The 6 speed standard, or the 4 speed Automatic? I originally wanted the 6 speed because; hey, it had 6 gears. Also, I hadn't owned a standard shift in 7 years and kind of missed shifting. I was sort of disappointed at first when I saw mine had an auto, but the salesman (we all know how honest they are) told me that Jeep guys now prefer the auto. Then my buddy (who has a 5 speed) told me the same thing.

 

The best tranny is the one you prefer. That being said, I prefer an auto. It's one less thing to think about on the trail. I love driving sticks, but I wanted an auto for trail use.
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I was also planning on ordering the 6-speed....just out of instinct. But then I thought....this rig will eventually be used 90% for trail duty and it would be nice, as RedRock said, to have the auto. SO I will be ordering the auto. now.

 

The auto is great overall - but whenever u go into 4hi/4lo it is alot of steps.
turn off overdrive, turn off esp in 4hi, shift into 1st gear - maybe i am just lazy!
i still love my auto over my standard in my TJ.

 

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All I have to do to go from 2Hi to 4Low is be at a stop, put the transmission in neutral, then shift the transfer case to 4Low. Put the tranny in D and take off.

 

Personally I like auto because it gives me less to do so I can spend more time concentrating on what conditions are like and driving. I also will be doing some towing and everyone knows auto makes that easier (although you can with manual with no problem). That said there are things manual transmissions do better. I don't do those things so I did not need manual. It's all in what you feel comfortable with and how you drive.

 

What he said, only I find it easier if I'm still rolling about 1 mph. I have no clue why you would do all those other things.

 

Ah, you're just lazy (LOL)...

 

This has been covered a few times already, but I don't mind typing again...

As for me, I DO prefer the auto. Truth be told, you'll probably eek a little better on-road performance out of the 6-speed, but is that really why you're buying a Jeep?

I've already been in numerous off-road situations in my JK where a manual (and my relative lack of clutching technique) would have made for some pretty nasty stall-outs... the auto is very well-suited to the 3.8L, and as we all know, nearly all PROFESSIONAL (competition) wheelers use auto transmissions for their inherent advantage off-road...

Just my $.02, but I DO totally agree with an earlier post: The "better" transmission is the one that YOU will be most happy with.

 

This is my 3rd Wrangler. All have been manual trannys.

I've always gone off roading, but never rock crawling. Now that I've joined w/ a local club, I crawl about 2 - 3 x per month. (I freak'n love it)
I really wish I would have gone with the auto simply for control purposes. But... if you put larger tires (>33) you will need to regear. I test drove the auto and believe that larger tires will really cause it to be a dog. The auto would be sweet if it were a 5 speed.

Bottom line: If I could do it over again, I would go with Rubicon - auto - regear - 35" tires

Hope this helps....