Those with Manual Transmission...why?

I think that MTs are safer to drive in slippery (e.g. Winter) conditions. When one depresses the clutch petal, power to the drive wheels ceases. One can only duplicate that with an AT by popping it into neutral. When an AT is left in Drive, stopping at slow speeds can be a problem (I learned the hard way).

I bought my '06 TRD OR new with a MT. Since it was being equipped with a lightweight snow plow, I felt that a MT would be better suited for plowing (although a PITA for rocking when stuck). Having started driving at the ripe young age of 7 or 8 with a Ford 9N and a 1950 Chevy dump truck, MTs are 2nd nature for me. Have only owned 2 ATs - a 72 Monte Carlo and a 1976 Cordoba. The Monte Carlo was a great car - the Cordoba sucked. Went back to small pickups after that.

Now, all of that said, my current '06 Taco is a 6-speed MT. What's great about it is that I can often skip a gear or two depending on conditions. But it's going to be retired soon and replaced with a '21 TRD OR AC. Having just passed my 7 decade mark I've decided to get lazier. Can't juggle shifting + coffee mug + breakfast + the pipe as well as I used to. Hopefully the AT that it has will suit my current driving habits, although I'm a bit nervous about how it'll be towing a 3500-4000 lb trailer. There'll definitely be a trailer brake controller installed. The '06 had no trouble with this trailer without a controller, although I paid serious attention to traffic in front and either side to avoid the need for a hard stop.

Any feedback on behavior with a trailer of this weight will be appreciated.

 

Mods should just sticky one of the MT vs AT threads.

 

damn i haven't tried to juggle breakfast and the pipe at the same time in years... while driving.

 

I bought a manual because I enjoy driving. I understand autos are superior but the new manual sport is such a nice truck. I was sold on it before I even walked on the lot. I will never buy an auto until the day I'm forced too. When manual tacos dont exist or my truck dies in 20 years. Electric will be taking over the market by then anyways.

 

all of the people who posted in this thread?

 

Why? Because I’m terrible at driving an auto...

 

it's cheaper and i like to play with the stick

 

My personality type is "controller" having complete control is key. And there is a bit of nostalgia and simplicity the manual provides. I essssspecially love the clutch start cancel feature!

 

I know this is going to sound stupid, but I didn't actually know how to drive an automatic. I learned to drive in a manual and everything I'd ever owned or driven was a manual up to a few years ago. Most recently I ended up with an automatic Tacoma though only because I couldn't find a single new manual to buy at the time I needed to buy.

 

My '16 is the first new vehicle I've ever purchased and I knew that Tacoma's last for ever so I wanted my truck just the way I wanted it. Living the next ten years or so with a automated tranny would make life boring, mundane and uneventful. Coming from drag racing manuals I knew life with a MANual is more enjoyable, entertaining, involved and makes you more connected to the vehicle. Just remember in a MANual car YOU drive it and a car with a automated tranny, you are driven.

In my experience MANuals last longer, easier to fix, less routine maintenance and are lighter weight. My Wife being British didn't even think twice when we were leaning towards the 6MT. She rows gears like nobody's business. I know a lot of "Men" like to blame their Wife or g/f as the reason they went with a automated tranny when it is really them. Also the whole excuses of driving a MANual in traffic nonsense in hog wash. Those folks are not that interested in having a MANual all that much anyways. I regularly spend plenty time in Downtown Tampa, DT St. Pete, DT Miami, DT Jacksonville, DT Atlanta, DT Ashville and DT Gainesville and DT Tallahassee. If you are holding the brake down all the time at traffic light or holding the clutch down, what is the difference?. Two working testicles are the difference.

Now a days in the USA, those who know how to drive MANual is very rare. The people at the dealerships can barley drive stick which must be embarrassing. The few time I took my truck to the dealership they had to call the "stick guy" to move my truck. Lots of valets and lot porters have no clue either hence why a MANual gearbox in the US is a theft deterrent. Less people will want to borrower your truck if it has a MANual. With the Tacoma the MANual gearbox is about $2,000 cheaper and that is a bonus. $2,000 is a bit of money to me not like you baller$ on this site. With a MANual, aftermarket exhaust sounds much better then a automated slushbox.

That's all for now.

 

6MT

 

I predict the Gen 4 will be auto only. Pretty much every auto maker is ditching manuals. A computer can shift faster than a person.....that includes performance and fuel economy. Much the way TSS can auto brake before you can lift your foot off the gas and onto the brake.

 

I am unique and mi taco is unique, because is manual. I am just trying to save a dying breed..

Automatic is Boring unless you have 400plus HP... on less powerful cars, having manual feels more powerful..

I don’t know... I had an auto 2.7 and everything was fine but I missed the stick so much that I traded it...

My son in 16 years will go to school in a pristine white vintage taco with a manual trans and he will be the ONLY kid that know how to drive stick in his school.. he will be that cool kid with the cool taco.

is it Friday already?

 

First car was MT and drove that for 8 years. Then had an auto for 2 and missed the MT. Then traveled to Croatia where everything is MT, so that resparked my interest for a MT. One month after getting back from Croatia got my MT taco.

Sure it’s annoying at times. Sure my wife still refuses to learn to drive. It’s also a great excuse for when a buddy is like “can I borrow your truck” and I’m like sure it’s a manual though, then they find someone else hahaha.

 

Your side chick's if youre smart...


Sorry, had to...


I love these MT threads...it brings all gens together

 

Bc I like it.

 

a man of few words.

 

I longed for driving a manual again. Granted I had come from the world of 90's era honda's with the snickity snick shifters, I was a little anxious about driving a manual truck as I knew it wouldn't be anything like my cars of the past. After the first test drive however, I was in love. The bonus is that my teen daughter is now completely intrigued by it and wants me to teach her how when she finally gets her permit. I ain't raising no girly girl... actually I am, but she's gonna a girly girl that can drive a stick.

 

theturbodog wrote - "I know this is going to sound stupid, but I didn't actually know how to drive an automatic. I learned to drive in a manual and everything I'd ever owned or driven was a manual up to a few years ago. Most recently I ended up with an automatic Tacoma though only because I couldn't find a single new manual to buy at the time I needed to buy."

That's not stupid at all. Always had a stick-shift, years ago I had to drive a friends car with an automatic. I had no clue how to drive the damn thing. I literally kept reaching for a clutch with my left foot and reaching for the stick that wasn't there !