Why Manual Transmission?

For most people the only reason to have a manual is just because they enjoy stirring the stick when they drive. In MOST vehicles manuals no longer offer a single advantage. Fuel mileage is the same, durability is now the same and while the initial cost is less for a manual, resale value is also less making things a wash in the long run.

Off road I find an automatic preferable going up inclines, a manual gives better control going down inclines. Unless you always drive down hills, or up hills once agian it is pretty much a wash.

I did say MOST. I've never driven one, but I've read enough here to believe that the engine and automatic transmissions used in the 3rd gens is somehow not a good match. By all accounts this is a situation where the manual may well be a better option. But I've driven other vehicles where the opposite were true. I had a 2010 Wrangler for a while with a 6 speed. It was simply geared too high in 1st and reverse. In that vehicle the auto was a better match.

 

I guess some of the practical advantages would be the ability to jump start it and launch from 2nd gear. Not sure if I would get a manual Taco because I don't like long throws. I'm not sure how long they are with the short kit.

 

Exactly. I don’t give a rats ass what you drive, just stay to fuck out of my way. And I don’t care what you think about what I drive, just stay to fuck out of my way. I also agree that with current automatic transmissions, the auto is advantageous, but you know what, I don’t care, justvstay to fuck out of my way.

I’ll take my manual transmission and head out.

 

Look at how many more Manual Transmission Tacoma’s are sold vs Automatics. Definitely an indicator of the desirability they have in the future.

https://bringatrailer.com/toyota/pickup/

 

Or it could be supply and demand. Very little supply, a little bit of demand.

Modern ATs are really good. With an AT, it's one less thing to have to mess with when you're going up Hell's Gate. Watch all the videos of people constantly stalling their MT tacos on obstacles. That would get annoying after a while. Also, burning their clutches. I'll admit it takes more skill to climb using a MT and NOT stall, and NOT burn a clutch. I've had both a 2nd gen AT and a 2nd gen MT taco single cab 4cyl. I preferred the auto for ease of use, but preferred the manual for improved acceleration. Slap a SC on it and an auto will work just fine. I learned to drive using MT. I'm old now. Been there, done that. Time to relax = AT.

 

I know that pop down move. To me reverse should be near the gear least used, which will always be 5th or 6th.

Everytime im in a hurry after backing, like someones creeping on me I try to rush and i throw it back into reverse, sometimes multiple times.

 

My daily driver is a auto. Its a good car and does what is asked of it but it is Soooooo boring. I just want to sleep.

 

My mother taught me to drive on a manual. I have always enjoyed it, and 22 years after learning to drive a MT, I just prefer it.

 

These threads can be boiled down to I like a MT. No, I like an AT. And, no minds are ever changed.

So for those of you that are in the MT camp and have families here's the only MT minivan in the world:

and it's a diesel too, if that sort of thing floats your boat. I spent a day as a passenger driving around the English country side.

 

Omg that throw tho


Love that shit

 

I love driving MT in most rigs the Taco just isn't one of them. I was dead set on an MT coming from 07 AT but once I took it out for a drive I was like shit this is not what I want in this truck, got another AT. Simple as that. Also learned to drive in a standard, 88 Jetta.

 

Don't you evvvvver call a stock tacoma a "rig"

 

You think the 6speed Taco has a long throw?? Have you ever driven one?

 

Most I've done is sat in one and play with the shifter. I like super small throws.

 

Back in the 80s I remember my buddy having a dodge minivan with a Manual, he delivered newspapers and pizzas with it.

 

So, you would agree that it's not a Miata and you really can't compare, right?

 

Pretty much average 20 in mine, little worse in the winter and a little better in the summer.

 

I don't think the throws are that bad, I can hit all 6 gears with my elbow on the center console arm rest.