2nd gens with manual transmisson

Is there a market for the 4 door 2nd gen tacoma with a manual transmission. I have the opportunity to buy an 05 with 125k miles with a manual tranny just dont know how hard it would be to sell in the future.

 

They're about the same price.

You control manual. Auto shifts when it wants to.
Manual uses gear oil. Auto needs transmission services with pan drops, lots of expensive fluids, filter, and gasket, frequently.
Manual is more fun to drive, lighter weight, and reliable. It also prevents people who shouldn't drive it, from driving it, because they probably can't drive manual.
It is upgradable. Hurst makes a core shifter. Clutchmasters has an upgraded throwout bearing.
Companies make lighter and heavier flywheels.
Because of that, it is the gift that keeps on giving.
Automatic probably gets worse mpg and causes falling asleep while driving due to boredom.
Manual can engine-brake down a hill by staying in a lower gear.
Manual is rarer, which can increase value usually.

Look at any enthusiast vehicle ever made. Manuals are always valued, missed, appreciated, and enjoyed.
Auto's are usually forgotten in history.
Unless it's something special like a Porsche PDK transmission.

might depend on the area though. Not sure I'd want something manual in LA city traffic sitting bumper to bumper on the highway for 4 hours.

Probably even better is the 2-door extended/access cab with 4L 6mt because it gives you the 6ft bed to sleep in

there's probably less available because people kept/held onto theirs

 

Its in rural oklahoma so no traffic. The manual tranny is just so uncommon thats why i was wondering if anyone on here had interest in a truck like that. Thanks for your reply.

 

I wish I could trade my auto. for a manual. The manual is geared lower in Hi gear than the auto's. My 2013 2.7 W/ auto runs appx. 1900 rpm. @ 60 mph., The same Taco w/ manual runs appx. 2200 rpm. @ 60 mph. Mine seems to be straining just to hold it's own at 1900 rpm. & starts shifting as soon as it sees any kind of hill. I've been driving in 3, instead of D for the past few months, 60 mph. = appx. 2700 rpm, higher than I wish it was, but much better than 1900 rpm. Now my auto. rarely shifts on any hill & my mpg. hasn't changed at all, probably cause it's not straining all the time. Wish I could afford to change my orig. 4.10 rear gears to 4.88 rear gear, that would put mine about equal to the manual gearing.

 

I just bought a 2010 2.7 manual, and it took me a really long time to find one in New England that wasn’t totally beat up. I probably paid more than I should have but to me it’s worth every penny. I’d say buy it, they’re very rare, at least around here.

 

I have never owned a vehicle with an automatic transmission, and I never will. I want to drive my truck, not just steer it around.

The bigger issue is the '05' part. Yes, it's pretty low mileage, but I'd want to go over it with a fine-toothed comb. Lots of potential issues...

 

Love my man tranny

 

What issues did this year model have exactly?

 

If it has a 4.0 V6. 2003-2006 engines have an obsolete head gasket that is known to fail.

 

I didnt think the 4.0 came out until 2005?

 

It was in 2003 4runners.

 

Oh ok. I just looked it up and if im looking at the right headgasket set, it shows you can get both sides?? I definatley dont want to make a mistake buying this truck.

 

I said that too for a long time. Then I turned 65 and my knee's developed arthritis and knee replacements etc.... Automatic transmissions are nice!

 

The only thing that could make me get an automatice would be if I had a long crappy stop'n'go commute. But I'm retired. I don't have to go anywhere if I don't want to.

 

Any idea on the gasket being obsolete?

 

I have an 05 Tacoma with 190k and the gasket hasn’t blown... not saying it won’t or that it isn’t faulty, but it’s been good to me. Just an anecdote.

 

I agree that the MT is more fun to drive.

Doubt it is more fuel efficient (at least for my 2012).

I've installed a short throw shifter which is a blast. As mentioned there are other great upgrades as well as maintenance benefits.

 

I have a 2nd Gen ACLB and absolutely love it. Same wheelbase as the DCSB but with a longer bed. Felt like an asshole though, finally went on some trails this weekend with some other TacomaWorld folks and the truck is still new to me. On a steep hill with gravel and dirt, I still roll back a bit and spin the tires. Not enough to hit anyone behind me, but sometimes enough to chuck a rock or two their way :-\ I've been told using the e-brake on rear drums to start the vehicle moving without rolling back can bend them, so I've been avoiding that if I can help it

 

What maintenance benefits?

 

Prolonged brake life and simple gear oil drain and fill transmission maintenance are both a plus.