Manual or auto trans for new Tacoma purchase?

It’s clear that manual transmissions aren’t for everyone.

 

I wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Thanks! I love how they look on Barcelona Red. Seems everyone and their dog end up with black, so I wanted to be different.

 

If you get the manual you have to be sure to mention it in every post even though nobody cares that you have a manual.

 

6MT here

 

I just put some solid miles on the new truck with a few trips over the past 3 weeks. I found the following:

- I love having a 6 speed again.
- With traffic in the Bay Area / Sonoma County I still love having a 6 speed again.

You will not regret the third pedal, yet you may miss not having one if you go with two.

 

That's definitely the case for me. I didn't realize there was a manual option for Tacomas when I bought mine, else I would have prioritized it. My bad for not doing more research.

 

You forgot to mention man buns and crocs.

 

Did you completely turn off TC?

 

I can’t recall. Doesn’t really matter now. I ended up trading for an auto since I have a bad knee and it was too much for me.

 

My buddies tacoma was a 2019 v6 auto, but for some reason it never had the power my 2020 has. As far as i know the 3.5 is suppose to be the same for all years in these gen3 tacoma's. Still i keep hearing some just don't run as well as others. Doesn't matter if automatic, or manual.

 

FYI: there is no difference in engine output in a truck with a manual transmission vs a truck with an automatic transmission. What you might have been experiencing in the effect of the torque converter in the auto. When it’s slipping it adds about a 2x reduction in gearing and this makes it easier to crawl over obstacles especially in hi range.

With a manual, you need to use 4lo and/or slip the clutch. Anyone competent driving a manual can get off the line just as fast asked an auto. It’s takes practice though. Like I said previously, I don’t think anyone drives a manual because it’s easier.

Another thing you might have experienced is the throttle cutting behavior of TRAC/VSC. If you try to spin the tires with that stuff enabled, the ECU will intervene and cut power to the wheels

Additionally, I suspect but have not confirmed that the ECU will cut throttle to avoid engine knock caused my too much throttle at low rpm. It’s trying to protect itself from driver error (I think). The solution is slip the clutch to raise engine rpm while being careful to not cook the clutch. Again, practice makes perfect.

 

Could be, I thought maybe it was just the manual but there was times when I had zero power taking off. The truck would just idle along for a few seconds and then kick in. I only have 100 miles on my new auto but it doesn’t have that issue. I haven’t taken it in the trail yet to compare.

 

Does your wife know how to drive manual? If not, go for it!

 

Thanks, makes sense. In that situation I did slip the clutch but it didn’t help. Although I wheeled manuals as a kid, it has been almost a decade since I had one so I’ve probably lost my touch.

 

Just go through a few basic questions:

1. Do you want to drive a MT?
2. Do you know how to drive a MT?
3. Does everyone else who might have to drive it know how to drive a MT?
4. If either you or everyone else who might have to drive it can't currently drive MT, are they willing to learn?

If you can answer yes to at least two of those and you can find a MT that you like, then go for it. Your answer to the first one is the most important - don't get involved with it if you don't want to have the MT experience.

Personally, I can drive MT, but I did not get one - first off, I was looking for a pre-owned one, and had a limited amount of time to buy (needed a replacement vehicle before my previous lease ran out) and the best one I found was an AT. Second, and more importantly, I have issues with my knees, as does my wife. While we can both drive MT, it's gotten to the point that it's not a pleasurable activity any more, so likely won't be driving a MT as a daily driver any more. You need to decide what's best for you.

 

6MT Checking in! Was this the wrong thread to do that?

 

It’s never the wrong thread. Talk about how it’s an anti theft device too. That will trigger the weaker drivers.

 

What did they give you on trade? Looks like they’re asking $43,976 for a somewhat base OR. Maybe Utah is different but new ones in my area loaded up are that or less.

 

I followed a new Barcelona Red offroad on my motorcycle on a curvy road through afternoon sun and shade from trees and I swear that damn truck changed color 10 times.
That is just a gorgeous color!





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