while that is true, lets compare replacement costs.

from chrysler msrp...

auto trans: 2035
torque converter: 267

Manual Trans: 1844
clutch kit: ~300

A manual trans will definately outlast an automatic... although it will prolly need a clutch thrown at it.

 

I've got to say every vehicle my wife and I have had for the last 15 years has been a stick.

She currently drives a 2007 Miata PRHT and it is a blast.

I just traded in my 05 Rubicon SWB, it was a 6spd.

I really liked the 6spd especially with 33" tires, but...

A year and a half ago I hurt my back. Had surgery and have been in varying amounts of pain in my left leg ever since.

I've heard that auto's are great for off roading and my left leg needs a break so I went with an automatic.

My wife likes it and she said she would never drive an automatic; she has changed her mind...

I still haven’t decided. When I move to 35" tires I guess I'll need 5.13 gears or I'll lose all of my power. We'll see..

 

My 7th CJ or Wrangler...made the mistake of getting an automatic once...never again...just didn't feel like I was as much a part of the car...

As far as the wife's preferences, she goes hunting with me, fishes with me, 4-wheels with me, drives a stick like there's no tomorrow...I got a keeper!

She also mixes some mean adult beverages!

 

I have a 100 mile commute on a GOOD day. Some Days it can be 200+. Some days I sit in Stop-and-go Parking Lots, but most of the time i've got clear freeways.

My previous daily driver was an automatic accord. Last year I swapped out my 4x4 with a sportscar and I was missing something that could go offroad.

The JKU actually makes a GREAT commuter. Mind you, the Mileage isn't great, but its only about 50% worse than the accord. Instead of dreadng some of the commutes, I actually enjoy the time behind the wheel. I look forward to road closures and detours so I have an excuse to goof around. MyGig w/Sirius rocks.

Anyhow, I had always wanted a wrangler and always envisioned it as a stick. I went for the 6 speed and have no regrets! Its a very easy stick to drive in stop&go traffic and it crawls along just fine in first or second. You don't end up with a tired leg due to a stiff manual clutch.

Technically an AUTO should be better for commuting and better for hard-core rock-crawling, but I like the extra input during daily driving and the extra challenge offroad.

Love it!

 

I have driven sticks most of my years. I went with an auto after driving my Brother's LJ a bit at the Rubicon Trail and was dutifully impressed how smooth it was over the rocks compared to fiddiing with the clutch while negotiating really tough spots. After a weekend of watching people get themselves in trouble with jumping around and the smell of burned clutch I decided the go automatic on my new Jeep. Rock crawling is way nicer and power has NEVER been a problem.