For the Tacoma, you made a good decision. The auto in that thing is the single worst programmed automatic transmission I have ever encountered. But that doesn't just automatically apply to all OEM's. There are plenty of autos that are great & responsive. Fords 10 speeds are quite good.

And you only got rid of 1 of the dozens of computerized components in your drive train. Your engine, transfer case, rear differential, and hubs are all computerized