Automatic or Manual, that is the question.

[warmonger]

My experience off-road in the Manual vs Auto thing has not been in favor of manuals. On every southeastern rock-crawling event I have been on manuals have been at a disadvantage. Now before anyone rips me a new @#$, hear me out. Most of our off-roading is on mud-covered rocks. Unless the manual driver is an exceptional driver, all I ever smell on the trail with them is burning clutches. The bad thing about that is if a manual is burning clutches at that rate, the manual driver is wasting as much power as is being sucked up by the auto slush box.

The other plus to the auto is the ability to ease into an obstacle without having to milk the clutch. A good clutch driver can reduce this problem susbstantially. But without that ability, it usually results in the spinning of tires and the old sideways slide off of a mud-covered obstacle.

The advantage manuals do have is the ability to choose which gear they want to run in. Without a manual valve body available for Nissans, autos will never have this option. This is especially handy in low range. You also have improved gear reduction usually with a lower first gear.

Experience for me has told me I prefer the auto to the manual for those reasons. I know there are those who will dispute it, but it really is a matter of choice and driving experiences.

[Toy4x4Guy]

Originally posted by warmonger

The advantage manuals do have is the ability to choose which gear they want to run in. Without a manual valve body available for Nissans, autos will never have this option.

On my Auto I have the ability to select either 1st or 2nd gear. These are the most common gears used in a Manual on the trail, so I don't really see that as an advantage to the manual.

[Stans]

I had a auto in my Pathy I got got rid of and now have a 02 SE/SC with the five speed and really like it. I did not feel the auto was worth the extra $1,000. I just got back from a weekend of off roading and it was fine for the kind of driving I do. I also do not have to do a lot of sity comuting either. Here in ST.Louis hoverever, 5 speeds are hard to find.

[ozxterra]

1st and 2nd on an auto is a little different to a manual. You do not get the same control over the gears as you dont have a clutch etc.. Its a little apt to "ranginess" too.. Since the low end gearing in Low 4 sucks as it is anemic I dont see the point in getting a manual for wheelin' specifically. The auto does the job just fine and a lot more conveniently. If the trim package you want comes with a manual or you wanna save the $$ then it is a good idea. Performance wise I dont see the point.

[warmonger]

Originally posted by Toy4x4Guy


On my Auto I have the ability to select either 1st or 2nd gear. These are the most common gears used in a Manual on the trail, so I don't really see that as an advantage to the manual.

Actually you don't. If you put an X into second gear, it will shift through first and then to 2nd. You can't put the truck in second gear and do a second gear start. It requires a manual valve body to do that. It really limits gear choice in an auto. Try it sometime, you will see what I mean. That is the primary disadvantage to an automatic besides the reduced compression braking.

[Toy4x4Guy]

Originally posted by warmonger


Actually you don't. If you put an X into second gear, it will shift through first and then to 2nd. You can't put the truck in second gear and do a second gear start. It requires a manual valve body to do that. It really limits gear choice in an auto. Try it sometime, you will see what I mean. That is the primary disadvantage to an automatic besides the reduced compression braking.

That is true. I had forgotten about it shifting.

[wqbang]

Autos are easier to drive on or off road. I simply like to choose my gears.

[rrdstarr]

I have never owned an automatic!!! But if I did I would want some sort of Tiptronic like Porsche or Ferrari has, (and I don't know who else nowadays makes one?)! Those were fun to test drive! Just like a manual but no clutch!