Manual vs Automatic

I pushed a clutch for too many of years.
Big pita, especially in traffic.
Nothing wrong with autos. I see zero benefit with manuals.

 

Used to feel the same way, till I broke my foot.....

 

Some benefits

1) Better for towing. You don't have to worry about overheating the transmission.

2) no gear hunting

3) no fluid changes

 

1.The transmission won't overheat, but the clutch will. An auto is MUCH better for towing. Try backing a heavy trailer up hill and in tight spots. You'll cause 20,000 miles of wear to your clutch in 50'.

2. All you do is hunt for gears, but you do it manually.

3. Yes, you have to change fluids, and at about the same intervals.

4. You'll spend more $$$$ replacing clutches, especially if you tow than you will on maintenance on an auto.

As to resale value, a MT costs less new, sells for less used. Percentage wise it is close, but the auto will be easier to sell.

 

I'm completely biased.
BUT I LOVE THIS DAMN THING!!!

MT all the way. It's a blast to drive. I would say the only reason not to get one is if you commute in heavy traffic every day. Otherwise, it's the best choice.

This is a limited edition vehicle with a bit of a niche market. I don't have data to support this, but my bet is resale is better than the auto.

My truck is 1/250 made in 2017 (1/80 or so if you include specific color) Resale value is based on supply and demand, right?

 

Not to start a back and forth argument but, I'm on my 5th MT Tacoma and I've never had to replace a clutch. All of them had over, or well 100k except my new one. And I can't speak for everyone on this but I also don't have to change brake pads nearly as often. So on the maintenance side of things I don't completely agree.

 

Here's another argument I have for MT:

It gets more and more difficult to get a truck with a manual transmission. Now yes, this likely reflects overall demand up front, but my bet is as the pool of good solid used MT trucks gets smaller and smaller, demand will decline at a slower rate. I may be wrong, but I think there will be a nostalgic surge in demand in the future.

I'm shopping for a solid turntable for my wife to play her records on. Good, solid old turntables fetch a pretty penny these days...now why is that?

 

It's too hard to hold a burger, a Coke, and shift in traffic.

 

For me it is easy.
For a daily driver I wouldn't go with an MT anymore.
But for a pure fun second car I always would choose an MT when possible.
Was also in the market this year for a manual Tacoma but couldn't find one so I went the automatic route, and honestly I like the truck beside the not so nice AT (which would probably drive nicer as a MT) and the frame which needs care and love so that it doesn't rust under your butt.

 

I went wit the Automatic. I didn’t like the key and I do like the push button start. Love the sunroof and heated seats in this thing.

 

Advantages not often mentioned for MT:

1) Bump start if battery dead.

2) Turn engine off at any speed for creeping silently on people or coasting dangerously down the highway with no power breaks or steering (ultimate fuel economy).

3) From total rest (engine off), turn car on and take off in less than a second (no hesitation from foot on breaks, shifting P..R..N..D then gas it).

4) Rev engine easily for initiating races/intimidation (burn outs apply).

5) Internet respect.

6) Bypass clutch starter switch in order to use you starter-motor as a real motor turning your truck into an electric vehicle (possible gov discounts available?).

7) Theft prevention.

8) Wife can't drive car.


Advantages not often mentioned for AT:

1) Off-road effectively, with out slamming to a full stop in deep sand attempting to shift, or smoking a clutch trying to overcome a big ass ledge and rolling backwards into the truck behind you.

2) When too drunk to drive...wife can drive car.

 

Great color! I love the Voodoo and it doesn’t have that air thing thank God!!!!!

You will wish you had a key if that push button ever fails!!!

 

Even if the battery in the key fob dies you can still start the truck.

 

"Usually, vehicles with automatic transmissions will have a greater allowable cargo load than those with manual transmissions. This is because towing large loads with a manual can damage the clutch from shifting gears."
https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto...-automatic-transmission-better-for-towing.htm


I towed 5000lbs in 95 degree heat with zero appreciable rise in tranny temp with an automatic.

Manuals are a pita.
No fluid changes, just clutches regularly on manuals it seems like on Tacos.

I have no hunting for gears, it just does what an automatic does with no effort on my part. Love it. Pop that clutch for an hour in traffic, no thanks.

 

Well I failed to read exactly how towing can damage a transmission by shifting. I know if you’re lugging the engine it can strain the drivetrain but an experienced driver wouldn’t be. The same assumption can be made with autos when tow mode is disengaged while towing, that’ll fry a torque converter pretty quick depending on the factors.

I don’t think manuals are a pita, in traffic I generally hold 1 or 2 gear and creep along. Doing this I probably depress my clutch and brake pedal less times than you do on the same commute. Clutches in good condition have no slip when fully engaged, the crank is as close to being a one-piece unit down to driveshaft as it gets. Properly driven a clutch should last a very very long time.

Really it’s all preference, I understand why most people drive autos, it’s a lot easier to look at your phone and hand the kids French fries driving one. But, IMO, a manual will always keep your attention closer to the road and to your vehicles condition in general.

 

Had my TRD OR for 2 years and never had a problem.

 

couldn't have said it better.

 

How to start an internet shit-storm: 1)Post up an issue where responses will be completely polarized. 2)Sit back and watch

Less Filling/Tastes Great. I've bought AT vehicles, but was never the primary driver, and only because those vehicles were not available in MT configuration. I have my preferences, most others have theirs as you have seen so far. It isn't wrong to purchase a vehicle based on what you feel will be its retained value when it comes time to sell, but you need to purchase what it is you want to DD for the next 10, 15, etc years. There will always be those people who will be thrilled to see a rare MT Gen 3 Tacoma, as there will always be those who would see this as a deal breaker and run away in intimidation.

MT though is definitely the Millennial Anti-theft device.

 

I was referring to the actual push button electrical portion.

Pretty cool fact though! That’s a cool feature.

 

I can say this. After driving both today, the AT has more pep. The AT seemed to be geared lower. I was not impressed. I’m happy I got the AT.