2016 TACOMA AUTO VS MANUAL

Luckily my wife drives a stick too so no issues getting to the hospital if I get hurt

 

I agree....but when the wife took our 4Runner with four of her lady friends, none of whom can drive a standard, she does feel good not always having to be the designated driver when they go on "their " drinking binges. I can come up with a gazillion episodes where having an auto was helpful, especially in this day and age where few others can drive a manual.

 

After having a 2013 Taco TRD OffRoad with a 6 speed and 4.0 V-6, I'd honestly say I wish I would have saved the nearly $2K on my 2016 I bought and got the manual tranny. The 6 speed auto is okay, but I'm def not impressed with how hard it shifts into drive when it's cold. People say, "let it warm up first". Okay, listen. I've owned like 40 cars in my life. This is probably the most expensive one I've ever owned. I never had that issue with other cars and certainly shouldn't have it w/ this one. My next one will def be a manual tranny if it's an option in 2018. Like others on here, I prefer the control of the gears. It also comes out of corners kinda sluggish where you never have that issue with a manual tranny. The manual tranny does rev higher at highway speed. Around 2,300 RPM at 65 mph from what I have read. The auto revs at around 1,500 or lower. But...remember that any savings you're getting at the pumps costs you on the sticker price, so it's a wash when it's all said n done. To each their own, but a manual tranny is the ONLY thing I would have changed if I could. For now, I'm happy with my 2016 TRD OffRoad w/ auto tranny, tech package, JBL Sound, etc...be safe

 

Haha, my wife doesn't club hop with her friends anymore, but when we go out, we take turns being designated drivers. We both ride sport bikes..yes she rides her own, so I don't think she'll be giving up shifting anytime soon

 

As much as auto manufacturers are trying to steer consumers towards automatic transmissions I would never purchase a truck with one. As well-designed as today's automatic transmissions are they will always be the weak link in the drive-train. The inconvenience of a manual transmission is minor compared to its longevity. The other factor in choosing a manual over an automatic is that a manual transmission reduces wear and tear on the brakes, the cooling system and the engine. My 2004 Tacoma has 220,000 miles on it, and still has the original front rotors, the original rear brake shoes and drums, and has never had any issues with the engine or cooling system. In fact, it has never had any mechanical issues whatsoever.

 

I don't doubt that a well operated manual has some advantages over an automatic. The key is,well operated. I am just stating fact. The vast majority of drivers don't drive manuals. The vast majority of drivers make manuals less durable. The world has changed.

In emergency evasive maneuvers and difficult driving situations, the auto has more advantages over manual then you can count. As long as it's profitable for TOYOTA to offer them, they will. At some point, they won't. I feel ANY transmission is a weak link. Car makers have not steered anyone anywhere. They would build them all with manuals if the demand was there.

 

I'd like to hear more about how the 2016 MT shifts...I had bought a 2013 TRD OR MT and hated they way it shifted and traded for a 2014 AT. The shift throws were too long - the knob seemed to move 6"+ from front to back. Additionally, First was geared to low, 5&6th not high enough. I had put in a TRD Quickshift which helped but getting into Reverse became more difficult.

So how is the 2016 different? Is the shifting smoother? Less travel of the shift knob from 1,3 or 5 down to 2,4 or 6 (or back up). Any other observations or Improvements over the 2nd Gen MT?

 

I agree. I had a 13 TRD OffRoad with a manual and first gear was useless, and 6th gear wasn't an overdrive gear which lead to 2,500 RPMs at 65 mph. Not necessary...

 

I would strongly disagree about control over the vehicle in emergency/evasive maneuvers, as the ability to apply engine braking and control power output to the wheels in a precise manner is simply not there with an automatic transmission. As far as the "vast majority of drivers", in my humble opinion the vast majority of driver don't belong on the road as they have no clue how to properly operate a motor vehicle. The requirements for getting a driver's license in this country are woefully lacking in any sort of level of driver competence.

 

Engine braking in general is very imprecise compared to using brakes and is more uncontrollable as demonstrated by it's poor perfomace going down icy hills. Engine braking can completly throw you out of control. It is great when traction is good, not so when as traction decreases. I agree that braking through a manual is more direct when working through gears and no torque converter. But I feel, both are capable.

In emergency evasive maneuvers, it's all two foot driving with brakes and throttle being used as needed. When chasing people was a part of a job discription, we were perpetually in the evasive maneuver mode and a manual transmission was the last thing we wanted to deal with. Generally speaking, vehicles that need quick reaction are all going to automatic or fluid drives like hydrostatics and well away from traditional gear/ clutch manual changing unless actuators are doing it instead. As far as others not driving manuals, I and I am sure you have, ridden in cars with auto only drivers and trusted our lives to them with no thought of their inability to operate a manual while they were driving their autos safely.

 

I probably would have bought my '14 with a 6-spd stick(all my cars/toys are manuals), but I didn't like the "higher rpms" on the highway. If I bought a '16, I think I'd go with the manual(although I wish it came with the 3.91 rear). Since I always add bigger/taller tires, at least that would help lower the rpm's.

 

70 mph is <2500 rpm with stock tires on a TRD Sport V6 with MT, so top-gear revs aren't a problem with the 4.30 FDR. Both 5th and 6th are OD.

Toyota makes significantly more "trucks" (Hilux, Land Cruiser etc) world wide with manuals than with autos, as the rest of the world prioritizes product longevity, simplicity and low weight much more highly than North American customers. Doubtless, US traffic, public transportation usage, etc, has a lot to do with that. Living 150+ miles from the nearest interstate (or metro area) and in steep country, manuals are prized here. Within the past 35yrs I've used and sold 2 Gen 1 Ford Broncos, a Chevy 1/2 ton, 2 F-150's, three Jeep Cherokees, one Grand Cherokee and three Subaru turbos (40-60k miles per year, two-three drivers). Each of them with manuals, each of them going for $1000 to $1900 over high-book just because they had manuals. The Grand Cherokee was rare and elicited a bidding war and it might have been the only one any had seen in the area...I waited 6 weeks to get it on special order. As stated by Dagosa above, the difference in brake use and wear cannot be underestimated when one drives daily on secondary roads and major mountain passes.

 

It's a truck, not a sports car lol. Of course it's a longer shift. When I drive my wife's manual sports car it feels like a dream. The Tacoma is a truck but I must say I have no complaints about the shifting in my 2016. For a truck it's smooth, and now with 6 gears, the fuel mileage is amazing. Also makes speed control better. Mon-fri I shift at low RPMs for great fuel mileage. Then when I'm playing, I run it a little harder. The great thing is I have instant power when needed. I don't have to wait for an auto to make the change. The MT is less popular for sure these days, but not for me. I had a Dodge Ram auto before this and I loved it, and a truck that size needs an auto. The Tacoma however, I feel, is well suited for a manual because of its puny size.

 

This is why everybody should learn to ride a motorcycle. All about engine braking. Of course you can't use it in rain, ice, etc. That's common sense. If you don't know, then you should stick with an auto.

 

Have you driven a Tacoma 2nd Gen MT? I'm curious how the 3rd Gen has been improved from a shift operation standpoint.

 

I had a 1st gen manual, so can't speak for the 2nd gen. There's a noticeable difference from the first gen. My suggestion is try the MT (if you can find one) so you can compare.

 

I agree, all I saw in Europe were manuals. Friend of mine from Czech refuses to buy autos even though he lives here. Whole different kind of driving in Europe. High speeds, small roads makes manuals a great choice for maneuverability on those roads. People in N America are getting lazy. Either that or they're too dam busy and stressed to bother with shifting lol

 

Yep, when I travel to Germany you will get a manual on most rental vehicles unless you specify you want an automatic. Yet almost everyone here is convinced manuals are extinct.

I went to the local enterprise to get a rental for a visiting German last Tuesday, first words out of his mouth when he drove it was "fucking automatic" as he slapped it into drive. Toyota Sienna.

 

Compact cars in auto are horrible to drive. Not to mention, blow your brains out boring haha

 

Prevailing attitudes that those who drive manuals are somehow superior drivers and have better control over the car/truck then a driver of an automatic is just an opinion, not born out by facts. That everyone should learn to drive a manual is only necessary in case of an emergency and they have to drive one. Personally, IMHO, it's more important that everyone know how to swim then drive a manual given how much water there is on earth. That would save more lives and is more relevant.