Why shouldn’t I get MT on a 2020 TRD Offroad?

MT comes with larger rear axle and lower gears. I think cruising speed has more influence on mpg than tranny does IMHO. I like MT when off-roading cause I always throw it in lo. You can cruise in 3,4 low instead of 1,2 hi.

 

The availability of 6MT is the only reason I’ve ordered a 2020. Honestly, if Toyota didn’t offer it I’d be looking at a domestic full size truck.

My 1st Gen Tacoma was manual, my current 3rd Gen 4Runner is manual, and my future 3rd Gen Taco will be.

I prefer to drive my vehicles...not simply be a ride-along...but I get it, people with stupid long, stop and go commutes, or injuries have perfectly valid reasons not to get an MT.

As an army mechanic for 12 years I also appreciate the (relative) simplicity of a manual gearbox. The cheaper MSRP, less expensive maintenance (even with clutch replacement factored in), repair, and replacement is just icing on the cake for me.

 

I have a gen 1 Mt and gen 3 Mt. Gonna be a sad day when the MT is no longer offered. I live outside of Tahoe so traffic only occurs during certain times. I Really like MT for snow driving.

 

The MT Vegans are bad on this site, but nothing like the ones on the MX5 or Wrangler sites. There, driving a manual is like wearing a testosterone loudspeaker where every post must mention that you have a manual, will only drive a manual, and everything else is inferior because it's not a manual.

OP, try both and get what you like.

Modern ATs are so much better than the transmissions of only a few years ago that the only advantage a manual has is that a whole new generation will be unable to drive it.

If I were going out to buy a new Corvette or Mustang GT today, I wouldn't even consider the manual because the autos are so good (the 10 speed in the GT is a gem)

That said, if you search this site you will see that the majority of 3rd gen complaints are due to the auto.

Supposedly the 2019-2020 trucks have much better programming but I haven't driven one yet.

 

On the heavy traffic front, for instance highway stop and go, I don't find the manual to be a hindrance at all. First gear is low enough to let the engine idle along with the clutch fully engaged at less than 2 mph I think. Just leave some space in front of you. Honestly, in some traffic it's better than an auto where your foot is constantly on the brake.

The Tacoma and Frontier are the last trucks to offer a manual. Frontier will probably lose it when they update. I'd be willing to bet 4th gen Tacoma drops it as well. If you're planning on keeping your next truck for a while, it's pretty much now or never to get a new truck with manual.

 

Autos are superior, no denying that. Buy what you want to feel comfortable with. Mpgs aren't my concern. The diff ratios from the factory sold me on this truck other than being MT.

I dont commute a lot. Most my milage is from trips fishing or offroading.

I'm an offroad noob, and learn every time out. I'm no stranger to MT trans, been driving them for two decades. Manual is just so damn fun playing in offroad parks. Not once have I stalled it, and have confidence in 4LO

 

It.gets shitty mpg because humans are not as efficient as computers.
I had one for 40K miles. Traffic is one reason not to get one.

 

20 years ago, or if this were any other brand, I'd agree with you but these Aisin trannies are known to go 4, 5, 600k miles or more without any issues. There's a million mile tundra on Youtube with the original transmission. Lots of examples of 300k+ mile tacos on the original tranny and even fluid in many cases.

When you factor in clutch and synchro replacements in a manual, the auto may in fact be the more reliable and more cost effective tranny over the long run. The days when autos used to require expensive overhauls every ~150k miles are long past.

 

I can certainly buy that for driving situations with fluctuating speeds, but the lower highway rating is pretty much entirely due to gearing.

 

I’d disagree in a few areas with this. My manual has been perfect, especially when towing at elevation in northern AZ and Utah, usually with ~3k lbs. Never had to seriously slip the clutch in first. Reverse is a different story, but everyone already knows that. This engine loves to be revved. 1st gear shifts at 3k rpm do wonders, and it should be driven that way especially when towing or trying to go quick off the line. I’m also carrying the weight of 33s and probably 800lbs of extra armor/accessories/ overlanding gear and it does quite well. It’s all perspective I guess, but I’ve had a 1st gen and 2nd gen with the manual. This is by far the best manual/engine pairing of all 3 gens, and I’m speaking with over half a million cumulative miles between all 3 trucks. Offroad it does quite well, especially in 4Lo. I have yet to stall it, and it chugs right along on level ground with minimal throttle input considering the load I have on my truck at all times. This includes mostly rock terrain features where idling won’t be sufficient alongside a stock transfer case. Even in heavy traffic, it has an extremely low stall speed, and that’s without lugging the motor. I survive Phoenix traffic in 110 degree heat just fine, and romp it in the mountains the following day. It’s a great drivetrain if you know what to come and expect from manual Toyota trucks. That’s all I’ve driven my entire life. Every Toyota 4x4 manual drivetrain rattles, especially over bumps with the clutch in. The hilux and prados overseas do the same thing, and they implement much of the same drivetrain systems as the American counterparts. Again it’s all perspective and I’m not trying to sound like a fanboy, but I’ve never had any issues with MT Tacomas. Here’s my bro mall crawl shot just for the hell of it

 

I wish I had enough money to swap one late model truck for another, just to get a different transmission. In the scheme of things AT vs MT is pretty inconsequential. But, pissing away a bunch of depreciation on one truck and then doing it again on another is a game for rich people. (except rich people don't play those games, that's why they are rich)

That said if your willing to pay close to $11K to swap trucks, ($3K depreciation on Chevy + $3K taxes and fees + $2K depreciation on Tacoma + $3K taxes and fees = $11K) I say do it now because there's a good chance that the MT will disappear altogether in the next couple of years. Even the big boy trucks are going auto. (spoiler alert - the auto wins this show down) For me there isn't a transmission made that is worth $11K out of my pocket.

 

I love my MT. Plenty of power even at lower rpms. This is by far the best MT i have had, and i had 4. Its great in traffic, due to low first gear, chugs along just fine, better than holding brake pedal.

My buddy has 19 AT OR and we get same mileage in city, his is a bit better on hwy due to higher final gear, not a huge difference. His AT drives great by the way, none of this gear hunting bullshit people are talking about.

Seems like a lot of MT 3rd gen tacos drive different, or could be just the expectations.
My truck drove great right out of the box, no ov tune needed thats for sure. Its quick , fun to drive and i feel very confident with this MT.

The only things that i would improve would be lower reverse ( all my MTs were like that, could be easily solved with 2WD LOW Mod) and better throttle response. Other than that its an absolute blast to drive, i still grin everytime i get to drive her, and its been a year and a half since purchase.

I could go on and on how much i love it. If you are asking if you should buy MT, maybe its not the most important feature for you, either way, you will not be dissapointed. I had to have MT so i gave up on some things just to have the MT, i do not see myself driving the slushbox for a looong time.

Good luck and lets see pics once you get your MT taco!

 

I am mostly swapping trucks because of transmission shudder on my Colorado. The truck has been in the shop for over two weeks total in a year and only has 5,500 miles... and the shudder is coming back. (Chevy has a problem with their 8 speed auto, maybe). So I’m cutting my loss early. I got almost 14 years out of my last Colorado, so this is a huge disappointment for me. A MT was not an option on the 2018 Colorado and I kinda like just putting the truck in gear, first time I’ve ever been able to do that. And now I’m pissing away a ton of money because of a stupid transmission problem... this shudder is like nails on a chalkboard for me.

These replies have been very helpful, thank you all!

 

My wife won’t drive stick, so no I have no reasons whatsoever why stick is bad.

 

Test drive the AT first. If you're sensitive to transmissions, just know that there's a lot of complaints about the 3rd gen AT. But check it out for yourself first.

 

Shit people say, but you find out isn't true. My first gen would have sold a lot quicker if it was an auto, because little Becky wants an automatic, but thinks the truck is cute

I refuse to deal with enthusiasts anymore when it comes to selling cars, which is why i'm leaving my current Tacoma stock. If one wants to get dicked down hard and have a bunch of time wasted deal with an enthusiast.

Rare does not equal desirable in the broader market.

 

Tacoma, Frontier, and Gladiator...

 

FWIW, this MT is better than average in traffic. 1st and 2nd both crawl well and I just stay a little behind the stop and go game. The stall point seems to be very low so you can easily putt along with no throttle.

I'm deep onto my 4th decade of manuals and still loving them! (Also this gigantic left leg comes in handy for ass kicking contests)

 

Ass kicking contests

 

What's a real buyer? If you mean Chad who roles up in a manual CB7 coupe with pockets full of lint and big dreams