Why Manual Transmission?

Reverse in the MT is excruciatingly tall.....fortunately I don't have to back my trailer every day. If I was pulling a trailer every day, I wouldn't have a Tacoma. There are other trucks that are better suited for towing.

 

This has probably already been covered, but crawl control is just a brake assisted cruise control for 4 lo (with ATRAC hiding inside). MTS just tweaks the settings of CC / ATRAC.

The reason the manual doesn't come with those gimmicks / cover ups is that you have a clutch pedal and gear shifter to do those tasks yourself instead of having the computer do them for you. The TRD OR still has ATRAC (a brake assisted axle traction control system).

TL;DR Get the manual, *especially* in the OR trim.

 

That was my daily prior to the Taco. Everyone tripped out on it and again didn't wanna borrow it. Lol. The MT and awesome mpg makes me wish I didn't get rid of it.

 

Because it's cheaper

 

I drive a manual simply because I rebuilt automatic transmissions for a while on the side, and I know personally how shitty they are made and how often they fail. The end.

 

I want manual windows. It is so impowering to turn that crank. Power windows take away from the driving experience. I just don't feel as in control. At least we still have AM radios.

 

They have meds for that

 

Family tradition. Every member of my family owned a standard until knee replacements and such got in the way.

My Dad taught me how to drive a standard, first car was standard... Until they stop making them I'll keep buying 'em!

 

Yeah, I hear ya. I'm new to the off road scene. I came from the JDM sport car/bike scene. So, for someone like me who is learning the fundamentals of finding the right line, learning how traction works on various terrains, and learning my truck's ground clearance those features have helped me to focus on the challenge in front of me while mitigating risk of losing control of the truck and damaging my engine/transmission/ drivetrain/ tires.

When I've mastered the fundamentals of off road driving then maybe I'll see those features as gimmicks. For now, I'm very thankful that I had crawl control to help me get over the slippery and muddy hills I faced 2 weeks ago in Chattanooga. It was really hard to focus on the narrow trail, tall rocks, and oncoming vehicles in that type of stressful situation. I'm happy to report that both me and the truck made it out of the trail just fine and I had a blast conquering the trail and playing with the fancy buttons and dials.

 

Took a test drive in an auto with every option I wanted. The dealer asked me if they could start on the paper work, I told him “I want this exact truck with a manual transmission.” Dealer said we don’t have one and we’ve never had one on this lot”. I said “find one, and I’ll buy it from you”. The dealer made a trade with another dealer and I drove my truck off that lot with a big smile on my face two weeks later.

 

Really? You had to ask them? Id have been like oh guess you dont want my business, ill go somewhere that does.

 

What does that even mean? You'd have walked out because the dealer didn't psychically know to ask you if you wanted an MT? Or you'd have walked out because the dealer didn't already have one on the lot?

 

Not uncommon for the dealer to have to order or trade. Alot of dealerships are owned by the same group of guys and they trade out all the time with sister dealers. It's not like the said no we cant get it. They worked with him and got the truck for him. This is how dealers should be

 

1) More reliable.
2) More control.
3) More safe (because of 2).
4) Hell of a lot more effective at doing actual hard work.

I wouldn't own a minivan, but if I did, it would have a manual.

 

I grew up driving and wheeling manuals, so it's second nature to me. The reason I bought one is simply that I think theyre more fun to drive. My balls didn't get bigger or anything. After buying my truck and joining the forum, I saw all the driveability issues the AT folks were having and I'm glad I got the MT.

 

Tacoma MT comes with larger, stronger rear axle. I have more of an old school mentality. I want to swap in a manual shifting transfer case. Less electronics the better. If I could get window cranks I would. I don’t have a problem if it’s a really good automatic tranny. But the Tacoma AT hunts when you get bigger tires. . . And I need bigger tires.

 

3 MT’s in my driveway/garage right now and the Tacoma is one of them. Had a 2nd gen 6MT as well. Driving an AT is boring for me. Plus all the reasons already stated, power where I want to apply it, shifting when I want to shift, FUN. I may have to keep my current vehicles forever if MT’s become unavailable and I’m perfectly ok with that.

 

Engine braking for sure. Having owned an auto Ranger just prior to owning the Tacoma for less than a month, this is a much appreciated effect of having MT in a heavier vehicle.

The clutch I'm getting used to. I just realized from reading about the clutch accumulator on these trucks that it wasn't just me being sloppy at first compared to driving other MT cars.

 

The 5 is sort of between a wagon and a minivan. I tried to get my wife interested in it, but even though she likes Mazdas, I got no traction. We did end up with the MT stationwagon though, so at least it was a win-win.

 

At the end of the day do you wish you went with an MT?

I have the same opinion as you, I enjoy my auto in my truck. I do sometimes wish I went with an MT just because it seems like it would be more fun at times but also the 6ft bed was more important to me and the double cab was somewhat of a requirement for my girlfriend. My next one will be an Access cab with an MT I think. It’s a tough call for me for whatever reason, I have owned more manuals than autos over the years and enjoyed both. I do much prefer a manual in a car for sure, in a truck I don’t find it as much of a necessity. Will probably go MT next time round.