Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

I've never bought an automatic, but...

5K views 78 replies 43 participants last post by  drock3825 
#1 ·
a co-worker who drives a Wrangler tells me the 6 speed manual in his 2012 JK is not one he enjoys and says next time he will get an automatic. I have test driven a 2016 6 speed manual and I thought it was fine, but I'm curious what current JK 6 speed manual owners have to say on this matter.

Thanks,

Rich (Future 2017 JK Owner)
 
#2 ·
The 6 speed in my 2013 seems just fine to me. Smooth, goes in gear easy and solid, and doesn't feel loose or like it's gunna slip at all. I've been driving manual transmissions since I got my license in the early 80s and it seems like one of the best I've had myself.
 
#5 ·
I've been driving a manual since the late 70's, in economy cars, sports cars and trucks. It's not a sports car clutch, but better than some of the trucks I've had. I don't regret ordering the manual at all. If you liked it, and want a clutch, then get it.
 
#6 ·
2014 JKU with 6 speed and no complaints, smoother than some I have owned. The cool thing is that the thing will come to nearly a complete stop in 1st with foot on the brake, clutch out, and the engine doesn't stall. Then back on the gas gently and no lurching. Don't have to use the clutch at all if not coming to a compete stop. Love the manual.

I have been told by numerous people that for heavy duty wheeling auto is the way to go. For what I have been doing it hasn't been an issue so far. When I went to 35s I had to regear to 4.56s which has worked out very well.
 
#7 ·
Been driving stick since 94, ordered my 2012 from the factory because I couldn't find one anywhere within 100+ miles with the options I wanted and stick. If I could do it over again, I'd have gone automatic though. Learned after the fact about it being better for crawling, and I'm getting older and have a few aches & pains that seem to react to the day in day out clutchwork of a stick now.
 
#8 ·
If you do go with manual, do yourself a big favor and replace the shift knob. It will greatly enhance the driving pleasure in ways I cannot begin to describe. Within 2 weeks of buying my Jeep I had an EPCO Rally Shift Knob on order. - that's about a long as I could take the stock one. I also replaced the t-case shift knob, but that's a different story.

Rally Stripe Shift Knobs - EPCO

 
#12 ·
My '14 JK was a 6-spd, and I greatly considered an automatic in my '16 JKU. Went with the 6-spd in the JKU and I'm so glad I did.

As far as the stop and go traffic argument, you haven't experienced SNG traffic until you've been in it for 10 hours under a mandatory hurricane evacuation. Ugh. Now that sucked.
 
#46 ·
My '14 JK was a 6-spd, and I greatly considered an automatic in my '16 JKU. Went with the 6-spd in the JKU and I'm so glad I did. As far as the stop and go traffic argument, you haven't experienced SNG traffic until you've been in it for 10 hours under a mandatory hurricane evacuation. Ugh. Now that sucked.
why did you stay in the stop and go traffic? Usually there's a Jeep lane right down the middle. It's often overgrown with grass because it's not often used. But that's what it's designed for.
 
#15 ·
My 2009 6-speed works fine and I couldn't be happier off-road, but for long trips, we take the wife's 2016 Black Bear with auto.
 
#17 ·
Manuals are for idiots.

(Now, does that comment make any more sense than most of the ones posted?)

Personal preference guides the choice peppered by some consideration for driving environment. ATs can be more compliant in stop/go traffic as well as rock crawling. Other than that MTs are certainly fun especially for those who like to play with long shafts with a bulbous head on the end.
 
#21 ·
Other than that MTs are certainly fun especially for those who like to play with long shafts with a bulbous head on the end.

You caught me. That's why I am always late for appointments, I'm in the parking lot stroking my knob.
 
#23 ·
While I was saving up for my jkur I had my mind set on a manual. Have had a few dd manual cars. But that's what they were, cars. The jeep felt ridiculous in comparison and the main thing that turned me off to it was how the rpms TAKE FOREVER TO GO DOWN. so it's either wait or burn the clutch i didn't want to do either

Sent from my XT1096 using Tapatalk
 
#25 ·
#29 ·
When you test drive a JK manual it will feel different than other manuals you may have driven. It took me quite awhile to be totally smooth with mine. That said, I'm so damn happy I went manual rather than auto, but I'm old school, and you couldn't give me a Porsche with paddle shifters.
 
#31 ·
...and you couldn't give me a Porsche with paddle shifters.
Well you better buy that Porsche now then. For good or bad, the manual transmission is going the way of the dinosaur in European performance cars. Many reasons: 1) The auto transmissions are becoming much more advanced and shift more like a manual than an auto (DSGs and the like), 2) The shift time is blazing in these performance transmissions, 3) They can handle greater horsepower than the manuals, and 4) Europeans don't share the same fascination with manuals that we in the states do. They are equated with low status in society. I wealthy European that can afford a performance car will choose an auto for status. The manuals are reserved for rental cars and those with low income. Of course these are generalizations and one can always find exceptions.

Audi is discontinuing manuals in many cars in its future lineup, the S4 and R8 for example. I have an Audi S4 with DSG and the transmission is amazing. Can't really compare a DSG to the auto transmission in a Jeep.

Why the Audi R8 Doesn't Offer a Manual Transmission or a V-8 Engine
 
#30 ·
I owned four Jeeps with the M6 before the two with the A5 I currently own: I never had any issues with either transmission.

I like the character the M6 brings to the Jeep and it is surprisingly fun to drive on twisty roads, but the A5 is the easiest to use on the trail and in traffic.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top