Auto vs Manual (Aussie looking for US advice)

Hi All,

I’m an Aussie living in the U.S. and in the market to but my first U.S. truck (and obviously being on the Tacoma page, they are the type that has my interest). I had a sedan for the first couple of years I was here which was leased and although it was a great vehicle, it just wasn’t for me.

Toyota pickups (or utes) aren’t new to me, I’ve owned three Hilux’s in Australia with my last one being a regular cab 3.0L Turbo Diesel (I’ve added a couple of photos, one of it loaded during a four week trip in the bush and another of it parked in the driveway).

I’ve got a couple of questions about the U.S. Toyota Tacoma’s:

Why is automatic favored over manual? In Australia there are so many more manual transmission vehicles and I just want to make sure that I’m not missing something but wanting a manual here. Is there something about automatic’s that I don’t know?

I working and living in San Jose, CA at the moment but also frequent to Los Angeles, CA. Los Angeles traffic does concern my in terms of wear and tear on the clutch.

Any advice on autos and manual Tacoma’s would be much appreciated.

Thanks

E

 

Oh boy. An auto vs manual thread...

 

Get the manual

 

@Mintswitch Hope I didn’t open a can of worms...

@redbull9944 Thanks, that’s what I’m leaning towards as I’ve always had manuals.

 

It is a personal thing I have never learned to Drive a automatic so I like the manual

 

Do you know what generation you're looking at getting, because that makes a big difference. If you're looking at getting a 1st or 2nd gen then go with a manual. Otherwise, if you're looking at a 3rd gen go with a manual.

 

If you're asking for opinions, mines not worth much. But I've had 2 second gens and a third Gen. The only way I'd do a new truck is in a manual. I've got a 2017 in a manual and I wouldn't have it any other way.

The best thing to do is test drive a whole bunch of autos and see for yourself. Personally, I made 3 separate outings in one and found it to not be for me.

As a side note, I do enjoy this MT over my 2nd gen MT by far. I do about 17k miles a year, +2k on dirt. I've had some time to think about it in the 40k so far haha.

Good luck !

 

@elduder Haha I’m glad I’m not the only one, just feels like there are so many automatics on the market.

 

Get the manual and enjoy your truck. The only reason id ever consider an auto would be if i sat in bumper to bumper traffic everyday

 

Ive gotta ask.. are the skewped hoods also highly sought after among hilux owners like they are with tacomas?

 

@m603holden @BassAckwards thanks for the advice, much appreciated. In terms of one or the other, I’ve always been a manual guy myself and the Hilux/landcruiser market in Australia has always heavily favored the MT as well. But when I look at the Tacoma/Tundra market here there are many more automatics and I just wondered if there was something I wasn’t aware of. But you’ve put my mind to rest and I see now that there are many more manual guys/girls out there just like myself.

 

Yes and no to be honest. In some of larger cities/metropolitan areas where they more sought after but in the country areas, nah not really, people just want a truck to be a truck.

 

Just american culture. I'm sure you've also notice the excessive amount of folks who have trucks here and never use then as trucks, or have trucks with a work capacity that far exceeds a load that they'll ever be utilized for .

If I had to guess, most manual transmission guys just put a lot of value in the driving experience. And to me, modern auto transmissions, not just the tacomas , can leave something to desire on the table.

I did enjoy my 2011 auto which I got for your exact concern, traffic. But I'm much happier back in an MT. And I think the 3rd gen MT is a nice truck. And I've owned Ford and Chevy manual transmission trucks over the last 14 years to compare it to.

 

Manual

/thread

 

Manual

 

Thanks mate, I think you hit the nail on the head. Yeah, I have noticed that indeed.

I’m going to stick with seeking out a manual. Now to find a nice double cab or extended cab California/West Coast.

Appreciate it

 

If you are going to be commuting everyday and sit in an hour of traffic I would suggest the automatic. Manual transmissions become a hassle in traffic.

 

Honestly though, why would you be in the US when you could be in Australia in a MT 70 series V8 diesel?

 

For now I’m not in heavy traffic but yeah, that’s definitely on my mind if things change.

 

Haha, I guess it’s all about the experience. The 79 Series V8 Cruisers go hard!