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Question about Manual Trans

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by TheJDawg, Mar 16, 2011.

  1. Mar 16, 2011 at 2:51 PM
    #1
    TheJDawg

    TheJDawg [OP] Active Member

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    I'm lookin to get a Tacoma here soon but I'm deciding between auto/manual trans. I've heard, since this truck has a computer controlled throttle, the manual is hard to drive just because the computer can surge your RPM's if it thinks you get too low and might stall it...? Can anyone with a manual give me some input on this? Much appreciated!

    BTW- just joined the site not too long ago and I'm already an addict haha:thumbsup:
     
  2. Mar 16, 2011 at 3:06 PM
    #2
    elevatedfun

    elevatedfun Well-Known Member

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    hey man, I drive a 07 manual and I have had no issues with it at all. As long as you know how to drive a manual you'll be fine and you don't need to worry about the computer overriding you and it stalling. In the beginning I wanted to get an automatic but I'm so so happy I went with a manual! Hopefully this helps
     
  3. Mar 16, 2011 at 4:08 PM
    #3
    thinkingman

    thinkingman Well-Known Member

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    I bought a manual and it's good for control, but revs stupid high on the freeway at 70mph.
    Auto has different gearing.
     
  4. Mar 16, 2011 at 4:20 PM
    #4
    fortyniner

    fortyniner Active Member

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    I have owned three Toyota trucks all of them manual transmission and never had a problem with any of them except my 2008 V6. Today I was stuck in traffic and my truck was trying to go 20mph in 2nd gear with my foot off the gas. My truck will idle at 1300 rpms any time it is not actually at a complete stop. The tech at the dealer says he knows its a problem but there is nothing that can be done about it. If you are set on buying a Tacoma get the the Auto.
     
  5. Mar 16, 2011 at 4:26 PM
    #5
    franzcars

    franzcars I'm different, in a different way

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    we hav a 08 i4 taco with the 5 and hav not had probs. my dad says it's one of the hardest manules he's driven cuz the clutch is mech not hydralic. but it's fun none the less. if you live in the city or places with alot of stops i'd say auto
     
  6. Mar 16, 2011 at 5:15 PM
    #6
    sicripp83

    sicripp83 Well-Known Member

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    i bought a 2011 access cab about a month ago, the manual takes a few miles to get used too, but now i have no complaints, got the rev figured out and im happy
     
  7. Mar 16, 2011 at 6:18 PM
    #7
    TheJDawg

    TheJDawg [OP] Active Member

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    Ok cool thanks guys. Seems like it's fine just takes some getting used to.

    tacoridinhigh - I don't recall who I heard that from. I think I just read it somewhere on the net. And since everything on the net is true.... haha. But that's why I came here to ask and find out first-hand before I decided anything.
     
  8. Mar 17, 2011 at 7:08 AM
    #8
    808matt

    808matt Well-Known Member

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    you just gotta test drive both and go from there
     
  9. Mar 17, 2011 at 7:19 AM
    #9
    macgyver

    macgyver Well-Known Member

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    Mechanical clutch...you sure about that? Most vehicle manufacturers started putting hydraulic clutches in vehicles back in the early-mid 90's.

    Hydraulic clutches are much easier to drive than mechanical (cable) clutches.

    For the OP, the manual tranmission tacomas have some "quirks" I wouldn't go to the extent to call them serious problems. I like my 6spd and I don't even notice the rev hang. The only complaint I have is that 6th gear is a little too high IMO for highway driving. ~2600 RPM @ 75 mph vs the auto which spins about 2200 RPM @ 75mph. This is the reason for the mpg difference between the two.
     
  10. Mar 17, 2011 at 7:59 AM
    #10
    MountainEarth

    MountainEarth Well-Known Member

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    Take them both out for a test drive. It's personal preference. I drove manuals for 24 years, both Toyotas - 11 years in an 81 Celica and 13 in an 86 4Runner. No probs. None with my wife's 2 manual Subarus either.

    But I didn't like the 6-speed. Maybe it was my muscle memory. Maybe it's all the electronics involved in the process now. Maybe it was going from a 4-cyl to a 6-cyl or the heavier weight of the overall vehicle, yet a lighter back end. But I didn't like the 6-speed on hills. It was just touchy for this old driver. I stalled, I lost traction, I burned the clutch like I hadn't done since I first learned to drive. I admit I miss a manual though, and have to take my wife's Subaru out at least once a week to satisfy the craving. But I thought it sucked in the V6 Tacoma.
     
  11. Mar 17, 2011 at 8:07 AM
    #11
    BFA

    BFA Nuttier than squirrel shit.

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    i test drove a 07 6spd last year and i thought it was a blast and had no problems with it and no difficulties shifting.. if i were to get a 2nd gen i would get one.. but my advice is to test drive it to death and see how it feels and if its something you can get used to and you know youll like it then get the manual. id say if theres any doubt in your mind about the 6spd then go with an auto
     
  12. Mar 17, 2011 at 8:55 AM
    #12
    wmdpowell

    wmdpowell Well-Known Member

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    I have an "11 with 5sp manual.
    No surge, easy to shift (now about 6,000 miles is smoother than when new).

    If you like to shift the toyota manual is fine. It is not lickety split fast like my wifes VW 6speed manual but that car weighs less, is turbo and a bit more horespoer)
     
  13. Mar 17, 2011 at 8:59 AM
    #13
    Jefenator

    Jefenator Taco Truck Noob

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    It took an unusually long time for me to adjust from previous manuals, but now that I have, my rig drives and shifts like butter - even into 1st!

    The clutch does make a burning smell much too easily for my liking.
     
  14. Mar 17, 2011 at 9:17 AM
    #14
    fslaugts

    fslaugts Member

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    Today I was stuck in traffic and my truck was trying to go 20mph in 2nd gear with my foot off the gas. My truck will idle at 1300 rpms any time it is not actually at a complete stop. The tech at the dealer says he knows its a problem but there is nothing that can be done about it. If you are set on buying a Tacoma get the the Auto.[/QUOTE] This sums up my problem with my truck. I think this is what kills my gas mileage. It idles to high.
     
  15. Mar 17, 2011 at 9:27 AM
    #15
    TheJDawg

    TheJDawg [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks guys. I test drove an automatic already and was pretty pleased. I think I'll head back sometime this week and try the manual, and go from there.

    I totally understand this^^^ My girlfriend has a manual and whenever we take her car I always ask to drive.
     
  16. Mar 17, 2011 at 10:28 AM
    #16
    Dadic 78

    Dadic 78 Well-Known Member

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    I love my 6-speed. If you can't get used to it, then you don't know how to drive stick...

    Only complaint is highway RPM's are a little high. That said, keep it under 110, and you're fine. Over that speed, and MPG's drop off badly.
     
  17. Mar 17, 2011 at 10:54 AM
    #17
    BuckNakedBooda

    BuckNakedBooda There's no place like 127.0.0.1

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    Love the 6 speed manual. It's fun even in heavy traffic which I drive thru every day in the Washington DC area.

    Only negative is the high RPMs in 6th gear when I am doing say 75 MPH. It's sitting at 2500 RPMs which seems to me a little high for an overdrive gear.
     
  18. Mar 17, 2011 at 11:20 AM
    #18
    Indian Shifter

    Indian Shifter Well-Known Member

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    X2:rasta:
     
  19. Mar 17, 2011 at 6:16 PM
    #19
    Jefenator

    Jefenator Taco Truck Noob

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    Throttle response might have been part of what was throwing me off for a while (especially starting up a hill).

    But then, everything I've had prior had some sort of mechanical link... to a carburetor. :D
     
  20. Mar 17, 2011 at 7:59 PM
    #20
    Yota Newb

    Yota Newb Well-Known Member

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    Manuals are just fun to drive, no matter the engine vehicle or engine size. I have been driving a stick as a daily driver for over three years now, had a Wrangler for a short period, a Kia Spectra 5 sp. for two years, then traded it in on my base model 4x2 Tacoma 5 speed and I still love it. Many told me I would get tired of shifting all the time and honestly, I prefer it. Also, I drive mostly all city, I have had my truck for almost one year to the date and have about 8500 miles on it.

    As far as the manual trans goes, I have not experienced any surging or throw out bearing issues, or any problems at all, yet. It took a while to get used to driving Toyota's 5 speed in a truck because I was used to my Kia's in a car but once I did, everything is fine. Unless I go fullsize with my next vehicle, it will be a stick shift :D
     

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