What is more reliable: Stick vs Automatic

Give me some reasoning guys! I'm all ears about first gen trucks since I know nothing about their reliability. Also, if you can, elaborate on why a 6cyl would be better than a 4 cal or vice versa. Thank you!

Edit: If you are looking for a used Tacoma*

 

6 cyl, because more torque and towing. Automatic because 5 speed is too much work. Also auto is better for drag racing

 

Am I in time to catch the argument, or did I miss the start?

 

Welcome to the start lmao

 

Personally I can't stand automatics.....

 

Auto is more reliable because there is less variables. Both are rock solid and last the life of the 1st gen Tacomas.

1st gen 4 bangers are more reliable due to having a timing chain rather than belt. Also less moving parts is always more reliable, thus 1 entire less bank, 2 less cylinders.

Whats reliable? Answer: The most boring of the options sheet.

 

Depends on your interpretation of reliable. I would say manual because banging on an auto can be more stressful on the components but you could also consider having to change clutches/ gear oil. Also missed shifts and driving at high rpms can put stress on all the drivetrain components.

 

It all comes down to just what you like.

How the last owner maintained the vehicle

If I lived in a big city lots of city driving those cities with at least 2 traffic lights Never saw Ice or Snow.

I could learn to drive a Automatic Transmission But the cooler would be out of the radiator in a minute .

I like being able to push in the clutch and disconnect the power to the wheels

Myself I like the 3.4 Because my Tacoma is a Truck and gets used as such.

Then there is always going to be neglected areas of maintenance to catch up on.

In a winter climate it is not a question of the frame needing some tender loving care but just how soon.

 

It's all preference in the trans department. Longevity comes down to maintenance in all cases. A lot of people say they don't like to drive in traffic with a manual, but I don't think they are in more traffic than I am and I don't mind it one bit. It's all preference and maintenance. 2.7 is fine w/ a manual imo in a light truck - not a heavy one. I like it in my regular cab, but wouldn't want it for a larger truck.

 

First focus on the configuration needed. Regular, access or double cab. 4wd or 2wd?

Then how the truck is to be used 80% of the time.

Then assess your own DIY skills (realistically). If they are below average, are you interested in growing them or not?

Then define what 'reliable' means to you.

Answer all that and it's much easier to decide what package you are looking for.

Once you figure that out, then shop for the most well cared for (with documentation) sample of the configuration that meets your needs, paying close attention to frame rust issues. Expect to pay an unreasonable price, unless you want a budget grade unit (like I did) or are capable/willing to buy a fixer-upper, or you get really lucky.

 

Thats the only hassle for driving a clutch... city driving

I love my 2003 Std Cab with 5-speed.
It gives me better control over the vehicle, especially off road, climbing, fast driving.
With a transfer case the options increase.

Most 1st gen manual transmissions will get 200k on the original OEM clutches.
If you ever have to replace a transmission the manual is half the price.

Always felt that automatics were for people who could never learn to drive a clutch.

 

For some, maybe most, but I never minded rolling in traffic and miles of stop lights and there's a good chance I drive in more traffic than anyone else in this thread

 

5sp unless you drive in stop and go traffic all the time,
530,000 miles, same transmission, automatic don't usually go the distance
5sp there is less power loss to the rear wheel from the flywheel
3.4, you get more power and torque,
you can add 100 horses with a supercharger and a few mods later if u wish
and gas mileage is about the same,
3.4 motor will last 500,000 or more if taken care of before a head gasket issue from my experience

 

With minimal maintenance I would say 4cyl, MT in 2wd. That said I have the 6cyl/Auto/4wd because that's what I found cheap. Everyone make allowances for what they want/need.

 

That's living in the LBC...

 

Dear Original Poster and Everybody Else,

Here is my analysis of the two most common first generation Tacoma engines. They are both great engines by the way.

The Toyota 2.7 inline 4 cylinder is a much simpler motor than its 3.4 V6 brother. It is a single head, which makes everything inside the engine compartment accessible with the exception of the fuel filter. These Toyota four bangers use a timing chain rather than a timing belt. Timing chains are replaced much less frequently than timing belts. As a result of their simplicity, size and configuration, they are both easier and cheaper to maintain and repair than their larger Toyota 3.4 V6 sibling. They will get also get better gas mileage. Although, I am told this is not a significant difference.

The Toyota 5VZ-FE 3.4 liter V6 engine is very sophisticated motor with two heads and double overhead cams per head. It uses a timing belt instead of a chain, which has to be replaced every 90,000 miles. As a result of its size and configuration, it occupies a lot of space in the engine compartment, which makes getting at things much less accessible, but it is not, by any stretch of the imagination, an impossible motor to work on. It is going to be the more expensive and complicated motor to both maintain and repair, but it is going to have significantly more horsepower and torque than its smaller sibling. This will make doing ugly stuff like towing and hauling much easier.

As far as which transmission is more reliable between an automatic and stick shift is something I don't know. A manual transmission uses a clutch, which operates by clutch fingers from the clutch grabbing the clutch wheel, which is directly attached to the fly wheel. This friction between these items is what causes clutches to wear out over time. If both transmissions are maintained properly, I am sure each will prove to be very reliable.

Take it easy,
Paul

 

6 cyl over 4 cyl because there is less stress on the truck. Auto over manual because manual makes it really hard to drink coffee driving to work. I once watched a women (blond) in a stick; Wrangler rag top at a stop light. Smoking, talking on a phone with coffee cup. The light went green and I was off down the street 50 yards before the jeep started to move. To this day I am still curious what she gave up.

 

From what I understand MT is for life. Same as timing chain. Clutch is the element to be replaced every 250-300k miles or so. I mean in normal driving nor 4x4 expeditions.
Auto is very convenient but clutches are inside and can't be replaced so when thy are gone the transmission is toasted.
Manual tx still can be rebuilt at shop (really mostly by replacing synchro rings) but really thy will go only if tx is abused.

I might be biased but in my mind manual is more reliable and durable than auto as long as you really know how to operate clutch and accelerator podal at the same time (full gas and clutch release is not how you supposed to start a car).

 

MT is more fun. I never got the complaint about traffic, i commuted for 7yrs in traffic, and still drive the truck to work occasionally, and as long as you stay out of the far left lane it's fine. I would let it idle in 1st behind a truck.

 

The 'fun' aspect of pushing a clutch died for me years ago. I started on them when I was 14, drove them exclusively (personally) to my mid 20's but professionally it was an auto, started bouncing back and forth after that both off-road and on. Now at 40 all I have is auto, but current one can be shifted manually far faster than I can work the pedal and lever. It really is a matter of preference. Almost all arguments that can be made for 1 side can pretty much be made for the other as well, except preference. Longevity isn't much of an argument for me. It doesn't matter if it's a million mile tranny, I'm not going to get anywhere close in the 2-3 years before I get bored and get a new ride. Your experience in that aspect will vary but very few who "want this truck to last 500k" will ever come close to that.

Modern auto's, mpg is on par with a stick. HP loss is pretty much minimal. Engine braking is easier with a clutch but it still works well with an auto. Actual off-roading is easier with an auto, bouncing off of boulders and trying to feather a clutch isn't the easiest thing I've done. It's doable, spent years doing it, but it's definitely easier to do with an auto. If your off-roading is just trails and dirt roads that doesn't apply.

I think I've replaced 2 clutches in my life, and had 1 auto failure. When a 90's diesel is on the interstate and decides to lose OD, it is not a happy motor. But I blame that on crappy Chevy tranny's behind a crappy chevy 6.5 diesel and not on the auto itself.

I wonder what ya'll think about the newer hybrid trannys. My DD bmw is an auto that I can run manually by either the shifter or paddle shifters. It's fast, really fast. Or it's mellow, really mellow. It depends on what I decide I want it to do. BMW's newest is actually a manual that is shifted like an auto. Dual clutches, computer controlled, and no clutch pedal and I believe it can just be dropped into a D and let the car take care of itself like an auto. You get shifts in a fraction of a blink of an eye, but it is still a 'manual'.

Side by side with the exact same engine etc but with a clutch pedal, there's no competition in who will win a race. But it's still, a manual. So I guess the question is, how much 'fun' is the pushing the pedal part? I had a 90 F250 until last year and I know for that one, the clutch was no fun at all. Unless you get a LOT of enjoyment from having a left leg that looks like you're a power lifter and a right leg that looks like you need a sandwich

I've also got lots of time running hand throttle/tranny combos (boat), push throttle only (planes) and CVT in atv's and snowmobiles. Out of all of them, I like the CVT the least. Not feeling a shift in a boat or a plane, feels totally normal. Not feeling a shift on an atv feels weird, but ok'ish on a snow machine. I've never driven a car with one but I think it would bug me.