Manual or Auto?

Manual, it's just more fun to actually drive.

 

IPT auto for me!

 

yeah in that Red 2010 Camaro I just saw ... but NOT in my Tacoma

 

Ahhh a nice Canadian built car!

 

Manual. I promised myself when I had kids that they would learn how to drive a manual transmission. My oldest drove my wife's 94 4-Runner until it dropped compression on one cylinder. We got rid of it last year and all other vehicles we own were automatics. I've decided it's time for my soon to be 13 year old to learn how to drive. So I bought a Pre-runner last week with the 6-speed tranny. I think I'm really going to miss this truck when I turn it over to him in 3+ years.

FTTank

 

I went with manual. All the time I had an automatic, I missed having manual.

Helps keep me awake a bit more while driving too, which is always good.

 

I like the Auto. Reason being that if I'm eating a burger or whatever, I dont have to shift!!! Also Moab is much easier and more fun with an auto.

 

Those mayonnaise stains on your seat cover? Just guessin

 

Manual...no question. All but one of the vehicles I've owned has been a manual, and the one auto I had I ditched to get my 2007 taco. When that cop balled-up my '07, I did think about going to an auto....for about half a second. I had to get my 2009 taco from WV (I'm in MD) just to get the 6-spd. They had auto's in stock here. I learned on an '84 Accord 5-spd, which I drove to HS back in the day, even took the road-test for my license in that car. Funny thing too...the woman giving me the road test for my license had never done one in a car with a stick-shift, and wasn't sure what to think at first. LOL

 

Does anyone know if it is possible to change the gears in the manual transmission? Or maybe fit in a different manual transmission? I loved the 5 spd trans in my 2000 taco.

 

I love stick shifts and drive one even though I live in the NYC area though it can be a pain in heavy traffic. I am glad that Toyota offers stick in so many of its models as stick shift is rapidly disappearing. In 2008, only 6% of vehicles sold in U.S. were stick; in 1980 it was 35%. Even in Europe, where stick has long reigned supreme, automatics are starting to take over. It used to be (at least according to my informal surveys while walking around) that only 1 in 10 cars were automatic; lately, I am coming up with counts of 3 in 10 cars being automatic...

 

Automatic transmissions are much better for off-roading. They offer much more ease and overall control of the vehicle. The Auto acts as a cushion for the rest of the powertrains also.
Automatic transmission cost more initially, but have a better resale value.

I drive manual transmissions. They are much more fun to drive. I've owned A/T and when I drive them, it feels like I am on autopilot, or zombie mode.

If I had a trail only rig, I would get an auto. The fact of the matter is, almost all of the tacos on here are driven more on-road, than off. If you want a trail rig, there are much better options out there than a expensive LWB IFS pickup.

I don't see how the 6-speed EPA is lower than the Auto, but I have seen this in other vehicles also.

 

I completely disagree. If you've never wheeled a manual... you should try it in the 2nd gen trucks. 1st Gear 4LO is a great crawler gear both up and downhill.
I would also never wheel our trucks hard with an automatic and the stock trans cooler.

 

A automatic transmission will always be able to drive slower.
There is no need for feathering the clutch, or using a hand throttle with an A/T. Stalling or rolling back is not an issue either.
This is why most competition buggy's use automatic transmissions. They are just plain better for low speed situations.

I'm sure 1st and 4LO is awesome in the 2nd gen, but it won't be as good as an A/T.

I have wheeled both. I will never buy another A/T, because they are no fun to drive. But they are better for low speed wheeling.

 

K, let me put it this way.
In 4LO and 1st gear going down a hill. I don't use the brake. Going down the same hill in an automatic in 4LO.. you'll use the brake.

 

No you won't. You throw it into 1st gear and let it roll. Hell I did it today. Engine hovered around 2200RPM and 15-20km/h.



Don't think you m/t's get to have all the fun.

 

Because the auto's have a taller OD gear than the 6 speeds.

 

Most of the cars I drove a manual, it was great. When I get my truck I will get a Automatic, better on the knees!

 

I have had a stick shift in all of my sports cars over the years; the only way to go IMO. However, if we are talking truck, then I always opt for an auto tranny. Just so much easier for daily driving.

 

With the 2.7L you have to go manual, which is what I plan on doing. If I was getting the V6 I'd probably get the Auto.