Decisions - Auto vs Manual

I have search posts and i all ever see is "Props to Manuals" and so on.

My question is what do you prefer and why?
Is there any major advantage of one over the other?

I'm looking at picking up a 1st Gen 4x4 v6 but hung up on the transmission.

I have never owned a truck yet so not sure. Its going to be my winter vehicle and recreational toy.

Suggestions and opinions are greatly appreciated.

thank

 

Hello, and welcome to the forum....

How much wheeling do you plan on doing?

 

answer your question automatic gives you the ease of not dealing with constant shifting and cruise control but stick means if your going to use this as a toy you'll be rock crawling and offroading driving in low gear, constantly so add on and repairs for offroad stuff get costly

 

I think standard transmissions tend to last longer....although they seem to be a weak point on the newest Tacomas.

 

I think calling them a weak point is stretch...a few folks have had issues. But alot more haven't.

I like the manual no matter what- Traffic and shifting or not. If you are driving it for a winter and recreational truck- I REALLY recommend a stick.

 

You're right, but you have to admit, the tranny problems have been surfacing a little more frequent lately.

 

I have an 07 dbl cab and i wanted a stick but it wasn't my choice, so i have an automatic...most people seem to forget that despite the fact its an automatic, theres still 5 gears you can choose from...i do a ton of off roading and i've never had a problem with any power issues despite the automatic because i just drop to the gear i need, depending on the terrain determines what gear i use and you can still shift up the gears when off roading to get max power out of the gears, with some practice and once you get good you can actually downshift with the automatic transmission, it just requires timing and rev matching to get the gear in smooth but you can downshift with an auto and not have it lug, some people are dumb and try to off road in drive with automatic transmissions, don't forget to use the gears guys!

 

wow!! thanks for all the points.
Ok so i think 5sp is what i will go with.
1. standards last longer
2. cheaper to fix
3. probably more mods that i can do with it ???

Ok now what about going for a normal v6 or v6 SR5?
What do you recommend?

 

SR5 is a trim package.....more modern amenities....I would go for sr5.

 

do they all have locking dif?

 

AUTO - especially for good and nasty MUD!

 

On 1st generation Tacomas (95.5-2004), the TRD Offroad 4x4 and TRD Offroad Prerunner (4x2) have the rear diff. locker. The rear locker was part of the Offroad package.

 

I have a manual. Wife can't drive a stick. Enuff said.

 

I suppose it's possible that there are some non-TRD trucks with the locker from the factory, but they would be rare. While shopping for trucks, look for the hardware, not just the sticker on back. A 4x4 or 4x2 TRD will have a button to the left of the steering column for the differential locker. The TRDs were also originally equipped with yellow/blue Billstein shocks front and rear.

 

wow thanks again!! i love the advice.
can't wait to creep around the forums some more

 

Creep around - but don't be creepy.

 

I would highly recommend driving before committing to one type of transmission or the other.

I used to drive around in an '82 which had a 5spd manual and loved it, so assumed that's what I wanted from a 2nd gen. I found the 2nd gen's 6spd manual to be overly cumbersome for me and detract from 'fun', so decided to try the auto and was pleased.

I haven't personally driven a 1st gen, sorry; but I still recommend trying both trannys.

 

Manuals are more fun unless you drive in a lot of traffic. Not sure if the MPG is any better in one over the other, I have an auto and run right around 18-22 depending oh highway or streets. I'm old and drive like it so that helps the MPG. I wish I would have looked and test drove a manual model. Not sure it would have changed my mind.