Stick vs Auto

[naytwan]

I found what looks like to be a nice 4x4 with a 5 speed. Is there any advantage of one over the other. It has been a few years since I drove a stick so that would be interesting.

So is there any real advantage of a stick vs an automatic?

 

[96743runner]

What year is it? How many miles?

From what I have been reading on this forum, it seems as though the manual trannys have had less failures and problems than the automatic trannys. It also really depends on the kind of driving you will be doing. If you do a lot of city driving, I would personally recommend a auto, but it's really your personal preference.

 

[naytwan]

I will mainly doing highway driving. How would the stick be in desert type terrain? Its a 97 with 120,000 on it.

 

[JohnsD90]

I will mainly doing highway driving. How would the stick be in desert type terrain? Its a 97 with 120,000 on it.

Buy it, Stick are rare on these, and the clutch catches right before you let it off, so its really easy to shift.

 

[Justin727]

Agreed the main reason I even bought my 4Runner is the simple fact that it was a stick.

If it would have been an auto I would not have bought it. :nono:

 

[JohnsD90]

Agreed the main reason I even bought my 4Runner is the simple fact that it was a stick.

If it would have been an auto I would not have bought it. :nono:

yeah, my dad came home one day and said i bought a 97 4runner off an auction for $1800, my reply "If its not stick i dont want it"

 

[spongerx]

My 97 is a stick also. It's way more fun to drive especially if you aren't going to be stuck in the city pumping the clutch all day. I'd go for it!!:guitar2:

 

[Justin727]

Shoot even in the city the 4runner is a breeze to drive with a stick.

Guess I got use to driving in houston rush hour traffic in the supra with a 3200lbs pressure plate. It'll work ya out then ya get use to it

 

[kellogg]

yeah, my dad came home one day and said i bought a 97 4runner off an auction for $1800, my reply "If its not stick i dont want it"

Wow a little ungrateful lol.

Off roading is more fun with a stick I think, as it is more challenging. You do have more control, and its fun being able to idle over stuff at .5 MPH in 1st gear 4L.

 

[Pikeman]

Off roading is more fun with a stick I think, as it is more challenging. You do have more control, and its fun being able to idle over stuff at .5 MPH in 1st gear 4L.

Challenging yes but I happen to remember you stalling it a few times while trying to idle over stuff..LOL actually you did great and had fun.

You definitely have more control over your rig with a Stick. I have the Auto and sometimes it is nice but can tell the lack of driver controlled input especially on downhills with engine run-up. Have to use your brakes a lot more. Comes down to personal preference.

 

[theizzardking]

i personally prefer auto's for rocking out of the mud and daily driving,
the extra control while crawling with a stick is negligible to me and i don't race my runner either so i'm quite happy with a auto.

 

[theizzardking]

Challenging yes but I happen to remember you stalling it a few times while trying to idle over stuff..LOL actually you did great and had fun.

You definitely have more control over your rig with a Stick. I have the Auto and sometimes it is nice but can tell the lack of driver controlled input especially on downhills with engine run-up. Have to use your brakes a lot more. Comes down to personal preference.

couldn't you just down shift the selector to 1st for increased engine breaking?

again last part of his post is spot on, i don't think either one has a clear advantage, i think it just comes down to what you prefer.

 

[JeremyH]

houston rush hour traffic

Haha! I drive my manual jeep occasionally in Houston traffic....but my auto 4R is still MUCH easier. I dont have to concentrate much, which gives me more time to flip off and yell at other drivers....:thumb3:

 

[Elton H]

drove lots of automatics will never own one there no fun if i was in stop and go traffic all the time sure id have one then but i like my 5spd

 

[Pikeman]

couldn't you just down shift the selector to 1st for increased engine breaking?

again last part of his post is spot on, i don't think either one has a clear advantage, i think it just comes down to what you prefer.

I use the gear selector to 1st and sometimes put it in 4LO to help but on some descents still get a little run-up. I am researching a manual torque converter lock-up(using it like a clutch) switch to get benefit of engine braking.

 

[theizzardking]

I use the gear selector to 1st and sometimes put it in 4LO to help but on some descents still get a little run-up. I am researching a manual torque converter lock-up(using it like a clutch) switch to get benefit of engine braking.

sounds kind of fun/interesting keep us informed! :lookout:

 

[kellogg]

Challenging yes but I happen to remember you stalling it a few times while trying to idle over stuff..LOL actually you did great and had fun.

Hey man those were some of my first real obstacles! lol. Nothing like the smell of clutch during a nice day of wheeling.

 

[p nut]

Actually, for offroading, I'd give the nod to the auto. Being able to keep a foot on the brake while gassing is very useful at times. I don't see any major advantages to a stick over an auto. Bump starts? Ease of trans fluid change? I do like both and wouldn't mind if my truck were stuck. I've always had manual cars, and was skeptical when going auto with a truck, but now I enjoy it. Makes eating and driving a bit less chore, too.

 

[Fireball]

If I didn't live in ATL where there is tons of traffic I would've been looking for a stick. As it is, glad I went with the auto.

 

[JohnsD90]

Wow a little ungrateful lol.

Off roading is more fun with a stick I think, as it is more challenging. You do have more control, and its fun being able to idle over stuff at .5 MPH in 1st gear 4L.

when he said that, we previously had an agreement on a different car i was gonna get.