Manual vs Automatic

yes but it's still pushing the mpg average across the corporate line... that was his point. i'm guessing CAFE has a bit more detail to it however.

 

The #1 reason I purchased a Tacoma was because it came with a manual transmission. I learned to drive on a 5speed Honda Accord and Civic SI hatchback. Those manuals were fun to drive but they were quite touchy and required your undivided attention. The Tacoma takes some getting used to like any manual, but it is awesome. I get a grin on my face every time I drive it. Get the manual.

 

Manual>Automatic

 

To each their own sir! Ive driven in plenty of stop and go traffic in my MT. Obviously its not the most fun thing in the world for the 20 mins or so you might be stuck, but if you do it right you can pretty much just hang out in first and drift while everything is stuck and never really hit the brakes or gas until you gotta go. But when you do go, the manual can do it faster, and make things more fun while you do it. IMO putting a manual in a tacoma just makes it significantly more interesting as a vehicle and as an experience.

Boring people have 'better things to do while driving'. Do you want to be a boring person?
I didnt think so, BUY THE MANUAL. LOL

 

I love stick. That was my first choice but I wasn't going to buy anything without a test drive. The closest manual to me was 4 hours away. So I went for a test drive and logged 8 hours of drive time round trip to make it happen. Glad I did. I am so so about the manual vs auto performance. The decision was made for me because of the shifter position. The manual shifter is a couple of inches further forward than the auto shifter. For me it was uncomfortable.

Now for many the position may not be an issue. But if like me it was that is a deal breaker no matter how much I may like the actual transmission.

 

Living in a rural area makes driving a manual much more enjoyable. I don't I had to sit in traffic a lot a manual would have not been my choice. After hearing about all the problems people have with he automatics in this truck, at least the way it feels and drives, I would have not opted for it. I would have looked at a different vehicle entirely. Was going to purchase an F150, but then started looking into the Tacomas and the manual transmission and I was sold. Had to order mine, waited for it to be built, but I am glad I did. Don't really use sixth gear much at all since the nearest freeway is 3 hours away. 5th does great up to 60mph, rpms are in a nice spot at that speed in that gear. The clutch is a little sticky when it's cold out first thing when started, but then it's fine after warming up. My previous Tacoma, which was a first gen was a manual, loved that truck more then any other vehicle before or since. That was the reason I got this one....so far this 3rd gen is keeping me very happy. To each their own, but driving a manual keeps me much more connect to the vehicle.

 

I bought a 07 TRD ORDC 6spd manual. In 07. Loved it. Fwd to 13 and some guy totaled it. Fwd to 16. I purchased a 17 TRD ORDC 6spd manual. When I got to the stealership I told them I needed a manual. He said hey I have a truck on the lot everything u want but auto, let's take a ride. I told them listen I know what u r doing. I can do without a sun roof or anything else. But I will tell u a manual is a must and IT'S a deal breaker. So we went on the test drive. Came back and he said what did you think. I said it ain't no manual. So left and ordered from another dealer 5 states away got my options in a manual. And happy ever since.

 

Sounds like that could have been simply solved by a curved shift handle.

 

At some point you have to think outside the box!!

 

Thanks from the info, Braves95! Are you saying the Off Road is available in a manual?

 

Absolutely. It sure is. But only can have the short bed. I love the truck. Way better shifting then the 07. Noticed it shifts so much smoother and shorter as well.

 

Yep, as Brave said you have to get a double cab short bed to get a manual OR.

 

Get the manual. It's extremely smooth shifting and a pleasure to drive. I towed a Rav 4 behind me at one point (it was my sisters and it died on her while she was driving... bad alternator) I towed it with zero issues but avoided the highway so I can't help there. It was just like driving normally. Zero issues.

 

This is an easy one. The vast majority of complaints about the 3rd gen Tacoma are directly related to the slush box. I drove one and it was garbage but I feel that way about 99% of torque converted autos so... If the manual transmission had not been an option I would not have bought a 3rd gen Tacoma.

 

That's true. I would've bought a tundra instead. Even though way more money. I would've bought the 17 tundra but said to myself, hey from 07 to 13 I never said I wish I had a tundra. So if no manual tundra. Never ever thought of going with another maker.

 

But Toyota has a very good corporate average. The Tundra's 12 mpg begins to disappear under the all of the Yaris, iAs, iMs, Prius, Corollas, hybrid Camrys, hybrid Avalons, etc they have in their fleet

 

I just read through the NTHSA complaints on the Tacoma.

• Of the 61 total complaints, 32 are powertrain related.
• Of those 32, almost all of them are complaints about the AT shifting and power.
• 2 or 3 are for the MT getting "stuck" in gear. We know there is a TSB for the MT and I've never seen a re-occurrence. New model year has all the fixes.
• It seems like about half of the people getting the AT TSB are complaining that it reverts back to its old ways after a few thousand miles.

So glad I have the MT. It shifts very smooth. In fact, save for a small vibration at 65, I really have no other issues. It gets the advertised fuel economy. The power is smooth and adequate where I drive (2500 rpm shifts). I have a slight rear diff noise that I will keep an eye on and have documented. Other than that its a great truck and exactly what I wanted in terms of size and capability. If you don't mind rowing your own....get the manual!

 

My 15 is a manual and I absolutely love it. The 16 loaner they gave me felt gutless. It was auto and just seemed to have no power or torque below 3k rpm.

 

Would never trade my manual for an auto. I usually Drive 70-80 using cruise control and never need to downshift short of traffic. At 70-75, I get around 20-21 mpg. Love the manual and the engine seems to really kick in around 3500 rpm. This may be where it goes from Atkinsin to Otto. I have gotten 23 mpg driving around 65.

 

You're getting better mileage than me.. Possibly the TRD CAI? How is it?