Automatic VS Manual ??

snow junky said:
Can roll jump start
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This always makes me laugh as an argument for Manual transmissions.

When's the last time you ever saw someone bump start a Manual?

So many "ifs" as well.

Sure.. you can roll jump.. IF:
You have another vehicle to push or pull
You have 2-3 friends to push.
You are parked on a flat or down grade.
You're starting issue is simply a dead battery or dead starter.


I don't mind either auto or manual. Manuals do have more in the "pro" column in my opinion, but it only really matters to those who care. Unfortunately...not a lot of people care that much about those "pros".

For example, not everyone finds manuals more fun to drive. That's subjective, therefore not a valid point.

Also, the reliability factor. I'm not so sure about that. I personally have heard about more Manual trans failures than autos. And considering that there are simply a lot more automatic trans equipped vehicles on the road today, the relative failure rate percentage can't be much different than those of the manual trans. It's a lot easier for a novice driver to burn out a clutch or grind the hell out of synchros to the point of damage than it is for them to break an auto trans. Aside from doing neutral drops, running a spare "donut" on a drive axle on the highway or attempting to pull a mountain out of the ground, there's not that much you can "accidentally" do to an auto trans that would kill it.

It's a silly argument in my opinion that just comes down to preference. These days, with the technological advancements of automatic transmissions, I'd be hard pressed to say that one is "better" than the other. The only thing I know is that both are "better" than a CVT. lol.

There are two main reasons why I like a manual over an auto.
1. they're lighter.
2. they don't generate heat
 
Entirely personal preference, but I like driving a manual car.

It's certainly not apples to apples, but my previous SUV was a 97 Ford Explorer Sport. It was totally uninvolving to drive. Just a driving appliance. MEH! I think I drove it for about a year and a half before I started looking for a manual trans 4Runner (which took ~4 months to find).

Lots of other factors in play there, but shifting the gears does make you feel more engaged, more in control, more involved with what the car is doing.

I will say that *very* occasionally I get into somewhat extreme off-road situations, usually going over large rocks/ledges, where 1st gear/low range/1000 RPM is still a bit too fast, and I'd like to be able to inch it up and over using an auto trans and the brakes. You end up slipping the clutch and doing a mad dance on all three pedals. And sometimes get the clutch a little stinky hot, or just sort of plow through.

A lower geared transfer case would also be a good solution for that situation, though.
 
JohnMc said:
Entirely personal preference, but I like driving a manual car.

It's certainly not apples to apples, but my previous SUV was a 97 Ford Explorer Sport. It was totally uninvolving to drive. Just a driving appliance. MEH! I think I drove it for about a year and a half before I started looking for a manual trans 4Runner (which took ~4 months to find).

Lots of other factors in play there, but shifting the gears does make you feel more engaged, more in control, more involved with what the car is doing.

I will say that *very* occasionally I get into somewhat extreme off-road situations, usually going over large rocks/ledges, where 1st gear/low range/1000 RPM is still a bit too fast, and I'd like to be able to inch it up and over using an auto trans and the brakes. You end up slipping the clutch and doing a mad dance on all three pedals. And sometimes get the clutch a little stinky hot, or just sort of plow through.

A lower geared transfer case would also be a good solution for that situation, though.
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This! Manual transmission + lower gearing in the transfer case. Just like driving a tractor.
 
If you suffer from testosterone poisoning, then you must have a manual tranny. If you want to crawl over big rocks and not unnecessarily abuse your vehicle, it's a lot easier with an auto.
 
JohnMc said:
Entirely personal preference, but I like driving a manual car.

It's certainly not apples to apples, but my previous SUV was a 97 Ford Explorer Sport. It was totally uninvolving to drive. Just a driving appliance. MEH! I think I drove it for about a year and a half before I started looking for a manual trans 4Runner (which took ~4 months to find).

Lots of other factors in play there, but shifting the gears does make you feel more engaged, more in control, more involved with what the car is doing.

I will say that *very* occasionally I get into somewhat extreme off-road situations, usually going over large rocks/ledges, where 1st gear/low range/1000 RPM is still a bit too fast, and I'd like to be able to inch it up and over using an auto trans and the brakes. You end up slipping the clutch and doing a mad dance on all three pedals. And sometimes get the clutch a little stinky hot, or just sort of plow through.

A lower geared transfer case would also be a good solution for that situation, though.
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I agree with this sentiment. Certain situations put you at a disadvantage but it also makes things more interesting on the easier to moderate stuff. Highway grades and mountain passes are also less strained when you choose the rpm’s.

pauldub said:
If you suffer from testosterone poisoning, then you must have a manual tranny. If you want to crawl over big rocks and not unnecessarily abuse your vehicle, it's a lot easier with an auto.
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Hater! Lol yeah but low range descents you can engine brake so it has at least ONE legit offroad advantage over a slushbox!
 
The fact that Toyota made so many more auto than manual 3rd gens is coloring this opinion poll somewhat. We like what we're used to. Ask this question to the 1st gen guys where a greater percentage of trucks were manual and you'll get a different answer.
 
SpidermanGeek said:
This always makes me laugh as an argument for Manual transmissions.

When's the last time you ever saw someone bump start a Manual?
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How about early March in Moab on Hells Revenge? Couldn't figure out why my son's rig wouldn't start intermittently. Just bump started it. a couple times.
 
QUOTE=SpidermanGeek;2972887]This always makes me laugh as an argument for Manual transmissions.


All the time.... I have even used the starter to move the runner up my driveway a few times when the engine wouldn’t start.
 
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snow junky said:
QUOTE=SpidermanGeek;2972887]This always makes me laugh as an argument for Manual transmissions.


All the time.... I have even used the starter to move the runner up my driveway a few times when the engine wouldn’t start.
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I was in Mexico this January in the middle of the desert and pulled into a gas station and a guy from Idaho offered me a few hundred bucks to tow him 150 km to the nearest city because his starter was shot on his automatic Chevy and therefore he couldn't push start it. Of course towing wouldn't work because without the engine running he would have no brakes or steering. So he had to get the gas station to call the town and get a tow truck to come down. Ouch...

From now on I think I'll carry a spare starter with me on trips, even with my manual tranny. If I leave the car parked in the boonies for a while I always try to park it on a hill where I could roll start it if the battery died.
 
In a fast car manual and I like real stick shift don't like paddles that are becoming more prevalent. But I like the auto in my 2000sr5.
 
If I have to explain….

This reminds me of the Harleys vs. other brands of smoother more reliable less expensive brands of cycles “debate”….and this sums it up:
”if we have to explain it, you wouldn’t understand”

Me? Harleys and Manuals
 
FWIW I do have a NWF transfer case doubler kit coming to address the rare situations where 1st/LO/1000 rpm is too fast. Engage 1 LO for normal off roading, double it with the second for big rock crawling.

My wife got a Marlin TacoBox on her manual 4Runner this spring and had it out in Moab this summer. Where it was *awesome* going over really rough trails (like Rose Garden Hill, Elephant Hill). Going down big ledges on an already steep Rose Garden, she was able to just idle down, all 4 wheels geared together, didn't even need to touch the brakes. Just slowly crept down. I was on the brakes, which isn't as good when going down something really steep, because you're more likely to lock a wheel here or there and then it slides with less control. And she made going up steep obstacle look easy, undramatic, dare I saw... boring? Not that that's a bad thing. I was still having to bash through.
 
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