Manual or auto?

I never owned an AT vehicle before this 3rd gen Taco.

Bought AT for two reasons:

My wife doesn't drive stick.

I am old and getting older, and plan on keeping this truck for at least 20 years.

AT was the correct choice, based on these conditions.

I really like this AT vehicle, rides great, and am very satisfied.

Also very confident in my manhood.....just saying....lol

 

Traffic in a manual isn’t a big deal, my opinion as an ex SoCal native who only drives a manual gearbox, with a previously exploded left knee (rebuilt, still no meniscus) I wouldn’t drive an auto, too boring imo. The notion of not getting one in case you break your leg is pretty much like only leaving your house in camouflage so a pterodactyl doesn’t grab you mid flight.

 

Disagree. This transmission has quirks let's just say lol. Took me months how to figure it out

 

I'll add - "Extended test drive both". A 30 minute test drive with the salesman riding shotgun is not enough time to assess a vehicle. Try to find a dealer that allows you to take the truck at least 4 hours - some allow 24 hour test drives. If you can't find that then try renting (though that might be difficult).

 

Can you elaborate?

Waiting for news on the new Frontier and Ranger before buying my next truck - it's likely going to be a Tacoma manual if Ford and Nissan can't knock it out of the park with their new offerings (which is likely).

 

Drove manuals for years, but old left knee surgery started talking. Autos for me now. Get a manual if you don't want a millennial to steal it. Few of them know how to drive one.

 

This one right here does, have only driven manuals since I bought my first manual transmission car when I was 18 (14 years ago now). But you're right, few people nowadays know how to drive one and that's one of the best security systems you can have in a vehicle here in the states. I don't tint my front windows for this reason, I'd rather a would-be thief be able to see inside and notice it's got a stick shift than break a window or bust my door open to find out. If they can't drive it easily and make a quick/quiet getaway, they're going to move on to the next car. Hopefully not my girlfriend's Accord though, lol.

 

A supposed Ford engineer leaked and said they were not doing a manual for what little thats worth.

 

@11Bguy

 

Ok. Well first I came from a new (back then) 2012 Taco Auto to a 2016 Taco MT.
For 2 reasons: I hated the indesicive auto transmission and it's programming.
So I considered the manual at first when looking at the 3rd gen and because of this and last reviews of Toyota and Lexus. Also my 2nd gen got written off. Thanks texting driver.
So
I test drove the 2016 Taco Auto first, just incase (because I also like the long bed- which isn't available here in Canada with Manual), and I was let down. It was a bit smoother than the previous generation but still too undecided where it wanted to be. After reading many threads later I learned it's gets better in time and the truck learns your style, and there was a service bulletin to help with the tuning. But I'm still happy with the purchase and i wouldn't change it, even if it meant having a long bed.
Anyways I drove the manual 2 x on test drive and found it was very deliberate and slow. Which is okay because it's a truck and that's what I expected. So I bought it.
But after owning it I now realize that it's got some quirky personality because of the aggressive eco programming they did to it.

You can read up more about it on the manual transmission thread and the OVtune thread.

So to sum it up. its better than the auto still IMO but has some interesting quirks you'll get to know as an owner. Which can be solved almost entirely by the OVtune.
Fun to drive though when you get use to it and can get it done properly with some right downshifts.

 

Depends what you're doing. I've blown my knee skiing, as well as broke my arm. I was driving a manual for both of those accidents and had to call for help. No issues, other than just the pain of the person picking me and my car up. If I were in the backcountry with no cell service...that does become an issue. Again, I'd most likely have someone with me or tell someone where I'm going, so probably not a life/death situation, but all I'm saying is it's within the realm of possibility, which is opposite of the picture you're painting.

 

I love my dcsb manual. I also wanted long bed, but had to have double cab. Very happy with the compromise, cause I love the manual. I chose off-road at same price as sport.

 

Manual. No questions.

 

If you need the long bed, the you have to go auto, but other than that if you are considering a manual trans, get it now before they are not sold any more.

 

No no. Speak for yourself. It depends on what YOURE doing.

The picture I’m painting is maybe you shouldn’t have a manual anymore. I’ll be alright.

 

If I gotta pick between skiing or a manual, well I don't ski so...

If you break a limb driving while going in and out of shock may not be great either. If you can... getting warm in the truck and getting help coming is probably the best option. I know cell reception varies though.

 

If cell reception is nil, I have confidence that you will be able to figure out how to get your truck moving without using the clutch pedal.

 

Also, there's the Clutch Start Cancel button.

 

Not really needed, with the hand ebrake you don't really need two feet to start the truck or get it to move.

 

Surprisingly, when I blew my knee and broke my arm, I was perfectly fine other than (obviously) the extreme amount of pain if I moved my leg/arm. I could have very well driven home, had my car been an auto. I can 1-hand shift in a manual, but even leaning over with my left hand was just too painful on my right arm. But now, I don't ski much. Not enough time with work, kids, etc!