6spd or no 6spd?

proper allotment though....

Yea.. You got to be pretty lazy or handicapped to want to drive an auto.

I suppose if you had a bad drug habit and had to be cooking and shooting while driving as well.. Its hard to shift with a needle in your arm. But a heroin addiction is a handicap.

I love to hear the people that think its somehow easier to drive an automatic in the city. First off.. take the bus. Secondly.. NO its not. My car won't lurch into the car in front of me. I don't ride my brakes either. Just idle and clutch all the way home.. should I have to go into the hell that is a city or get stuck in accident traffic.

 

I guess I got lazy.. personally I just chose an auto over 6spd manual. I really like driving stick, like someone said ya cant rock an auto too easily.
Perhaps I am handicapped tho.

What it came down to for me was first gear, I know it would be great for climbing and towing, but for every day driving that first gear is short. I just think that would drive me nuts, so I went with an auto.


autos do come in handy while cooking, shooting or everyones favorite driving pastime texting and talking on the phone

 

I agree with both of these. I didn't even notice the minor throttle hang until someone mentioned it. Not a big deal to me. I don't really understand why it's a problem.

For stop and go traffic, I just leave a little space and drive slowly in first. If I have to stop, just push in the clutch. You'd have to push in the brake anyway. Either way, you're still pushing a pedal.

 

I really can't tell there is a delay. I would suspect the delay people think they are experiencing is a matter of perception, mind over matter. Also the throttle hang doesn't really bother me...if anything I kinda like it since it makes shifting during acceleration smoother.

 

You know the thing that sold it for me was the extra 13th cup holder you get with the 6spd.

 

Picked up the truck today. First time I've driven a tacoma since my 83. Really like it, but there IS a throttle hang. No point in trying to describe it, it's just not quite right. Will adapt, happy so far.

 

i'm curious why a company like hypertech doesn't try to solve the rev hang, or even better...toyota. this was an issue with the k20z3 and associated ecu in the honda civic si...and they solved it. i understand throttle by wire and the nuances and it DOESN'T have to be like this.

that said, i have like 1500 miles on my 6 speed '11 and i've adapted just fine. i went from a mazdaspeed3 to this thing, BUT...was driving an '87 montero a lot too so between those vehicles i didn't have to go too crazy adapting.

i like the choice i made in getting a manual.

 

6 speed all the way...no hate for the slushies, but I could never drive one in a truck like the Tacoma. The DSG in my A3 was a lot of fun, but a true manual in the Taco is the only way for me.

 

Everyone's entitled to my opinion so here goes.

I have been driving for nearly 40 years. I even drove M/T semi's for a few years while getting me through college. Up to last year when I bought my 2010, my main daily driver has been a standard transmission. They are fun and I really like to pick the gear I need for the conditions I'm in. I finally chose a A/T over an M/T for a few reasons.

The new A/T's are SO much better than years ago. With the computerized monitoring of conditions they usually get BETTER gas mileage in real world conditions than many M/T do. The old slush box is replaced with very good and responsive torque converters. They have lockup clutches that kick in so there is no slippage while on the freeway.

The vehicle's transmission and engine now work together to help with traction, stability, braking, etc. It's one drive train with all components "talking" to each other.

In my experience, over the life of the vehicle an A/T will save money. My A/T cars and SUVs just need the oil changed. (I started doing this every 15,000 miles when my 4Runner started acting up. It's now got 170K miles with zero transmission issues.) This is cheap compared to having a new clutch put in every 90K miles (welcome to my wife's world). If you are driving a heavy truck, towing, hauling, a little aggressive, etc. you'll be hard pressed to get over 120K miles on a clutch. I've rarely worn out a clutch but most often had throwout bearings fail. My wife holds in the clutch instead of putting it in neutral. The cost of someone doing a clutch job be about a grand if done correctly. The durability of A/T's have been improved to the point where they will typically last as long as the vehicle.

If you get in stop and go traffic like I do it's frustrating sometimes to drive at idle speed. You often have to play the clutch.

Even though I can drive a M/T while texting, eating a hamburger, and holding a drink - all in rush hour traffic, a A/T sure makes all that easier. (Not really so don't flame me). My '92 Acura didn't have so much as 1 cup holder.

Basically as I get older I like the A/T's better. Other drivers in my family can use my truck if we need to trade cars for a day where before they couldn't. I've tried to teach my kids M/T skills but they just can't do it very well. I even had a really cool Saab Viggen turbo convertible for awhile that they didn't want to drive. That had the best clutch of anything I've driven.

A M/T is more fun but for me it's getting old. I went with the A/T this time and have never regretted it. You also have to think about value at trade in time. It is much harder to sell a vehicle to the general public if it's an M/T.

 

i have both and i pefer the auto just hands down i hated having my to berring replaced

 

I have a stk 6 spd 2011.
Just spoke to Toyota, the service manager has the same truck as I do and tells me there is nothing you can do about the revs in between shifting as Toyota designed it that way for ............ better shifting! (I know, i know it sounds like BS I've driven standard for 20 years) It is annoying but I am getting used to it. Also it will learn my driving style so hopefully we can meet in the middle. Really if you are a manual driver you will get used to it. I am glad I have the manual.

 

i miss my old '97 cable driven 5-spd clutch vs. my newer 05 6-spd dbw clutch. It just seems longer, and easier to control, if that makes sense. Why the hell did Toyota switch to the drive-by-wire systems? What are the benefits of this system? Matching revs for smoother shifts and to please the EPA? Why does Toyota feel the need to slap electronics on everything including the transfer case? GO ANALOG

BUT the 6-spd is really geared well for 4lo, and thats pretty much the reason they put it in the TRD Off Roads, correct?

I dont see how the XRunner needs 6 gears.

 

Hey Oh!

PS Go manuals!