Toyota Tacoma I4 4x4: Stick or Auto?

[xjoex]

I am thinking about a change, trading in my Mini for a Taco. The question is stick or auto in a 4 banger 4x4 ? Honestly I test drove them both and could not tell much difference in perceived power.

My plan is to move back out to the mountains above Boulder(Ned?), so I'll be driving up and down a canyon every day. Thinking the manual might make sense for 40 minutes each way? But the stick might be better on the long uphills.

I might be over thinking the decision, but you keep a tacoma for life!

-Joe

[robin3mj]

Always drive stick.

Although,my brother had an automatic Tacoma a few years back and it drove nicely, so maybe go with that.

Nah, go with the 5 speed.

[Plum]

I'd go with a manual, with the smaller motor you'll want the control of a manual. Had a 5spd in my 96 with the v6, never wished for an auto, ever. With a 4, can't see it either.

Plum

[lavi]

If sitting in traffic is not as issue: stick.

[cs124]

Always drive stick.

^ This.

But a few more questions...
Why the 4 banger? If I was going to be driving up and down a big ass mountain every day I'd go for the most powerful and torquey motor that the vehicle could be optioned with. Fuel ecomomy be damned, I'll take the option of being able to overtake Winnebagos and such.

Also, will you be going off-road much? There are schools of thought in favour of each transmission style for off-roading. Some people like manual and crawler gears, others prefer auto and electronic assistants. ymmv.

[Zimmermanbicycle]

Stick

[EricKeller]

if you think you might be towing, auto.

[Chris Yates]

Stick. I've got a 2wd version. The gear ratios between 1st and 2nd are surprisingly large. If you are starting up on a steep hill, you end up having to run first high in the rev range so it doesn't bog down in second.

[Auk]

Stick. Better control and better mileage.

[anomaly]

100% stick

[962]

Stick seems more fun for romping around, but torque converter == torque multiplication off the line which would be more important with the four banger.

(but, stick)

[MJS]

I have an 2002 Tacoma (4 banger, reg cab, 4X4, stick). It has 91K on it and I plan on having it for another 10 years or more.

The only problem I had was a bolt for the accessory drive sheared inside the case back in May of 2006 (around 33K miles). Toyota covered the tow, rebuilt the engine and supplied the rental car at no charge. Other than that I change the oil every 3 to 4K, wash/wax and "knock on wood" it is trouble free.

In 2008 I had the bed done with Rhino Liner spray on. That stuff is great.

BTW back in 2002 when I bought the truck I tested a Dodge Dakota which broke down (transmission) on route 11 north of Syracuse, NY on the test drive. And of the 3 cars I've had since I was 17 (Isuzu trooper- great bike race car, Audi A4 and Tacoma) all were stick. God I miss that A4.

[PJC]

I have had 2 tacoma V6\manual tran\4WD....my 3rd was an auto\v6\4wd. So far no perceivable difference except it's easier to drink my coffee behind the wheel. All have been 6 cyl. Have fun, they are good trucks.

[xjoex]

I ended up with a I4 4x4 Auto. I test drove both, I could not tell the difference.


Its awesome so far. I went opposite of the mini, I got so many options on the mini... I went basic on the taco.



-Joe

[sonny]

I ended up with a I4 4x4 Auto. I test drove both, I could not tell the difference.


Its awesome so far. I went opposite of the mini, I got so many options on the mini... I went basic on the taco.



-Joe

looks good--no fluff

[0nelove]

stick all the way

[MJS]

guess it's too late now but another plug for the stick is theft protection. most of these criminal wannabe hood kids today can't drive stick so your car is safe.