Which transmission

A manual transmission is the only choice for me. I enjoy telling my truck what to do, not the other way around

Bonus: Manual is a built in theft deterrent!

 

this is exactly why i searched and waited for mine...i want to drive the truck not be a passenger holding a steering wheel

 

Drive both and decide, I got an auto in my 12 for off-roading and a manual in my 13 I use for a daily driver

 

Last time I sold a vehicle the guy travelled more than 100 miles and paid my asking price because it was a manual.

 

Go with the manual. I owned a 2006 and now have a 2016 both with the manual transmission. No regrets.

 

+1 and to the person earlier (too lazy to look) that said Autos resell for more than Manuals for Tacomas is absolutely false. I’ve seen manuals go for $3k-$4k more than the autos especially 1st Gen.

One of the reasons is when you Supercharge a Tacoma or 4Runner you’ll eventually destroy the auto trans, even with Tundras. Look it up, they have the build up the Auto trans.

Toyota Supra 5.97 sec although many were auto trans which were burned up sooner than later.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=914hzQeTnw0

And my favorite 10 consecutive sub 9 sec quarters built in his garage

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lDIVIHTnEdI

 

There's substantial advantages to having a completely mechanical linkage like engine braking and predictability at the grip threshold. There is no drivetrain slippage like there is by default in an AT so the power control is much more linear. I also find off-roading in an MT far more predictable and stable though this is a personal preference... If it were a crawler I'd vote AT all day long but for typical dirt road and trail, I'll take an MT every day of the week.

 

If you get a MT, no one will ever ask to borrow your truck. It all depends on what you want.

 

I was (still am?) a manual guy. If nothing than to justify all the fried clutches in my parent's cars back when I was 16. I've had older Tacoma's in both flavors. In the end, I didn't see the need for a manual, so I went auto this time around. It also makes it easier for the wife to drive as well.

However, I will say if I had decided to go manual, I wouldn't have problems with that, either. In the end, it's just one component of the truck. You'll adapt either way.
But it's funny to read MT proponents adamant they're taking control of the rolling computer they're driving.

 

Exactly this!

 

Manual transmissions are less likely to be stolen also.

 

Buy a manual,that's what you want anyway.

 

No they are not,millions of people know how too drive them,the biggest old false story there is.

 

Manual transmission gear ratios are what sold me. I tow a lot, and the manual is better for towing.

 

I hate driving automatics, so a manual was the only option for me. As far as manual transmissions go, I think those that complain it's more work or makes your legs tired need to drive one. I'm in traffic a decent amount, and I really dont even notice the shifting since it's a habit.

I owned a 1992 Dakota almost 20 years ago, and that thing was taxing on the leg. It was also hard to find a happy medium between a burnout and killing it on hills... The Tacoma on the other hand, or for that matter any modern manual transmission, is minimal effort to operate. Yes, you have to shift, but the minimal extra work far outweighs the disadvantages and complaints I've seen from automatic Tacoma owners.

With that said, drive both and get whatever makes you happy. Asking a group of owners on a forum that have stated their piece in countless other posts shouldn't be a deciding factor for you.

 

The entire basis of choosing an automatic over a manual is, these days, completely based on personal preference. Modern automatics have proven to be every bit as reliable as manual transmissions, can handle higher power levels, have identical towing ratings (sometimes the automatics are actually higher) and provide better fuel economy. The only real 'advantage' of a manual transmission would be lighter weight for the gearbox unit itself.

There's something to be said for the visceral experience of rowing your own shifts, but it doesn't give the stick any extra actual advantages over a slushbox in the real world.

 

If you get a Sport - get them MT. Why you ask? Come with the larger rear-end as the OR and has a 4.30 ratio. The AT's - small rear and 3.80 ration ----- mic drop

 

That is so good.

 

Guess those guys have about as much control as one could have in today's automobiles, and definitely more than the automatic versions.

 

I do like the theft deterrent thing. Very few MT drivers out there as a total of all drivers.

G.