Make an Argument for Manual Trans

Wouldnt have bought the truck if it wasnt available with a Manual Trans.

 

I can't say I wouldn't have bought a taco, but there is a large possibility I would have a full size in my drive way instead, as I every time I see a Chevy twin, I tell myself I am glad I didn't get one.

 

I had a manual GTI before my Taco.

I wanted an automatic transmission in the truck though. I loved driving my GTI, but that's the kind of vehicle I enjoy rowing my own gears. For a truck I never saw the appeal, so I went with auto.

Manual would be harder to steal though cause most people can't drive stick.

 

I would test drive both to see what you like better.

 

Get out of here with that, why would anyone waste their valuable time test driving. Every one knows 3rd gens are designed for test drives.

 

I have driven both, and the manual has fun factor and smooth shift feel, which is nice. But if you're thinking fun zippy fast response like a wrx, then you will be disappointed in that regard. The truck is slower and heavier, so it will respond as such whereas the wrx is much more responsive, as well as awd and the truck is rwd. If I had been able to get the taco in the access cab OR in a manual, I would have bought that instead of the auto.

 

Autos have more moving parts, more things can go wrong, they shift slow, they are unresponsive. List goes on.

All four vehicles (from 276hp to 550rwhp) I own are manual transmission.


The Tacoma is obviously the slowest. I dont expect it to be a rocket ship. But the feeling of changing the gears, being in control, and the exclusivity of the Manual make it a no brainer. Also look at the resale values of manuals. If selling to an enthusiast, manual trans vehicles always bring in more money. It always makes me laugh how it costs more to get an auto from the dealership, but when its time to sell, you get more for the manual.

 

This is about how it plays out when buying the automatic.

 

I originally wanted a manual but had to get an auto due to the configuration I wanted. It's my first automatic.

While the transmission is annoying (I've had stock tires, 33's, and 35's) I'm happy with it. Every truck I've drive in a manual config I've hated. I always felt like the shifting was so long and sloppy.

Plus I spend a lot of time in traffic so that's a plus being in an auto. Off road is easier too which I funny saying that. But it is.

If you get an auto be careful posting about it here. I was convinced at one point I needed to trade it in for a manual. And also I lost my man card for admitting I had one. It seems like a lot of manual drivers here are akin to short person syndrome.

 

Have you been able to find your man card? I wonder where they hid it on you.

 

Exactly.

Dealers were taking thousands off of their auto trucks trying to get me into one. I was about to fly to Vermont to get a manual one with my build when one showed up about 5 hours drive from me.

It boggles my mind how some people bend over and take it from dealers when they are about to drop almost 40k.

 

I'll chime back in because I didn't mean to be rude earlier and do want to help/offer some perspective:

If you're looking for a sports-car like fun of shifting, forget it. These MTs are more like tractors than they are like sports cars. I generally shift mine slowly and it's fine. I've always preferred a manual regardless. It's also nice in that it keeps a lot of non-stick driving people from asking to borrow your truck.

My truck is a pleasure vehicle; i drive about 7500 miles a year mostly on quick weekend trips around town to run errands or 50 miles each way to get to my boat. That's highway and country roads. If I were commuting in DC area traffic every day I think I would prefer the automatic --at 48 years old my clutch leg does occasional protest a little.

Hope this helps.

 

They don't make an off road access cab in a manual. I didn't have a choice.

 

the hell did i just watch

 

To me the difference between auto and manual is far greater than the difference between cabs especially trim levels.

If I HAD to have an access cab, I would get one in SR5 and just add the OR or even better aftermarket stuff (Locker, Lift, Wheels/tires).

 

@erok81 could you or someone else explain why AT is easier to go offroading?

I do plan on using this to go to ski resorts, Pocono mts (PA) to hike and camp.

 

2017 SR access cab, 4 cyl manual, 4wd. I ordered it the way I wanted and had to wait almost 3 months to get it. The fact I could get a manual is what made me look at the Tacoma in the first place (find another new truck with a manual). Many choices out there in auto, very few with a manual. Get what you want.

 

If I was dealing with lots of traffic, I'm not sure I would be in a truck, I'm too cheap to waste money sitting there, so I would probably end up cramped in some fuel efficient thing. I have always felt trucks should be manual trans, but that's me. Is the taco as fun to daily drive as a little sports car (also should always be a manual) no. I learned to drive in an automatic, but once I started driving manuals, I don't want to have to go back and when we shop for vehicles that's been the first item on the list. VWs lack of manuals, and them the sales staff trying to convince me that triptonic or what ever they call it was the same, is why we own a Subaro and not a VW.

 

I had some reservations about driving a MT truck over the years because I felt like it would be like shifting a big rig with huge throws, lots of slop and poor clutch feel. Coming from several sports cars STi and BRZ to name a couple, I love the added fun and control of driving a manual car. I had and Auto full size Chevy years ago and found myself plain board out of my mind driving that thing.. I recently got my MT Tacoma and although yes, as other have mentioned, it’s no sports car, it’s really not nearly as bad as I expected and I still really enjoy having the MT.. Autos are just so boring to drive IMO.. Sure in tons of traffic it can get old but to me is well worth it 99% of the time..

 

I love my manual trans, but with that said it's not a sports car. If you are thinking that buying one with the manual trans is going to make it some how be more sports car like you will be disappointed. I am happy, but I knew I was buying a truck.