Manual Transmission with regard to resale value - seeking opinions.

I have two twenty something nephews that were adamant about learning to drive a stick. The youngest purchased a '94 MT pre-taco about 2 years ago & loves it. Throwing gears still appeals to a few youngsters out there.

 

Yes to this. Just got off the phone with a dealership in NorCal and he told me that there is a $2995 markup for manuals versus a $900 markup for automatics. And I absolutely believe the scarcity of manuals will make them more valuable. Scarcity versus demand. I think there is enough demand for those car enthusiasts to pay top dollar for a manual.

 

Everyone says they want a manual, but like 95% of them buy autos, so… there’s that.

 

I think that for a lot of people the transmission is an afterthought. They care more about what they look like driving the car. It's a status symbol. Probably just as happy driving an auto.

 

The death of the manual is truly an example of the "wheel " over taking the block. No one wants them except in the medium weight trucks or race cars.. in 10 years my son will roll an all EV daily.. but I already promised to keep this gem for him.



Every pendulum swings (or its not a pendulum)

 

the demographic will be smaller, BUT those that are within that niche will go to extremes to get what youre selling. and besides, the potential buying pool is gonna be relative to where youre living. i know here on the islands, its a premium to find a manual anything.

 

I am a MT person. I will not even consider a vehicle with an auto. When I start looking for a new vehicle, the selection I have to choose from is small. I am willing to pay to get what I want. If the seller realizes this, he can ask more than what the auto goes for because there is little competition for my business. A minority vehicle for a minority customer.

That said, unless this is some type of business lease or bridge vehicle, I wouldn't buy based on a perceived resell value. If it's not a vehicle you want to keep, maybe don't buy it. Get what you want and enjoy it.

 

There will ALWAYS be a market for a manual transmission-equipped truck. Would you rather drive an open bed Sequoia Crossover (I'm looking at you Tundra!) or a real truck? The benefits of manual transmissions, such as engine braking on a descending mountain road never disappear, especially with some of the newer Automatic Transmission designs.
Resale is a non-factor IMHO; drive what you like and don't look back.

 

This...

I have a good friend that is a new car manager at a Toyota dealership and he told me.....with regards to manual Tacomas....sit a new one on the lot and 200 people will walk right on by it when they see that 3rd pedal. Zero interest. But ultimately it wil be the fact that it's a manual that will sell it. Just takes that one person to show up.

And rest assured....if there was money in it Toyota would build a shit ton if manuals. But there isn't

As for trade in? It's a detriment not an asset. It reduces the potential buying pool so much that many used car mangers are reluctant to "load up" (pay alot) for one.

 

I always love the MT in my Tacomas 1-2 gen but when I hit the 3rd Generation decided with the AT as I have gotten older, shifting, clutching and holding truck in up hill traffic was getting to hard on the old knees and legs lol.

 

i am 60 and don't mind a manual but to be honest, the older people don't want one unless its a muscle car which i plan on getting again in the next couple years...

 

My son didn’t understand why I got a manual. I replied that your son will not understand why you want a car with a steering wheel.

 

MORTAL ENEMIES FOREV.... Ah nah, fuck it. We cool.

That's how I got mine for such a steal. Post Black Friday and the dealership I talked to was left with two Tacos, a white Limited with next to no extras, and a Black AC Sport MT with absolutely no extras.

The Sports have a hill hold assist. Also just... Hold the brake in neutral. Like you would hold the brake on an auto lol

 

When you get old a MT will lose it's appeal.

 

Even more so if you live in Atlanta! Man, if I drove a MT in this town, my left leg would look like a honey baked ham!

PS: want to applaud the OP for coming up with an actual thought provoking question on MT's. This thread is so much more interesting than our usual "AT vs MT" discussions.

 

This is sad. Years ago it would have been the manual that was that much cheaper lol.

 

It most definitely has an appeal to that specific buyer group. Just look at the listings on Bringatrailer.com. The manuals always fetch more money when dealing with Toyota pickups. But you gotta keep it 20-30 years.

 

In this crazy world no one wants something until they do, then there is a run on it and prices are insane.
People like automatics because humans are inherently lazy. Look how many can't be bothered to even reach for the turn signal.

 

Yeah, I agree. I've had five MT Tacomas since 1998. This will probably be my last Tacoma unless they come out with a plug-in hybrid, which seems like a remote possibility. I assume Ford and Jeep will be way ahead on that score.

 

An MT in stop and go traffic sucks.