M/T, it's slowly becoming a unicorn

Maybe you should try understanding why people have different opinions and priorities than you, instead of trying to belittle them?

 

I drove stick cars almost exclusively for 25 years. I'm over the control thing. Living in the center of a major metroplex made me appreciate automatics.

And honestly the benefits of a manual 30 years ago have ffade. They no longer get better fuel economy or perform better (like 1/4 mile).

 

I presume you've had or are planning to have the IMS bearing addressed? The only weak point in an otherwise fantastic car. Save for the 996, each generation of the 911 is wonderful in its own way.

 

Autos are faster and more efficient nowadays, I don't think anyone is arguing that. It's definitely proven

But for those that like shifting gears and working a clutch, an automatic will never as enjoyable to drive. (S)miles per gallon

 

Not belittling. Just pointing out that we modernize as a society and there are always some curmudgeons that feel they need to hold on to the past and won't embrace better technology. It wows my kids when we hop in the 66 mustang and I run it through the gears. Probably much like it wowed those crazy kids in the 40s when their dad got out and did this to get the car going -

 

You still haven't addressed any of the actual technical reasons I mentioned about why I still prefer a manual. And you've implied that I'm a curmudgeon who can't let go of the past. Keep trying.

 

It's hard to know if I have the new (non-serviceable) IMS or the older version which needs to be replaced. I'm just keeping an eye on the oil and if I see any metal I'll have to drop the trans and check and see if I can install the "fix". They switched to the newer version in the middle of the 2005 model year. Some say you can tell by the month it was built but it's not a guarantee. If I need the clutch done then I can have a look then. Fingers crossed until then, I "only" paid $37k so I'd be fine spending another ~$2k to fix the IMS if it comes to that.

 

Then why do you hold onto the 66 mustang instead of embracing better technology? Sometimes it isn't about resisting the change, but rather because an alternative is more enjoyed. I own both manual and automatics. I prefer to drive the manuals because I find it more enjoyable and I will be sad when they are no longer made for that reason.

 

This whole thread:

 

I do agree with the simplicity of a manual and lower maintenance. Honestly that 66 mustang in my garage with probably 500,000 miles on it that started life in California and has been driven across country several times as well has been driven all over Europe still has the original 3 speed with the same gear oil that was put in it over 50 years ago.

 

why am i "holding onto the past"?

because when i clicked my DSG paddle in my last car that's all i did. like a monkey. click this button. did you get it right? ugh.

but when i shift my Tacoma i'm fully involved in my clutch modulation, throttle modulation, weight shifting, steering feel... it's all one big integrated experience driving a MT that's setup well. versus: click this little button like a monkey and the computer does all the fun stuff.

so, having my driving fun is some old curmudgeon holding onto the past. ok got it.

 

I used to do that in my old Jeep a 68 M38A1 that had a SM465 4 spd 6.54 1rst gear ,Warn overdrive 15% , Dana 18 t/case with 3.50 gearing and Dana 44 axles w/ 5.38 gears

I used to put in 2wd low during those very slow 405fwy commutes . 123.1:1 first gear in low range made it nice crawling along in bumper to bumper traffic . If the traffic flow picked up some I'd put in overdrive which gave me 104.1:1 gearing

People would yell at me saying my brake lights aren't working !!!! . Who needed brakes at that low of gear ratio LOL !!

 

I applaud Toyota for offering the MT! We went and purchased a Mazda 6 a few years back and I specifically wanted the manual trans. We test drove the car and the transmission was the best I had ever driven, I really liked it. The car was only available as a price leader and the options were sparse which in itself was not an issue except the seats sucked. We bought a 6 but opted for a package up for just $1500 more which will likely more than payback at resale. With the truck, I decided on AT because: better dealer selection for the right truck otherwise, better pricing because of plentiful dealer stock, my first 4wd and I felt like it would simplify the learning curve off-road, lastly I feel like it will be a more valuable truck if I resell it (to a general audience).

I owned 2 f350s with 5spd mt over a continuous 30 years. I like the manual. The weird thing is trying to mash in the clutch peddle when coming to a stop in the AT Tacoma. I’m a slow learner!

 

Sounds like you know all about the issue - the issue didn't fully go away until the 997.2 when they went to a fully sealed bearing. Yeah if I were you I'd spend the $2k for peace of mind - if that bearing fails, as you know, the results can be catastrophic. I had a similar issue with my E60 M5 - sitting on pins and needles everytime I drove it hoping the rod bearings didn't let go.

 

Specific circumstance:

"The manual Tacoma V-6 continued to bolster its case at the test track, where it muscled its way to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds, 0.8-second quicker than the automatic version. Strangely, our stick-shift truck weighed in at 4598 pounds, an inexplicable 164 pounds heavier than the identically equipped automatic-transmission TRD Off-Road 4x4 we sent into battle with the Colorado. (Toyota’s quoted curb weight for the manual-transmission Double Cab is 35 pounds lighter than the same model with the automatic.) The secret to its speed, then, is in the gearing. Six-cylinder Tacomas optioned with the manual send their 278 horsepower to the wheels via a shorter first gear and a 4.30:1 final-drive ratio, while the automatic uses a taller 3.91:1 final-drive"

Hollow victory because the advantage fades at the 1/4 mile between the two.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a15102428/2016-toyota-tacoma-v-6-4x4-manual-test-review/

 

High 15 sec 1/4 mile time at 90mph isnt that bad at all , wonder what it can 60' at ???

 

Cool knob

 

Billetworkz.com

 

Probably because the new one still has the same old EJ engine in it to move a bigger and heavier car. The WRX has the FA20 with a twin scroll so the power is a little more useful since it comes on earlier but it’s still not a fast car.

The interiors are a sore spot, but my limited’s feels nicer in a lot of ways than a Tacoma. Compared to a Porsche though it’s probably just sad

 

Love my unicorn MT. Rented a Tacoma AT from Alamo at Denver Airport last week. Spent the week in Rocky Mountain National Park. Was not impressed or having as much fun driving the AT.