Can I get some opinions on manual -vs- automatic transmissions on the 4cyl toyotas. I'm mainly concerned with the early '90s models. Just wondering if one is significantly more reliable or easier to maintain. Longevity, cost for rebuild, etc.
Thanks!

 

Cost to rebuild a manual is substatialy cheaper and easier than an auto. The 4cly. manual tranny can easily be rebuilt and upgraded to make stonger. Plus manuals are more fun to drive and unless its a chevy auto or similar ide go manual all the time

 

Yea the manual would be my choice definitely. But in its defense my 1985 motorhome has a 22re/4-spd auto and it is holding up great.

But I would go with the stick.

 

Well, my G52 5 speed (85' Carbed truck) is well over the 250,000 mile mark and has only ever needed a shifter seat bushing (10 bucks from Marlin Crawler). The only quirk it has is that it sometimes needs to roll slightly (inches) to get into reverse. Other than that it shifts as well as any other manual transmission I've ever driven.

 

They are both incredibly reliable, but the auto is not matched well to the earlier engines as the overdrive is too tall for the engines to pull it. Gas mileage suffers accordingly.

If I was looking at getting an early '90s Toyota, manual transmission would definitely be on the "must" list, and auto would be a deal breaker IMHO.