After talking to some people about teh D4D auto hilux with upgraded exhaust and chip and resultant better throttle response, and also talking to guys at work with SR 4x4 D4D manual Hiluxes I drove a 2014 SR5 manual D4D today. It was HEAPS better than the auto. Apparantly the upgraded autos drive as good as a manual, even better. So off to talk to Berrima diesel....

I've been talking with a dealer about a brand new MY12, 7/2013 plated V6 auto SR dual cab 4x4 Hilux but they won't sell it to me for less than $38500. It is all but 0kM on the clock but been registered as a demo for 2 x months. Price is in real terms pretty good but I can buy a brand new 2014 plated D4D manual for $38000 or auto for $40000, manual may be even cheaper as I can buy it as a cab-chassis. So in real terms the V6 auto isn't such a bargain as in 3 years time it'll be behind the eight ball as it is a 2012 spec and a petrol which people don't want as they are blinded by all the hype about diesels.
So for resale "protection" if Beriima diesel can for $2500 put an exhaust and chip on a diesel SR auto and make it go significantly better i'll try haggling for one of these (they provide new driveline warranty for their product if it causes damage that Toyota blame on the upgrade).

I still can't get over how nice the D4D manual was though, especially after the awful 3.2L diesel Ranger manual, and how much better that auto Ranger was. I doubt a manual Hilux could reverse a trailer up my driveway, unless somehow the front diff actuation could be over-ridden so I could reverse in low range. Still a pain to use the transfer case lever where others have a switch for low range.