Wish I would of got the manual, should I trade in?

One of the only reasons I ended up in a Tacoma was because it was available with a manual. Picked up a 2016 TRD OR DCSB MT in June of 2016. Loved driving the truck for the 2 years I had it. In those two years I couldn’t get my wife to the point of being able to drive the truck by herself and that was becoming an inconvenience at times. Made the switch to a 2017 TRD OR DCSB AT. The manual was much more fun to drive.
My biggest complaint with the manual was the gearing in reverse, it should be (IMO) as low or lower than 1st but it isn't. It’s way too high. It makes moving a heavier trailer in reverse a real pain at times. I always wanted a 2low mod for moving trailers.
My biggest complaint with the auto is the poor gear spacing between 4-5-6 gears. There is too much of a gap between 4-5 and 5-6 is closer than it needs to be. With the lack of low end torque this engine has, I believe that it wouldn’t be quite as shift-happy on the highway if 5th gear was spaced between 4 and 6 better. At 80mph it’s around a 300rpm difference between 5-6. It’s around 1100rpm or more between 4-5.

I would also recommend OVTune, I had it on both trucks. If you are unsure if you really want to trade it would be worth a try. You can use it on either truck.

 

I test drove my exact truck in auto... id rather hump a cactus.

 

I also went Tacoma partially for the MT. I looked into the new Ranger but once I was told 10AT only, I bought my Taco.

 

When I bought my MT Tacoma, I never even test drove it. Found it locally, got a great price, went and paid for it, they gave me the keys, walked out and drove it away.

 

My wife would complain no end if I had another daily driver manual. She hates them and will not drive 'em. I guess it's selfish thing. She loves my automatic Tacoma. Thats what counts.

 

They gave me an Auto for an extended test drive and let me keep it for 3 days, it shifted between 4 - 5 - 6 like an Epileptic Monkey was playing with the shifter, was pretty awful.

 

same. two test drives in OR AT's. dayum.

i was just testing the seat & driving position. I knew it would be mod city right out of the gate to get this thing right on. so the quirky weirdness and performance crap didn't put me off. it has since been handled.

 

Manuals are great, and with the way the AT is programmed, I can see the manual being the preferred version. But I drink to much, so having a vehicle that most people around me can't drive would be a bad thing.

 

Yeah me too, I was only interested in how it rode and how it felt inside, I never even considered the automatic.

 

Are you in Canada? it was my understanding that model was not available here. I now wish I got a MT.

 

Yeah, I am in Canada, they don't sell those in US, always weird how Toyota chooses to sell certain models even tho they all build at the same place.

 

Had a 17 manual. Picked it purely because I saved a few bucks. 1 year lafter wife upset one time her car was in the shop and she wouldn’t drive mine. A week later I had my BBP Auto. About $4,000 to reset 15,000 miles to zero and get a few more options. Still irritating my wife by adding lift and wheels and etc. no excuse for her not to drive it now though.

Driving impression of the manual...well even you’ve ever drove a mildly sporty car with a solid/slick transmission...the Tacoma feels like a dump truck. Long throws, notchy, 1st gear is almost useless. Red line at like 18 mph. Guessing, I don’t remember exactly. Very utilitarian, NOT enjoyable to drive just because it’s manual at all. I wouldn’t do it unless you can make a few bucks back on the deal.

 

Did you drive any previous Gen Tacoma's with a Manual prior to yours? The 3rd Gen Manual is buttery smooth and easily goes between gears, it is a massive upgrade and improvement over prior Tacoma's. Reverse Gear is rally the only complaint I have about it, otherwise l find it quite enjoyable.

 

Traded my MT for AT for similar reasons but I disagree with most of your feelings on the MT trucks. I’ve driven many manuals. I did change the fluid early on the transmission though. Maybe that made a difference. It is still a truck...

 

understandable for folks who don't mod. for those that do, all the above is fully changeable. the chassis on this thing is nuts for a truck. if you can get the mechanical in concert with the chassis's potential this thing is more fun than you know.

 

Amazing first post.

 

O.P get an MT if that's what you want so bad,just remember wanting and having are 2 different things,you will also take a loss money wise.But in the end you will have your MT

 

Trade now before it's too late!

 

Yeap,take the loss and move on in a MT.

 

You definitely get the manual. These trucks last too long to drive something you don’t enjoy. Plus, manuals are cheaper, so you’ll likely come out okay after the trade-in that you should be doing instead of reading this!