's for your AT but don't go talking about gearing on my MT... by the way the complaint you were hearing is not about final gearing, it's about 6th gear specifically. there is little change from 5th to 6th. most guys love their 4.3's but could use another 200-400rpm drop going from 5 to 6. and, actually, if this was the case, i could see how going numerically higher in the final drive would make sense if you're into that. a longer 6th would allow for a shorter final drive easily.

 

Lol so the manual isn't perfect either. Say it ain't so. Lmao

 

nope. but no complaints.

 

The automatic would be perfect with a 4.30 in it. Imo

 

maybe, i just wonder if going from 3.91 to 4.3 would be too subtle a change. pretty subjective, i'd be looking for as many experienced reports that i could find before making a decision between 4.3 and numerically higher, just because of how much you're paying to do that.

 

Everything is about CAFE these days. Huge amounts of pressure on manufacturers....and it's only going to get worse

 

true. look into the push for regs beyond 2020 up to 2025. say goodbye to everything you like and remember! lol

 

Yep. If the EPA had it's way....you'd have a tiny 3 cylinder engine that turns a generator that powers an electric motor. And you'd have to find a way to make do with 75 hp in your Taco

 

The 2GR engine gives the Taco a 2-3 mpg bump on paper. That's a big deal in a high volume vehicle like the Taco and worth it to Toyota to dump the 1GR mill. Every little bit scoots that corporate average up.

 

Well if they would dump that 9mpg gas hog tundra they might could make the Tacoma perfect lol

 

Toyota's not too concerned about the Tundra because of it's relatively modest sales. They sell just enough of them to justify their existence....not much else. If they sold like the F150 you would see a lot more development....i.e. aluminum bodies, smaller displacement force induced engines, etc.