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

My friends, family, and salesman all thought I was nuts for ordering a manual and waiting 5 months for it. 25k miles and 15 months later, I still believe I made a great choice. Love this truck.

 

Thank you for all the great feedback - I have read every single reply and think I better test drive both. I am partial to the manual in a truck. This is my 5th Toyota P/U and 3 have been 4x4's and all MT. I use my truck daily and the bed gets lots of use hauling building materials (within reason). The other thing I got from reading this is it sounds like Toyota came out with a mod for the AT that changed the shifting patterns. I need to do some research on the mods available to the AT shift points

thank you, Cheers!

 

I have a 2017 or auto for my daily and I like it. I don't understand the fascination with having a manual truck.

 

1st choice was 6MT, availability was super scarce in my area when I was shopping around though. My last 2 cars in 8 years were manual, so it seemed like a no brainer. I eventually settled on the auto, when I got crazy impatient. Initially I hated everything about the auto. Even more after reading through this board. But after 10k miles it's really grown on me.

 

I've always been an MT guy - never had an AT until this truck. My last truck was an X-Runner and I drove it like a sports car.
So between the suspension changes and the slower shifting I initially felt like I was driving a bucket of molasses, and I did (for a while) regret my choice because it just wasn't much fun.

Ultimately the only reason I went with the AT was crawl control. That decision recently paid off during a Colorado vacation on a four-wheel drive mountain road.

I came up to a heavily washed out section of the road where a 4-Runner was already struggling. I waited and watched him attempt to get up the incline only to slip back multiple times. While he was doing that 2 jeeps on the other side waited patiently and another jeep came up behind me.

Finally the 4-Runner gave up and reversed back down and past me. Then it became clear the 2 jeeps ahead were going to wait for me to give it a go. So reluctantly I drove forward, not too crazy about having an audience - especially since it was my first time doing any sort of off-roading in this truck.

I cursed when I slipped in the exact same spot as the 4-Runner. I figured the 3 jeeps must be marveling at the idiot who brought a truck to jeep party.
Then I turned on the crawl control. And it climbed over those rocks like it was nothing. The guy in the first jeep actually said "Way to represent Toyota!"

Now I don't feel so bad about losing the MT. Sure, it's a bore to drive on the city streets. But if you're going to be doing any kind of rock crawling, you should seriously consider the AT.

 

Yes...and no. I've always been a M/T guy. I gave the A/T a try because I needed a DCLB for the kids, extra space for camping, and didn't want to wait forever for a M/T.

I wish I had the M/T for towing my travel trailer. I find a M/T more enjoyable to drive.

I do appreciate the fuel economy I get with the A/T on my daily commute.

 

No way would I get a manual. No issues with the automatic, it works great. Popping that clutch continuously in traffic ? Forget it ! FTS.

 

The guy killed his truck trying to come off a steep incline/ramp. That somehow proves an MT is NOT ideal for towing?

I'm not understanding your point.

 

Heck no

 

@melikeymy beer

It would appear you're simply disagreeing with me, stating that the AT is the superior tow vehicle.

I'll save us all a long, drawn out debate:

The post you referenced, a guy driving an MT killed his truck towing 3-4K lbs going up an incline. He did not use 4 lo and he did not use his e brake to start off (not that he would have to, just stating facts.) There was also no AT Tacoma to come in and finish the job, so we can't use this as conclusive evidence of one being inferior to the other.

Second, comparing my current 3rd gen MT to my 2nd gen AT pulling my 6x12 trailer... no contest. The 2nd gen was great until you got on the highway, then it would fall on it's face. It felt like you were dragging a parachute. I'd stick her in 4th and she'd scream.

The 3rd gen MT on the highway pulling the same trailer runs like a striped ass ape. If you're above 2500RPM it doesn't matter what gear you're in... the truck acts like it wants more. In 6th at 72mph, I find myself having to ease off the throttle more than mash it.

So again, not a conclusive comparison. But given the 3rd gen AT final drive numbers, I think it is not unreasonable to assume that the AT would be plagued by the same issue.

I would love to see a true side-by-side comparison between the two.





Btw... if you want an A to B pickup, you're still fine getting the AT.

 

Living in the bay area heavy traffic,wet san francisco hills with cable car tracks, having crawl control and mts I'll take my auto and smile.

 

So my M/T 5 speed Miata is now the "manly" car and my A/T DCLB OR is now the "girly" truck.

Got it.....

 

I've had 7 Toy pick-ups in the last 30 years (archaeologist), all MT. This is my first AT Tacoma and I like it. I just punch ECT when I get in, and it's great. I broke my arm last week, so I haven't had it in the field yet. More after that.

 

I was just pointing out the MT superiority over AT for towing may not be as cut and dry as you suggested

 

I have replaced a clutch myself. Several times when I was young and poor. No more. Also, according to the owners manual, towing in s4 is an option.

 

I knew it might rile the chest thumpers to suggest that maybe the MT is not superior to the AT in every way conceivable

 

Yep, the Taco at age 58 was my first AT, and I kinda wish I had purchased the manual. The new AT doesn't work as well as a new AT should, kind of clunky, lots of shifting, delays and pauses. And this is after two software revisions. Note though, the revisions did improve it from the initial quality.

 

I absolutely wish I bought the manual rather than the auto in this truck. The 5th gear ratio is to big a step and the shifting is very wonky.

 

It really sucks when guys simply stir the pot just to stir the pot.

I've seen very little chest thumping here, and I never stated that the MT is superior to the AT in EVERY way did I?

 

Nope. Love the auto. After having the TSB done last year it works great.