Manual vs auto transmission realiabilty.

I have owned both Automatic and manual transmissions. I have not had problems with either. Currently I drive a 5 sp SR with a 4 banger. I think that the MT is ultimately more reliable. Definitely easier to bump start!

 

From the factory that "heat transfer thing" is your transmission fluid cooler which can be damaged, clogged, or develope leaky hoses. Not always but it represents an addional source of possible headaches. Clutch has cylinders and moving parts too so both can have issues, just different sets. Manual trannies just have less expensive to repair sets.

 

Ha I live near that trail, done that hill more times than I can count. It's butt puckering especially going down it.

Manual FTW btw

 

It has been a long time since I have driven AT, but even then, it was a '13 Kia Soul.

I figure everyone here who claims their ATs are bulletproof and have been able to compare them to MTs, should probably be taken seriously.

 

Not that this is a comparison for which is more reliable, but this video is a good watch:


"Reliable" could be interpreted as what is appropriate for the driver; so with anything, it depends on what you plan to do with it.

 

did your MT overheat?

 

That's a thing? lol

To add my own experience, I've been with a few local guys on trails out here with autos and on more than one occasion we've had to stop to let one of the auto trucks cool down. I think a trans cooler is a wise investment for anyone with an auto trans that likes to wheel, especially if you have a lot of extra weight/bigger tires

The only real "downside" to manual is that if we're rock crawling, it's trickier with a manual. Takes more skill and patience, can't just let the truck crawl itself along unless you have dual cases. Autos have it easier in that department but easier isn't always better.

 

yeah I wonder how the crawl works and if the transmission is constantly going in and out of 1st gear? doesn't seem like a recipe for a long transmission life.

 

So what's the question here? Which transmission while using less than 5% of its payload capacity driving around mild environments is going to last?


Don't worry. Either transmission will stick around longer than your 2nd wife. (not directed at OP)

 

This.

Because OP said they're going to buy a new truck. Essentially it means it will be warrantied long enough for when something does go wrong and with TacomaWorld's help, they can be sure it doesn't fail by user error.

 

I've seen people burn a clutch in a day (he said he knew what he was doing...) and I've seen autos quit after 40k like clockwork in certain situations (4x4 90% of the time, 15-20mph, in the mountains). It's all in how you drive them.


Also, you can pry my MT out of my cold dead hands.

 

Given my propensity for buying long lasting used vehicles with manuals, I think I'll be good.


Besides, they still sell lots of manuals in countries that aren't the US (which is most of them). Worst case, I just move.

 

“So why’d you move to Thailand?”

“Tranny issues”

 

I had an old Toyota MT truck that I didn't drive much. Parked it out in front of the house during my BMW years. I had a list of five names pinned up inside the house who had stopped, given me their phone numbers and names and asked for a call when I decided to sell the truck. Two years later I called the first name on the list, told them what I wanted and had cash in hand two days later.

 

"I'm super dedicated to stick shift trannies"

 

Keep on your maintenance and you'll see 500k if you want to keep the truck that long. There's a few noted Tacomas AND Tundras that have passed 1,000,000 (million) miles. Toyota automatics are as reliable as manuals despite how much people want to bitch about 3rd gen auto transmissions. Toyota didn't even make the transmission in the 3rd gen, I forget what company did but a search will bring up a recent post about it. Reliable company made a reliable transmission.
Toyota hasn't suddenly made an unreliable vehicle just because there's a new generation, same goes with 1st to 2nd Tacoma transition, or 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th to 5th gen 4Runners. It's just previous generation fanboys spewing bullshit lol.

 

^ i don’t know man, mine’s definitely got a hint of lemon

 

I drove a 2019 SR5 in auto today. Felt ALOT better than the 2016/2017 years auto. Same AT, but they must have done some tuning to not make it feel so shitty. Still undergeared for EPA, but felt much better, smooth and not a lot of bullshit hunting on the freeway.

My issue? 36k price tag after CA Tax increases . I paid 24k for 2017 SR 2.7 4x4 manual back in April..

Toyota can eat my d*ck if they think I’m paying almost 40k for a V6 version of my truck.. nope! just not happening.

 

And the majority of people won't have any issues.

 

I dont know, i have 120k plus on my OG clutch and no signs of slippage/wear. I love the fact that i can change the fluid in it, about as fast as my oil or as fast. Plus i love driving a stick. But i also have a 4.0, so plenty of torque for my needs. I havent been a fan of the engines in the 3rd gen either, but thats just me