Why would anyone buy a manual?

[mrdenn1s]

Just curious what the reasons might be?

Easier to drive....no
Easier to use off road....no
Wife can use it......no

I was actually thinking of putting this in the electrical section as I believe that is where all good Shitfights belong

[markymark]

because my (wifes) auto petrol Prado has crap engine braking! Other than that it's a pleasure but boring. The old manual V6 Triton though is fun to drive 

Mark.

[singo-26]

My wife hates driving autos. My car is manual cause that was how it was.

[alnjan]

Simply put a Manual is a lot more fun to drive then a auto, esp off road

[speewa158]

l am secure in the knowledge that l know when its time to change gears .  BUT if you not up to really drive a real gearbox or know how to do  & still want to get out there beyond the RACV  ( or who ever ) . Oh can you start an auto with a flat battery in the bush 

[Tassie devils]

Because automatics are for girls

[Heiny]

better engine braking
cheaper to repair
cheaper to service
no overheating issues when towing
can push start
less brake wear
Wife prefers manuals (so do I)

  Brett

[Symon]

Just curious what the reasons might be?

Easier to drive....no
Easier to use off road....no
Wife can use it......no

I was actually thinking of putting this in the electrical section as I believe that is where all good ****fights belong

Easier to roll start .... yes
Cheaper to run.... yes
Cheaper to buy.... yes
Stronger gearbox.... yes
My wife can drive it.... yes
Easier to fix.... yes
More reliable.... yes

Struggling to see what the argument is here.

Oh yeah, 70 series cruisers don't come in automatic.

[bunyip]

I would buy a manual because it keeps me engaged in the driving process therefore i keep concentration better.

Aside from that I love the driving experience.

LB drives manual just as well as anyone i know.

Bunyip

[D4D]

Sounds like not many of you have driven an auto lately...
manual cheaper- not with a dual mass flywheel
engine braking - on par in a diesel and/or use DAC
stonger gearbox - maybe against the old 3 speed auto
more reliable - how many autos go bang these days compared to clutches
oh and it leaves a hand free for other things...

[Symon]

Manuals are cheaper to buy and service.  Yes dual mass flywheels are expensive but you don't tend to break them unless you drive a Nissan.
I agree there isn't any real difference in engine braking.
Manuals are stronger, fewer parts also mean more reliable.
Manuals also don't tend to overheat while towing or driving through soft sand.

Again it is one of those personal preference things, we could argue about it for years and not actually come up with an outcome.

[bunyip]

I have a choice of auto's to drive as we have sold all our manuals.

I miss manual, it was fun to drive.

Please don"t tell me what you do with your spare hand

Bunyip

[OzJeeper]

Can't stall start an auto......

[deepop]

Won't knock an auto (ya big girl).
Prefer to swap my own cogs.
To each his own.
My own is that I'm a tighta@#$ where cheaper is better - partly why I drive a petrol as well.

[D4D]

Can't stall start an auto......

You don't need to...

[SteveandViv]

Sounds like not many of you have driven an auto lately...
manual cheaper- not with a dual mass flywheel
engine braking - on par in a diesel and/or use DAC
stonger gearbox - maybe against the old 3 speed auto
more reliable - how many autos go bang these days compared to clutches
oh and it leaves a hand free for other things...

oh and it leaves a hand free for other things..

I prefer to wait until I'm alone for that or I ask my wife for help

[Woodsie]

My wife loves the manual ( Land cruiser)and its her shopping trolly during the week, I personally drive an auto for work as the RTV is rated as stronger for towing the work trailer

[nbd73]

D4D has it pretty right, except for the part about reliability which should be brand qualified. Most of the members on this forum appear to drive patrols or utes, so their statements would be true when looking at the auto options available for those styles of vehicles.  However, if you want a wagon then the auto is a far better option. In the case of Discovery or Cruiser 200 there is no manual option. If they have a transmission oil cooler fitted and are serviced properly should be no problem ( unless it's made by Jeep)

[matt150]

Had a auto 4wd for 7 years. Time for a change, love the six speed manual !

[GeoffA]

Manuals are cheaper to buy and service.  Yes dual mass flywheels are expensive but you don't tend to break them unless you drive a 3.0L Nissan.

.......fixed it for ya, Symon.........

[GeoffA]

Can't stall start an auto......

.....or a TD42T....(well, you'd have to be pretty thick if you did).......

[bushrat]

Manuals are also safer.

[Hairs]

I've owned two 4wd's, both manuals. Love the 80 1hd-t as a manual 
I've owned auto's in my street cars, stall converters and shift kits. 
Auto's have come a long way over the years, I guess coupled with traction control an auto would go just as far into a bog, maybe even deeper than a manual would.
 

[UIZ733]

Because real men love the feeling of a knob in their hand

[gibbo301]

Because real men love the feeling of a knob in their hand

You can't argue with that