Thanks, Bucko . . . good to hear someone say auto isn't a detriment on the trail!

I was a bit worried that the auto would be worse than manual in off-road conditions or might stall out more, etc. due to the gear ratio differences.


I really, REALLY have a lot to learn before I go out there!


But I know I'm in the right place here!



All best, Joe

 

I drove a stick for years. Then I got maried. Trying to teach the wife to drive a stick was emotionally scarring for both of us. I still have flash backs when she pulls the shifter into 4lo. I will say that off road with an auto is awesome but I miss rowing through the gears, it brings you and the vehicle closer together I think.

 

I drive stick and so does my GF. She is actually the one that taught me! I think its actually more from to drive stick. After a few month you don't even realize that you are shifting. My GF is currently looking for a new car and wants stick, its hard to find. The one sales man asked. "why would you want to drive stick?" Her response was, "so my friends can't drive my car!" He had a puzzled look on his face, guess he could not drive it either.

I just hope all you auto people out there don't kill it for those of us that like to shift. Its a good thing to know how to do. You never know when you might need it.

 

My wife and I both drive stick since we were teenagers, but my JK is an auto simply because we live in Los Angeles and the traffic/commute wouldn't be practical in a manual. I drove a stick for the first couple years after I moved here and the auto makes things just a little bit more bearable.

 

We got the auto as the wrangler is my wifes DD. She cannot drive a standard.
While I can drive a standard, I choose not to. I have had 3 vehicles that were standard, and drove a few in the military. I find the auto lets you enjoy the drive a little more.
Each to his/ her own.

 

Hahaha, I can relate. I tried, rather unsuccessfully, to teach my new wife, who was 5 months pregnant how to drive a standard. Almost caused a divorce. Traded the 2 dr car in for automatic minivan. That was 20 years ago.

 

I refused to even look at a JKU Rubicon that wasnt manual. Infact at one point I was looking at JKUs that were 3 provinces 1,300kms away just to find a manual JKU Rubicon.

Because the 42RLE were crap in the TJs and now even worse with the JK that was heavier.

And I have seen countless number of autos fail and be un-driveable while off road.

I even witnessed a 2010 JKU Rubicon catch fire when the transmission line popped off while driving offroad.

My Jeep is a DD and I drive in plenty of rush hour traffic, and not just interstate rush hour but city rush hour where it can take 2 hours to get home and I still prefer manual.

I drove a auto GMC Jimmy offroad and onroad. for 2 years once and I hated every moment of it.

 

I drive a manual, so does my wife, and so does my son. I had 2 auto vehicles in my life, a Chevy minivan and a Suburban. Both as boring as cold oatmeal. You haven't lived until you drive out of A&W with a teenburger balanced on your lap, a coke in your left hand, and trying to steer and find second and third gear to get back on the highway! Just kidding, I am 100% for the eating argument for an auto, obviously. Also, in cold conditions your battery might be weak and leave you on the side of the road. Ever try push starting an automatic? Not going to happen. Also, if you ever plan to travel outside of North America and still drive yourself around be prepared to learn how to drive a stick, because the majority of the rest of the world does.

 

My wife has a 2011 auto jku and I have a 2010 manual jku. I used to think I would always drive a manual vehicle but I like driving both. I like the added control and better gearing of the manual.
I also like the ease of the auto and ability to have coffee and still be able to drive easily. Also with the auto don't have to worry about shifting while offroading in mud/water.

As far as other vehicles:
For sports cars I definately prefer a manual, and a 2dr jk is sportier so I prefer manual 2drs

For tractors I like a gear shift for pulling power and I like a hydro for ease. So depends on what I am doing.

 

I've never owned an auto, so I am biased, I also don't live in the city so bumper to bumper traffic is not an issue.
Stalling on the trail will happen, I'm ok with that.
I always push in the "phantom clutch" the odd time I drive an auto, and often forget to put it in "park" so I
struggle to get the keys out of the ignition. I'll drive an auto when I'm to old and grumpy to push in a clutch.