auto love?

Hey everyone.

I've noticed there is a lot of hate on the autos for third gens after doing a lot of reading around here. Seems many on here go manual. Are the auto people just quiet and not as vocal as the MT guys? Have they fixed a lot of the issues originally keeping people away from auto? Just seems since MT is such a low percentage of overall Taco sales... how come you don't see that reflected on TW? Also, does getting auto limit mods or anything? From the reviews I've seen the auto actually seems better and more efficient, but not as fun to drive. Just wondering where all the auto love is or if it even exists lol.

 

I didn’t like the taco in a stick. Clutch pedal sits too high and engages too high for my taste

 

Does the auto hinder any kind of mods or do any negatives on off road driving? Just trying to find reasons other than personal preference why people get either or.

 

silent majority.

the early editions of the autos were annoying, constantly gear hunting. but 2 (3?) TSBs later have addressed this issue. autos are fine.

 

sweet photo... is that you jumping?

 

This is an enthusiast's forum. People who drive manuals are naturally a bit more enthusiastic about their trucks. What you see here is absolutely not what you see in the real world. Problems get magnified here. Certain trim levels get magnified here. Manual transmissions get magnified here. This is but a tiny percentage of Tacoma owners that frequent this forum. The modders and people who just love their trucks make this their hobby. The vast majority use their truck like an appliance or tool without passion and they don't come here. So what you see here is not real world.

 

You need to get an extended or overnight test drive to see what YOU like, nothing you read on the net can decide what is right for you.

 

Just test drive it and go up some hills to see if you're good with it. I didn't want to deal with a clutch while wheeling and for me, it's a truck, not a sports car so I didn't care for a stick for it.

 

amen brother. it's almost odd to read common sense on TW sometimes.

 

So is it the old school wheelers that preach about MT only on off roading? How about nowadays with serious off roaders?

 

Thanks. I have fun with my Taco, and yes, she’s an auto.

 

damn! all stock?

 

Who was preaching to you? Test Drive, Test Drive, Test Drive, and buy what works for you.

 

Does the auto hinder any mods? Not that I can think of, other than transmission specific things like clutch plates or transmission coolers.

As for off road I would not drive anything but an auto. Amongst my off-road friends I am a legend with my amazing skills. (Truth be told they are all manual fanboys and I drive an auto. When obstacles get difficult I can get over them easier than they can in their manuals.) Others will disagree and say manuals are better, but if the goal is to get from point A to B I'll take an auto every time.

 

No. A manual transmission off road can give you the ability to control your power a bit more is all. But, the stick needs to be second nature for the driver. Automatics do fine off road and when in 4LO the differences become even smaller.
There are no real advantages to a MT truck really. You have to just WANT to have more control of your vehicle to get a MT. And, when you are sitting in road construction for miles on the interstate going forward 20 feet and stopping, going forward 20 feet and stopping, for MILES, you REALLY have to question your sanity about choosing a MT truck.

 

I've only switched tires to Duratracs. I don't know how much you know about Tacos, but they are extremely off road ready in stock form (with tire swap).

 

I simply like to row my own gears and VERY rarely in stop & go tragic. Closest stop light o my house ~10mi. I do like the MT has a 4.30 rear vs 3.80 of the AT. This may explain why some with the AT say it is sluggish?

 

Thank God you got the Off Road... the Sport would have just collapsed and turned to dust when it landed...

 

Yep. Although personally I don't feel like it's that bad, even with 33's on.

 

No one was preaching to me. Just seems the norm to hear about it online.