Auto vs 6 speed: Help Me Decide!

Seems like for your situation the auto would be the best option. I'm usually a MT advocate, having owned two MT tacos myself. But it's not always the best option, especially in heavy traffic and with a bad ankle. That ankle is what would make me really caution you about the manual, because the constant clutch use will most likely exacerbate it.

 

The hate on the automatic is well deserved for on road driving. But I am going to defend the AT for offroad driving, the additional traction control modes that come with the Offroad package are pretty freakin cool offroad. Now I love driving manual trucks offroad, but I do appreciate the technological achievements of the traction control modes we get, they can tackle some pretty tough terrain.

 

It's not a sports car, it's a truck. The traffic and your left ankle will make you regret it after a while, IMO.

 

Agree with posts above. Based on your situation it sounds like you want a manual but will be happier long term with an automatic. Unless you think traffic driving and ankle issues are going away. Love a manual but went automatic this time and am happy with my choice. ECT always on, S mode to limit upshifts, and downshift manually sometimes. Could say I have a "manually controlled automatic".

Auto
"Long-term dependability could be a problem". Could be I suppose but have not seen or read any evidence of this.

Other observations:

• Brakes will wear faster with an automatic unless you are manually downshifting that automatic. Last 3 vehicles have been manuals and have needed zero or minimal brake work.
• With a manual I pay more attention to driving. Less time for distractions.
• Prefer the auto after long days of skiing or biking.
• Some differences in cost/features: manuals cost less, come with a key while autos come with a fob, manuals do not get crawl control but have clutch cancel start and ability to start w clutch when battery dead - might be others?
• Manuals are a good theft deterrent, your friends won't want to borrow it, chicks dig doods with the confidence to drive a manual.
• Different gearing for 1-6 and differential. Manual appears to be evenly spaced, Automatic has minimal gap between 5-6 which I do not care for. Manual reverse reportedly too tall.

 

I commute 90 miles on I95 between Baltimore and Washington daily and the MT is fine in traffic. First gear will just crawl along at idle no problem. I had a 06 WRX for 9 years and swore I’d never get another stick, but the Tacoma is light years better in traffic than the ‘Rex ever was. MT FTW

 

In 2019 with MOST vehicles there is no advantage to owning a manual. Autos do every thing better. Long term reliability and cost is about the same. The only reason for MOST people to choose a manual is just because they enjoy changing gears all the time. For some reason people forget that it is also possible to manually select the correct gear to be in with an automatic too. Just don't have to use a clutch. I find that very useful when towing, hauling heavy or driving in mountains.

I'm emphasizing MOST because of what I read about the 3rd gens and the automatic. In all fairness I've not driven a 3rd gen with either transmission. But I see enough complaints here about them to believe something is up. So if you're looking at a 3rd gen Tacoma then a manual MIGHT be a better option. But for any other vehicle you choose a manual just because you like to stir the stick when driving. You gain no advantages.

 

while i may agree with you, it's a rare one who says an MT is ok in traffic.

traffic jams suck. traffic jams in an AT suck worse.

 

Yes I agree.



A lot of people mention the hesitation or lagging shifting issue. However, it seems the Tacoma's automatic transmission comes with a sequential shifting option available at any time while operating the vehicle. This mode can be engaged by applying light force to the shift leaver (into the left direction towards the driver’s position) when the vehicle is in the Drive (D) slot. While this requires active user input to change between the gears so too does a manual transmission. As an added benefit these gear changes are mediated without the use of a clutch pedal being engaged via the driver’s foot as is the case with the manual transmission. This inevitably results in shorter shift times in favor of the automatic.
In summary:

manual transmission | Automatic transmission

allows driver to
control shifting: YES | YES

automatically
shifts for driver: NO | YES


Is this sequential shifting option not considered for some technical reason or is it just the case, like most things in life, people are dumb sheep who can't apply critical thinking to any situation.

PS: I hate you guys.

 

the hesitation is a fault in the factory ECU tune in many of these trucks. you can get an aftermarket tune without the hesitation, with more available power and throttle response. it's a problem most of us want fixed, not just worked around, especially for the MTs. imagine trying to drive a MT with a tip-in power hesitation. that's the worst thing for driving a MT.

 

as much as i hate to say this because im a big supporter of having a manual trans, i say get the auto in your particular situation. while mentioning your previous rig, i noticed you say we and not i, meaning it could possibly be a family vehicle. for that reason i think having the auto would be better for ease of transition. if both of you have no problem with clutch driving then outstanding, get the mt. you also mentioned your ankle. not too sure the severity of it but it could prove more a hinderance down the line. having the auto alleviates that right there. with all that being said the mt is the better choice for this platform, there is no other way around it.

side note: i havent seen this mentioned anywhere else in this thread, there is one thing the manual will be able to do that auto will never be able to do; kick start. who knows, might just come up...clutch when you need it most; pun intended.

 

Two out of the three cars I own are manual, and I wouldn't want a manual as a daily. My auto trans has been fine, even better now that I did the TSB and OVTune.

 

I owned nothing but manuals prior to my 3rd gen purchase. I test drove a manual Taco while at the dealer and didn't care for the clutch feel, so I opted for the auto. So far very pleased with it. I don't agree with others that it "shifts like crap". Perhaps the early model years did, but for the 19 at least, it shifts fine. You can tell it is programmed for fuel economy as its very eager to get you into a high gear quickly, but that doesn't bother me in the least. If I want more power, I simply step on the right pedal and/or push the ECT button. No issue.



Personally, I'd go for the auto.

 

My MT definitely gets better mileage.

 

Manual OP.... get manual

 

For me, it has to be an MT.

As @shakerhood sez, test drive, test drive, test drive!

 

Manual. Way better for towing and hauling, extremely easy maintenance, and better power application. The 3.5 is better paired with this MT and it shows. Only gripes are the clutch feel, which can be fixed with the accumulator delete, and the tall reverse gear.

 

6 spd all the way. Left leg relief would be not to ride the clutch. And when I95 gets all heavy, leave enough room in front to just let the truck idle and drive it's self up the road, no gas needed. Plus you won't have the screwed up programming with the auto. I get 21-22 MPG combined driving.

 

Manual....and you get an instant anti-theft device

 

Manual only for me. The 2 test drives I had in autos almost sent me to a Nissan until I found a Tacoma MT. Bought new in Oct. '15, drive in snow and ice daily for 6 mos. of the year (9 mos. this year). Its steep around here and the gearing on the auto wasn't fun.

 

+1