auto vs manual

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t5desperado

t5desperado

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So what's people views on this?
Will be using it for 90% off road and laning always preferred manuals but been lookin at a auto just wondered if there's any disadvantages
 
Probably easier to drive, but no engine braking unless you work the gear selector, so you may as well have had manual in the first place :D

I've driven both, mine is manual, son's is auto, he prefers the manual for the fun of going through the box, but the auto when he can't be bothered.

Peter
 
I would say manual. Converted my rangy to manual from auto.

I would say if your towing or driving very long steep hills in a diesel then auto, if fairly level ground or hilly but V8 then manual. But personal preference at eod.

What vehicle you looking at getting?
 
Driving around the roads, the autobox is the transmission of choice. It just suits the comfy nature of the vehicle.
Although, if you're using the thing primarily off-road I would have thought the manual option would be better to give finer control.
However, I'm really not a fan of the LT77 gearbox. I think they are hateful. The R380 is certainly a lot better, but I wouldn't exactly call that pleasant either but it would be what I would plump for an R380 equipped vehicle if I wanted a dedicated off-roader.
 
Manual for me as you've got full control over the engine revs and engine braking, mine like yours is too 90% off road, auto would be fine and there are a lot of auto landrovers used for off road, even off road only non road legal Land Rovers used for trials.

next question you may ask... 200tdi 300tdi td5 diesel or v8 petrol? 300 or 200 tdi for off roading for me ;)
 
Cheers for ya thoughts
Goin for a 300tdi just trying find a half decent one,i can do most things welding and stuff so not to worried just seems more autos out there to choose from.
Think ill stick to my plan and get manual as its pretty much just going to be my off road toy
 
autos better off road and on manual has better acceleration,with an auto you have ultimate control of amount of torque and speed given to the wheels
 
Ah ok so now im undecided but as already stated spose its personal preference.
Good to hear your guys opinions though.
So when off roading would you just select gears manually to stop it changing up ie in mates hilux he just uses 2nd low range pretty much all the time or is this a dumb question.
 
t5desperado said:
Ah ok so now im undecided but as already stated spose its personal preference.
Good to hear your guys opinions though.
So when off roading would you just select gears manually to stop it changing up ie in mates hilux he just uses 2nd low range pretty much all the time or is this a dumb question.
Click to expand...

depends on extremeness but for most d high is perfectly acceptable
 
It's easier to finesse the drive to the wheels with an auto as you can hold throttle and brake without wearing anything but you get less engine braking. Had manual (Series) and auto (Hilux, Jeep, RRC) offroad and can't say one's better than the other unless the downs are very steep (in which case, manual for me). Technique's slightly different though.

Autos do make for smoother towing though, if you do any of that.

Yes, use the hold positions off road AND when driving through town (so it doesn't snick up the gears and trundle quietly over the 30 limit when you're not looking).
 
KeepDigging said:
It's easier to finesse the drive to the wheels with an auto as you can hold throttle and brake without wearing anything but you get less engine braking. Had manual (Series) and auto (Hilux, Jeep, RRC) offroad and can't say one's better than the other unless the downs are very steep (in which case, manual for me). Technique's slightly different though.

Autos do make for smoother towing though, if you do any of that.

Yes, use the hold positions off road AND when driving through town (so it doesn't snick up the gears and trundle quietly over the 30 limit when you're not looking).
Click to expand...

doing this......with an auto as you can hold throttle and brake without wearing anything you are building up heat in a torque converter. get to 300F and you cooked things. a good cooler and radiator is a must. most failures are caused by heat with a auto and not servicing the danm thing, if you off road and get them in water keep a close eye on the trans fluid for contamination.

With fluid changes 300k miles plus is quite common, at least on american stuff
 
Yeah did wonder bout the engine braking, was put off by the autos at first but theres a couple for good price iv found so will see how the bidding goes
 
My go :fighting2: Autos are the best except when you get stuck you can't rock it back and forth like a manual but if your a good driver that won't be a problem will it, you can rive on all day with a Auto you won't rip the clutch out :flame:, if you hurt your arm or leg you can still drive it :D the auto box is kinder to the drive train (if maintained):)

Thats my thoughts, i do like manuals too but i shoot rabbits and a auto is great i don't need to worry about stalling it !!
 
remedave said:
My go :fighting2: Autos are the best except when you get stuck you can't rock it back and forth like a manual but if your a good driver that won't be a problem will it, you can rive on all day with a Auto you won't rip the clutch out :flame:, if you hurt your arm or leg you can still drive it :D the auto box is kinder to the drive train (if maintained):)

Thats my thoughts, i do like manuals too but i shoot rabbits and a auto is great i don't need to worry about stalling it !!
Click to expand...

you can rock a auto when stuck, got to use right foot and left foot, can be challenging for some ;)
 
Don't know about disco, but the P38 auto has engine braking if you use the lever.
Personally I wouldn't touch a manual but it's all down to personal preferance.
You can even get a special ECU for the auto that allows you complete control of all functions for off roading.
 
Got to go for the auto as that will leave a hand free to give polite hand signs at my mate in his heap of a hilux as i pass him haha
 
We find five speeds with the manual box better than the four on the auto, and if I'm towing the big trailer with the show engine, I can make it work harder at lower rpm than with the auto.

Philip hasn't tried his ES V8 with the trailer on, perhaps I'll let him tow it back from the Landy Zone 10th Anni celebrations!

Peter
 
listerdiesel said:
We find five speeds with the manual box better than the four on the auto, and if I'm towing the big trailer with the show engine, I can make it work harder at lower rpm than with the auto.

Philip hasn't tried his ES V8 with the trailer on, perhaps I'll let him tow it back from the Landy Zone 10th Anni celebrations!

Peter
Click to expand...

you are deprived then, most newer (late 90's) american/jap have 5 speed autos;)
 
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