Automatic owners, how do you like it?

After coming from a 22re 4x4 auto with 4.56 diffs to a manual 4.10, I'll trade my 4x4 manual for an auto. Shifting gears sucks! LOL!

 

Long time manual muscle and sports car guy, so no manual hate here.

But I love a good auto in the right vehicle as well. In my case, it's perfect for how I use truck. I have the 4 banger. I like the fact that my trans still has a dipstick and is serviceable in a few traditional ways.

 

I'm a life long manual guy and my '02 3.4 v6 is the first automatic I've had. Easy to jump in and go, but I much prefer a stick. Better control, better mpg, no A/T expense, and a stick will stay in OD if using the cruise. My A/T wants to downshift out of OD a lot and mpg suffers and so do I. But....A/T better for towing - no clutch wear. Good luck!

 

I have a double cab and wish it came in a manual. Part of me prays my auto dies just so I have an excuse to do a swap.

 

I love my auto, only complaint is driving with cruise it likes to downshift a lot on hills and drives me crazy. I came from a manual 4 cylinder Tacoma, never again. Stick shifts in trucks are miserable, they are only fun in small zippy cars. I too got tired of shifting in traffic again and again every time I went somewhere. I like just being able to put it in gear and go now.

 

The kicker is the engine.

If you're going with the 2.7, the 5 speed is a requirement, doubly so if you're getting a 4by. The 4 with an auto is like...hit the gas, then get out and run ahead to let them know you're on the way.

If you're getting the 6, then you have some wiggle room. The 6 speed manual is kinda asstastic gear-wise, so it's balanced out by the improved torque of the larger engine.

 

when im offroad i prefer my auto. When on road i wish I had stick. My next vehicle will probably be a lowered 5 lugger with a standard tranny to compliment my lifted 6 lugger.

 

The second gen stickers show a manual V6 as having lower gas mileage than the auto. Is that not the case with first gens?

 

What is ECT and OD?

 

Manuals typically deliver better mpg, but in recent years automatics have become so high-tech that some do better that manuals. I believe with the 1st gen Tacomas you'll find the manuals always get better mpg's. Of course it depends how you drive.


Paul...ECT is the "power" mode button which slightly increases the rpm's that the auto trans. shifts at so that it will stay in a lower gear longer. Useful if under load, towing, driving in hills, etc.
OD just means overdrive. That would be the top gear of any manual or automatic.

 

1st off Taco auto is a 5 speed with a 15% overdrive in 5th. 2nd it is a smooth, strong. efficient and reliable trans. you won't regret it. 3rd { I will catch some flack} years of experience has shown me that an auto trans with a torque converter is a much better choice for towing.

 

I was open to either if I found the right truck, bought a V6 auto. One advantage is I can toss the keys to someone and they can move their own damn couch since less and less people know how to drive a manual. Performance? It's a truck, not a sports car. Off road I like the auto better as well. But I could have lived with either if I had found the right truck with a manual.

 

I'm like 99% positive that the first gen autos are 4 speeds...

 

I have a first gen double cab with automatic. I wanted the manual but I also wanted the V6 engine, which Toyota only offered with an auto. I had manuals on most of my cars and generally prefer them.

 

Toyota only offered the double cabs in automatic??

 

I love my automatic. Lots easier in traffic and over all in my opinion. My biggest reason though for the auto is that i broke my arm a while back and could not shift with my old manual truck therefore i had to barrow a car for six months while it healed. I have also broken my foot and same thing. Now that i have an auto and don't have to shift I would not have to trade for an auto when i was broken. Also i do a lot of back country style activity with medical help being far away and it has not happened yet but i think an auto would be easier to get out of a bad situation not having to shift or use a clutch when broken bones mught be in play. hope this makes sense and helps.

 

Ahah okay! That is the most hilarious reason I've heard yet. "I got an auto because I get in many life threatening situations rendering me maimed and lame."

 

This is the kind of information I'm looking for!! Thanks man!

 

My Tacoma is the first automatic I have ever owned. I like it.
Big reason for deciding to get a automatic was the wife hates driving them, and we were planning retirement, and only going to have one vehicle.

 

You're quite welcome.

I'll say this much though...I'm as big a proponent of the manual as you'll find. If you're gonna go double cab OR if you're gonna add a lift and bigfoot tires, get the 6.

I went from stock 15" 215/70s to 225/75 ATs and even that small step, the loss of power was startling. The manual makes it manageable. But if you're gonna do more than that, don't get the 4.