Call it a control issue, but I just can't drive a Jeep that's auto. I learned on a stick in a Jeep, and when I was younger all the jeeps were stick, so it's a comfort thing for me. That's why I chose stick for my new Rubi.

 

Manual you have more control and it's more fun. Auto is easier though offroad but with manual you become closer to your Second wife

 

I prefer the manual for off-roading, but I couldn't fully press in the clutch on the JK without being 2 inches from the steering wheel. Not a safe feeling so I got auto on JK, but my TJ is a manual and with clever placement of spring rubbers, I have no problems in my TJ

 

My brother in law is jealous of my auto when he's having to stop and start on ledges in his tj rubi stick. I got an auto cause I bought my jk used and it had everything else I wanted, if it would have been a stick I would have bought it too. Now that I've had it for about 2 years I'm glad I got the auto, don't get me wrong I love putting around town with a stick, but I'm putting 3,000-4,000 miles a month on my jk now and it's nice to have an auto.

 

With that in mind my next three Jeeps were standard and my JK is auto. I choose this due to the fact I was slated to go over to Afghanistan and thought if something did happen to me that I would still be able to drive my Jeep. Turns out that the Comissioner denied my extended leave of absence so I will see if there is another rotation I can hop onto.

 

Bought mine used and had all the options including a stick. The downside is the wife almost refuses to drive it and now i drive allot more for work.

On the upside I dont have to worry about the wife driving my jeep and it makes work a little more fun!

If i had to choose again knowing it would be used for work i would have gone with an Auto Unlimited. (Trying to get the wife to buy an Unlimited Rubi)

 

I had the same dilemma!!!

No matter what people will say, you must TEST DRIVE them both!!!!

You see, I love manual cars!!! until I drove test the stick JKU Rubicon...
Try to shift 6 speeds in a Jeep that feels like a semi truck ( 3.8L Engine )
Yes, the Jeep with a 6 speed manual dose feel lighter then the 4 speed Auto on the road,
BUT!!! you need to work hard for it with the 6 speed manual, (is a lot of shifting!)
that could be a lot of hassle if it is your Daley driver...
GO AND TEST DRIVE THEM BOTH! only then decide.

I love manuals in my cars, but after I TEST DRIVE them both I bought Auto, and I love the Auto in my jeep!!!!

 

I got the auto because of my wife and because of traffic in Jersey. I love a stick but I hate sitting in traffic and going from 1st to 2nd back to first, it blows, so the automatic was a much better choice.

 

I bought a manual because it just felt better for day to day life. I'm sure off road I'm going to have a bit of a learning curve, but I am ok with that.

 

I test drove the Auto and I wasn't impressed with the performance I thought it felt funny because I was so used to driving my stick. I kept reaching down to downshift at turns. It is really up to you and how you want to drive. I feel that the auto has a somewhat smoother ride compared to manual but it's an auto and a computer is shifting for you.