Manual Transmission to Auto

My 2G was auto. I didn't hate it but was never a bit fan of the way the TC locked and unlocked at 40 MPH. When I had the chance to do it over with the 3G I decided I didn't want to deal with that again.

I've never driven an automatic I've been fully satisfied with. I haven't had a ton of vehicles (6 in 18 years of driving, from basic commuter cars to sports cars) but I've only owned one auto. I hope to never be manual-less but we will see what the future brings. Unfortunately I don't see Toyota keeping the manual for the Tacoma indefinitely, but we will see. Dodge does put a manual in the 3/4 ton diesel, so that's always an option.

The only thing about manual that is frustrating is that the wife can't drive it so if her Jeep goes into the shop it's a bunch of juggling to make everything work.

 

What is the "electronically limited bottom end on take off"??

 

Curious as well.

 

I live in southern California and have no issues with my truck in traffic. 34 and plan on driving a manual until somebody has to drive me around. No enjoyment at all in driving an auto, for me.

 

17 MT, would not have gotten an auto. Still very happy with my manual. I've had 4 manual vehicles and 5 autos. Definitely enjoy the MT better, even with bad knees, and a recently rebuilt knee. It's only a pedal push, not like running a marathon.

Sidenote, wife can't drive a manual... which was part of the plan. Now I don't have to sit in the passenger seat terrified anymore.

 

I've had a lot of M/T vehicles .From cars to trucks, and i have never experienced a vehicle that would not physical drive up a hill on take off. A couple times I had to put it in 4 low to leave from a stop sign or get out of a buddies(not very steep) driveway. The truck acts as if there is less than 1 hp below 1500 rpm, as if electronically you can press the gas pedal all you want but nothing is happening at the engine. I chalked it up to tuning.

I'm comparing to Toyota 3.4 and 4.0 in the exact same places and never had issues.

 

What would you have gotten then? Traditional manuals are offered in almost nothing anymore.

 

hmmm. how interesting!

 

Most likely a Jeep. And I am not a fan of Jeep products after 2001. But I would settle just to have the manual.

 

Even then, like someone else has stated manuals are a dying breed, Jeeps narrative is to push more autos for their consumers, once Jeep wrangler made their engine swap and auto tranny swap in 2012 going from the 3.8L to their 3.6L with the 5 speed auto it was a game changer for them, the 6 speed remained but it was so sluggish in comparison to the 5 speed auto, I've driven both and my wife has one, you push the pedal and that jeep goes, zero hesitation, low and mid range torque when you need it. I love manual jeeps but I would say the ones from 97 to 2006 which had the 4.0L inline 6 those were the best ones and that engine is bullet proof, no jeep has come out with the JL and they're pushing the 3.6L with an 8 speed auto, and from the reviews I hear it's pretty solid. What I'm trying to say is I love MT, but if you can tune and pair an engine perfect with the right automatic transmission, sometimes it's better. My honest opinion, however in regards to this 3.5L engine we have in our yotas the 6 speed manual is the perfect combo for it.

 

I think something is wrong with your truck, not a tuning issue.

 

I've driven both but ultimately purchased an auto. My logic was that my fun car has 3 pedals and I'd rather drive auto in traffic on the commute to work. Also now the wife can drive this.

 

No.

 

I just don't understand fun to drive and Tacoma truck used in the same sentence. Maybe that's because I've owned a fun car and comparing my BMW M5 with a truck is like, comparing a BMW M5 with a freaking truck.

The M5 was a MT but it was a package deal on the fun. Power, brakes and handling are what make a car like that fun. A Tacoma has none of those things. Don't get me wrong the Taco is a competent vehicle, but fun isn't a word I'd use to describe the driving experience.

 

you could not possibly be more wrong.

come with me and I'll have you pissing your pants in my Tacoma. and I'm on AT tires, too.

it's all about a combo of your skill and your setup. just ask Alonso.

 

If he wanted a mid sized Pick Up then a Frontier would have been his only choice to get a Manual.

 

Have you driven the 3rd Gen Tacoma in both configurations?

 

my thoughts are if you had an MT M5 and still say this, you are not any kind of skilled or perceptive driver. any well skilled driver would be hugely impressed by the Tacoma chassis.

 

Have you ever driven a BMW M5? Yeah, no comparison. Now if you want to compare utility, cost of parts, gas mileage, depreciation, load carrying capacity, trailer towing, off road capability and flat ass reliability the Tacoma will kick the BMW's ass, but in the fun to drive category, you guys make me LOL.

 

I have not driven the BMW but that has nothing to do with what you said about you not understanding fun to drive and the Tacoma. There is definitely a fun factor difference in the Manual Tacoma that is missing from the Automatic.