Manual transmissions future

You forgot, now,

If you HATE driving oversized pussywagon minivan Doublecabs, and don't want an Access Cab either... Fuck Off!

 

Access cabs are all "longbed"

 

like this?

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/calgary/2009-toyota-tacoma-sr5/1107362372

 

I have a new DCSB Manual. Won't have anything else here in the mountains. Are they under represented? Yes, in cities. Not in the rest of the world. Try finding a pickup or van with an auto in any other countries but the US and Canada. In Baja and Mexico, most of the police vehicles are either Toyota Hilux, Tacoma or New Ford Rangers. They're all manuals. I've been going to Europe and Asia for work for many years, over 90% of the rental fleets (including upscale cars) are manuals. They all laugh at the Americans that stand in the "special line" to try and locate a rental with an auto. Unless reserved way in advance, there aren't any. Manuals need less service, cost less, weigh less and in actual driving use less fuel (which at $9/gal in much of Europe) is a big difference. So maybe they'll continue to be hard to find here, but my last 4 pickups, 3 jeeps and one Land Cruiser all had manuals and I got a premium for them used as they are desired by farmers, ranchers and others who live in the sticks and value simplicity.

 

The 6 speed costs more than the 6 speed auto. So we are pretty much there, you pay more for the "luxury"

 

hmm?

 

No, they don't. In all driven tests with manuals (these, Subarus, Mustangs, VW's, anyones) they use less with similar gearing. The US EPA tests don't drive the cars. They put them on a "rolling road" and measure emissions while a computerized program varies the acceleration and deceleration to a city and semi-urban plan that they have. In subsequent testing by newspapers and magazines and individuals, it always comes out that people get very close to the EPA figures with autos and 8-12% better than the numbers on manuals. If you read any of the English, German or French testing of new vehicles, their testing is on-road and required by their laws to be much more accurate. The US testing is a byproduct of emissions testing and is a surprisingly close algorithm for autos, but off by nearly 10% on any manual and closer to 18% on some performance models. The EPA site now allows individual owners to post their own results and you will note this there as well.

 

Ummm....no. The manual Tacoma is like $1500 less than the Auto.

 

That is pretty interesting. But I think the way they keep adding gears to autos is interesting. It does provide an advantage to autos that manuals wont have because lets be real, who wants to shift 10 times? Do any of us want to live in the Fast and Furious realm of nonstop shifting? However, when the transmission does all that for you higher gear transmissions make sense and keep the engine in a less wasteful state.

 

You're right, I must have accidentally done a 4x2 auto vs 4x4 manual comparison. Ignore that comment future readers. lol

 

Yes, but the reliability rate drops with the added gears and added shift programs to deal with engine braking. No one is praising the 7 and 8 speeds showing up in 4x4's, pickups and vans from Fiat/Chrysler. Big trucks still use manuals, even with lots of gears. And those of us that need engine braking on a daily basis don't want to rely on additional computers. Check out the large numbers of "jeep" guiding fleets in Moab, Ouray, Silverton, Durango, etc. The rentals have autos for the noobs, but the larger rigs driven by the guides, Land Cruisers, Pick-up based surreys, Pinzgauers, etc are all manual trans. These guys are driving 30-40K miles a year in low-range, year after year. They know what holds up. Not to mention all the trucks busses and Land Rovers/Cruisers in use in the mountains of Asia and deserts of Africa. All manuals. If you have to drive in city traffic, I understand the utility of an auto...fortunately, I'm 200 miles from anything that could be considered a city (or an interstate), so its not much of a consideration for me.

 

I'm a die hard manual fan. I've only had a 2 year void in my life where I drove an auto, but I'm basically trying to have a "complete" discussion and consider both sides. The more part = higher chance of something breaking is definitely true with 7 & 8 speeds but I think these transmissions will get better once they are used more and manufacturers get more feedback on their PCM programming/design.

But honestly city driving isnt that bad. You pretty much end up driving like an 18 wheeler. Look ahead, move when traffic is moving and dont make nonstop 2" movements to keep the gap closed, and dont over speed.

 

Back to the OP's question, I was ecstatic when i saw the 2016 still had a manual. I have one on order with a build date of next week, partly because I worried that the MT may not be around forever and I have had 4 Toyota trucks over the last 20 years and they have all had a MT. I will quit buying Toyota trucks when I can no longer have a MT in one. With that said, Toyota is slow to change there line up. I can't imagine that they would discontinue the MT in 2017 or even before they come out with the GEN4 in 10+ years. With that said, the MT seems to be getting better reviews than the Auto so who knows, maybe even the GEN4 will have an MT in the lineup. I hope so.

 

I wonder what the R157 will be like.

 

Highly unlikely. Very rare that a company drops something as big as a transmission until a new generation comes along. Toyota by default steals a fair share of market from GM for the sole fact that they do offer a manual with the V6. And so what if they stopped making them? Do you think you would NEVER be able to have it worked on or warrantied? Stop being so scared and just get one if you want one. The auto leaves lots to be desired.

 

Yep. I looked at the Ram 1500 Diesel, the Colorado and the F150 (i've had Rams and F150's in the past), but the lack of manuals in any of those except the Tacoma and the Frontier led me to the Tacoma DC choice

 

Another thing to note, is that even Mike "Seatbelt Bracket" Sweers said Toyota attracts a lot of business from Off Road types who prefer a manual. I think they are smart enough to realize that adds up to a lot of sales.

 

If I had to replace my 15 tomorrow,the 16 would be a 16 Sport LB AC w/6 speed.

 

Why?

 

I use to love driving a manual. Many years worth. As I have gotten older, I rather have my coffee in my right hand than a shifter.