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

They fibbed. Another Cali customer just confirmed that 2012 DC 6-speeds are available in CA.

 

I couldn't have said it better myself! ditto

 

You're going to get every kind of answer here.

Well, here's mine: I've got the 6 speed in my Tacoma and the auto in my FJ. They each have their place. I towed a trailer from WA to CO behind the FJ/auto... and I'll never do it again. I will ONLY tow with the 6 speed manual. WAY too much hunting for the right gear in the automatic. I was continually upshifting and downshifting and it was incredibly irritating. Towing behind the 6 speed manual is far better. The auto is nice in traffic, the manual is nice most of the rest of the time. My personal preference is the manual if I could only have one. Much more control and there's no "mushiness" of an auto transmission as it figures out what you're trying to do with the gas pedal, brake pedal and all the incoming data from the ECM or whatever. The 6 speed is much more positive feeling to me, with less messing around and less to go wrong. Treat it right and it will treat you right. Somebody told me the other day they bought an auto trans because "it's better off-road than a manual"... which I DON'T get at all.

Buy what you want and be happy. Life's too short as it is.

Roger

 

Hey Roger, thanks so much for that. That comparison is great because the FJ is more other "candidate" (although the Taco is winning).

You might have read my signature. I won't be towing right this second, but eventually yes.

 

Automatic's are worth more, they are easier to drive, they need less maintenance, you can drive one with a broken foot, they are easier to resell, they do all things a stick does only better, they are easier to plow with, they are easier to tow with, they cause less aggravation in traffic, they drive smoother, and they are better all around for everything.

 

Sooo final verdict, is the 2012 6 speed double cab sold in Cali?

 

Sooo many false statements in one post. It hurtssssss

 

Yes... In very low quantities, but yes. Might want to special order.

 

Agreed.

 

There are minor advantages / disadvantages to either tranny .

Get whatever you are comfortable with .

 

You sir seem very misinformed. Have you ever driven a standard transmission?

I have the 6 speed transmission in my DC SB and I absolutely love it. A short shifter would be nice for sure but I don't mind it all that much because I don't drag race my taco.

The only time I have even though about wanting the auto in this truck is off road. I would still pick the manual over the auto just because I like a challenge lol

 

Thanks, I would go for a special order and waiting is no problem.

 

Haven't we been through this like 1000 times? FWIW I drove manuals for 20 years. I love the auto in my V6. It's a rock solid unit that's been in use since 2003, and a great match for the larger 2nd gen. As for the 6-speed, I can't believe Toyota developed a manual that actually gets worse MPG than the auto. Seems deliberate to me. There hasn't been a stick in the 4Runner since 2000. I imagine Toyota would love to do the same with the Tacoma and FJ.

 

My girlfriend's Jeep compass has a CVT transmission in it. It's very weird to me when I drive it, I feel like the transmission is always slipping.

 

I bought a 2012 TRD Off-Road extra cab V6 with the 6 speed manual in the Fall of 2012. There was one in the LosAngeles area, and after finding that one I used used data from the listing to refine my search and find one in Northern California. I have not seen one since so it might have been a market test to see how fast they would sell. These are 50 state vehicles, so it is only the poor sales rate that keeps manual transmissions rare for Tacomas in California.

With regard to comments on the transmissions, getting into first gear was quite rough in the beginning, where one could only get into first with a complete stop. It has smoothed out a lot after 3500 miles. Other than that, the transmission has been very well behaved.

I waited for this truck and transmission to be available before replacing my aging 91 SR5 with 235,000 miles on it that I had since new. It was either find the new truck with the manual transmission or do a restoration on the old truck. Motors have improved a lot since 1991, so I did not want to restore the old truck. I was never able to find a Toyota dealer that would order a truck. Any time I inquired the sales staff would say that Toyota just doesn't do business that way.

So, yes, you can find a V6 Tacoma with a manual transmission in California. It is quite a persistent long term search to do it, however. One option is to find a used one outside of California and bring it into the state. It is a 50 state truck so there are no emissions reasons for them not being sold in California.

 

I have never owned an auto that lasted. I am hard on auto's towing big weight, plowing, offroading, mudding ect. I have owned Chevy autos, ford, toyo, suburu ect and almost as many manual and in my experience the manual out last the motor may need a clutch here and there but never a tranny. Autos on the other hand have not made it past the 200,000 yet. Take that and add the fun factor of a manual, burning tire j hooks rev up through town at a good looking chick, and a brake saver i will take my manual over any auto. I cant get used to to six speed though had to get rid of it for a five. That's my two.

 

Auto

 

I test drove manual DCSB sport and I didnt like the amount of clutch travel (about twice as much as my car)although felt like it had alot more power with the manual.

 

Held out till I finally came across a Double Cab Sport with a 6 speed. All my vehicles are manual. I just feel like I have more control over when the truck is doing, plus I enjoy driving and genreally get bored in an automatic.

It is a pain however when you need someone else to drive it for some reason. Driving a stick is becoming a lost art form.

 

I just wrote a full review about the 6-speed on my truck for Tacoma HQ. First time writing for them, but I've been a long time reader. I'm pretty happy with the results... http://www.tacomahq.com/2872/6-speed-tacoma-transmission-review/