I am going to be buying a Hiliux Surf from japan, and there is one avalible right now for pick up but it is a 91 v6 automatic. I have hear that automatics are ever more underpowered than the manuals. So my other option is to have a standard imported for me, but this would take much longer to come in. so automatic, or standard?

 

go for standard. if you go with the auto you will think it is a 4banger, not a V6

 

i would get the manual ...i have never like autos

 

For whatever it's worth I've never felt like calling my 3VZE a 3.slow. It's always had enough power. It accelerates well and cruises nicely at 75 mph. It hit 105 mph once on a test run. It hasn't been a rocket ship on steep grades in the mountains . . . so I've had to down shift to 4th. But, all around I've always liked my V6 with my 5 speed.

I don't know if it's a fact. But, it seems that the auto is more of a liability in a 4 Runner. I never checked to see what, if any, weight difference there is between a std. cab short bed truck and a 4 Runner. I can really feel the difference in how peppy my truck feels depending on whether I have my shell on or off or how much stuff I have packed into the bed.

I've always liked manual transmissions. Although if I could get one of those $75,000 automatics with the paddle shifters I'd definitely consider it.

[Edit]: Typo.

 

Yea, i am figuring that the manual would be my best bet, but it means im going to have to wait another month at least which im not very excited about.

 

Yeah, but it will be worth the wait. I am sure you will own it for a long time, and it would suck if you regretted it later. Just my opinion, but I definately prefer manuals. More control when wheeling, better mpg, less costly repairs, etc.

 

I agree, it is going to be my first vehicle and the only one my parents will help to pay for...haha. So i plan on keeping it for a very long time, And being a student having to pay for gas i was the most MPG's possible.

 

i wish i had a manual but ive been perfectly happy with my auto, 154,000 not gentle miles and it shows no signs of problems

 

get a manual i just got my truck aswell. never drove a manual before this never again will i buy an automatic. so much more fun aswell.

 

The auto and 3.0 are particularly poorly matched. It's not that either of them are bad, really, they just don't work together all that well. Manual is much better suited to the 3.0.