Make an Argument for Manual Trans

Also another thing to note about manuals. Please I hope people don't take offense and get all worked up like my previous post...

Only a manual sounds good with an after market exhaust. You can ride the gears through all the sweet spots. For me it's between 3k and 4K RPM. An automatic tends to shift right before you hit all the sweet spots unless you're really gunning it. So yeah if you plan on getting an aftermarket exhaust definitely get a manual.

 

I had the 07 ORDCSB and I can tell u it was a blast to drive. In 2013 it was totaled. It was 07 6mt ORDC SB. paid 32,000. 227,000 miles on it. Never replaced the clutch and NEVER a issue. The insurance gave me 19,500.00 for the totaled price. So they hold there value.
Fast forward to today. It's still a blast to drive. And so much smoother. I'd rather have the 4.0 motor. I do have the 40 series flowmaster with dual exhaust. I did take me 5 months to get the truck I wanted. Do you know why? Because of the manual!! So keep that in mind. All options with the stick was the issue.

 

My sport has front and rear lockers. You can always add it.

It's not a limited slip diff. It's an open diff. The ABS emulates LSD.

 

True, but I like to leave stuff stock, don't want to go ripping apart a brand new truck.

 

It still delivers the same result.

 

OK here are my arguments for a manual transmission:
Easier to service - drain and fill, no dropping pan to change filter.
Can bump start he engine - if battery and/or starter motor are inopertive
Fewer heat-related issues, if you tow or haul a lot.

For the record, I have an automatic

 

Frontier S/SV/Pro-4x Crew V6/6spd Manual
Frontier S King Cab I4/5spd Manual
Chevy Colorado WT I4/5spd Manual
RAM 2500/3500 Cummins Diesel I6/6spd Manual

 

and i carefully considered every one of those. then i decided Taco or no go. Frontier wasn't looking too bad for an MT small fun package.

 

No it doesn't LSD is controlled by a clutch type system and doesn't slow you down. ABS Grabs the spinning wheel to make the other wheel spin, which slows you down.

 

Fair enough

 

Only one of those is really comparable to the taco.
The 4cyl frontier and Colorado are stripped out fleet trucks only available in 2wd. A 6spd Ram will set you back at least 39k for a regular cab 2wd base model.

Edit: the Colorado is actually a six speed as well.

 

Plus if I am not mistaken the computer also cuts power to the engine besides the ABS grabbing the spinning wheel.

 

At the end of the day, you'll have to decide what's best for you by driving both of them...but I chose the 6 cylinder 6speed manual because:
1. I have always enjoyed driving manuals
2. Manuals tend to have fewer, and less expensive repairs in my experience
3. Tacoma is only mid-size that offers higher trim levels in a manual (I liked the Nissan, but it's getting a much needed face lift and a 2017 will likely not hold value well like a new Taco likely will)
4. The Taco auto did not impress me...odd shift points
5. The manual ran about $1,600 less than the same trim in auto
6. I have owned a lot of manuals and autos over the years, there's just no escaping a certain cool factor with a manual
7. No one has asked to borrow my truck in the 6 weeks I have had it cause few know how to drive a stick.
8. My wife likes manual trannys too...so she preferred it as well.
9. The 2017 Taco manual shifts like a dream...not everyone agrees on this site, but I think the gearing and shifting on the stock 6speed is just about perfect for a truck.
10. Did I mention, I really enjoy manuals and was willing to search high and low to find one with exactly what I wanted.

Either way you go...have fun, it's a sweet, fun truck that looks badass no matter the tranny.

 

I beleive your right.

 

Unless you just really "like" it. What is there that the automatic in S mode can't do that a manual can? I love a manual in sports cars, but I'm over it. Any hint of traffic, and I don't want to screw with a clutch.

I've been driving my Taco autos in S mode for 12 years without any issues, or break downs. Before that I drove the piss out of a couple of Rangers the same way.

G.

 

Cause it obviously gives you a bigger dick to swing -

 

You don't know what traffic is until your life is the 405.

 

My point exactly!

G.