A tale of two cities...errr...trucks (MT vs AT)

It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

So, just thought I’d start this thread for all the folks that struggle between DCLB (auto) and DCSB (MT). Often people are trying to compare the two and few if any have had both. Well, I now have and this thread is for the dude that can’t decide. The struggle is real!

A few things.

First: For those of you with access cabs, yes, your trucks are the best. I used to have one. Then I got married...and the rest is history. For the rest of us with kids...well, access cabs are for when the kids go away to college.

Second: This is not to fight about MT being better than AT and vice versa. It’s just my experience. We all have tacos and they are all badass.

Lastly: just for context, I’ve owned a WRX, 1st gen taco, and Forester. All were M/T. I also don’t “four wheel”. I drive my truck off road all the time, but I’m not doing crazy stuff. OR is overkill for me but I think the hood scoop on sports looks stupid. No offense, your truck is still awesome!

The story: I decided to replace my 1st gen, access cab M/T with a third gen. I loved the long bed on my AC and used it regularly to haul wood, yard supplies, lumber, sleep in, etc. Upon researching a third gen, I agonized over letting go of my love for manuals so I could get the LB with 4 doors. I went back and forth for months and test drove both. It was pretty sick. My wife made a lot of fun of me.

Eventually, I was at the dealership and took a DCSB with manual out for a spin for umpteenth time and had a lot of fun with it. I test drove it pretty hard and when driving it hard....it’s awesome. I decided MT was more important than a functional (in my mind) bed and I got a DCSB OR.

Overall, I enjoyed driving it and took it on light trails, used it as a daily driver, enjoyed the wonderful turning radius, and it drove great.

However, every single time I looked at it, it looked off to me. The nose of the 3rd gens are in my opinion too long for a 5 foot bed. The cab is almost evenly floating between the bed and Hood. It just looked off and reminded me of those Ford Explorer pickups. To me, the wheel fender being so close to the cab also looked hideous...like an afterthought or design flaw. Bleh. Over time I also learned that if I drove the way I wanted to, I got horrendous gas mileage which kind of defeated the purpose of having an M/T. Lastly, reverse was horrible (though I got used to it) and 1st gear wasn’t very functional, in my opinion. All that said, it was still a badass truck and please don’t take offense to my opinions if you love your DCSB.

So, a few weeks ago I randomly emailed a local dealer and just asked what I would get for my truck if I traded it in for a new DCLB OR 2017 now that the 2018s are out. There were literally 3 OR DCLBs left in my region and the deal was too good to pass up. I lowered my monthly payment by about 60 bucks and didn’t pay a dime for the trade. I had the premium package on my last truck and traded for a “regular” OR with tow package and some other bells and whistles. So technically, I traded out a premium vehicle downward
making the deal work. I don’t miss the moon roof or sensors.

So now I have a brand new DCLB. I love it. For those that are on the fence. Some observations:

I honesty don’t know what the fuss is about with the AT. It’s punchy and responsive. It’s not a fraction as bad as most around here say it is. It doesn’t behave like a manual because it’s not supposed to. I’m also averaging 3mpg better than my MT, mainly based on how I drove my MT. TO ME this truck looks like a real truck. The bed is longer than the hood...the way a truck is supposed to look. The turning radius is also not a big deal. I’ve parked in numerous tight parking lots and it’s practically the same as the DCSB. I don’t even have to go butt in. For all those worrying about it being too long, keep in mind it’s still a foot shorter than the shortest tundra and frankly, it still looks like a mini tonka-truck next to any full size truck. Also for all those claiming the LB drives smoother than the SB, I call shenanigans. Honestly they feel exactly the same to me. Both ride amazing.

The only thing I actually miss from my old truck is the sunglass holder. I guess that area got taken over by crawl control. But, I gained two cup holders!

Long story short, I’ve owned both. Both are amazing trucks. Both drive exceedingly well. The AT is not bad and the DCLB doesn’t “drive better” because of the longer wheel spread.

I have no idea what the point of this thread is but if anyone is having a dilemma deciding between the two, ask me a question and I’m happy to answer.

Well, that was therapeutic.

Cheers.

 

Can I get the Cliff notes?

 

^ I got you fam

TLDR:
OP now has a DCLB OR a/t and loves it more than his manual A/C.

GreAt choice btw!

 

Yeah, I also thought the DCSB looks a little funny. But I’d have it no other way since it fits in my garage nicely. I think a shell brings a nice balance, though.

Auto has been great for me as well. No complaints.

 

What do we do without you and your genius mind?

 

Have a regular life.

 

Almost impossible when you have a tacoma...

 

Long Beds are the best. Good to hear you like it.

 

So you have buyers remorse and miss your manual. Got it

 

ACLB off-road package MT > getting married/kids

in before

 

So let me see if I got this right....OP got two Tacoma trucks, different configurations and they both drove great or as intended and has nothing negative to say and not one was a lemon?

Unreal!

Then on top of all that even the A/T drove right??


No issues??

Didn't even have to add atf to make it go forward??

Uh-hu! No-way Jose', you're in the wrong forum, this is TW were all Tacos get eaten alive!!

And it is the worst of times for them now

Enjoy while you still can drive it around before the wheels come off, tomorrow the grim reaper lemon mentality may come knocking on the taco door!



Cheers!

 

incorrect


OP never had a 3rd gen AC. Both of his 3rd gen trucks he is talking about are DC



@Jleeb
Good thread. I had a 16 OR DC MT. I traded that for my 17 DC PRO 6MT.

I hate the look of my DCSB. I prefer and need the DCLB. However I added a bed extender to my SB. That does the job for me. Similar to you I had a LB vs MT conversation in my head and decided I needed a third pedal ...

Congrats on the new truck with lower payment.

 

You would go through life reading incorrect summarization by others

 

sorry, I meant to type DC NOT AC. I'm driving while flying and trying to text so

 

That’s how baller Taco owners roll....

 

Genius minds aren't perfect... look at Einstein! lol JK.

 

A simple "NO" would have been fine but ok.
Love this scene, made me chuckle a bit when I saw your post

 

glad you like it and you are happy with your choice.. Thats all that really matters anyways right?

For me, a manual transmission guy his whole life, I cant stand manual transmission trucks.. Automatic for me all the way.

2nd) I too debated the SB vs LB for my 2nd gen Taco and the SB won because I was looking for used and LB's are hard to find. That would have limited my choice. Also, to ME, the DCLB looks hella ass long and I wanted the OR package and that didnt come that way in 4WD.

 

Hey man, I didn’t force ya to read it! Haha