Should I buy an automatic or manual Tacoma? (2021)

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Excellent point to consider this. I surely would have automatic if I had to deal with lots of large metro area stop, go, crawl, freeway travel, rush hour nightmare

 

Like what I expected, the replies here are various. Honestly, get what YOU want. I'm pretty sure the dealer will let you test out the manuals; they want to sell you a truck and the easiest way to do that is, well, letting you drive it.

Me, I went with the automatic. I've had several manual cars and truck over the years, fact I just sold my last manual a couple weeks ago. I enjoy a manual, but a daily driver it was getting a little old, especially in traffic.

 

Hello! New to TacomaWorld. Im a Welder from Canada, I've owned a 94 4runner and a JDM 91 Hilux Surf. Had to sell both because financial problems... driving a civic now. BUT
Apprenticeships over and Im buying a NEW Tacoma. I've always drove Manual Transmissions in all my vehicles. I want to keep that going.

Im getting mixed messages between the brochure and the Dealer about a Manual access cab with the TRD Sport or Offroad package. Brochure says you can have the Manual Offroad Taco, dealer says only TRD sport... anyone have the same story?
AND
Anyone on here swapping diffs and re-gearing the new Sport Tacoma's? Advice would be much appreciated.

 

Thank you for the link. Will look more into this mod.

 

If you are in Canada the Access Cab Off Road and in USA Sport Access Cab.

 

Manual if you can afford it! They are very hard to find if you aren't ordering it from the factory!

 

I’m an automatic guy. Easier to drive, don’t have to deal with traffic and hills, can be useful for others to drive and dealt with a manual for a while and had no justification for why I needed it. IMO it is just a pain over time.

 

You are welcome!

 

Didn't realize the sport came on an AC with a manual. I was only looking at offroads when I was shopping.

I have put 25,000 miles on my manual Tacoma in a year. I put 190,000 miles on my manual WRX in 8 years. Just something i prefer. I also don't live in a Metro area. I live in the rural US southwest.

 

Auto vs manual is a personal preference. I don't understand why you would be asking others which one you should buy. You should buy the one you prefer.

 

I really don't understand this. Just put the truck in 1st (or 2nd) and just idle along. I drive in traffic all the time. Traffic sucks no matter what, but it's better when you just maintain an even strain and trundle along - automatic or manual - it makes no nevermind.

 

Taco has a nice low first gear, its not bad at all in traffic to be honest. It crawls along just fine IMO. Better than holding the brake the whole time i think. If i wanna get super fancy and the traffic is super slow, i can always turn on my 2wd low mod.

Now a car with taller first gear is a shitty situation yes.

 

X2.

To me its more annoying holding that brake pedal the whole time when im in my chev express.

 

I thought you cant order tacomas straight from the factory? Never heard anyone ordering straight from the factory. You kind of get what you get in your location. I could be very wrong though.

 

Nope, shakerhood is correct.

 

Yeah I keep hearing this to. No dealer I've talked to ever put "ordering from the factory" on the table.

 

Its correct, you cannot get an Access Cab OR MT in the USA only the Sport.

 

my 2 bits:
I wanted a Manual gearbox. I likely would not have a Tacoma if my only option was an Automatic... This is NOT due to any performance issues with the Tacoma's particular auto gearbox. - I just did not want an automatic vehicle - period. (Although gear-hunting in anything would be horrendous!)

Some people continue to bring out traffic as a negative for the Manual... I do not get this sort of comments at all. Certainly, I do not assume that I will NEVER have to drive my Taco in Traffic...
I've driven many manuals in traffic...

 

Same.