V6 Automatic transmission issues?

I'm shopping for a 2016 DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 v6 Manual Towing Package. As I've been looking I'm keeping my eye out for one with a moon roof. But I just learned that the 'Premium & Technology Package' which adds the moon roof is only available on the Automatic Tacoma and not the Manual.
I have a 2013 DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 in Automatic which I love. I have no issues with the Auto. But I was looking forward to switching back to a manual.
I've been lurking on here and seen a few posts about issues with shifting etc. Is there an overall consensus about this or is it altogether too early to tell?
Is losing the Manual transmission option worth gaining the Premium & Technology Package? Another thing I'd gain with an Automatic driver assist hill start, crawl control, etc that you don't get with a manual (all you get with the manual is the hill start).

Thoughts?

 

all i will say is i liked the automatic in my 2008 trd better than the automatic in my 2016..............
i pretty much use it in shift mode and paddle shift when i want to change gears....

 

I ordered a 'manual' with the 'premium & technology package', so your assertion seems to be incorrect.

Check out this link:
http://gabor-nagy.com/taco.jpg

 

There is nothing wrong with the transmission. Its purpose is to learn your driving habits. if you find it weak turn on ECT I don't need a 4WD so I cannot speak to the 4WD bits.

 

Thanks! I'll keep looking for a Manual + Premium and Technology package. I was going off the build a tacoma options on the official Toyota.com website.
They may be going off what's in stock in my ZIP code rather than what's actually possible.

 

Just so you know, TRD sport doesn't have crawl control.

 

Ah, good to know. Thanks GuitarGuy91. Even less of a reason to go Auto. I'm going to check the last of 3 Toyota dealerships in my area today. Hopefully I can find what I'm looking for.

 

I have a M/T and LOVE it. No way I'd drive an Automatic. You give up a lot of stuff that comes with the automatic. I'm not missing anything.

 

You can get the premium tech, but you can't get the JBL with manual.

 

Gotcha. Good to know. I put $500 down (100% refundable) to put my name on a 2016 DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 v6 Manual Towing Package. The manager says he's working on getting it here in the next two weeks. I spent the last day looking at the BBP (color) thread and the blue is really growing on me. The dealer is getting the exact above specs but is unsure if he'll be able to get it in Barcelona Red or Blazing Blue Pearl.
Already been approved for the loan from my credit union. I'll have 2 weeks to think and sleep on it. Then once it gets in I'll give it a thorough look see and give a final yes/no.

 

That's awesome. I put $500 down as well, but I was told I'll be waiting for 2.5 months.

 

They initially told me 6 months wait (trying to talk me into buying the Auto they have on the lot). I said NO PROBLEM. Call me in 6 months. Then he was like,oh, uh, wait. Well, lets see what we can do. He pulled his manager out to talk to me. They said they'd work on getting either a Red or a Blue of the DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 v6 Towing in a Manual and it'll be 2 weeks. I put $500 down on that.
I did test drive the Red DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 v6 Towing they had on the lot. It was nice. I don't really have any complaints. I like the parking brake placement better. But the middle console lost a lot of room in order to fit the brake lever there.
Here's a pic of my 2013 parked next to the two Tacomas I was looking at. The Red one is what I test drove. The blue one obviously isn't the DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 v6 Towing package but it's the color that I was mainly looking at. The Blue is REALLY growing on me.
http://i.imgur.com/Akhpfgc.jpg?1

 

Automatic transmissions are objectively better than manual transmissions for 4 wheeled vehicles these days. The torque converter does things off road that you can only hope to come close to replicating with a manual transmission + parking brake, and realistically they have the potential for better mileage. That's not even mentioning ATRAC and similar systems which can dynamically engage the brakes to mimic a differential lock without the risk of breaking your axles.

I wish my truck was a V6 auto, and my next vehicles will be automatics (doubt I'll buy another Tacoma tbh)

 

Good point. But I don't think the majority of those offroad features are included in the TRD Sport. The TRD Sport 4x4 Auto I test drove yesterday didn't seem to have any of the offroad assist options I remember seeing in official Tacoma videos.
In the videos I saw there was a knob on the roof console where you could adjust traction control. I didn't see the hill assist either.
Left of the steering wheel the only accessory button I saw was to turn on/off the bed light. The middle console on the roof only had reading lights and a place for your glasses. Next to the push button start I only saw things like AC control and what not.
All that being said, this will mainly be my daily driver. I want the 4x4 just in case. There are not a lot of places to go offroading around here anyway.

 

@Laurence243 , FYI ATRAC comes with the manual '16. Has standard since 2009.

 

I love mine, and with Norfolk traffic, are really sure you want a manual?? Maybe I'm getting old.

G.

 

I work overnights. There's never any traffic.
I told the dealer an automatic is a deal breaker. But I'm starting to think if they have a Blue 2016 DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 v6 in Auto I'd take it. I'm torn.

 

I am a manual guy. All 4 of my Toyota truck's
Have been manuals. With that said my 16 is a manual as well.
However if you are on the fence between the two read around this site and compare all the complaints about the auto to the number of complaints about the manual. If that is not enough to convince you to buy the manual then you more than likely don't want a manual.

 

The auto in the 2nd gen that you have was originally used in the V8 4runner and GX470 V8 SUV. And then the 4.0L V6 and more V8 model Toyotas after that.

This "new" 6-speed is the same unit in the 4 and 6 cylinder.

So they went from using an auto transmission that was easily handling V8 power and now use one that is designed for a 159 hp 4 cylinder.

A750>>>>>AC60.

When it comes to the so called 3rd gen, stick with manual if possible.

 

Gotcha. I just not 30 seconds ago got off the phone with my Dealer. They put my name on a 2016 DCSB TRD Sport 4x4 v6 Manual with the Towing Package in Blue. But it's going to be some time in January before I get it.
They initially quoted me 2 weeks so I got my hopes up. The extra delay sucks. But I'm getting exactly what I want. So it's worth it.
@nevadabugle I see what you mean about the Auto complaints. I'm about 30 threads down the 1st page of my search results. Easily half a dozen so far complaining about the Auto (erratic shifting, vibration @ 2k rpm, etc). Only one about the manual if you shift it a certain way into 2nd.