2017 Tacoma TRD Pro Manual vs. Automatic

Looking at purchasing a new TRD Pro. I currently drive a 2001 Tacoma TRD Off-road manual transmission. I spend a lot of time in the snow during the winter, and like to wheel and overland in the summers. I've seen the videos on the crawl control, etc. I know with the manual i'll lose off-road aids such as multi-terrain select and crawl control when the automatic transmission brains are not paid for.
My question is, has anyone played with both, and do I sacrifice not having a manual transmission for these toys? I've never really been stuck in my current Taco and I've taken it through rivers, blizzards, deserts, and over mounatins. Manual transmission gives me great control and I use the gear constantly for terrain. Does the crawl control offer more than my capable driving, that I can't do with a manual in regards to 4x4?

 

Well, I don't wheel like crazy but I did really like the crawl control if I felt like I was in over my head, but traded my 4Runner for a manual TRD Pro, and it is a lot more engaging during all types of driving. I don't think you're going to miss it if you're already competent with three pedals.

 

I have a 2nd gen, I do all the same stuff. I wish it was a manual. I prefer it in every situation except traffic and super slow crawling

 

Get a Manual. Those gimmicks are silly.

 

I feel like they are just that "gimmicks," and more shit to break later down the road, and be more expensive to fix. I also am not a fan of not being able to pop the clutch if my battery dies out in the middle of nowhere while I'm camping.

 

No matter how good or experienced of an off-road driver you think you are, you can't modulate braking to each wheel like crawl control/MTS can.

Call it a gimmick if you want but there are plenty of guys here who have been saved by it.

 

Sounds like you are used to driving a manual. Your everyday enjoyment/driving experience may take a dip if you switch to the AT but you get the cool goodies.
Personally: MT all day.

 

Yeah you can. It's called A-trac.

 

Its a gimmick because if you know what you're doing you wouldn't need to do that to begin with. Its just lack of skill or laziness imo. Besides its not like the manual has no nannies it still does have A-TRAC I used it once and it works great.

 

Anyone who seriously wheels laughs at crawl control... Get the Manual.

 

"...your everyday enjoyment/driving experience may take a dip..."

This, this a thousand percent! Because it's spot on. Forget the gimmicks and stick with the manual.

I made the switch to an auto when I bought my Tacoma and it killed me a little inside everyday. Life's to short for that nonsense so I paid the price and fixed my mistake.

*odd gearing and transmission logic (overly eager shift points) didn't help either. I suggest reading up on the current auto in the 3rd gen. It's not for everyone.

 

TRDOR AT

Unless you like fake hood skewps & badges

 

Manuals don't overheat like automatics do. I just ordered a '18 manual because I tow and plow snow. I didn't want to have to monitor my trans temps and deal with the constant shifting that my automatic does while towing.

 

OOOOOO MT vs AT.... I personally like to row my gears, so I got a MT. I have towed, hauled, and driven about 13800 miles and I LOVE this transmission! This is a very smooth MT and of course I have the added 8hp of the SKEWP!!

 

The grumpy old luddites can hate on CC and MTS all they want, but in he end it a very competent bit of technology that will help out tons of people new and old to the world of off-roading. However I found the road manners of the automatic transmission lacking and as my rig spends most of its time on paved surfaces hauling my fat ass around I wanted to keep my enjoyment factor high so I waited 4 months for a manual.

 

Manual all day, every day!

 

OP, If you are near the beach and plan to take your Taco right up to the water, Crawl Control would be useful in case you get stuck in beach sand. Other than that, I'd go with the manual. I still slap myself for having purchased the AT.

 

No regrets on the MT here. Enjoy driving it daily and plenty of control off-road.

 

Hope you get what you want, as you'll be living with it for a while. As for me, when I went looking for a Tacoma TRD Sport or OR with a MT locally, I could not find any at 4 different dealers. Every dealer just looked at me like I was asking for the winning lottery #'s. I was told that the auto is the only way to go. When I would tell them it was a deal breaker for me, they pretty much just shrugged their shoulders. Now, I know it could get ordered, but 3 out of the 4 dealerships didn't even seem interested in that. "Are you sure you really want to shift it yourself?" was one of the comments from a salesman. So I put a deposit down at the dealer that was at least willing back in early August, and will wait. On a brighter note, I got a call 2 days ago that they are able to start ordering 18's, so mine is on order. From what I've gathered on TW (tons of great info on here), it's looking like Nov/Dec for delivery. I'm in my 50's and have had MT's & AT's in cars and trucks over the years. I really enjoy driving the manual, and understand that it's not for everyone. I'm coming from a 2000 Tundra V6/MT that I purchased new 17yrs. ago and hoping to have this new truck just as long or longer. Good luck with your decision, and you've got a good community here to ask questions, and get inspired for your new ride.