6-Speed Manual VS. 5-Speed Automatic on the V6

6-Speed Manual VS. 5-Speed Automatic on the V6

I'd like to get some feedback from both sides, 6-Speed manual and 5-Speed automatic owners for the V6 Taco. I'm a manual transmission guy and all my cars have been manual. Naturally, I want to buy a manual Tacoma.

However, according to the dealership I can't buy a 2012 (or 2011) 4-door Tacoma with manual transmission in California. The sales guy says they didn't qualify for California emissions standards.

I've heard some people love their 6-Speeds and other guys who are into manual cars still hate that tranny.

I'd appreciate all the feedback I can get.

Thanks, Danny

 

I love my 6 speed, some hate it, some don't. Some have throw out bearing issues, some don't. My 2010 has 15,000 and no issues. But I love it

 

You should be able to get a double cab SR5 or Offroad in a manual , first I've heard otherwise .

 

get the auto it's smoother, better mileage and no clutch squeak

 

Gemme a week and I'll get back to you. My 6-speed is on it's way as we speak

 

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. You're ruining my 'Buyer's Glow' and I haven't even driven it yet....

 

OP , you didn't say you wanted a DCLB , is that the case ?

 

No, I want the standard bed (short), double cab, TRD Off Road. I'm trying to get a 4x4. I think the no-manuals in California applies to both the 4x4 and the SR5, but I'll double check. I wouldn't mind buying an automatic so much if I had bought my wife's Mustang manual. That way I can have fun on the weekends. But no, I had to go and buy her that car automatic.

 

It be nice to get some feedback from California Taco owners. Have any of you been able to bring a manual double cab in?

If you configure your Tacoma on the Toyota site using a California zip code, it won't give you the option. If I use an Arizona zip code, for example, it gives me the option.

I thought about asking the dealership to ship me one from Arizona, but the sales guy told me it's an emissions problem. That's why they don't sell them here.

There are however older double cab Tacos with 6-speeds manuals in Cali. So, it's either a problem with the new ones, or the fact that they brought those older trucks into the state AFTER they had been registered in another state for over a year, then paying an impact tax or something.

 

BTW, I drove an Access cab 2011 6-speed manual and apart from the a heavy clutch (compared to my current car) it felt pretty good. But of course, it's a new truck and only a short drive. It's impossible to really get the feeling for it in such a short timeframe.

 

meh i've never owned an auto untill my truck (12yrs) and the only reason i didn't get a manual was because of the TOB issue, i'm not gonna pull the trans out of my 5yr old truck to fix something like that

 

107xxx miles and no problems on my 6side speed I personally love it. I say test drive both and see which u like better. I think its all a matter of personal preference really.

 

I'm going to look up the TOB tranny issue around the forum. If you know of any specific threads, please let me know.

At this point it looks like I'm out of options though. My truck needs to be 4-door and if I can't get a manual in California, well, looks like it'll have to be automatic.

I can't get a Tundra in manual and even the nice F-150's are all automatic. Looks like nobody wants to clutch anymore

I might start another thread specific to "No Double Cab Manual in California?" to see if I can get more locals to chime in (Of course, let me see if I can find a similar thread first.)

 

Bottom line on the TOB is it squeaks...that's it. I still have yet to see ANYONE on any forum who actually had the TOB fail on them. Is the squeaking annoying? Yeah sometimes I wish it didn't. But it still works and serves its purpose. I'm at 100k miles now with a squeaky TOB it still does its job.

If anyone has any examples of where the TOB failed (caused their truck to be inoperable). Please post them.

 

I have had both. My 06 is automatic and I have 123,000 miles and no issues! I do pull a trailer occasionally. There are a few quirks to them though like hard up and down shifting when it is cold out.

 

The auto trans have a vibration at 1100 rpm and 1800 rpm when the converter locks up. It shows itself as a buzzing in the steering wheel and gas pedal. There is presently no fix for it from Toyota. Mine was fine until it hit 24000 kms (15000 miles). Some do it from new. Test drive it and check to see if it buzzes on light acceleration in overdrive at 1800 rpm. The 6 speed manual trans don't do it at all. It can be annoying especially if you have a light load in the bed. Some people don't notice it or care, but you may.

 

For me it was either 5 speed 2.7 or Auto 4.0. I always love the feel of my 5 speed 2.7 and the control you have, but I just never liked the feel of the 6 speed 4.0. To each their own, but the Auto was so awesome to drive. If the price was better I would have got one

 

I have the 05 Dbc with the 6 - speed tranny and absolutely love it. Like many others, i had the tob issue so i replaced it with the URD kit over the weekend and it has made a world of difference. Older folks always told me that if you are going to tow anything that the manual tranny is the way to go.... You may want to factor that into your decision.

 

The chirping drove me crazy is the reason i replaced mine but I realized after it was replaced how much it actually effected the throws. Now, when changing gears everything is exceptionally smooth.

 

I found out its entertaining having the 6 speed man. At the tire shop getting wheels balanced and the guy sat there forever trying to get in in reverse.


I've never owned an auto... Kinda glad I ended up with 6 speed though. It helps with road rage. No satisfaction in just pushing the gas pedal down while angry.