3rd gen A/T owners, wish you bought manual?

Hell no

 

Si

 

I've personally never met another 3rd Gen owner that has had any major problems. I had a whine that went away after I lifted the truck. Never had transmission problems or complaint. There are a contingent of ppl that come to TW just to complain about perceived problems, it won't take you long to figure out who they are. I love my AT, pulls great, shifts great.

 

Mine did a lot if hunting when it was new. After the rev-1 it's much better. I have 4 vehicles and 3 are manual except my tacoma. Since the rev1 I have no issues with the automatic and glad I have it.

 

I came from the same car you had (2007 though) to a TRDOR MT. I had a two seater reg cab though.

Coming from the 2nd gen 5 speed MT I4 to a 6 speed MT V6 will be an adjustment phase.

First. The throttle feels different. Way different. I think our 2nd gens had throttle cables while the 3rd gen is Fly-by-wire. Feels different.

Second. Rev hang... Make shifting feel really weird. I have gotten used to it though. I thought maybe my car was broken in, but I just used to the rev hang timing.

Third. Even your jumping to nearly 100HP more. It doesn't feel that way.

 

No experience with a Tacoma manual. But previously before purchasing my Taco I had a manual 335i. It was fun and I loved the car but I was consistently getting tired of shifting in traffic. Going up hills and always having to depress the clutch. I have absolutely 0 regrets purchasing an automatic Tacoma and to be quite honest, I will never buy a manual truck.

Yes the auto sometimes is really annoying and it will act funky. But typically it's fine and the tradeoff of not having to clutch is worth it. IMO.

 

auto here and did not consider a manual. I drove a manual in San Francisco 30 years ago and learned to appreciate an automatic transmission then. Shift Sense Pro is all I needed to make my truck what I wanted.

 

After the tsb update my transmission is fine so nope.

 

No, I don't mind the shifting with my automatic. It shifts fine when you put it into ECT. I have two other vehicles, one of which is a manual transmission MR-2 Spyder. I prefer manuals in lighter weight vvehicles and sports cars. Not sure how fun driving my heavy DCLB would be with a MT.

 

I don't have a taco yet, but I've been daily driving a MT for the last 7 years in LA traffic and it's definitely something I look forward to getting rid of. It's nice as a side car, maybe weekends type of thing but when you've had a long day at work, stuck in traffic, not even moving out of 1st gear.. it gets old. Even if it's a bit wonky, I'll take the AT taco.

 

Nope

 

OP....

Basically you need to say what your intentions are with the truck.

If you're driving point A to B, driving in heavy traffic, etc etc, you wouldn't be wrong to get the automatic.

If you plan on towing, get the MT. Yes, an AT does fine... in S4. The MT is geared lower and the setup is ideal for pulling. I can still use 5th and 6th which helps my mpg a little. Over the course of a 300 mile trip, every little bit helps.

The MT doesn't drive like a sportscar. I had a 95 S-10 regular cab short bed and 5 speed MT, and I have a 65 C-10 that used to be 4 on the floor. The Tacoma drives a LOT like the C-10.

Every once in a great while I miss my 2011 SR5 AT. Then I hook up to my trailer.... and I forget all about the AT.

 

I only test drove the AT, didn't seem like it had any issues, but I had not intention of purchasing a AT.

Came from 09 5 speed 4 banger taco, to the v6 6speed MT. I am happy, but as others have said, I can tell it has more but I don't feel it's as great a difference as I expected. That being said, just towed a trailer 5 hours one way, and at times I forgot it was there, that never happened in my 4 banger.

My biggest complaint with the MT is its too easy to hit R when going to 1st. I have solved this by going to 2nd the 1st in my shifting.

 

I love the MT, but will admit never drove the AT. So you are welcome to ignore my comment. However It is a VERY smooth MT - and yes I owned a Wrangler, MT, Forester MT, Camry MT (piece of shit in college), Civic MT and have driven MANY more cars BMW, Audi, Porsche, (no Ferrari's or Lambo's ), trucks, etc... with manuals and autos. This Taco and even the 2nd Gens i test drove are both VERY smooth. I get 22+ mpg consistently and it is a blast to drive. Now, I RARELY deal with any traffic and mostly on winding roads here in NH. I personally could care less about push button start and other bells and whistles, but that is just me. Hope this helps.

 

I prefer an access cab and TRD OR, so MT is not an option. I've had 7 Toy. trucks in 30 years, and this is the first AT. Seems fine with the ECT on, but haven't had it in the dirt yet (broken arm). 5 more weeks until I can drive.

 

Yes, until I hit traffic on my way home every day. Or I spend 45 minutes sitting in stop and barely-go traffic heading up a mountain on I-70.

 

Absolutely NOT! Traffic here is absolutely abysmal and if I had to ride the clutch all the way home every day, I just don't know what I'd do. I'd buy an AT again in a heartbeat.

If I lived out in the sticks and didn't venture into the cities much, I'd have no problem rowing my own gears.

 

Nope.

Read the OV tune thread and you will see the complaints the MT guys have.

Also, the auto tows fine.

 

Nope, all 2nd gen were fly-by-wire, it was first introduced to the 1st gen years 01-04.

 

No, I am very happy with the automatic. I have a 6 speed 07 FJ Cruiser and love it but it is limited when off-roading and climbing over large rocks etc.