Help me understand the manual preference

I spent my entire childhood in a yota 70's fj. Dad had a 350 in it with a manual valve body trans. Looking at my new truck with the sport mode on the auto trans I could drive it the same way while offroading. How is fighting a clutch while climbing rocks or other obstacles a better idea???

 

I see it this way and feel free to disagree... If I wanted the "better" idea I would just take the nice paved road instead of the rocks. The offroad stuff is fun and it is more fun for me to be challenged while I'm having fun. Simple, neither is really better!

 

PS I have almost no offroad experience behind the wheel been a rider but got this truck to change that. Would have the pro had they made one this year!!!!

 

Direct drive gears in a manual will have more holding power than the Auto. So for driving down extreme hills the manual will keep you at slower speeds. Plus you have more control over gears very quickly in changing situations.

With all that said many people off road just fine with an auto. Figure out what you enjoy driving and buy it.

I like manuals so I bought one.

 

In 4lo and 1st gear you can almost idle up a 45degree Hill. The manual is just fun, rowing gears brings a smile to my face.
On road:
1. Makes my commute more enjoyable.
2. Even though I have 33in tires, my truck still has more pep than an auto.
3. Anti theft device
Offroad
1. More direct input, I am in more control
2. Can push start in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery. (only real significant benefit IMHO)
3. Impress your friends

Negatives
1. Worse fuel economy than auto

The auto trans is strong, reliable, more efficient, and there is nothing wrong with it.
I happen to enjoy driving manual, so I got the manual.

 

I love #3 anti theft. Sure cuts down on who could steal it.

 

If an manual trans fails, it is YOUR fault. If an auto fails, well forget the if, it is a when.

 

No

 

Yea but you can't "feel" the truck with auto. And the stick doesn't go as deep when you sit on it.

My first truck was a manual. I'll stick with auto from now on

 

Now I have to figure out what a gear limiter is. Does the trans shift without input from me???

 

for me, i drive 18 speed big rigs everyday, and have to shift 5 times just to cross an intersection.

when i get in my tacoma, i'll take the auto please.

 

My wife and daughter can't drive a manual. Nuff said

 

Mine won't drive anything else. Makes it tough to buy a new car these days when there are so few manual choices.

 

Its a guy thing.

 

I just feel more in control with a manual. I hate the feeling when a car is gear hunting, or in snowy conditions not having as much control. Even with the steptronics that are out these days they still down down shift like a manual, no rev matching etc. It also makes driving more fun. I zone out when I drive automatics

 

Yes. It means that if you choose, say, 3rd gear, the transmission will cycle through 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, depending on rpms, engine load, vehicle speed, etc.. Choosing a gear just means that you are limiting the highest gear the trans will shift up to. Unlike your old manual valve body where if you chose 3rd gear it would stay in 3rd only regardless of other inputs like rpms, engine load, vehicle speed, etc.

 

I'd love to own a manual again after years offroading with stick CJ's. However, city/surburban traffic near a city of 5 million makes it a foolish purchase. In fact, a coworker just sold his 3 year old manual Tacoma because commuting with it was hurting his back. I ride my Harley to shift gears.

 

You can't even push start a manual transmission vehicle anymore, the computer won't even run without a minimum voltage, no computer, no start.

 

Don't know how true that is... I've roll started my truck when the battery was all the way dead after leaving the lights on for a weekend. Truck started right up.

 

That is 100% of my deciding factor. My wife knows how to drive a manual, she just hates it. Plus I have a daughter who will be driving soon and, well... Who am I kidding, I will never let her drive my truck.