Manual Transmissions Were Just 1.4% of 2023 US Sales

I bought my Tacoma because it's a manual and an access cab. If it wasn't available in a manual, and I had to get an automatic, I probably would have bought another Chevy. This is my first Toyota, a lame performing automatic would have ruined the whole experience that Toyota owners rave about. It certainly didn't help reading on forums about the Tacoma automatics and gear hunting problems or needing a tune to "fix"it. I don't feel the need to tune my truck, it's plenty fast and capable for me just as it is. If it was that underwhelming, it would be gone. I'm not spending money to fix imaginary performance issues and make the truck less reliable. My truck is a daily driver on public roads. It's not a race car. It's not a tow truck, but it's still fun to drive for what it is. I don't go off-roading, just some work around the farm on the trails and fields. It does that just perfectly for me. It's better on fuel in my experience than the Chevy offerings, so that helps too. The clincher is that it is a manual, and that adds value to me, and that is all that matters.

 

Kind of like using the manual to stay in what ever gear I prefer for the conditions. Drove a friends 10 speed automatic Ford truck what a night mare, don't know how that's working out for them. There is a lawsuit against Ford and their 10 speed.

 

first gens definitely had a lot more manuals (I'd guess 50% early on- mid to late 90s). Could be wrong on that %. I had a 97 and a 02 5 spd (regret highly selling the 02). Both 2.7 4wd

 

Unfortunately no DCSB manuals (1st gen)

 

yep, they would have sold a bunch not sure why they didn't offer it

 

I've got the 2023 TRD Pro MT... the last of the 3rd Gens. The word is, the MT is being phased out... like the thread states, it's a very small % of their sales.. which makes all of our MTs VERY rare and valuable... especially since the 4th Gen. TRD Pro will not come in MT.. so I've got the last of the MTs.

 

Don’t get me wrong I’ve owned a bunch of manual cars (88 4Runner and 92 mr2 for a couple examples) - but rare doesn’t always equal valuable. An auto pro will probably hold value like an MT. It’s a micro niche market these days unfortunately.

 

I can see them trading for a grand or two more if the seller is willing to be patient and wait for the right buyer.

 

My first car was a manual transmission, no power steering, no ac, no auto windows.

I definitely don’t miss any of that!

 

The one of the very best cars I ever owned, a 1979 Scirocco 5MT had exactly those stats; I would gladly pay big money to get one again.

 

I wonder that too as they are on the same frame.

 

His truck is lifted on better tires. I don't think he meant being an access cab was advantageous.

 

That TRD kit isn't anything special it's just nice for peace of mind for some people from a potential warranty perspective. Argument might hold up if they were saying vs stock OR Bilsteins.

https://www.toyota.com/racing/trd/news/2021/trdusa-feature---tacoma-trd-lift-kit

 

Exactly if it was LB vs SB and we're talking wheel base and approach angles, maybe there's a conversation to be had.

 

A lift and better tires is still offering better approach/departure angles and traction.

I've got a Pro and understand it doesn't take much to make am SR5 4x4 out do my truck. It may not ride as nice but it's better equipped at climbing over things.

 

Right, but the pro suspension is already lifted over the other stock suspensions so the TRD lift is not above and beyond the pro suspension lift wise or performance wise.

 

Correct.

I also recall reading (but couldn’t find to reference) that an OR with the TRD lift was actually better in most off-road conditions than the Pro.

For high-speed on washboard or dunes, the Pro is definitely better. But for slow to medium speeds on trails, rocks, or logging “roads” the overall suspension on the lifted OR was better.

Not sure if there is 100% consensus on that, but I am very happy with what I have.

 

Would be curious to read that as well. Everything else reads that the trd lift kits are essentially repackaged and branded 5100's.

 

sweet, guess im a 1%er! I got my '22 trd or last February, and got super lucky because the dealer said they rarely get any manuals on the lot, and if they do, they are already sold before they hit the lot, or are sold immediately. I made one trip to the dealer, and was surprised that the exact truck I wanted was sitting on the lot, ('22 Lunar rock trd OR 4x4, 6MT, led headlights, tech package) but it said it was sold already. It had been an allocation to someone who ordered 8 months prior. I found out the next day the guy didnt want it, and I scored it. I was not gonna settle for not getting a MT tacoma, especially since this time last year it was not known if the 4th gen was gonna have an MT. OTT tune, anderson engineering intake manifold spacer, and having the 2LO mod are the best mods to make the MT so much more enjoyable!