Manual vs. Auto

[rellim_63]

ive been looking to get another ranger and have been looking for a manual trans. But it's hard to find them in the 01-06 years with 4wd. I was wondering if I should just get an auto, even though I prefer manual
Edit: I already have a manual 4 banger

 

[adsm08]

Auto = sux bawls.

 

[4.0B2]

i like my auto.. its been fine

 

[86 slo-vo]

ive always preferred a stick. auto comes in handy here and there depending on where you are but ill take the manual over auto anyday.

 

[adsm08]

i like my auto.. its been fine

I see no need for one.

I have driven stick, in the city, with a twisted left ankle and a badly banged up left knee before.

Easy, no. Awesome factor, 10.

 

[Heavyfire14]

my manual feels like it has power eventhough its a 4 banger. id like to see an auto 4 banger try to keep up with my truck

 

[adsm08]

my manual feels like it has power eventhough its a 4 banger. id like to see an auto 4 banger try to keep up with my truck

I'd like to see an auto 4-banger keep up with a bicycle.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

A lot of it is personal preference.

I got my drivers license using a car with an auto trans. All told from learning how to drive until I stopped driving that car I probably drove less than 1,000 miles in an auto vehicle - I've been driving a stick ever since.

But after one bad auto wreck a number of years back that screwed up my right knee (and put my beloved Ranger in the shop), I was relegated to driving an auto trans rental (which happened to be a Monte Carlo with 2,600 on the clock, not a bad car but NOT fun to climb in and out of with a bum knee). When I had to turn the rental in, I drove my auto trans 88 Eddie Bauer BII (much easier to get in and out of).

After having driven an auto trans, I found that it was indeed nice to drive at times. My primary transportation has always been a manual trans, but on the days where I'm driving a stick all day long for work, it is nice to climb into an auto trans to go out for the evening. Just put 'er in gear and go. I'm looking to relax in the evening anyway so I don't really care if it will not outrun a moped.

For work and general driving around, I love a manual trans though. But it's personal preference.

 

[shane96ranger]

Another aspect, at least for my driving habits, is the manual does better on gas. My 91 Explorer with an M5OD got another 2 mpg over my 96 Ranger with the 4R55E.

I also found the need for 4 wheel drive in bad weather much less with my Explorer. I don't know if you can attribute that to the extra weight, or the manual trans... but I found it much easier to control than my Ranger.

But sometimes I'm lazy and I'm glad I have the auto. **shrug**

 

[adsm08]

For someone skilled with a clutch the manual trans is much easier to handle on slippery roads.

For someone not skilled with a clutch it can be, literally, a death sentence.

 

[rellim_63]

Yeah I want a manual with twin sticks but finding a manual is like finding a needle in a haystack

 

[shane96ranger]

For someone skilled with a clutch the manual trans is much easier to handle on slippery roads.

For someone not skilled with a clutch it can be, literally, a death sentence.

Exactly. Personally, I would much rather be in a slippery/dangerous situation with a manual than an automatic.

 

[Tractorman]

Auto is just fine. Take your higher legal tow rating and have fun.

I don't see how an auto is any worse in slippery conditions. Just back off the throttle. Not hard.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I also found the need for 4 wheel drive in bad weather much less with my Explorer. I don't know if you can attribute that to the extra weight, or the manual trans... but I found it much easier to control than my Ranger.

Weight, before I started having fun tweaking crap on my Ranger my parents '94 Explorer was a lot better in the snow.

I don't see how an auto is any worse in slippery conditions. Just back off the throttle. Not hard.

And you can manually downshift it for engine braking if needed too.

 

[lil'_big_truck]

manual = awesome. all else is auto-tragic

that's just me though. although with a manual you have far more control over the truck. good luck finding one