Why would anyone buy a manual?

[Pipeliner]

Boy do I love the auto Cruiser. Stop start traffic is a breeze, off reading is a breeze. Yes it's got computers and relies on electronics. Perhaps they're the weak link. But even a manual has a weak link.

All vehicles these days rely heavily on electronics: in most cases the electronics are reliable and no cause for concern but the days of being able to fix breakdowns at the side of the road with some fencing wire and a roll of duct tape are long gone.

I much prefer an auto in city traffic, but outside the cities you need to change gear so infrequently that there is really little difference between the two, so for off-road driving it comes down to personal preference and I like to be able to descend steep hills without relying on the brakes.  Having said that, my next 4x4 may well be an auto.

[ozbogwam]

Why would anyone buy a manual?

Pretty simple really... I like changing gears.
In some situations it would be easier in an auto but I like the added challenge of changing gears.

What is the challenge in changing gears?

I'd hazard a guess that most who are dissing the autos haven't driven a modern 4wd with an auto whilst offroad.

[heath74]

After 2 manuals, I'm now in an auto.  I won't go back.

[SteveandViv]

What is the challenge in changing gears?

I'd hazard a guess that most who are dissing the autos haven't driven a modern 4wd with an auto whilst offroad.

I'd hazard a guess that those who say this aren't - getting why some of us still like driving a manual. It's not a challenge  , it's just fun to - 'drive the car' while some like to cruise in their car, nothing wrong with that as is nothing wrong with me preferring to change from first to second or holding it back in second as I come to an intersection with the revs at 5k RPM. Your missing - our point.

[Symon]

What is the challenge in changing gears?

I'd hazard a guess that most who are dissing the autos haven't driven a modern 4wd with an auto whilst offroad.

You guessed wrong.  I have driven several newer autos offroad and I still like my manual.

Its a personal preference.

Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710a using Tapatalk 2

[ozbogwam]

I'd hazard a guess that those who say this aren't - getting why some of us still like driving a manual. It's not a challenge  , it's just fun to - 'drive the car' while some like to cruise in their car, nothing wrong with that as is nothing wrong with me preferring to change from first to second or holding it back in second as I come to an intersection with the revs at 5k RPM. Your missing - our point.

I didn't state my preference, which is manual for many occasions, but an auto matched with a sweet engine and appropriate gearing is also a hell of a lot of fun to drive. Just didn't get what was challenging about changing gears

[nbd73]

Maybe it comes down to whether you just want to get where your going, or if the "getting there" is part of the trip. Used to drive old school clunky 4sp manuals and LOVED it, but having now driven and owned 2 modern autos could never go back as per other comments in this thread. Maybe it comes to age also, was in the 20's when loved the manual, now fast approaching 40 so who knows.
There is no answer to this, but provided its looked after the auto is far easier (not necessarily "better") to drive when towing, but agree that a manual is stacks of fun un-hitched, especially off road. Sorry to buy in twice to this thread, but it's quite interesting reading and makes for great camp fire debate.

[SteveandViv]

I didn't state my preference, which is manual for many occasions, but an auto matched with a sweet engine and appropriate gearing is also a hell of a lot of fun to drive. Just didn't get what was challenging about changing gears

Yep, you said that - no worries, I agree and then you said

I'd hazard a guess that most who are dissing ( what ever that means) the autos haven't driven a modern 4wd with an auto whilst offroad.

And I said - what I said...

[mrdenn1s]

For the record, if my wife could drive one and the challenger turbo lag wasnt so profound, i would have one also

[Kalebjarrod]

Just got my first auto

Really enjoying it, super easy to back into camp or line up the camper to hook up

Easier to drive on the sand, easier to negotiate rough terrain

I think I'll enjoy going for a drive in a manual every now and then but for now ......................

auto auto auto auto auto

[cm4x4nut]

The choice is easy when the coice of vehicle only comes with one style of gearbox.

200's are auto only!

However, as far as this argument /discussion is going. the auto option was the only one I had for the main vehicle. See my wife can not "feel" a car. no matter how hard I try and tell her that an engine is labouring or is in the incorrect gear she just does not "feel" it. She has been taught to drive a certain way, 5th gear 80k/h, 4th gear 50k/h etc, etc and now amount of unteaching sdo far has proved successful. therefore if I want her to be able to tow the camper on long drives and not have to replace turbos every 5000ks, then I have to take the gear decision away from her. She never towed either camper with the trol.

I was an auto sceptic, now I have the 200, there has been a few occasions that the 200 has got over an obstacle that I do not think the trol would of, due to being able to go slower. I was concerned about downhill engine braking, and in all honestly in high range, engine braking is poo, however, switch over to low range and in low first it would be as good as the trol was........even better if hill descent button is pressed.

Having said that, my car (200) is an auto, her car (korean poo box) is a manual and as gutless as it is, it is a lot of fun to drive.......have both, best of both worlds!

[rotare]

Aren't most autos now triptronic anyway, so they are just as easy as a manual if you feel the need to be in total control of up shifts and down shifts of gears 

I guess some people simply like to keep their left leg busy during a trip 

[SteveandViv]

Aren't most autos now triptronic anyway, so they are just as easy as a manual if you feel the need to be in total control of up shifts and down shifts of gears 

I guess some people simply like to keep their left leg busy during a trip 

not just my left leg 

[McGirr]

The cruiser is Auto and have driven manuals for years but the auto is great. The lancer I have is auto with padels near the steering wheel so I can also use it as a manual also.

I do not need to have my hand on a knob 

Mark
 

[BigJules]

The choice is easy when the coice of vehicle only comes with one style of gearbox.

200's are auto only!

There are two reasons for this:
1. There was little demad for manual gearboxes
2. The new autos are so good the manufacturer believes this is the best option

[ozbogwam]

Just to expand on my choices

My Mini clubman with worked engine was a manual and was a joy to drive because of this

Had a Mini K auto, urge

2.4 petrol Hilux manual was boring

Sierra, manual was great fun and needed to be manual to utilise the high revving engine. Once I installed 100:1 gearing an auto would have been a much better choice for extreme offroad work, more control

V8 Valiant with auto, perfect combo, lazy V8 with heaps of torque, perfect cruising car

4.2 non turbo diesel GU manual which is needed to ensure I'm always in the power band

3.6 Jackaroo petrol auto. Nice match of engine and box, bit thirsty, but nice civilized family 4wd

So I guess it's horses for courses for me

[shanegtr]

Aren't most autos now triptronic anyway, so they are just as easy as a manual if you feel the need to be in total control of up shifts and down shifts of gears 

I hate "triptronic" autos. If I tell the box to change gears, I want it to change gears now - not 4 seconds later
I prefer manuals, I just feel a bit more engaged in actually driving the car, not just steering it.
Also I hang onto my cars for a long time and the trend for most autoboxes are sealed for life - no dipstick to check oil level, no oil changes just run them till destruction I cant see some of the modern autos lasting as long as the simple old manual - but happy to be proven wrong

[Jeepers Creepers]

Lets face it, any energy used to depress a clutch or pull a stick shift is just wasted energy.

You only get (IMO) a set number of breaths in this life and wasting them is just wasting energy, so put that energy towards drinking beer or having sex or if ya really energetic, have a beer while throwing ya missus a bone.

[xcvator]

Because I'm a man that likes to be in control  and I can multi-task 

[SteveandViv]

Just like sex really. You can either do it your self or sit back and let some one else have a go...I know where I'd rather be.  Yes it was joke

[Topender]

Just like sex really. You can either do it your self or sit back and let some one else have a go...I know where I'd rather be.  Yes it was joke

As they say......if you want the job done properly do it yourself

Dave

[Roo]

We're just back from 4 weeks up the cape, 2x100series TD cruisers, 1 manual 1 auto(older 4speed). The Auto performed really well. Engine braking wasn't a problem in low 1. Palm creek saw the manual TD splashing down hard as the driver tried in vain to slow it on the brakes but the low 1 gearing was too fast. The auto just crept over the edge on the brakes gently as could be for an easy start to the tele track. Up the other side the manual needed a second go after running out of momentum at the top, but the auto walked up easy as could be.
I always though engine braking would be the biggest drama for the auto but after coming home via the CREB track I now know its not an issue at all. I'm really glad I chose the auto now, relaxing to drive the long distances to the action then easily as capable as the manual when the fun starts.

P.s. fuel economy was near as the same for both vehicles for the whole trip as we always filled up in the same spots and almost always fitted the same amount of fuel in.
P.p.s. The Manual used more....but thats because all manual drivers think they are Fangio.

[jeeps]

My 4wd came in 4 transmissions over its manufacturing period, 5 and 6 speed manual AND 3 AND 4 sp autos. I've tried them all but by far the manuals were easier to do circle work

Cheers

[matt150]

22,000 km into my manual Prado 150 ownership. I'm very impressed with the six speed, yeah I the city I grumble about changing gears... But I live in the country !

[cruisindub]

Hows the 8 speed Amarok?

Just as well thats not a manual chang on all those gears.............