"...lacks a manual because nobody's asking for it"

[Nodak]

And I can't stand that I have to use this automatic. It's always not going when I want and going when I don't want, and I never have this problem on my decrepit old 3rd gen, or 1st gen, or any other manual I've ever owned regardless of make or model.

I even have the OTT tune now. If anything it's even worse. Sport mode is even worse so bad it's practically useless in case anyone thinks that's some kind of response.

i mean if every automatic is bad no matter the brand, why even buy an automatic?

maybe stick to old models that still have manual?

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[bkw777]

i mean if every automatic is bad no matter the brand, why even buy an automatic?

maybe stick to old models that still have manual?

Because there is no such thing as a new 3rd gen, and I don't want a Tacoma, and do want a Toyota.

In fact I almost did not "why even buy an automatic". While still shopping I almost got a 2014 FJ just to get at least slightly new kinda-4runner in manual. But a '14 fj is still pretty old and FJ gives up quite a bit of utility for the looks and weird doors. I actually don't mind the looks but they aren't worth having less cargo and less useful rear seats. Not to mention issues like the engine body and the vertical windshield. It just all around seemed like a lot of compromises, and would cost the lions share of a brand new sr5 with 4wd. Still it might have been the better call after all because a lot of the many things I have discovered that I don't like over the last few months would not be the same on anything as old as a '14.

It's almost like there are 800 factors that contribute to a decision like a vehicle and the transmission is only one of them, and you can really not want that transmission and still voluntarily take the vehicle.

 

[NB-4Runner]

In response to anyone thinking "nobody even buys the manual tacoma", you can't even search inventory for manual tacomas. Transmission type is not an option in inventory searching. Of course if you make it hard enough to buy something, nobody is going to buy it.

I'm trading in my manual Taco. I had to wait to get it, and the salesman said it will sell quick after the trade-in.

 

[l008com]

Some day when I have time, I want to to drive an SR5 4runner, a manual tacoma, and a manual bronco and then see what I really want after that. I expect after driving all those, I'm just going to want a manual 4runner even more.

 

[Nodak]

Because there is no such thing as a new 3rd gen, and I don't want a Tacoma, and do want a Toyota.

In fact I almost did not "why even buy an automatic". While still shopping I almost got a 2014 FJ just to get at least slightly new kinda-4runner in manual. But a '14 fj is still pretty old and FJ gives up quite a bit of utility for the looks and weird doors. I actually don't mind the looks but they aren't worth having less cargo and less useful rear seats. Not to mention issues like the engine body and the vertical windshield. It just all around seemed like a lot of compromises, and would cost the lions share of a brand new sr5 with 4wd. Still it might have been the better call after all because a lot of the many things I have discovered that I don't like over the last few months would not be the same on anything as old as a '14.

It's almost like there are 800 factors that contribute to a decision like a vehicle and the transmission is only one of them, and you can really not want that transmission and still voluntarily take the vehicle.

personally i would stay away from taco's currently. i think they are more of a hot mess than the tundra right now.

we looked into downgrading the wife's 23 tundra platinum to a taco limited (FT4WD) vs the tundra's traditional 4wd system.

but the lack of rear seat space and being cramped more (in the driver seat) than the tundra, its a pass for now. at least the 4R feels bigger in the front seats than the taco (we sat in, but didnt drive it and the wife wasw immediately claustrophobic).

i have been trying her to switch and take over my current 4R (since i optioned and colored it to her preferences in case). i prefer silver over heritage blue and i dont care for the auto boards. i prefer the static running boards.

she is getting to the point were she doesnt want to clean the tundra off of snow since it sits outside 24/365 vs being able to park in the garage with either the taco or 4R (as i do now)

but right now she is adamant of keeping her truck. she hasnt had anything besides a truck since 2012 and its hard for her to go back to a normal vehicle.

sometimes the simplicity of an old 100/200 series LC has its pro's and con's.

going from a 2014 limited to a 25 platinum, i dont think i can give up the creature comforts that i have been enduring waiting for the new gen 4R. after being spoiled using the wife 23 tundra the past 2 years, its nice to have those now vs having to endure during our winters here in ND (heated steering wheel, fast heating seats, adjustable MID display, tilt down mirrors, etc)

you never realize how much you compromise for old fashion ruggedness of a old 4runner (or LC) to this new one until you drive one for a while (at least from my perspective of going from a limited to a platinum)

i for one love the new engine vs the old 5th gen dogged engine. but i do miss the easier to shift band of the old 5th gen vs this new 8 spd.

 

[NB-4Runner]

personally i would stay away from taco's currently. i think they are more of a hot mess

Why do you say that? I don't see more complaints than usual for the Taco 4G in the forums. The 4Runner 6G shares many of the components, so it should be a hot mess too.

 

[Nodak]

Why do you say that? I don't see more complaints than usual for the Taco 4G in the forums. The 4Runner 6G shares many of the components, so it should be a hot mess too.

auto trans tsb (think this turned into a complete replacement for gas and hybrid but not manual)
manual trans tsb


where the big ones. but i think toyota resolved the issue in the 2025+ MY taco's

since the taco trans were made in North america and the 4R trans was made in japan is the only difference i can tell.

 

[John2112]

Less money in manual transmissions. I don't know of a single shade tree mechanic that can pull an automatic transmission and rebuild in in their driveway or if they care to try it swap it out auto transmissions. However generations of us older folks have pulled out manual transmissions and replaced clutches, throw out bearings and repaired other issues. And today's auto transmissions are pretty much throw aways. Sealed units. Pull the busted one and replace with a new unit. I recently had some gears go out in a Mustang with just over 20,000 miles on it and out of warranty by age. $5,000 out of pocket for that one.

I remember those days of replacing clutches and such. After not owning a manual since my 1985 Toyota 4Runner, none of that work is necessary and I've never had a transmission failure in hundreds of thousands of miles, always following the manufacturers fluid change recommendations. Yes some of the vehicles supposedly have sealed ones that you don't need to change fluids according to the manual, but all of them have drain and fill locations and you can still do it. I only had one vehicle, an old Ford mustang that had a bad transmission, and because of that I will never own a Ford again. Back in the day manual transmissions got better gas mileage, now it's the exact opposite. Performance cars like my previous Porsche turbo s aren't even available in standards anymore, the automatics shift faster and more accurately than a human can.

 

[John2112]

auto trans tsb (think this turned into a complete replacement for gas and hybrid but not manual)
manual trans tsb


where the big ones. but i think toyota resolved the issue in the 2025+ MY taco's

since the taco trans were made in North america and the 4R trans was made in japan is the only difference i can tell.

The reason I bought the 4Runner is that it is made in Japan and I'm doing my best to only make upgrades with non-american aftermarket parts. The made in Japan models are always better than the made in North America models in quality and workmanship.

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