Do you regret getting the 6 speed manual?

Everytime I drive an auto and it shifts when I don't want it to, or doesn't when I do, I'm reminded of why I got a manual. Having said that though, this is the least satisfying manual I've owned. Could be because it's a truck and it's not going to shift like a car as people say, but I'm not sure I buy that.

Just installed the URD short-throw a couple weeks ago to see if it would improve things, but still undecided if I like it. Might be a slightly used URD short-throw kit up for sale soon.

 

Love the 6speed, great for driving in the snow (only real reason I got it)

 

Originally my truck was to be my alternate toy vehicle so I liked the stick for being more like a true offroad adventure. I since sold my car and this has become my daily driver. I love it (sans RPM hang).

RZ Rob

 

The 6-speed has been nothing more...and nothing less than what I expected a truck tranny to be.

 

I got one of the first off the production line 6 yrs ago...not one issue.

Shifts smoother than ever. And 14/18 mpg???? I avg 19.5 all summer 17.5 in winter. NO complaints whatsoever.

The short gearing is perfect for hills, towing, winter driving, and country roads where I live, but I can see in a land of freeways at 70+mph all the time and stop and go this transmission is not the best choice and will suck more gas than the auto.

 

HELL NO!!! i smash bitches off the line, then they cant catch up lol. only problem, too much torque. (but then again, is that really bad) jk

 

My take also.

It seems like a poor design. And the RPM hang and in general hard to control throttle is really what kills it for me.

I used to always say I would probably never own an auto, and I haven't yet. I've always loved driving manual transmissions. But driving this one really kind of sucks. It's got me to the point where I almost do want an automatic Tacoma.

And please don't blame it on "being a truck" and don't get into the "if you want a smooth shifting transmission, get a car" BS. That's crap. I've driven lots of trucks that were manual and none of them are this retarded.

I've driven manuals all my life, I learned to drive on manual transmissions. I've had my Tacoma three years now and I STILL don't have that "one with the vehicle" feeling that I've always gotten with other vehicles, and I never will. Why? Because it's like I have a little retarded electronic friend making the communication between me and the throttle. I tell him what I want done with the pedal, but he decides when and how to carry that order out. It's just not nearly responsive enough. I'm sure that bullshit works fine with the autos, but it's a disaster with the manuals.

I've driven old 70s dump trucks that I found easier to consistently start out smooth with from a stop, no joke.

 

I do love my six speed; the only time I wish it was an auto is in heavy traffic. I think the throwout just started to whine though :/

 

chicks drive autos

 

My 1st Tacoma was a 5 speed ('01 SR5 / 2.7 liter 4 popper) that did VERY well in making power. It was geared nicely too.

My 2nd Tacoma was a 2008 4x4 DCLB Off Road Sport with an auto tranny. I sold it before it reached 10,000 miles. Loved the truck, hated the shift points.

The used 2006 TRD that I found to replace it has the 6 speed manual. Like others said, short of the throttle hang, I'll take the Toyota manual over the auto transmission every time.

In all fairness, the auto was geared better for the road trip, but the stick still pulls in close to 20 mpg traveling across the state. Its gearing is better suited to the up / down highway terrain found in this neck o de woods.

 

You're right about the gearing being suited to the up/down highway terrain. There's a certain trip I frequently take to my family's camp that takes me on 45-55mph highways that have a lot of up/down in the Pennsylvania hills. I've always noticed I get some of the best mileage on those trips.

 

I let a friend drive my Tacoma (6spd) a month or so ago. He knows how to drive a manual, but the drive was horrible with someone at the wheel who wasn't used to the goofy system on the Tacoma.

At one point he said, "The engineers must have been out of their minds when they designed this thing."

 

i will never drive an autotragic

 

No man, I quoted you in response to your point about being in the gear you want. I get that, all I am saying is that even if you are in the gear you want, there is only so much oomph that a truck is going to have. In my opinion, and my opinion only, all the issues with the Taco 6 speed outweigh the slim benefits of being able to shift it yourself.

 

I always prefer a manual over an auto, but this 6spd kind of sucks. I sort of wish I'd gotten the auto. I love everything else about the truck.

I hated the RPM hang at first, but don't really notice it much anymore. The thing I hate most is how short 1st gear is. Maybe if it was a 5spd it wouldn't be so bad. Seems like I'm constantly shifting when I accelerate from a stop.

The clutch seems rather touchy, too. I've driven plenty of other manuals that were more forgiving. If I don't shift this one flawlessly it jerks me around. Maybe that's because it's new? I'm not sure. I'm not a mechanic.

 

I'm also scared of the throwout bearing issues I've heard about. I barely put 6,000 miles a year on my vehicles, so hopefully I can have it for a while with no problems.

 

A ticking time bomb for what? The TOB to go out? Has anyone had this transmission completely fail? I don't get it.

I love the 6spd. It's perfect for Off-Road, uphill etc. I agree it can be slightly annoying on the street but I'll take the trade off because It's great for the way I drive it and what I need it to do.

 

Getting the thing started if the starter or battery goes is why I usually
get a manual, compression starting is important to me.

I didn't know about the problems with the 6 manual, have to think about
this and get more info.

Thanks,

Dan

 

Never an issue with my 6-Speed. Automatic, psssh, might as well drive an F-150 if you can't handle a clutch.

 

So you drive men?