it boils down to personal preferance. I prefer autos now and others prefer manual. Both have there benefits and drawbacks. Auto is heavier and more expensive, but its easier to drive and imo has towing benefits. Manuals are lighter and less expensive, but it requires you pressing the clutch and shifting a million times. Clutches wear out and need replacing, while autos need proper maintance such as tranny flushes and trans coolers if towing and such.

Basically is up to what YOU prefer, of course i think the orginal thread starter decided on a manual which is good if you dont mind or like shifting.

My look at it is an auto and do everything a manual can do plus it can shift itself. This comes at a higher price tag though.

 

ok, so this is a little bit of a hijack but not really: i've been looking to get another 4runner; a 2nd gen. I can't find a good one that is a stick. I don't know if it's Canada or Vancouver or if it is really just harder to find manual trucks. I'm more inclined to not even think of auto/manual as a deciding factor because I can find so many nice trucks for a good price with a stick. Is it really that bad to have a auto (in terms of maintenence, reliability and MPG)?

 

My auto has 210,000 plus on it and as far as me or the previous owner know or can tell it has never been out of the vehicle. I am sure I would have had to put 2 or 3 clutches in in that amount of time if it were a straight drive.

 

190k on mine, same trans use din the runners and truck 340...Not a problem and it was used to tow alot. Key is changing the fluids often like the manual states in severe duty schedule.

 

i didn't even read the thread but auto's are for wussees. unless you are old, handicapped or don't have the option, I'd pick the stick.

 

can anyone say 3-year old thread?

 

X2

 

WILL SOMEBODY STOP VOTING PLZ!

close it up somebody Oly has had his truck for a while now

 

here here stick all the way wish mine was one.

 

agreed.. but i didnt have a choice with my 02 extra cab tacoma. they all come in auto. i pull bass boats and etc with no problem. just drain and fill the auto tranny fluid somewhat often and you willl never have to have it flushed

 

wow guys this thread is THREE years old. he's had his truck for a while now you can stop voting and debating

 

WORD...

And for the record...autos aren't for wussies...

 

you may want to start your own thread... everyone here just likes to comment on how old the thread is.

 

I know it is old, but the question will remain for a long time...


After driving a manual my whole life- this past month with an auto has been sweet.............. Autos are not for wussies. Manuals are not Manly..... Sigh...

 

I prefer manual but when I purchased my first 'new vehicle' 2001 4Runner - I had no choice. 6cyl auto cut and dry for this year.
Auto is nice is town. Is'nt auto popular for off-road boulder hopping too ?

 

A personal narrative: Went to a used car lot to drive a 4Runner for the first time 18 months ago. Two Runners in my price range sitting side by side, a '98 with 5M and a '99 with Auto, both V6's. I drove the 5M first and thought, "Hmmm, not a sports car but not bad." The engine readily responded to the throttle. The unit scooted right along for being a big and heavy SUV. (My DD at that time was a DOHC Del Sol, so I had a fond appreciation for scooting.) Then I drove the '99 Auto. I started out and got the throttle all the way to floor, nearly mashing my toe through the firewall wondering where the scoot was. It was like the engine was groaning to me, "Patience, young man, patience, don't you know I do this in my own time?" I even checked to make sure I didn't have the parking brake on or the shifter in the wrong place or my left foot resting on the regular brake. It didn't seem to matter if the throttle was a part way down or all the way down; the acceleration was the same--slow. I couldn't believe the difference between manual and auto could be that great. So I promised myself if I ever bought a Runner, it would be a manual. And it is--a 2000 V6 5M, and it really scoots, and I have never looked back! (Pun intended.)

 

I agree with the above; manuals make the vehicle snappier in the power department (more gears helps!) Also, I like the better feel of rowing gears, I keeps me from getting bored.

And last of all, do a search on car model reliability on any used car info site and it will start to make sense..... I estimate that (generally speaking) about 1/4 to 1/3 of the reported vehicle problems stem from auto transmission issues of some sort.

So to follow that logic; if you opt for the manual transmission, you are eliminating 1/4 to 1/3 of the potential problems you could face. And, they are cheaper to maintain!

 

I thought the same thing...I was driving a 1994 Xtra Cab SR5 V6 at the time with a 5-speed manual and I really wanted a third gen 4Runner. I drove a 2000 Limited with the automatic and it was so sluggish I thought something was wrong with it, so the dealer had me take out a 1999 2WD automatic for comparison...performance was no different. People complain about the performance of the 3.0 V6 (3vz-e), but honestly, an auto 3.4 is no quicker.

Several months later I drove a 2000 V6 5-speed and was so blown away by the difference in performance that I ended up buying it that day. I had to buy it on my credit card because I wasn't prepared for such a purchase that day (of course I paid it off the following week).

Anyways, yes, there is a big difference between the autos and 5-speeds.

 

Manual all the way.

Less pricey, better mileage, more fun.

If your lady doesn't know how to drive a strick, perfect, that's one less person to borrow your truck and get the doors dented at the mall.