Those who settled for the auto, your $0.02 please.

I feel like if you want it to accelerate fast, it will. Just lay on the pedal. Otherwise yes, it short shifts to try and boost fuel economy. For me, it's got plenty off the line for a truck. If your expecting sports car get up, you're gonna have a bad time

 

I will admit I was very conservative with the throttle since it was not mine and I had the salesman in the truck with me. Next time I will give it more foot.

 

I'm fairly happy with it so far, though I would say the 6 speed in my Tundra was a lot more predictable. And it'd actually stay in 6th indefinitely on the highway even with the wind.
But it also had a 5.7L engine .

I've got 5,000 miles on the '16 so far and it still hunts between 5th-6th even at 65. When I notice it it'll be at about 2200-2500 RPM and won't go into 6th getting me around 15 MPG on the highway, but if I put it into standard it'll drop to 4th then select 6th it'll stay in 4th till I put it back into drive, at which point it'll go to 6th. Very strange IMO and it only happens sometimes. I live in KS so it isn't exactly a hill issue going down a flat highway. Though it'll go straight to 4th if there is one in sight.

It does feel a bit gutless in the standard mode, but the ECT button changes that quite a bit. Not just the shift points or how long it stays in gear but it appears to me that the throttle response is tighter, more like my '09 Tundra that was super sensitive. I much prefer it but I also like to get half decent milage so It's usually off. It has learned that I don't like it shifting into overdrive at 30 anymore though so it'll get to around 40 first before getting to OD, which it didn't do when I got it.

In other words, all this talk about it improving over time and getting used to it is valid. I thought it sounded a bit odd since my '09 was the same since the day I got it, but we've got some different tech now.

I don't have a ton of experience in a manual though, as the last one I had was an '07 Jeep Wrangler. Not counting tractors that is

 

Driving in traffic drinking coffee and eating while talking on the phone and shifting sucks. I'll deal with the shitty automatic shift points.

 

I've had a great experience so far. As I've been accustomed to how it works, and how to work the throttle correctly, it has become more natural. The truck now does what I want it to. Even up hills, I can get it just right so that it doesn't shift unless I want it to. It just is a new way of driving: getting accustomed to more foot fine-tuning.

I have had automatics for most of my everyday cars, and have a 5-speed Mustang, so I do know the difference between both. While you don't get the total control of the manual, you certainly can tell the truck what to do once you learn it's quirks.

 

I didn't have shifting issues, but after my last trip (300 miles) this past weekend my mpg has stayed at 19.5 - 19.9 for city driving. That's up from 17 I was getting. I just hit 3k miles in the last couple of days. I've been heavy footed on the gas too. Anomoly...maybe. we shall see.

 

After driving 5 tacoma's for thirty yrs all with manual trans I had to switch to auto cause they didn't offer manual in my 2016 preferred model.......well even after 3k miles with auto trans I'm still trying to get used to it.......I certainly miss the manual Tran.....I usually shift auto trans to shift mode however it is not the same without a clutch......

 

Yeah, I drive more like an old man now, since I am becoming one.

 

Don't do it OP, you'll regret it. I also wanted a DCLB with a manual, but settled for the short bed and an equally long wait.

 

If getting the Off-road trim, is crawl mode in the auto worth giving up a stick for?

 

Crawl control is a gimmick for people who can't use or don't want to use a manual. If you put the truck into 4wd low and into 1st gear, you can crawl all you want. Of course if you're not comfortable with your clutch skills, then you can roll with an auto.

 

This was the exact case with me also... I have around 4600 miles on mine now, and I would have to agree that my transmission shifting has gotten a lot better after 2000-3000 miles on the odometer and gets better. It's not 100% perfect yet but a lot better shifting now. I keep hearing Toyota is in the works to release a software update to correct the issue. I know there are a lot of threads here on TW talking about the transmission, but has anyone heard anything from their dealer on this? If so, please share with us all... Cheers

 

That was what I figured. Just wish that I could find a manual that wasn't $5k more expensive than an auto. Probably should just get a SR5 and add an air locker

 

The manual should technically be cheaper than the auto.

 

With similar options, but the only manuals in my area are with the highest option packages

 

Too much traffic around here; I gave up on manuals ~3 cars ago. Autos today are so much better than they were 25 years ago.

 

NO.. IMO

 

I have the MT and love it. Came from an AT Ram and it never really felt like a truck, more like a car. The manual Tacoma shifts very smooth and I like that I can shift early for better mileage but then downshift when I need instant power.

 

It's a truck, not a sports car.

 

My last automatic was over 15 years ago, been nothing but sticks until now. No regrets.

This isn't my toy, this is my truck. If I want to play, I can get in my little Italian sportster, spin the revs up to 6K, and play with the gears all I want. For my truck, I want to focus on the work at hand.