Manual, still loving it

It’s weird how things change, when I first started driving it seemed most cars/trucks all had a standard transmission, I remember back then being excited to drive a car with an automatic transmission, now it’s kind of reversed where almost all cars/trucks have automatic transmissions, so I get excited now when I get to drive a manual, actually I still own my 86 Toyota pu MT so I guess I’d never really gotten away from them and if it wasn’t for my wife my Tacoma would’ve had a standard transmission, I still just prefer them.

 

If the option package is to your liking, I'd say, go for it.

 

Manual transmissions just make driving a pleasure. I get bored when I have to drive an automatic. I find it keeps me more attentive to both the road, and potential mechanical issues.

I really lucked out on mine. I had driven to about 4 different dealerships looking for a manual transmission. Only one available was a TRD Off Road, which was out of my price range, and white (my least favorite colour).

I was going to call it a day, but made a last minute decision to hit one more dealership on the other side of town. They just happened to have had a used one come in earlier that day, with only 13,000 km (8000 Miles) on it, the exact trim I wanted, in my first choice colour, plus a bunch of extras that I hadn't planned for, at a price I couldn't refuse.

Took it for a test drive, then came back at opening the next morning to put the deposit down. They let me take it for a rip while I went to get an insurance quote, and when I got back, there was already someone there wanting to put a deposit on it.

I'm actually not looking forward to getting a work truck in a couple months. It'll be nice to not have to pay for gas, but damn do I love driving this truck! My commute has always been my favorite part of the work day, and it's just not the same in a company vehicle.

 

The 6' bed definitely would have been nice. That was one thing that I unfortunately had to sacrifice.

It would also have been nice to be able to get the TRD Sport with a manual transmission, without having to get the sunroof. At 6' even, I would rather have the extra 2" of head space that the sunroof occupies. But it's not a deal breaker.

 

I cant convince him to drive a manual. I guess I'll have to deal with just mine. Would have been cool to have a black with my red. Oh well

 

Too funny, my wife, son, daughter, and (future) son-in-law all refuse to drive an automatic. Go figure.

We have a family joke, "Sorry, we never learned how to drive with an automatic." The funny looks people give us are priceless.

 

Being waiting for over 5 yrs to buy my 2022 TRD Off-road, MT. As of now I am going to stay stock with most things. I am putting Predator tubes, under coat spray, bedliner spray, and new compatible speakers for a non JBL system. I would like to know what you folks think I need most? I WANT a dual battery system, sports bar, and eventually a Pioneer HU, but is there anything "manual transmission" I should do immediately? Last manual I owned was a '96 Jeep Cherokee sport and I've missed it ever since. Appreciate reading everyone's posts on here.

 

nice truck

ADM - accumulator delete mod
2Lo mod

 

My 6mt Tacoma is as much fun to drive as my Honda S2000, just in a "different" way. Its fun, engaging and takes away the nothingness that would be a daily commute in an automatic transmission.

 

Ott tune, accumulator delete. 2lo mod is pretty helpful in certain situations as well. I actually did the Anderson engineering intake manifold spacer recently and im pretty happy with it. Drops the torque band about 1000 rpms, the power starts to come in about 3000 rpms instead of 4000. Now in situations where i would have had to downshift from 3rd to 2nd to get the power i needed going up a hill or something like that i can stay in 3rd and and i have the power available

 

IMHO a must on a 3rd Gen manual.

I use my 2WD low a lot. It really saves the clutch.

 

Right on!

 

I have moved beyond the desire to operate levers. If anyone feels that driving isn't a challenge and need additional excitement, maybe scroll through Facebook on your phone while driving.

 

I had a 2006 S2000 when buying my truck and I felt the exact same way

 

I hate the R position on Gen 3. Still accidentally shift to R instead of 1 sometimes during three point turns.

 

I installed the URD short shifter, and one complaint by people is that its harder to go into reverse. I actually like this because I never accidentally go into reverse. Its also not much harder to go into reverse, but enough that you dont do it on accident.

 

How do you "accidentally" shift into R instead of 1? You have to completely go to far left, and shift up into reverse.

 

2023 was my 60th year driving stick.
After I bought the new Tacoma, I kept my 1991 Truck, because it will be my last stick shift, ever.
Hard to let it go.

 

Doesn’t happen anymore, but I think it was from switching back and forth with my Gen 1. 1st gear often needs to be persuaded and I was just used to pushing direct left and up with the older truck.

 

It happened to me when I first got this truck, too. This is my 5th manual transmission, including a 2nd gen and a 1st gen Tacoma, and every one has been a 5 speed. The 6 speed, with reverse on the left definitely took a little time to get used to.