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

I totally agree with you.Too bad they do not have a 4.0 V6 5 speed option.

 

So, is the main difference between the 5-Speed and 6-Speed tranny, shorter gear ratios?

 

ya thats the problem. For what I use it for, the highway and driving it wouldn't have been the best option. I also loved the feel of the smooth auto 4.0. Has that expensive feel lol. But if I we to do a lot of trails and off roading the 6 speed 4.0 would be the shit

 

Haha yeah it is entertaining. The first time I had the truck valeted, the valet put it in reverse instead of first and when he hit the gas he went the wrong way. Haha good thing no one was behind him.

 

After I first purchased the truck I was wondering about my decision to get the 6 speed. I'd been a diehard manual tranny driver ever since high school and didn't even consider the auto (although I have driven an 08 TRD auto on multiple occasions so I have experienced it).

The rev hang threw me off, the darn thing didn't want to go into gear at more than a big rig's pace, and worst of all it makes you think you have a 4.11 rear end or worse because 6th gear is so short.

I traced my terrible rev hang back to a dirty air filter, and the difficult shifting to axle wrap which can be taken care of in various ways. Since hardly ever get on the freeway (it's amazing how many alternate routes you can dig up when you don't want to burn the gas), I'm finding I like the tranny after all.

Although I gave up on the whip-to-reverse method. Now it's far right, then fast left. Much less muscle required.

 

Only in California, just go buy one out of state, pretty sure you can do that. I really cant have a say in the 6spd debate other than I have heard biased opinions. I drive a 2.7 with a 5spd.

 

Yes, I bet I can buy one out of state. But... What will happen when it comes time to register it in California?

The sales guys said it had to be registered out of state for at least a year, then I can register it in California after paying an "impact" tax. He could be saying the truth, or he could be lying to sell me a truck from the lot. Who the heck knows?

 

I enjoy driving my 6 speed. I'm sure I would enjoy it a lot more when I finally decide to get a short shifter. Although I hate driving stick in stop and go traffic.

 

I tow a camper with my 6spd and love it, it gives the control to me and I have no problem running in 6th. I never had a 6 spd but in nearly 50 years of driving all I have ever had was a stick the 6 takes a bit of getting used to if you have had a 5 spd, for awhile it seems like there are at least 10 gears to chose from then it all comes together. The gearing is narrow so you don't want it to slow the revs too much with a load or you'll have to drop two gears to bring the revs back up.

 

ya I know. When I bought my 2008 civic si I felt them same.
See, this is the problem with Tacomas......too many good options

 

I like wheeling with my 6spd but it's clunky on the highway an around town... If I had a choice I'd get an auto.. There very smooth an more reliable then our 6spd

 

i drive a 6-speed and although auto was my first choice, i have found it to be pretty good considering my last vehicle was an acura rsx which had a very nice shifter throw and feel. i've driven the auto as well and found it good as well. no bad choices in my opinion!!

 

is this happening right now......did you just say that?

 

Hahaha!

 

i had a 6 speed '06 and it felt a little cheap. my dad has a '11 auto and it feels much better (even tho i like manual transmissions).

i now drive a 5 speed manual '10 2.7 and it is rock solid - i love it.

 

The 6spd is nice for towing. I have towed all sorts of different things with mine. Especially around here where it's very hilly, I can use the engine to slow the truck and not wear the brakes as much on the big hills when I'm towing.

Last night I borrowed my little sister's 5spd Honda Civic to run to the store and I tried shifting into 6th...Ooops...I quickly realized why it wouldn't go into 6th gear. I guess I have gotten used to the 6spd.

 

My current truck is an auto. I had bought a brand new 2.7 4x4 5 speed in 05 and had always had manuals in everything I have owned over the last 20 years. My family outgrew the access cab and it was time for a double cab. I couldn't afford a new one and couldn't find a used double cab short bed with a 6 speed. So I bought one with an auto and you know what? I actually prefer it over my brother in law's 6 speed without question. I've been driving a manual for 22 years and I just don't like the way the 6 speed shifts.

 

@85GT 79FJ40 - Nice. Comments like this are making it easy to accept the automatic. I'm just going to have to get a sports car with a manual transmission later on to play during the weekends Or change my wife's Mustang for a manual! Too bad it's a 2011 and I'll lose loads of coin if I decide to do that!

 

When I was looking for my truck. Double Cab TRD Off Road 4x4. There was a dealership in Ontario that had 3 of that exact truck with manual transmissions. I have definitely seen them around. I would go to another dealership.

That being said I have owned all manual cars/trucks my whole life. After my last Taco with a manual, I have been converted to Auto (at least for tacomas)