auto trans

Test drove a 2.7 with the auto trans....quite impressed.At 75 mph,only 2500ish showin on the tach!....awful good from a 4 banger!!!.Folks who are complaining about the auto,I don't see why?.

 

thats what im sayin lol... i got the 2.4 auto and i spin 2900rpm 75mph

 

jcemitte:...how many miles do you have on the tranny....any issues?.I REALLY liked the 2011 auto,did quite well,nothing like what I've read about.

 

Hey frog, I see you're from Cinci.... what dealer did you drive the Taco at?

I love the interior of the 4x4 auto as well....

 

My Tacoma is actually the first vehicle I've had with a automatic. I've had a manual all my life up until now.

When you look at the gear ratios:

http://www.toyota.com/upfitters/pdfs/specs/2009TacomaProductSpecs.pdf

The 4AT winds up having a higher final drive ratio than the 5MT. The way they have the 4 speed automatic geared, it will not have any problems at highway speeds.

First gear is lower with the 5MT though so you have more off the line power and the gears are spaced closer together so you can get up to speed faster. You can also control your RPM ranges and take advantage of the valve timings you want.

The automatic will be more sluggish off the line and the RPM's will drop more during gear changes. Still though, I'm pleased with it.

 

Homegrown......Beechmont Toyota.Agreed about the interior....seats!.

2007tacoma....was not able to access the site you posted...probably my computer?.I thought the AT had plenty of "take-off" juice..I know,I'm 45 yoa....the younger crowd won't appreciate the 2.7 AT 4x4 usufullness,especially if they do not have aging joints and tired of shifting from previous years.

 

Check! That's where I get my appreciation of the auto trans!
So are you seriously considering the purchase, or just looking?

 

I'm not sure why it wouldn't pull up. It's an acrobat file though so you may not have it installed. It's 2009 specs anyways. This site has better 2011 specs and is viewable as a webpage.

http://www.cars.com/toyota/tacoma/2011/specs/?acode=USC10TOT094A0

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4-speed automatic w/OD
Transmission gear ratio (1st) 2.80
Transmission gear ratio (2nd) 1.53
Transmission gear ratio (3rd) 1.00
Transmission gear ratio (4th) .71
Transmission gear ratio (reverse) 2.39

5-speed manual w/OD
Transmission gear ratio (1st) 3.95
Transmission gear ratio (2nd) 2.06
Transmission gear ratio (3rd) 1.44
Transmission gear ratio (4th) 1.00
Transmission gear ratio (5th) .81
Transmission gear ratio (reverse) 4.22
------------------

I agree. Even though the 5MT would have more take off, I don't think anyone should be ashamed at having a 4AT. I'm not. I was hesitant at buying one at first, but after a thorough test drive in many different situations (interstate acceleration, cruising speeds, leaving a stop light, lane changing, etc) I went with it.

Someone with an identical truck with a 5MT that knows how to drive it would be able to beat me red light to red light, but that's not why I got it. IMHO the 4AT gets from red light to red light just fine.

 

Truthfully, for every day driving my 5MT trucks (I've had an '08 and a '09 reg cab 4x4 5MT) were not particularly impressive on take off power. Just from the little bit I drove the 4x4 reg cab auto at the dealership lot, it was perfectly fine. I was expecting it to be a slug, but it really didn't feel any less quick (if you can really use that term with this truck) than my 5MT's for normal acceleration.

I don't doubt you would lose some off-road driveability on more extreme terrain or conditions, but I don't plan on any serious off-roading.

 

frog, i got like 60,000 on my 04. its an extended cab sr5 2.4 liter non-prerunner... the tranny still shifts like butter and im over due for a service.

 

Right now I'm doing my usual research prior to purchase...I'm probably 12---18 months out from purchase...gotta pay off the wifes FJ first!.Research good...spontaneous bad! in my book;actually I lapse into what my brother would diagnose as analysis paralysis(spelling).

 

LOL!!! Analysis Paralysis, I live in that world!
Per your other post in the MPG thread, yes, I will most definitely post pics and details when I finally get it. I've always been a regular cab, short wheelbase truck lover, and have never owned an access cab, although I appreciate their added value.
So you've already got an FJ? Nice! Let's see... You live in Cinci and drive Toyotas. You don't happen to work at TEMA do you?

 

I have always been faithful to manual transmissions. My previous 5 vehicles have all been manual, just what I prefer. I did test drive a regular cab 4 cylinder auto 4x2 and I thought it felt sluggish. It was night and day between the 5 speed manual vs the 4 speed auto, but again this is just my biased opinion.

 

I love my automatic. My last tank full was 27.3 MPG and it's as quick as a 3200 pound vehicle with only 159 HP can be. I have reached a point in my life where I just don't wanna' mess with a manual transmission (any more that I wanna' watch a black & white TV).

 

TEMA?????.

Their added cost(access cab)is my main gripe...$2800--$3000 just for ALITTLE extra room...na!.

 

Lol, I guess not. TEMA is Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing, North America. HQ is in Erlanger (NKY).

 

As an unscientific and unofficial hill climbing test with the automatic when I went to see my Dad today. Instead of taking the state roads I went up and over the ~2000 ft summit of the local mountain. (it's paved)

A while back the wife had a Pathfinder V6 that you'd think was about to redline and explode when you climb a steep hill. The Tacoma took it in stride. Sometimes it would need some extra oomph, but it never went above 3000-3500 rpm -- right around max torque. Much of the time it just kept the torque converter unlocked and pulled. I really think the transmission control unit is programmed extremely well in the Tacoma. It understands how the engine is tuned. Probably why 4AT owners are fine having the auto. The gear ratios I think are spot on too.

I'm pleased having my first automatic.

 

Oh,I see now...no if I worked for TEMA I probably wouldn't be complaining of the cost of the access cab.....neat observation though!.

2007 tacoma...good to hear,shifting has just gotten so old.

 

I agree about the gear ratios and respectfully disagree about the programming. Too many times I have been cruising along at 65mph and wanted acceleration for one reason or another, give it a bunch more throttle (probably 3/4 of the pedal travel) and it just bogs BRRUUUUhhhh with lousy acceleration. This could be dangerous in certain situations. at 3/4 throttle I strongly feel that it should downshift all by itself instead of requiring a hand-slap into 3rd. Anyone else experience this? Otherwise I am very happy about everything with my truck, for now.

 

Don't forget,YOU have CA emissions!.