Manual vs automatic
 

Hey guys. Is a manual or automatic transmission better? And for what purposes? For example towing, touring, trails, daily driving. Also specific model advantages and disadvantages between transmissions.

i have the best of both worlds.
i have a Manual 5 speed Suzuki built more for my offroading needs, and the Jeep 5sp Auto. built for being a soccer mums car at the moment,

whilst offroad i love the jeeps engine / gearing it means i can approach things lean a tire up against a step and then just press accelerator and not worry about a burning clutch or stalling and starting again, i love an auto box whislt offroading it's personally allot safer doing rock hopping and driving, to trails and tracks. if geard correctly has the same engine compression as a manual would.

around town i love my manual box just gives me something to do and i feel as though i have a bit more control on my speeds when coming up to round abouts, instant power if needed dependant on gear i'm in there's no delay between gear changes like there are in the auto box.

along the highway, my jeep is amazing cruise speeds and i would prefer the suzi to have a 6th maybe even a 7th gear on a highway!

the only benefit i can really see to having a manual is you can do sweet as skids bro... compression breaking donuts, mud bog roostering. and mainly all illegal things...
actually the benefit i have found is the "rocking" motion if your kind of stuck in a manual is much much better as you can just gear change and rock your car properly. where as in the auto it's not a very nice feeling or sound when your trying to rock your car back and fourth between say 1 / R - D / R - so rockign when stuck is a bit better in a manual box...

anyone else care to offer up thier oppinion ?

Automatics allow for faster head-speeds and for longer too.....

I prefer the auto in traffic as I get sick of 90 gear changes every hour. I hear in most reports autos are better offroad. However I think it would be easier to crawl down hill with a manual as unless I am doing something wrong with the auto as even in 1st won't lock up enough. Although with 4.1s it has improved dramatically. I do like that I don't have to replace a clutch. The AW4s seem to be reasonable transmissions if looked after they have a long life.

Regards A

Depends on make and model and how new or old you are buying. The new pentaster on the wrangler with the five speed auto is hands down better than the manual in all situations and as they now come with hill descent I wonder why anybody would purchase a new manual?

Love my auto,it was one of many requirements when I was looking to buy.
Lost count of how many times I've heard,"Ït's alright for you,yours is an automatic."

Cause nowdays there is more point and shoot driving and letting the car do all the work and less real 4wding. Bit old school but I like to 'Drive the car'. Traction control, Hill descent, ABS, responsive suspension is all taking the fun out of it. And it makes us lazy 4wders.
I learnt so much more out of my old ifs hilux than any big fat patrol.

M