Old guy with a stick.

I'm seriously considering ordering a new Sport with a manual but I'm second guessing myself.
Although I've not had a daily driver with a stick for awhile, I've been driving them all my life. Jeeps, trucks, Corvettes, bikes, etc. Still riding bikes actually.

Now I find myself a little north of 60 years old and I'm wondering if I may regret a stick in the future since I'll be driving this truck for many years to come. It would be a no brainer if I lived in a metro area with lots of traffic to contend with but that's not the case.

Any thoughts from the "old guys"?

 

I'm in the "ready to qualify for Medicare" category. I grew up driving standard transmission vehicles and avoided them until I was provided a company car. I'm waiting for delivery of a 2020 Army Green TRD Pro and opted to go with an automatic transmission more for convenience than anything else. I have a '96 Z3 that give me the "stick time" I love - throwing it around corners is just awesome - but I guess I'm past the point where driving a manual transmission is somehow defining of who I am. I guess, though, in the end it just comes down to what makes you happy. At our age, we need to do what makes us happy.

 

Buy one because they won't be making them anymore in a few years. You will have a gem that will be highly sought after and the last of its kind.

 

If you legs are good s, it should not be a problem. 64 here and 2 years ago traded for an auto because wifey cannot physically drive a standard. It was no issue driving a stick for me

 

At some age it will just be easier to drive an automatic. That age is probably different for all of us.
If you have the assets to get a different car when that time comes, get a manual.

 

if you really love driving MTs then there is only one option in my mind. and the MT is really great. the AT? hmmm..

i occasionally struggle with stiffness, aches & pains, Charlie horses, etc. and i will drive the MT until i literally cannot do it safely. ATs are always available if i go that soft.

 

Bad knees and backs stop more manual drivers than anything. That can happen anytime at any age. Although the older we get the more the odds of an 'event' rise.

I love a nice manual. But went with auto this time because 1) I don't do enough miles in the truck to matter much 2) wanted wife to be comfortable driving it when needed 3) if I just can't stand not rowing, I'll get another Miata.

 

If you're questioning it you probably don't need it. They're going out of favor for a reason.

 

I'll be 63 this Summer drive my 5 speed 1st gen with 250K miles on it and have no intentions of going to an auto or new Taco at this point. Of course time does have a way of catching up with me, but I will fight the urge as long as I can. Don't want all the 3rd gen's drivers aids etc. I can still reach across the seat and roll the passenger widow up and down via the crank!

 

When I was in my mid 30s, I tore my knee and had to have surgery (twice). This put me confined to a desk job for close to a year. If I had not had an AT as my daily driver, I would not have been able to drive. You never know what will happen in life. I love having the control when driving a MT, but glad to have AT.

 

I read the title and I chuckled a bit... sorry my mind was in the gutter for a split second. lol

 

I'll give you a nickel's worth of free advice, old man.

I'm not an "old guy" per se, I'm 35. The Tacoma is my daily driver. I commute 30 miles on the interstate.

After 3 years of ownership, boy, it would be nice to drive an automatic. My dad is 65, has a 93 Wrangler with a stick that's his daily driver and his commute is 2 miles. He warned me when I bought the Tacoma "you're gonna get tired of shifting it..."
He was right.

That being said, I bought the manual because I tow a lot and HATE how the automatic shifts. So I'm not getting rid of the Tacoma or buying an automatic anytime soon but boy, an automatic would be nice.

 

I was seriously considering a manual when I purchased my '18 TRD Sport 18 months ago but decided to go with the auto and glad I did. I do also have a '96 4x4 Tacoma that's manual for when I feel like shifting.

There's A LOT of negative opinions on the auto on this forum, however mine's been fine, in fact the more miles I put on it the better it seems to shift.

 

As a member of the Manual Gearbox Preservation Society it is my duty to recommend you go with the manual transmission. If we don't keep buying them, they will quit making them!

Just got an access cab sport with the MT, and have really enjoyed it so far.

Drives much different from my '99 5MT. I think it may have a lot to do with the clutch accumulator thingamabob, which will be bypassed at some point in the future.

I would have gotten an OR for that sweet rear locker, but wanted a manual access cab and the OR can't be had in that configuration.

Happy Trails!

: )B

 

I'm in my mid sixties. My 2016 Sport has a manual transmission (Full disclosure, I have never owned a personal vehicle that didn't have a manual transmission). If you don't have any physical limitations that prevent you from driving a standard, I say go for it. Just my opinion of course.

 

I considered a manual until I actually drove one.

 

Bought my OR a year ago - considered a manual as well...I ended up going with an auto and have not regretted the decision. I have had a few knee and shoulder surgeries - and while I still CAN use a clutch, and do on other vehicles - I've appreciated the ease of the auto.

 

I’m 63 and I drove the 84 in the picture before I got the 17. I have some joint issues so after three or four pushes of the clutch I could feel my ankle binding up, sure enough next push of the clutch and “pop” goes the ankle! Hated that feeling so auto tranny for me.

 

I had an '86 reg. cab 2x4 in that color. I sure do miss it.

 

If the Tacoma manual shifted as sweet as the new Jeep Wrangler manual tranny I would have ordered one. It’s cable operated and a joy to row through the gears.