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Manual vs Automatic

2K views 26 replies 19 participants last post by  VaJeepster 
#1 ·
I don't want to create another one of those threads asking which is better, but I would like to know if a jeep was the first manual you had? I'v always had an automatic and still have my f150. I bought a jeep as an extra vehicle and a toy and got a 5spd in it. This is actually my first stick shift and I am not going to lie.... it's not been the easiest transition. Should I sell it and look for an auto or try and suck it up? If it was a daily driver I would definitely want an auto, but since it will be a weekend car/toy I am leaning towards keeping it even though I am not the biggest fan of the manual right now. Any advice?

Basically for the manual guys out there I would like to know if you were in the same boat as me when you got your first jeep? Wasn't a big fan of the manual and now love it or had you previously driven manuals?
 
#2 ·
Whenever I've had a choice, I've always chosen manual. There are times in heavy traffic where I find myself daydreaming about an auto, but for me the manual is fantastic.

Some have reported that even with lots of experience, the manual in the JK is difficult to really get comfortable with, but that hasn't been my experience. I'm happy I didn't pay extra for the manual, and I'd make the same decision again.

If you've driven manual before, and you enjoy that aspect of having control over the car, then even if the manual is a bit tricky to learn, I can't see how you'd ever be happy just mashing the go pedal. But that's just me.

If you're doing a lot of wheeling, I can see how auto would make things easier...
 
#3 ·
I don't want to create another one of those threads asking which is better, but I would like to know if a jeep was the first manual you had? I'v always had an automatic and still have my f150. I bought a jeep as an extra vehicle and a toy and got a 5spd in it. This is actually my first stick shift and I am not going to lie.... it's not been the easiest transition. Should I sell it and look for an auto or try and suck it up? If it was a daily driver I would definitely want an auto, but since it will be a weekend car/toy I am leaning towards keeping it even though I am not the biggest fan of the manual right now. Any advice?

Basically for the manual guys out there I would like to know if you were in the same boat as me when you got your first jeep? Wasn't a big fan of the manual and now love it or had you previously driven manuals?
I personally wanted an Auto Jeep at first, but my Dad - who his first cars were all Manuals - Convinced me to get the Manual. I'm very happy he did! Because I love my Manual TJ. Took about a week or two to finally become proficient with the Stick Shift but I got the hang of it and it's a lot funner in my opinion than driving an Auto!

Also, repairs are really easy/cheaper and gas mileage is slightly better on a Manual vehicle.
 
#4 ·
gas mileage is slightly better on a Manual vehicle.
i'd have to disagree with that.


OP i like manuals. i've only ever had one automatic and it failed me. after that i swore them off forever. more to the point, my first vehicle was a manual and at the time i didn't care what transmission it had in it. i eventually got the hang of it and so will you.
 
#5 ·
Automatic is more convienent but I don't think I could own a jeep and have it be auto. But that's just me. I've had a cj7 and 2 wranglers all stick. I had 2 f250s in between and I truly missed the stick other than traffic ha ha and going up hill in traffic. The worst. I test drove an auto and felt it didn't have the pick up the stick does.
 
#6 ·
Since I have gotten my license...manual is all I have driven. By choice? Not really...it is what I had available to me.

For my personal needs, I would love to have an automatic in my jeep...but I have managed very well with a stick shift. I have towed with it, as well as driven some pretty tough trails/obstacles with it. It all comes down to personal preference though.

In an offroad sense...I would consider a manual transmission similar to wheeling without lockers (which I have also done). If you have a jeep with front and rear lockers, it is easier to throw it into low range and start crawling and taking harder lines. Without lockers you can still take those hard lines but, you learn to read your trails, pick your lines, and learn to DRIVE your jeep. Once you become proficient in wheeling without lockers, adding them will make you an even better driver. I think same thing applies with the transmission. With an auto it is easy to just point and go...if you arent getting where you want, you add some gas...once you are over an obstacle you can hold the brake. With a manual, you need a little more finesse. You learn how to handle all three pedals at once. You learn how to work the ebrake and a handle throttle in there. Once you become proficient at wheeling a stick shift, and you are ever provided an opportunity to wheel an automatic, you will be that much better IMHO.
 
#8 ·
I'm old. I've been driving manuals all my life. Have owned many of both.
I prefer the manual in my pickup because it is better for towing, IMO.
I drive commercial trucks for a living, so it's not about the shifting. It's all about what works best for offroading in my Jeep. And for me, the automatic in my present Jeep works best.
 
#13 ·
Good for you! You should come back in a month or so to let us know how much you love your manual.

I've yet to purchase my first automatic, and vividly remember the learning process on a manual (it's only been 13 years!). The good news is the learning curve is not flat, it is more exponential, so once you reach a certain point, you'll really gain confidence quickly.
 
#14 ·
My first manual was the TJ I have right now. Learning from auto to stick was difficult but man am I happy my dad forced me to learn. I don't know what it is, I love the control and feeling when you are slamming gears and actually controlling your vehicle. And the looks you get with no doors and driving stick;) i guess people don't see that often...
 
#15 ·
I read statements all the time on how having a manual provides more control over the Jeep.

Can anyone explain how this happens?

Maybe I just don't get it.:)
 
#16 ·
IMO when your able to control which gear your shifted in(or playing it neutral) based on the current weather condition depending on your geographical location would be my basic answer. In example: Im at a stop light with an ice patch located under me. Using gear 1 or 2 slowly will get me off properly where as automatic, just pushing the gas will more likely cause a spin situation.

I dont claim to be a pro driver but I just dont feel safe in an automatic car anymore. Where as simply pushing gas or brake doesnt do for it me and I've got into accidents as a result.
 
#18 ·
I taught all my kids to drive with a manual,using my Jeep in 4lo.Just put them in the pasture and told them don't run into a tree.After they got good enough in 4lo,then 4hi then 2wd.After they could handle the stick well enough we hit the road.The oldest and youngest still prefer sticks, while my middle one bought an auto as soon as she could afford it.My youngest will drive my 6 speed diesel every time she gets the chance and hates the auto Cruze I got her to drive to school.She will leave it with me and drive the diesel or Jeep if I let her.yjmcb
 
#19 ·
As far as learning it takes time, but I have say this in defense of driving a stick to stick or an auto. If you have learned on an older stick with a manual cable driven throttle body and you get a newer 20005 and up depending on make you will buy in a complete drive by wire throttle system and it takes time to learn the throttle response and during that time you will probably stall it or have a very high rpm engagement. For me I the first stick I drove was a 1969 VW Ghia and a 95 Toyota Tacoma. I had a 2011 Subaru Imperza which I miss dearly that I traded for my 06 LJ Rubi with a 6spd.
 
#20 ·
My first was an '89 F-250 manual, very easy to drive compared to my '11 JK. It was almost like learning all over again. It took me about a week to get good and smooth with it. I couldn't see myself driving an auto Jeep, I'd be missing out on all the fun. Plus it feels like a robot is helping me drive or something, like Im cheating.

I would stick to the stick, you will get good at it. Just takes a while.

Now about the gas milage. I can hold my clutch in while going down the road, hit the reset and it will jump up to 80 mpg or higher, depending on how fast Im going. So if you knock it in nuety every time you start slowing down for a stop, I suppose you would have to get better milage. You gotta change gears anyway, right?
 
#23 ·
True. It's a never ending debate. Plenty of manual Jeeps make it up that hill.:)
 
#24 ·
I didn't really have a choice as to whether my jeep was manual or not.... I've wanted one since the 3rd grade and when the opportunity came to get one that was reasonable in price and everything and it was manual I was more than willing to learn!! It really is personal preference but with a jeep I would want nothing but manual now that I have mine !
 
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