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

I'm in the same boat... I only test drove the M/T based on the criticisms I had heard about the A/T. Had an A/T in my previous vehicle, always wanted an M/T, so that's what I got. Compared to other trucks/jeeps that I have driven, the tranny in this really isn't all that bad. I don't really have any complaints other than the (theoretically) lower MPGs. I do about 10% heavy traffic, 50% stoplight traffic, and 40% highway (60+ mph) and I don't mind it.

 

I would definetly try to drive both, but it might be hard to find an MT to test drive. I drove a friend's '16 AT and wasn't impressed, but I'm also heavily biased againsts automatics.

I'm waiting on my TRD Sport MT to arrive, should be in next week. When I ordered it, a manual was a non-negotiable. I have little use for an AT...

 

My transmission is outstanding. Shifts exactly when you would expect it to, never gear hunts.

Keyless entry and push button start is a complete must have for me these days. Just so convientent it's hard to imagjne not having it at this price point. My last few vehicles had it as well.

Crawl control.

I drive 100+ miles a day and often in stop and go traffic.

0 interest in a manual.

 

post SprintBooster I unequivocally say no!

 

If I wanted a manual, I would have bought one. 45 years of driving nothing but manuals, I'm perfectly satisfied with my automatic.

 

I have the 17 AT no regrets...it is different than the 2nd gen's but not in a bad or good way ..just differant........no problems merging onto highways, plenty of power ( but it is still a truck)..........just make sure to get the optional gas pedal.....I think some opted out of that option.

 

interesting. I didn't know that.

 

No.

 

I got the MT and I am mostly happy with it. However, I have never owned an Auto in 35 years of driving, so I'm a pretty biased data point. This is also the first 4x4 I've owned that does not have a manual lever for the transfer case, which bugs the crap out of me. I almost bought a Jeep JK for this reason. I've owned a few other MTs in addition to the Toyotas listed below in my signature, including a 1978 Jeep CJ7, and a 2008 Audi RS4 (bought used in 2011 and sold for a small profit in 2012!). I've also got a fair amount of time behind the wheel of a 2014 Jeep JK (not my vehicle). The JK manual transmission is probably the worst I've driven, and even die-hard MT guys recommend buying the auto in the JK (which is made by Mercedes and is quite good). The 2017 Tacoma is definitely not the best of these transmissions, but I don't think its bad. Its fun when you can keep the rpms in the power band, but its no fun when you're going up hill at slower speeds and you are winding out 1st gear, but lugging in 2nd, but this is the fault of the engine - not the transmission. My main complaint with the 2017 Tacoma MT is that it occasionally does not want to go into 1st; it gets half way in, and won't go further. The way I fix the problem is to put it in reverse, back up a smidgen, and then it will go into 1st. I haven't yet tried to start in 2nd gear when it won't go into 1st. I will try that the next time it happens... Even more occasionally it won't go into reverse - with all the same symptoms (the throw only goes half-way, and it is resolved by inching forward first, and then shifting into reverse). I still own my 1997 Tacoma, and this never happens. Is this something I should address with the dealer? Any feedback is appreciated. Ummm, I think I just jacked this thread. You can ignore, and I will post my question elsewhere!

 

This has happened to me a couple of times as well. I doubt it is cause for any concern.

 

New 2nd gen owner here and I still wish I got the manual. Last car was manual and there were many times where my mom or sister needed to use a car and couldn't drive mine. I could not convince them to learn for the life of me. Went with the automatic so they could use the truck when they need to.

Anyone out there debating between auto or manual, always go for the manual. That's a real truck.

 

I pretty much mirror your story and also too have the same issue on my 17 for going in Reverse, it goes about half in and i have to go to 1st and try moving. That issue can be really annoying when parallel parking with traffic behind you.

 

Must be a Toyota thing, had the same issue on my 86 and 91, usually a double clutch will get it to go in reverse if it fails the first time.

 

No

 

My 17 I just got is my first manual in 25 years of driving. I think I am going to like it - I still try to push on the clutch when I stop but other than that I like not having to shift. I do use the S mode in the mountains though.

 

No

 

Nope.

 

Eagleperry338 - thanks for the feedback!
shakerhood - yes, it is super annoying when it won't go into gear and cars are waiting on you!
jsinnard - i haven't had much luck with the double-clutch solution, usually I have to move the vehicle in the opposite direction which seems to get the gears out of whatever odd alignment they were in (I'm guessing)

 

went to the Rockies in my MT and hung with my friend who just got a '16 OR Taco.

both were equally capable off road but his truck felt, drove, and sounded like a little toy compared to mine, and the 80+ shifts on road heading to the trail didn't help matters. i think i put mine in 3rd the whole way for that stretch. gawd I'm glad i got the MT.

 

Can't you do that in the AT too? Use sport and just pick a gear?

I think eventually when u rev it high enough it will decide to shift but for cruising in a single gear it will stay put.