Manual or automatic?

I would say find a used manual Tacoma to test drive if you can to see if a manual truck is for you or not. To my surprise I've managed to test drive 2 manual Tacomas (used).

Does shifting get old? For me, no. I even drive more than 20000 miles per year in California traffic.

For towing, my manual Tacoma did great so far. While towing my S2000 (street car, not a fully stripped out track car) on a U-Haul trailer my truck averaged about 16 mpg doing 55 mph on 5th gear. For reversing the trailer I do have to slip the clutch a lot due to how it is geared.

Somebody even managed to tow a C8 Corvette on a U-Haul trailer with a manual Tacoma. In that thread there's also a link for another who towed a Lexus GS-F on a U-Haul trailer with a MT Tacoma.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/towed-at-maximum-capacity-yesterday-question.592526/

Edit: Link for towing a Corvette is here https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/review-3-800-miles-and-13-5-days-of-towing-5-600-lbs.774588/

 

Hey OP. My suggestion would be to find a way to test drive both. If you're proficient with a manual, and you add the fun factor driving it, your choice will be easy.

 

Actually you could buy a Ram 3500 with a 6 speed manual up until 2018 .

 

These are manual transmissions with an auto shift system. And it is to reduce training and allow anyone to drive them pretty much...

 

Get a Manual - 100%
It is THE only way to go.
More since you can already can drive a manual.

In the case that you were not familiar with manual gearboxes - I would then say:
Get a Manual - 100%
THE only way to go.

 

It's a non issue.

 

Sorry, none of the above "logic" makes any sense at all; regarding the military, not sure where you got your information, but my son and my son-in-law, both recently discharged from the Navy, said all of the military vehicles they drove were manual. Both of them ended up being the designated drivers as none of their peers could drive a stick.

Here again, your logic escapes me; do you have any proof of what you've written or are you just winging it?

 

I had a Harley Electra-Glide, sold it, then a year later bought a 2019 Honda Goldwing with the DCT transmission. Shifts smooth as silk and my left hand gets a rest. Between that and reverse walking mode it will let me keep riding for another 10 years at least. And yes, my Taco is an auto. I'll duck and wait for the flaming now LOL

 

Manual is for old farm trucks, sports cars, and motorcycles. As said before, the engine is really designed for an AT.

 

Well, if you listen to tw, getting an auto seems to be a crap shoot. I've had both auto's, and manuals back in the day till all auto's now. My auto works just fine, its flawless. Were mostly asphalt here in connecticut with lots of inner city stop, and go use. A manual doesn't make any sense in this day, and age when driving here.

 

Drove a manual TRD and loved it, ended up with an automatic and love it. Win,Win

 

I love my MT, but with the ADM and a 2wd low range mod it made it even better. Now just waiting to get a tune. But there's no OTT tuner within a few hour drive from me.

 

Si, Manuel es bueno

 

The only real downside to a manual transmission is that you will have an obligation to mention it in every thread.
I imagine that it's a lot of work.

 

I have a manual and love it - the two things that I feel like I dislike the most is that 1st gear is too long/high (however you want to describe it) - you end up using low range more often than I think should be necessary and no remote start. Remote start isn't a deal breaker obviously, but I do think about it since everyone I ever ride with has it now.

 

Guess I'm not one to ask in 60 years of driving and literally millions of miles I have never owned an automatic!

 

Well, i've had both in my 50 some years of driving, and over a million miles, many towing. I'll choose the auto every time. I don't mind not being old school when it comes to this.

 

Wouldn’t own it without the manual. Direct control, reliability, and easy of maintenance are all fantastic.

 

Auto for me: straight work/commute truck. Hauls my gear. Keeping it stock, may just upgrade the suspension when I hit 100k miles. Nothing fancy here

 

So much wrong info here.