What’s your preference, automatic or manual transmission?

[TJScott]

I went with manual. I drove auto for about 20 years. Then my wife and I went to Europe for a month. We rented a stick in France, they don’t do much in the way of auto there. I was hooked again. So much fun to drive. I had forgotten what a joy they are to drive. I don’t feel like someone just sitting in the seat and pointing the car any longer. I feel like I’m part of the driving experience again. I don’t do rock crawling and all the trails we have hit thus far have been stick friendly and some have been pretty steep.


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[Reign Mack]

Have only “driven” automatic once in my life time for about 5 minutes first time last year. Think I will keep driving manual for the rest of my life given the choice. Having to reverse up a steep hill out of a parking space or stop and start traffic up steep hills does require concentration for me though.

 

[tman66]

I love manuals, but have come to fact that they suck here in the big city.

 

[rocklight]

I have had jeeps with both and for me its no contest. Automatic.

 

[PCO6]

I've owned more VW bugs and British sports cars (MG, Triumph & Jaguars) than I can remember (20?). All were standards and I never thought twice about it. My first Jeep was a '69 CJ in the early '70s and it had the worst clutch of any vehicle I ever had. Not that my first experience led to anything but every Jeep I've owned since (6) has been an automatic and again, I've never thought twice about it.

 

[Mike_H]

Mine is a manual...but more because of reliability than anything else. I have a thing against Chrysler slushboxes...may be misplaced, but its there. I'm also not a huge rock crawler...and with 4:1 lo range...In 1st and 2nd gear that jeep is pretty forgiving.

I will say Jeep did a good job with pedal placement...I can heel / toe drive my jeep pretty well. Makes double clutching downshifts nice and smooth.

 

[Serbonze]

Automatic.

 

[bobthetj03]

My prerequisites when I was searching for a TJ were, 4.0L, AC, hard top, and a manual trans. My other SUV is an automatic and it's soul sucking to drive.

 

[JamesAndTheSahara]

My prerequisites when I was searching for a TJ were, 4.0L, AC, hard top, and a manual trans. My other SUV is an automatic and it's soul sucking to drive.

X2

 

[Tj04]

Manual. I hate driving an automatic.

 

[JMT]

The 6-speed is great in 1st gear for climbing. Nice, slow and controlled, which is great for the rocks in my parts. You only get in trouble if you freak out and stop on a climb. Then it's learning to use the e-brake and clutch and accelerator properly. It works, but can be a headache. As I mentioned before, an auto is superior for rock crawling, not only because of stop and start, but the virtually infinite gearing Jerry mentioned.

 

[Tj04]

The 6-speed is great in 1st gear for climbing. Nice, slow and controlled, which is great for the rocks in my parts. You only get in trouble if you freak out and stop on a climb. Then it's learning to use the e-brake and clutch and accelerator properly. It works, but can be a headache. As I mentioned before, an auto is superior for rock crawling, not only because of stop and start, but the virtually infinite gearing Jerry mentioned.

Also where a hand throttle comes in handy. Everyone that wheels with a manual should have one imo

 

[JMT]

Also where a hand throttle comes in handy. Everyone that wheels with a manual should have one imo

Yeah, I've been meaning to get one. Maybe soon, I think they're only like $40. I guess you like yours? Didn't you get Terraflex?

 

[Tj04]

Yeah, I've been meaning to get one. Maybe soon, I think they're only like $40. I guess you like yours? Didn't you get Terraflex?

I did get the teraflex. I do like it a lot. I wouldn't mount it to shifter personally. Pm me if you want any pictures of where I installed it.

I'm sure you'd love having one; I haven't met anyone yet that regrets installing it haha. I don't always use it but I've used it a few times on steep inclines.

I just wish I had the 6 speed only for the lower first gear. oh well I'm happy with 4.01

 

[Blank]

i love stick but for my jeep its an automatic

 

[Tj04]

Man I feel like all you guys buying jeeps to let your kids drive em are crazy. If I had kids I'd never let them drive it. But to each their own.

I personally feel like the whole "autos swamp manuals in rock crawling" absolutely can be disputed. Most pro guys do run autos but I don't know that that makes them better. I have no doubt the auto is way easier but there are a lot of rock crawlers running manuals that prefer them. Again, no doubt the autos are easier. My one run thru Moab was in an auto.

I do think the substantially lower gear ratio of 4 and lower vs 2.84 or so in an auto is worth it if you are willing to learn and put more work into it.

JMO.

Autos are for lazy people

 

[glwood]

No one's going to convince anyone else they're wrong or right. People like what they like.

It's like trying to argue what the best Jeep color is (when everyone knows it's silver).

 

[Tj04]

No one's going to convince anyone else they're wrong or right. People like what they like.

It's like trying to argue what the best Jeep color is (when everyone knows it's silver).

Convincing can be attempted

But At least jeep doesn't use any horrendously shitty transmissions like they did in the e.g. Patriot, that regularly goes out at about 100-115k. Both of my brothers patriots trannys did around there as well.

So I do feel there is no wrong answer as well and no matter what you have is great!

These are just my bored ramblings at work. If I come across as an ass or anything I definitely don't intend to.

 

[gus969]

Stick for me! Like the control, simplicity( much easier to repair) .
Automatics have left me stranded with cataclysmic fair Ute and expensive to fix.

If you drive a lot in a city / surburban, high traffic stops n starts that could swing someone for an auto I guess.

 

[Blk Rhino]

stick!