Sorry if this has been done before but i am new to the forum and want to know what the people here prefer. Every car i have owned has been manual and love driving a stick, but they have also been sports coupes (bmw 335, infiniti G35). I have driven Suv's before that are alot more sluggish in manual then automatic for some reason. I am going to do some test driving this weekend at the dealer but would appreciate any input!

p.s. if there is a post on this if you could link it

 

In my opinion a jeep isnt a jeep unless its a manual. I love the manuals especially when on the trails. You have so much more control over the amount of throttle and RPM range. Just my opinions. Good luck on your choice.

 

I LOVE my automatic

I chose the auto due to the many posts here of the past manual tranny problems like popping out of gear, ect. The auto does great with it's 3.73 gearing. (Opinions may vary!)

 

I like you have driven manual trans cars (BMW, MINI, etc.) and I love my JK 6 speed manual. To me you have more control on and off road, but with that said it is different than driving a sports car - my two cents.

 

Every car I've ever owned has been a manual so I went with the manual. I just like the control it gives me over what the car is doing. Plus my parents had a Chrysler auto once and had it replaced 3 times which was not a comforting feeling, not to mention it's just a 4 speed. It all comes down to preference though. Try them both out and see which one you like better.

 

I drove manual for years, but the novelty wore off. In a sports car or a civic, I might consider it. It a truck or jeep..... ehhhh.

Automatic is easier in traffic and when you are four wheeling. Less to worry about.

 

I agree they both have positives and negatives. My opinion..... Its a Jeep, manual is the way to go. I love my 6 speed and dont regret the buy at all.

 

I test drove both before my recent purchase. I love driving sticks(2 mustangs and a TJ). I based my auto purchase on this forums and some of the manual issues and I personally didn't like the clutch. It could have been my previous car has a racing clutch so I am used to a heavy feel and not having to give it so much gas for normal driving. I have a buddy with a 4 door jk and swears by his manual.

Drive them both and pick what feels right...

 

I am happy with my auto and 3.73. If you like stick, I haven't heard on person say they didn't like the manual unless they got stuck with stock 3.21s. I prefer stick in sports cars only. Most folks claim they get better (and generally do) get MPG.

 

I have had several manuals (Mustangs, WRX, truck) and for on road hellz yeah. HOWEVER ever scince I got into Diesel performance (My Dodge included) I have been smitten with autos.

Autos can be built to the moon and can be customized beyond what most can imagine. Mine in the Dodge (Decently built) for instance is built to handle 2,000 ft/lbs and shifts quick and transmits 92% of the power generated to the wheels with the converter I chose. (Normal is about 81% O.E.M) I grenaded the OEM trans with ease with a simple Turbo and Injector swap about a month after I bought it 10 years ago. Scince then A billet input , output, servos drum, different valve body and converter along with different band aplication lever ratios have been done as I built the truck to a little over 500HP/1000Tq at the wheels (Streetable power and decent fuel econ too) and this trans has been flat out amazing.

I can imagine that there are converter options that can work with our sloppy transmissions and will be looking into modified stator converters for the Jeep crowd soon. I bet that we are about the same amount of slippage if not more as you can feel it in reverse in my Jeep.

The Auto / Vs manual debate has been around for ever and there are purists on both sides of the fence. I love the control of a manual .. yes. I can also control the auto as well.... Just without half the engine braking as the converter unlocks on decel Vs. a clutch and solid engagement. Gear selection over RPM is a huge plus for the manuals. If you do more on road daily driving with traffic involved then off road an auto makes sense.

I blew up a clutch wheeling before by getting it wet and making a shift. So keep that old addgae of never shifting in water in the back of your head.

The Rubi has the 4:10 gears and with 32" rubber 2nd gear will reach 65 mph, 3rd 110 and O.D probably would go up to 337 Mph if the Jeep had enough power I swear. It is geared waaayyy wrong. @ 60Mph 1600 rpm in Overdrive and lugging is what you will get So do not look for fuel savings with an auto. Just keep overdrive off ... allways LOL.

Short end of the story BOTH transmission types will do what you need. It is just what YOU need from the Jeep that helps make the decision.