AT vs MT for a 4x4 regular cab

Hi, I've been looking for a used manual 4x4 regular cab for some time now without much luck, but I recently came across an automatic that looks like a decent deal and a really nice truck. What is the general opinion on the 4 speed automatic transmission? Most of my driving will be at low speed on (poorly maintained) fire roads, if that makes a difference.

 

I'm not aware of any problems. I've had two trucks with the four speed auto without any problems.

 

Didn't they stop doing manual tranny reg cab 4x4s at some point?

 

Not yet. I just got a 2012 manual reg. cab

 

Manual tranny reg cab 4x4 with buckets/console?

 

MT RC bucket seats ceased to exist after 2008 (and that was only SR5).

Ask me why I bought a 2008 SR5.

 

I4+at= slug

 

automatic is the way to go. if its a good deal and you like the truck jump on it. I had a 95 4x4 reg cab manual. solid truck but shifting gets old to me. good luck either way, bro

 

Ordinarily I'd go for a manual but having one I can tell you the manual transmission in these trucks is just not fun to drive. If I could go back and do it again I'd get an auto.

 

Lies! They are a blast to drive, but to each his own lol. If power is not a concern just go with the auto, but if you wan't to be able to pass trucks on the highway, better find a manual because most cases you gotta drop her into 4th and stand on it to get around a long load in a timely matter, unless of course you are going downhill or in a tailwind!

 

Go for a test drive!

 

A good used RC MT 4x4 is hard to find. Even harder to find is the RCMT with buckets that hasn't been abused. Most of the people who have them hold onto them forever. It took me 3 months to find a clean title, single owner, 2nd gen, RCMT 4x4, bucket seats and under 60k miles. They are out there but few and far between. Get the manual trans you won't regret it.

 

I cannot get excited about manual with bench or auto with buckets. Test drove auto 4x4 with buckets, no go. Bench seat, no go. Going to junkyard for buckets/console for a new truck, no go. That's why I went ahead and jumped on the 08 RC MT SR5 Prerunner with 50k on it when I found it. That, and all my mods on the 05 moved right over to the 08.

 

having owned both (2011 5 speed) and now 2012 auto both reg cab 4x4's...

the 5 speed def had more power, you could control the shift points to keep in in the power band.

that's about the only plus imo

the auto is nice because the 5 speed tranny/clutch sucked. i've driven manuals all my life, owned plenty of them, including other reg cab trucks, and this was by far the most clunky tranny i've ever driven. smooth shifts were damn near impossible, couldn't roll into first gear when slowing down till like 1mph, clutch was terrible. mine was slipping like crazy when i ditched it at 10k miles.

the only drawback to the auto is it not being able to predict when you need a downshift until it's too late and you've bled off a lot of speed (think, climbing a big hill on the freeway). by then you've got it floored, speed is dropping, and bam, finally a downshift or two. i just fixed this by bumping it down like i would a manual tranny before i get to the hill to keep the RPM's up.

it's so much nicer to just get in the truck and sit back and let it do all the work. i doubt i'll ever own another manual tranny truck.. just not fun.

 

My thoughts are if its a daily commuter definitely auto. Shifting in bumper-to-bumper traffic is no fun. The newer auto shifts so smooth with the VVT also.

 

I have a 2011 Tacoma 4cyl auto 4x4 Single Cab Base Truck I love it, I traded my 2010 Tacoma that was exactly same except it had a manual trans. I will never buy another 2nd gen Tacoma with a manual trans...

 

y'all can has das auto. make friends with the manual and traffic and all becomes 2nd nature. there is also URD short shifter kit to make shifting mo betta. cruise control acts stupid on autos and also more mpg when you learn how to drive manual too, not just more power.

 

Love my M/T.I had a 08 and never had problems with it. It had 60,000 miles on it and it worked great. Auto may be better wheeling.I have seen times it would be better. When i got my 2011 i got it in a M/T too. My A4 audi is a M/t too. Maybe it just like to shift.

 

MT has extra gear and gets a bit better MPG maybe like half mile per gallon LOL.

AT lets you sit back and chill especially when you girl is next to you.

I honestly don't drive fast and the I4 auto will get me to 70mph quick and that is enough. Downshifting just sucks. If you need to go fast and drive 80-100 get the v6 auto.

 

Road head with auto & bench seat would be the biggest plus of automatic, I'll give ya that but how many actually have auto/bench setup? Are you gonna be able to savor the BJ while your cruise control is all acting weird in the automatic? If I want to chill with the wife and all that then we can take a different vehicle. There are advantages to both and then there's personal preference or needs & that pretty much sums it up.