I *was* all about the stick shift and drove both auto and stick before purchasing. I agree that a manual is much more fun and I haven't had one in a long time. Other appealing things to me where possible better gas mileage for the road and the fact that the auto added close to a grand to the sticker.


So why did I go with the auto? Simple answer here: I'm married Even though the new JK is "mine" I want my wife to be able to drive it and even partake in the off road fun as we venture into that more. -I tried to teach with an old truck I had but it didn't go well and she has no real desire to learn. I don't feel like I'm losing anything honestly its still a sweet ride and fun...

 

I would love a stick as I have had one in the past when I used to drive a sports car. But, I got a great deal on an automatic, the wife preferred and automatic, and I figured juggling a cell and cup 'o joe would be easier with an automatic. If I lived where I'd be clibing rocks and cools stuff like that, I'd have a stick.

One of these days, I'll have a stick when I can afford a third vehicle. With that said, I LOVE my JK Sahara. It's been great in the huge snow on the lakeshore here in MI. AND it's a blast in the summer going topless!!!

 

Get 6-speed.......or WISH you did..........

 

I got the six speed.......... it was my first stick and I have never driven one before.............. not my first jeep but first stick..........

I have no regrets...... took me about a week to learn good but now 2 months into it I am SOOOOOOOOO glad I got the six speed..........so much more fun to drive around and doesn't get boring like an auto can

 

driving houston's traffic everyday, i thought heavily on the auto. After going back forth on which one i wanted, i got the 6spd with 3.73s. I'm loving it soo far. The 1st gear is really good for traffic as you only got like 1 mph with the clutch out and no gas. I was in a manual F-150 before this, and it was a total pain in traffic because the slowest it would go was like 3-5mph. I find the Jks gears quite perfect for rush hour driving (obviosly a auto would be easier, but its about as good as a manual could be).

 

Remember these things are drive by wire. Throttle is computer controlled. That could account for some of what you felt. As some have posted, they are sluggish until a driver "imprint" is put on the computer. What I like most about the automatic is the durability factor. By simply changing fluid and filter when you're supposed to, they will outlast any standard trans, hands down.

 

Ive heard the opposite on auto vs man trans......... as far as how long they last........ i thought the man would last alot longer..........

look at semi's ........... dont see many/any? autos there and they last a million miles


Either auto or man should last 200k at least though I would hope so for the normal driver, close to a lifetime

I am hoping to get 2 million miles on my jk though

 

I do know that the 3spd auto in the TJ was supposed to be more stout than the manual, but not too sure on the newer 4spd auto. I do seem to remember that the 6spd is only rated to like 300 lbs.-ft of torque, but that may not be an indication of longevity.

 

Ain't NO clutch gonna last 200K and still be worth a snot.

 

Many thanks for all the replies. I guess I just need to drive a 6 speed...tough chore, right?