Hey everyone Im new to the site but not to the whole Jeep thing..... I had a TJ that I loved and it was stolen
in 2007 and I have been dieing for another Jeep for some time now so the wife and i have decided to get us another one... So with that being said I would like a new JK but Im up in the air about what to get as far a automatic or manual. Im looking to go with a good size lift and something like 37's .And I will be using it for its being built for not the street....So if everyone could give their 2 cents and input on the subject I would be greatfully appreciated......Thanks in advanced JIM

 

I have a 2011 6 speed. It has the 3.8 engine so the manual vs auto really made a big difference. From what I've heard they put a different auto transmission in the 2012s so there's not as big of a difference. It's all personal preference IMO, with that being said I like my manual.

 

agreed, i have the 2012 rubi with 4:10s and auto, good power and great off road with the select shift feature. i imagine the rubi 4:10s help, but think you can't go wrong with either. i prefer the auto for wheeling and daily driving myself.

 

Thanks guys for some input...As for daily driving it would be great Im sure but I guess Im looking more
for the off-raod aspect of it........keep the help coming thanks guys.

 

It really all boils down to what you like better. If you are buying anything in the 2007-2011 year range I would go manual. If you are looking at the 2012 I would vote automatic as the new Pentastar and auto transmission seems like they are the perfect couple. I had a 2008 Auto, 2011 manual and now a 2012 auto and there is no comparison between this one and the other 2.
Jeep really got it right with this motor/trans combo! Good luck on whatever choice you go with!

 

i think i all depends on the comforts that YOU would like. I have an 09 JKU 6man with no power and soft top only. next jku i get will be an auto rubi with leather, power, and dual tops. i have just come to realize that I personally like have power windows locks auto tranny and would REALLY like a hard top for winter. the leather just looks cool. to each their own though. have fun looking and don't settle. get exactly what you want the first time!

 

I went with the manual for the performance aspect of it. I like to feel like I am actually driving my vehicle. That and knocking off around $1500 off the price didn't hurt either.

 

i prefer the auto for off road. in the old days a stick with granny was a big plus, particulary for hill descents. in our early broncos with autos we'd be hard on the brakes down a hill to keep from flying down it, sometimes to the point of brakes fading. but with the JK hill descent control the auto is awesome for holding you back on steep descents with the auto and little or no braking required on your part. not having to clutch makes it safer and a lot easier for me. now when i wheel with them with the 2006 LJRubi or my new 2012 the early broncos are almost stacked up behind me since i can go so slow down the hills and i end up giving it the gas a little for them. with my new 2012 auto, i do most things in 2nd where i used 1st in the 2006 LJRubi. with the new lower geared auto there's plently of low speed crawl power for going up and over things, particularly in the rubi with the 4:1 transfer case. and with the select shift you can drive it just like a stick off road but without the clutch, just tap up and down through the gears easily. i used the select shift tapping extensively on a recent 3 day wheeling trip and it's a feature that i didn't realize was so great before i did that.

 

X2 on everything he said. The new 2012 auto's are rewritting the book.

 

I've had many jeeps over the years and they've all been stick........(still have a CJ5 in the yard). I never realized how much I would like wheelin with an auto till I did. I guess there's a reason all ATVs have autos....