2023 Tacoma Manual Transmission...likes and dislikes?

For those that have it, can you give your likes/dislikes please. Have you had any issues with the standard and would you choose it over the automatic again? Thanks in advance for your input!

 

No issues with my 2020 AC V6 manual transmission. The truck has just under 50K miles. I drained and replaced the transmission fluid at 30K miles and will do it again at 60K. I like having 3 pedals.

 

The only issue I have had with mine was a poorly designed detent that would lock into 6th gear and be nearly important to disengage until the truck cooled down. It sucked. There was a TSB put out for the problem. It took them 10 minutes to fix and I've had no issues at all since then.

 

There’s a pretty big manual crowd here, and you’ll definitely see most of them not regretting their choice, myself included. There is just something about rowing your own that you simply cannot get out of an automatic.

The ratios are a bit weird, the throttle feel is weird, the clutch pedal feel and release point are a bit weird, but overall it’s a decently driving package. You learn to really rev it up to get the power out of it. The 3.5 wants to be in the high rpm range for power. Some people are happy low shifting it, but I cannot get on board with that, mine is a slug if I drive it that way.

My driveshaft center bearing went bad under warranty and I landed in a Tacoma loaner that I chose so I could try out the auto for a comparison. Now THAT was a choice I regretted. 2 weeks in and I was begging to get my truck back. It felt faster than my truck and yet at the same time it felt really lethargic (in a different way, like passing power on freeway) and just drained the life out of me. I was so thrilled to hear my truck was ready to pick up.

 

I have driven a lot of manuals in my lifetime … I have a 20 and at times I hate it . It’s clunky.. rev hangs … notchy at times especially when cold …1st gear will fight you lol . It’s still better than the bipolar auto lol .

I’m really thinking going to the 4th gen auto really like how it shifts .

 

My 2022 Tacoma is the first truck I've ever owned, and while the shifter is nowhere near as sublime as say, that of a Miata or an old-school RX-7; as was said above, it is hugely preferable compared to the autotragic one can buy with the Tacoma. Long story short, I love my truck, even more than my son's (former) Gen-2 V6 6-Speed (he does as well).

 

I'm gonna be the odd one out on my opinion, as most people adore the manual, but here we go.

I bought a slightly used (2,000 miles) 2022 manual back early 2023. It initially was cool, I really liked it. However, it soon dawned on me I didn't like it. Shifting was clunky, long throws, just overall not the smoothest transmission I've had. Not to mention reverse gearing really sucked. After a year I got tired of it and went to an auto truck. Worked out for two people though. Someone got a well cared for 12K mile 6MT truck, and I got an automatic truck. No harm, no foul.

Gonna be lots of people who disagree with me, and that's fine. Just my opinion and experience. Manual 3rd gen wasn't for me.

 

Manual Tacoma has its quirks, but you get used to it. No regerts.

 

It’s a personal choice. If you prefer manual transmissions get one.

 

Don't expect it to shift like a Honda, but it's far from the worst manual I've ever driven.

The Tacoma manual has it's quirks and frustrations, but I wouldn't want to own anything different.

 

No regrets on my 2020 TRDOR Manual at 75K. Rev hang sucks and reverse is way too tall. 2Lo mod helped with reverse when needed.

 

I luv my personal 2023 TRD OffRoad 4x4, 6spd manual. I installed B&M Sportshifter, and got it "tuned." No problems! I never get automatic.

 

Appreciate all the input! I've driven manual my entire life and prefer them in most vehicles. A friend of mine has the 23 and has had some issues with it, that was really my only concern.

Thanks again!

 

No issues here.

 

2019 TRDOR, bone stock in terms of engine and trans. Traded in my 2019 4Runner TRDOR for it, No regrets.

Automatics get better gas mileage and better in the sand and mud, sucks on the highway and city streets with gear hunting, a tune will help.

 

Ran my truck in 2lo for probably 20-30 miles, because where I was is so steep. It’s crazy how the power delivery changes so much. The noise is pretty unique.

 

No issues with my '18. Only real complaint I have is the too-tall reverse.

The EPA estimates say that... But yet I got as much as 25 MPG on the highway (usually was 24 or so), and around 18 in-town, which beats most of the reports I see on here for mileage... (past-tense is because that was before lift & tires. Now it's about 20 HWY and 16 or so in-town). I have to wonder how EPA calculates their figures, because there will always be some amount of energy lost as heat (and therefore the burning of more fuel) in the torque converter.

 

I agree, my bone stock TRD Sport 6MT routinely gets highway mileage up in the low- to mid-20s when on a road trip (and not towing of course). I've never had a vehicle which would not easily beat the EPA calculated figures, but then again, virtually all of my vehicles have had three pedals under the dash.

 

I have my '22 manual since I bought it brand new. I've put in 51k miles so far. The manual transmission availability is the reason why I chose a Tacoma over other trucks. Or else, I'll have to go older and get a much bigger diesel pickup (Ram 2500 w/ G56, LLY Duramax ZF6, 7.3/6.0 Powerstroke ZF6 and I wouldn't want to own a 6.0).

I've driven various automatic pickups before. I've gotten bored by all except a '23 Coyote 5.0 F150 with the 10R80, and even then I was still yearning for a manual while I was driving it. No automatics are even as close as engaging/fun as a manual, even a dual clutch put into these high end European sports cars (and I've driven those too). I would choose a manual again if I have to start over.

The truck is overall a good truck besides a few minor things:

Reverse gear is geared very tall, meaning you'll have to slip the clutch a lot when reversing trailers. I recommend the 2LO mod, which can save your clutch by running low range, yet you don't have to bind the differential when turning on dry pavement like you probably would in 4LO.

The shifter would feel long if you are used to driving modern sports cars. It does feel smooth besides 2nd gear, which can be a bit crunchy, I found that the smoothest 1st to 2nd shift happens when you shift above 3k RPM.

The gear ratios are a bit weird. 1st gear is very short then the 2nd gear is long resulting in a very big drop-off. I would like the 2nd gear to be a bit shorter. 4th and 5th spacing is pretty short.

The 3.5 V6 engine is a bit anemic on the lower end, and it makes its power on the higher end of the truck. That's also the case with automatic Tacomas. Learn to rev the truck out.

Otherwise, if you are a fan of manual transmissions, I think you'll like this truck. I've taken my truck 4-wheeling and pulled car trailers with cars on them with my truck no problem.

 

My initial impressions were that it was way different than anything I’d driven. The point the clutch gets friction seemed so far. After a few weeks all my complaints went away. This is the seventh manual car I’ve owned, and my body just had to calibrate to it. I have zero complaints now and no issue driving it.