Just wanted to know how many of you prefer the auto. or manual transmission. Mine's auto. but I'd rather have the manual.

Voted for manual, but mine is an auto, because we are a 1 vehicle family, and my wife can drive a standard, but not very well, so for safety reasons, we bought an auto. She had a standard mustang and spun the rear end around a few times in the winter because she let the clutch out a little fast, or picked the wrong gear.

Standard is much better for winter driving as well. Nothing worse than driving up a slippery hill and having to slow down because you are scared the auto is going to kick down and spin the back tires out from under you if you get on the gas too hard.

Standards are typically more rugged and durable, and acceleration is way better as well. And they give you the feeling that you are actually driving the vehicle, not just along for the ride.

It don't do the trick if it ain't got the stick!

I prefer a stick for many reasons. I think driving is much more enjoyable when driving with an MTX. I have a friend who has the same year and model X as I do and I get about 30-40 more miles per tank of gas due to the MTX. I have only owned 2 vechicles in my life(I'm 33) that were automatic and I hated them both! I find myself hitting the brake looking for the clutch almost every time I drive an automatic. I guess it's just what your used to!

Although it is a pain in the tuckus in traffic, it is way more fun on the trails. And I personally have an automatic, but I bought mine used and it was the right price, so I settled. If I was buying new...I would buy a stick. No more autos for me!! :p

Originally posted by Frisckey1
Although it is a pain in the tuckus in traffic, it is way more fun on the trails.

You know, I hear people say that all the time. I personally would rather have the manual in traffic because I hate riding the brakes. I guess I've been driving a manual so long I don't have a problem pushing the clutch in and out like that! Besides, all you have to do is give the clutch a little nudge and you can coast for a few secs to INCH forward! :)

I voted manual, but my truck is an automatic. Try finding a used 95+ explorer that's manual and 4x4. . .It's nearly imposible.

STICK'STICK'STICK'STICK The one reason I bought the Explorer is because of the STICK'STICK'STICK'STICK'STICK . I wanted something to haul, carry, tow, 4x4.... but my main concerne was STICK'STICK'STICK'STICK . Since there was no minivan with what I wanted.... Explorer appered in my path, it was hard to find (only had a choice of 2) and worth the price.:eek: :eek: :rolleyes:

I'd have to say stick, in everything except maybe jag, or a bentley or something along those luxuries.:)

I like the manual for street driving and most trail riding b/c out trucks are underpowered and the manual gives you more control of the power.

But the autos are easier to control on the rocks + you can get away w/ not regearing for a while.

But then again I have saved my a$$ quite a few times when I was about to roll over by just sticking in the clutch and bouncing back down the hill. If I had the auto I wouldn't have been able to do it in time.

am I the only one who likes automatic? :)
Here's my reasons, yes sticks are cool they help you control the power more. But overall on the different obstacles I've done and trails all the way from easy to hard, I can say that there have been many many times when I'm glad I had an automatic vs. when I wished I had a stick. Granted, I'm not the best stick shift driver in the world. perhaps if I were, my feelings would be different. There's just been so many times where I want to concentrate on just the obstacle, and don't want to have to worry about the foot slipping off the clutch and killing myself or something.
Many times while I've been out there I've seen where people have to shift halfway through an obstacle and it ends up screwing them up (or they stall it halfway through then have to worry about restarting when there halfway up the obstacle, ahem, brett and Ryan, LOL). Often if they aren't gracious in there restarts they'll end up tipping the vehicle into a rock or worse (ahem Ryan, LOL). Another situation I can think of is on black bear pass where we were having to do very tight turns around switchbacks with basically nothing there to stop us if we went over. It was nice knowing all I had to do was put it in reverse, let off the brake, and it would back up nice and slowly. With how nervous I got a few times I think with a clutch I couldn't have been as gracious about the manuevering.
The main reason though, was that I have a 30 mile commute to work each way every day from the south side of denver to north side of denver, hence I sit in a lot of traffic. i got sick of going 1st - 2nd - 3rd - slam on brakes - 1st - 2nd - 1st - 2nd - 3rd - 2nd - slam on brakes - 1st, etc.
It costs a bit more initially, and you'll pay more to have it serviced, but my vote is auto. plus I'm lazy :).

Coming down hills is one spot where I can see the definite advantage of the manual... the 4-low is much lower. However, in my F-150 the low range is so low that if I stick it in first gear (yes its auto) and low range, I can descend a very steep decline without touching the brakes once.

I like to drive a stick too. As far as for rock crawling I owuld want an automatic, but for everything else, a stick is fine. My dad taught me how to drive one when I was 11 or 12, and me and him are the only ones in our family who can drive one. In my grandparents Chrysler LHS, its an auto but its on the floor, and that fine, but in something like say, a Mustang, I'd want the gears to work through. But for crawling I'd want an auto. I would like to have a 5spd. in the Xplorer though :)

I voted for mnual, generally speaking, but if you are getting an Explorer, then I guess I would recommend auto, because the Mazda is a POS

I had to vote for manual because currently i am on my fifth automatic transmission in my 95 explorer that has only 89000 miles on it.
Besides, the new super duty with diesel and 6 speed is the best truck setup since the ford inline six and four speed.

right on brother the mazda is a pos

yes, but the early X auto trannys fail a lot too.......

I'm with you, Matt. An auto's easier to drive while switching on all the lights. lol j/k Really, I like an auto because I tend to off-road a little faster than a lot of people. I'm always in control, but I like to keep both hands on the wheel at all times just in case.

Manual all the way, no debate about it closer gear ratios equals less power loss shifting between gears, control on engine braking on the trails ,and better gas mileage, how could you go wrong with a big stick anyway.

EXPLORE ON

I have had 5 sticks and 4 autos. Autos should be required. Reasons why?

1) Driving a stick is great on remote, twisty mountainous roads, like in the commericals. I have yet to find one of those roads.

2) We all know most people cannot drive, why assume they can drive AND shift AND dial the cell AND pick thier nose AND read the paper AND yell at the kids in the back seat AND put on her makeup? Just another disrtaction from the road.

3) On my last 2 standards, I could usually shift effectively enough not to need the clutch for anything but reverse & first. But I do not believe I got better mileage than an auto.

4) I live in Massachusetts, I have one hand to flip people off, while the other steers to cut minivans off in the rotary. Without bioengeneering, I have no more hands to spare.

5) Why would I want POWER seats, POWER windows, POWER locks, POWER brakes, POWER steering, POWER radio antenna, but OH NO, let me shift this myself! What, next I should start the car by using the hand crank under the grille? Like anything else in life, the less I have to do the better.

If you all disagree, you can go to the post office and MAIL me a letter, cuz email is just too dang easy....

I'm with you on that one Kennedy. Except for the last point. Of course, that's only in certain vehicles. Like a BMW M3, for example. I'd want every single bell and whistle, but I'd still rather have a manual tranny. Same with something like a Porsche or an Aston Martin. But I guess that's one of those things where it just doesn't seem right to me not to have the stick. But for most anything else, I'd rather have an auto.

Auto for the Explorer.

Manual for (just about) everything else.

One reason is I like to get decent gas mileage and a 4 cyl. + auto is death! Esp. here in Colorado. I'm putting off mods to the Ex to save money to replace my wife's Saturn (small 4 cyl. + auto = snail). Unfortunately, she bought it before we met. I did the stop & go commute in Washington DC for 3 yrs and I rarely wished for the auto, the manual is simply better control.

There is no way I would ever buy a Ford P.O.S. automatic transmission. They haven't exactly good luck with them. (I have a stick by the way, and I love it except for the 3.55 gears, 4.10's soon)

Agree with the Auto in the Explorer (especially when it's the 5-speed auto), Manual in everything else comment. Since that wasn't an option, I chose Auto.

:redexp:

I have always preferred a manual transmission in a car...it gives you more control over speed and power, etc. I have always had smaller cars and trucks than my Explorer Sport, too.

I have to say that I DO like the automatic in this vehicle. I don't have plans to offroad in this, so the automatic makes it very comfortable to drive. I do have in the back of my head that an automatic just gives more things to go wrong with it, but that may be a bit pessimistic!

Emmy

I still perfer Stick off-road. I like Auto on road. So thats what I got!

STICK, STICK, STICK!!!!!!!!!!!

Kennedy, who said anything about all that power crap. We have 3 vehicles and 2 are stick. Our VW Golf has power everything, but that's not how we wanted it. All that power stuff does is cost more money to buy and repair. We had no choice on the Golf. If we wanted the stick then we had to get power everything. My Camaro was manual everything and I loved it.(sold it for my Dodge) The Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Turbo Diesel is the only vehicle we have that is auto. There are 2 reasons why it's auto, 1)I have a bad knee and we thought we should have an auto in case it goes out again, and 2)we felt for city traffic there was way too much shifting.

As far as the superduty with manual, Sorry, but I hated it. We test drove both and the Dodge won hands down. We felt the Ford was worse for shifting than the Dodge (at least for the diesel) IMHO

I am suprised you didn't like the Ford. My dad just got a 02' F-550 with a Powerstroke and a six speed and it is amazing. It has to be the easiest and the best feeling stick I have ever driven. My familt is a Ford family and through out it we have over 10 Ford trucks ranging from a 1990 to a 2002. They are all deisel and all are sticks. So I have been able to drive a few different trucks and compare them. And I think the new ones are by far the best Ford and the best truck on the market. The new Chevy with the Izuzu deisel and the Allison is way too cheaply designed. The fact that they put a bad looking 3" bodylift on it instead of redesinging the frame really turned me off to them. The Dodge has a great engine but, I think, lacks some power and it is not big enough to compare to a F-350 or above.

So that is my opinion and I am just suprised that you didn't like the Ford. But if you didn't want a manual the Dodge was a good choice because the Powerstrok has WAT too much power for the automatic that they put in it.

Manual tranny all the way. I hate my auto.

stick all the way

all my parents cars are sticks and when i bought mine i wanted an auto but i found the x that was a stick and my parents said i could get it so i settled and bought the stick now i love it and am very glad i never got the auto

AT for daily driver & MT for a weekend car :cool:

My vote is definitely for the manual ! Just got my second manual Explorer custom built ... '02 XLS with custom leather, sunroof etc. My first one's for sale ... '97 Sport 4x4. Any takers ???? www.urban-ads.net/explorer

I had to nearly beat the salesman over the head to sell me a manual explorer. I searched long and hard then picked mine up and got the 4:10 gears to boot. Everyone seems to like stick shifts yet the pole show nearly 50/50?

I remember back in 93 when i bought my first new car, it was a pain to find manual transmission. One vendor told me I could have one but on special order, no dealer around had no more, and only 5% of the sales where with manual. Maybe the pole is false because only the STICK people are answering:confused:

auto transmission all the way for trucks and suv's. kinda easier to wheel in.... sort of. definately stick for sports cars though. can't beat the feel of a stick and shifting when YOU want to, not when the fancy smancy computer wants to.

My X is an auto and I love it. I drove a 91 stick and didnt like it. Had a hard time finding gears. Im sure that truck had problems. I learned to drive stick in an 87 S10. It wasn't fun, and kinda turned me off of sticks in trucks. Now a stickshift in a car on the other hand...I just changed my '65 Corvair from an auto to a 4 speed stick. I love it. So I like my trucks autos and my cars sticks.

My truck is automatic, But I still perfer manuel
it better everything yo ucan think of

I have a manual tranny 95 4x4. Having a manual tranny is my favorite thing about the truck, yet it has cost me the most money. If you havent had the pleasure of owning an Explorer with Mazda's POS! tranny in it, while you are just missing out. It has been replaced 3 times in its 132K life, while the clutch has been done twice along with the hydro slave cylinder. I dont need people flaming on me about not knowing how to drive a manual tranny, it is totally not necessary and completely untrue for the record. My personal favorite time when the tranny went was when I was driving about an hour and a half south to pick up a GF and while the cruise was set at 70, the tranny seized right up. This was attributed to the plugs on the top of the tranny blowing out, not because I didnt perform routine maintenance like checking the fluid levels etc.

By all means if you can afford the repair costs then get the manual, it is way more fun to drive than the run of the mill auto.

I voted auto here since this is a site dedicated to the Explorer/Mountaineer/Navajo, and they are SUVs. I use trucks and SUVs for a variety of things, especially hauling a boat around. If I happen to take a buddy with me who has little or no experience in a boat or pulling trailers, I usually take the lesser of the two evils and let that person pull the trailer out of the water while I drive the boat on or off the trailer, usually a slick boat ramp. Many of those times, that person can't drive a stick either. Sure, I could shift into 4-low, but I can't if it's 2WD. I know, some friends, aren't they?

I usually find that a truck or SUV with an auto is better for me when pulling a trailer, especially if I have to switch drivers and the person with me hasn't pulled a trailer before--less for he or she to think about.

Definitely a manual for a car. Much more fun, especially if it's built for drag racing. As for not being able to control an automatic on slick or icy roads, the gears can actually be locked--just have to know how to drive an automatic.

I actually with that my '97 Mountaineer was manual sicne it would be even more like driving a 5.0 Mustang, but since I do pull trailers and boats, I'm glad it's an automatic. Even my roommate has manuals in all his cars, but his pulltruck is automatic.

Originally posted by jjue
I voted auto here since this is a site dedicated to the Explorer/Mountaineer/Navajo, and they are SUVs. I use trucks and SUVs for a variety of things, especially hauling a boat around. If I happen to take a buddy with me who has little or no experience in a boat or pulling trailers, I usually take the lesser of the two evils and let that person pull the trailer out of the water while I drive the boat on or off the trailer, usually a slick boat ramp. Many of those times, that person can't drive a stick either. Sure, I could shift into 4-low, but I can't if it's 2WD. I know, some friends, aren't they?

I usually find that a truck or SUV with an auto is better for me when pulling a trailer, especially if I have to switch drivers and the person with me hasn't pulled a trailer before--less for he or she to think about.

Definitely a manual for a car. Much more fun, especially if it's built for drag racing. As for not being able to control an automatic on slick or icy roads, the gears can actually be locked--just have to know how to drive an automatic.

I actually with that my '97 Mountaineer was manual sicne it would be even more like driving a 5.0 Mustang, but since I do pull trailers and boats, I'm glad it's an automatic. Even my roommate has manuals in all his cars, but his pulltruck is automatic.

I couldn't agree more about using an auto for towing. Other than that I think autos are boring. I have a manual and I love it. I have had a couple of Rangers that were manual and one that was an auto. I will always buy a manual as long as they are available.

My boat weighs 6200#s plus an 1100# trailer. I have a '95 F150 for pulling my boat. Also, if I were to buy an F150 as a daily driver I would definately buy an auto. I have driven manual F150s and it is quite a chore. Way to much play in the drivetrain!

I have been driving off and on for the past 3 years, all Ford/Mazda , and half of those were Manual.

My X is a manual, I like it though I am not exactly the best Manual driver in the world (this is my first vehicle by the way, and I intend to keep it for awhile). I find things about both transmissions I like. My mom has a Sport Trac thats an automatic, so I get a taste of both.
I like Automatic because it's just plain easy to get the vehicle moving, press in accelerator, release accelorator, press brake, release brake, that about sums it up, plus you can have both hands on the wheel while you drive offering more control, and if you have one hand free it means it's seek button time, and find the CD track you want.
On the other hand, even as stressful that driving a manual is, I like the Manual better as you have more control over your vehicle's movement and power. When I first drove my 93' it was off-road, and the Manual was what helped the truck have an easy time getting around the dirt, even if I popped the clutch a good bit, I could downshift to stay steady downhill, upshift on flats to go faster, and you can release the clutch just a tad and it INCHES forward. My only beefs with the manual is that you have to concentrate on more things at one time (engine noise, RPM, accelleration, terrain, as well as traffic laws and watching for other morons your sharing the road with), and climbing inclines is a pain in the backside.

i would have liked a manual shift but my gf cant drive one and its not offered as an option

I have to say that I voted auto.

It does depend on what type of driving you do. If is all street then auto is the smoothest and easiest to use. If you are always off-road then you want a manual for the better control.

From a running point of view Autos have more control than most people use. Most just stick it in 'D' and never use the '2' '1' positions because they don't understand what they do. I suppose the best solution is to have both. This is now available on some cars.

As for the bad weather/snow conditions with an auto. The answer is to learn how and when to use the other positions rather than 'D'.

haha, why do all these threads seem to be coming back from the dead lately, the last post before matey was in april of 2002 well over a year ago....

and I definitely prefer my manual, it took me like 3 weeks of searching through ford auctions with literally a thousand different explorers each week just to find one manual 4x4.

about the mazda 5spds being weak, im not sure if i have a mazda cause my haynes manual says there was a mitsubishi manual too. i wrote down the numbers on the sticker on the tranny and searched for them here and didn't find anything... out of curiousity does anyone have any idea which manual ford used for the 99' 4drs?

Ive had both Manual and Auto in my explorers... umm... its really a tough call. I like the ease of use in my 2003 (auto) but there is something fun about that STandard Tranny on my 91 XLT. Having a littl emore control over the car :) Like Howard said, it definately depends on the type of driving you do. If I was in busy traffic all day, Most Definately Auto, but Im not, so I go back and forth on what I like haha...
--Bryan

Originally posted by Robert
Agree with the Auto in the Explorer (especially when it's the 5-speed auto), Manual in everything else comment. Since that wasn't an option, I chose Auto.

I have a 5-speed automatic transmission in my X. My brother has a 5-speed manual transmission in his. I never learned how to drive a car with a manual transmission. When my brother has the brake work done on his, he's going to teach me how to drive it.
It will definitely be an adventure.

i like auto , i drive a 10 ton truck for work and its obviosly manual and after a while in the city it becomes a pain

Auto on my X.
Manual on small/sporty cars.

Prefer manual over auto anyday, though my Ex is an auto. My pickup truck that I used to have was a fully restored 1981 Ford F100 with a stepside wooden bed and the 300 I-6 under the hood. She had a 3 speed on the column with a mechanical clutch that gave your left leg one hell of a workout! That truck was one hell of a truck and fun to drive. Why did i sell that truck? :( :(

I prefer my manual sport :D

I however wish I had an auto sometimes... Like when I am trying to eat or hold a girls hand while driving. :p

Manual. It feels like you're driving and not just sitting there, and then I read all the problems people are having with ford automatics.......

after driving both an auto and a 5-speed ex, i like the 5-speed better for the most part. only complaint is stop and go traffic, but its worth it to still be able to beat many ricers with 32" tires on my rig and a stock POS gear ratio.

I love my auto. I drove a stick on my last 2 cars and although it was fun for a while, it eventually got old. :-)

Ed

Manual is the only way to go for me.

I used to have a pickup with a 5speed in it.
It was fine on the highway, but it was a job
in stop-and-go traffic. My Explorer has an
automatic in it, and I like it a lot better.

MANUAL FOREVER!!!

Autos suck, I'll never buy one.

I've found the stick to surpass the auto in every driving situation I've been through, on the road or off.

the manual has all the advantages:
1. more control
2. faster
3. lower gearing for better torque
4. higher final drive ratio for quieter cruising
5. better gas milage
6. sportier
7. cheaper to buy in the first place
8. Cheaper to maintain
9. not to mention so much FUNNER TO DRIVE!!!!!!!

so my support of the manual tranny may have something to do with my being a young single guy with only performance in mind...

After my smart ass reply (below, and WAY ealier in this thread), I have changed my mind. I once thought manuals should be outlawed. Now, after replacing my automatic after only 63k miles, (and 3 grand), I think FORD should be forbidden from ever making an automatic transmission again, by congressional mandate if thats what it takes!!

You would think after 50+ years of making automatic transmissions, FORD would have figured out how to do it! And I dont even go off road! Only after buying an X (and subscribing to this forum to learn how to fix it) did I learn that these were the worst automatics ever made!! With all the other problems, I will never buy a FORD again.

From earlier: "Auto all the way and proud of it

I have had 5 sticks and 4 autos. Autos should be required. Reasons why?

1) Driving a stick is great on remote, twisty mountainous roads, like in the commericals. I have yet to find one of those roads.

2) We all know most people cannot drive, why assume they can drive AND shift AND dial the cell AND pick thier nose AND read the paper AND yell at the kids in the back seat AND put on her makeup? Just another disrtaction from the road.

3) On my last 2 standards, I could usually shift effectively enough not to need the clutch for anything but reverse & first. But I do not believe I got better mileage than an auto.

4) I live in Massachusetts, I have one hand to flip people off, while the other steers to cut minivans off in the rotary. Without bioengeneering, I have no more hands to spare.

5) Why would I want POWER seats, POWER windows, POWER locks, POWER brakes, POWER steering, POWER radio antenna, but OH NO, let me shift this myself! What, next I should start the car by using the hand crank under the grille? Like anything else in life, the less I have to do the better.

If you all disagree, you can go to the post office and MAIL me a letter, cuz email is just too dang easy...."

I WAS SO NAIVE! NEVER AGAIN!

Dude, you need to chill out. Its nice that your proud to drive like an @$$hole and endager others on the road. Manuals have their advantages as well as autos. Some people also prefer one to the other. Ford does not suck because of the trannies in the V6 Explorers. Ford has made many great vehicles and many great transmissions. There are also some people on here that have gone 200,000 on their original tranny. I have gone 70,000 on mine with absolutly no problems. Don't hate Ford just because you think they have bad trannies cause they have a lot of really strong autos and manuals.

1) Dude, you try chilling out after getting screwed out of $25 grand.
2) I drive like I do because it is called "Driving Defensively". In the past 20 years, my wife & I have been in several bad accidents, 1 as a pedestrian, ZERO of which were our fault. It makes them A$$holes, not us.
3) Ford does not suck because of one bad transmission. Ford sucks because of millions of bad trannys in other X's. The X had a ton of problems before the tranny went at 63k. In my case Ford sucks because of tons of rattles, premature rust, power seats failing, coolant system leaks, faulty tires (Firestones AND goodyears) faulty springs, bad alternator, poor build quality, overall bad design, and a steadfast refusal by FORD to address these problems.
4) I realize a lot of X's have over 200k on them. I also realize a lot of people have had great meals at a local restaurant. I had 1 bad meal and was up all nite barfing. I will never go back to that place, and the meal only cost $30. What do think the odds are of me getting another FORD after spending $25k on this hunk of junk, then thousands more on repairs?

Sounds like you got a Lemon!!!
I just recently had my first problem with my 92 X sport a few weeks ago, it turned out to be a $20.00 sensor that I replaced myself in 10 minutes. I am exceptionally happy with my X because of it going for 12 years and 85000 miles before needing anything!!

Don't be dissing Ford because of one bad vehicle, you could have taken action via the "Lemon Law".

Also, the life of a transmission has a lot to do with the way the vehicle is driven. If you drive like an @$$hole and are allways romping on the gas and doing nuetral drops and other dumb stuff there ain't a tranny on earth thats going to last long. I have friends who have gone through transmissions like water in just about every make because they drive like MORONS!!!

Woaaahhh nelly. No need to get offended here, folks. As I understand it, this forum is a place for people to share their opinions. And that the opinions given here should not automatically be interpreted to as an offensive attack on someone else's opinion.
I have seen tons of threads here, and other X's in person, and talked to enuff mechanics to know that X's like mine are full of rattles, prone to bearing leaks, and odd problems. A Lincoln/Mercury tech told me he has never seen a 2nd gen X/ Mountaineer automatic go over 100k. So mine is hardly a unique experience.
YES, I checked into the lemon law, and in MA, it does not apply as the major probs occurred 1 year after the date of purchase.
Yes, I had to replace the $20 TPS too.
No, my wife does not do "neutral drops" or stomp on the gas. It has never even gone off roading. It is a grocery getter, with the occasional detour to Home Depot.
The poll is based on automatics vs. manuals. If you have a different opinion, congratulations. Don't slam me for mine. Your replies to my posting do not help my X. If your posting does not compare autos to manuals, it is pretty much off topic. It does not add any value to this thread. It would be more suited to a thread about why I am an @$$hole, or my need to chill out, or my need to learn how to drive after 20 years and over half a million miles of driving, most of it in eastern Mass. I'm sure there are many postings on that specific topic. Seeing it all here in response to my opinion is unsettling.
I guess this is the last time I state my opinion on this board. If anyone wishes to insult me further they will have to email me.

Can we have your e-mail address??? ;) Only kidding!

I know many of us have a warm spot for Ford because of our good experiences with our Explorers... but J. is right... if he has a different opinion and thinks Ford sucks because of his personal experience we shouldn't be taking it personally.

My 3cent

Ed

i missed the post where someone got offended by what you said Kenny.

It looked to me like people were just posting their opinions and giving suggestions based on what you said..... and then you bugged out for no reason and got all defensive.

My opinion is you take this stuff way too seriously


and oh yea i voted for automatic cause thats what i got. But if i had the choice i wouldve picked a manual for one reason: more fun.

LOL!!

I have an auto and its the best for me off-road. I would like a manual for the streets though. Bettergas mileage,fun to drive. Weeeeeeeeeee!!!

I prefer an auto for my daily driver 96 XLT because I'm a fat lazy slob, and my 99 Z28 has a 6spd.

A manual is inherently more efficient. You're putting more horsepower to the ground (rear wheels) because there's less drive train loss. With a manual the loss between crank and wheels is usually 15 to 16%. With an auto, you're losing around 25%. Stick with the stick.

I agree but, the 9% to 10% loss of efficiency is well worth not having to shift all the time - I can afford the gas!! Also, I agree that Ford a/t's are not the greatest, but clutch jobs can cost a bit too.

I admit it... I'm biased because my XLT has a slush box.

I enjoyed the manual in my '01 Sport but I'll put up with the auto in my '03 XLT NBX because it has a V8!

Originally posted by Carolina Express
It don't do the trick if it ain't got the stick!

Right on brother. I definitely prefer manual to auto. With a manual you can wait until each gear has topped out before you shift. An automatic shifts gears before they can top out.

well what do u guys think is better for hauling and pulling people outta snow and stuff. I do city driving, country driving, off road driving, hauling and fun racing.

obviously, for highway a stick is best. But someone put a great point. I like being able to eat a sandwich, hold my girlfriends hand(or other things) and drive all at the same time. I think an auto would be better for snowc cause the power is smoother. Its not, acceleration, then coast for a sec, aceleration then coast for a sec like in a stick.

This is a real tough descision.

Actually, a manual is better in snow because you can control throttle and clutch to prevent sliding. Also, you can start in a higher gear(i.e.... 2nd) and take off without sliding.

Originally posted by raptor86
Its not, acceleration, then coast for a sec, aceleration then coast for a sec like in a stick.

This is a real tough descision.

If this is how you drive a stick, then you need to get a clue. If you're more concerned with eating, talking on your cell phone, and anything else you feel like doing instead of paying attention to the road, maybe you should stick to riding a bike.

calm down man. First of all, i dont do this all the time. But when you have a limited amount of time, sometimes you gotta eat something while driving. And i understand where your coming from, you probably think im one of those pri *ks that are on their phone and are oblivious to everything but red lights and cut people off. Im not one of those people! ive had my liscense for a year and a half and ive driven 60k miles with no tix or accidents. Using a cell while driving doesnt affect everybody. Mostly its the yuppy women who drive their huge toyota SUV's to starbucks.

But w/e. back to what i was saying.

I know how to drive stick and i dont see how its possible to keep perfectly consistent power. You have to let off the gas and/or clutch at some point.
wow, this is a really hard decision. manual is definately more fun, but sometimes your not driving for the fun of driving, your driving because you have to get somewhere and your busy doing other stuff with your hands.

I'll say it again! A manual is BETTER in snow than an automatic. You are in complete control of the amount of torque that gets released to the wheels! Starting in 2nd almost always works and you don't slip and slide.

A manual may be better in the snow for you... but every vehicle is different as much as every driver is.

Automatics are very smooth... your foot can slip off a clutch or you could make an error in the amount of pressure you release and spin out. Sure, if you are good with a clutch it is probably just as good as an auto, but better? Don't know about that one.

Ed

Hmmm... Them manual trucks got three foot pedals, and I only got two feet!!! :) I like slush boxes because they do well in 99% of my driving on/off road and in snow. Unfortunately my X has a 4R55E, the disposable "Bic Lighter" of a/t's. It died at 100k.

Wait a minute, the 4R55E aint all THAT bad! It certainly isn't the best a/t out there though. If I had to pick the worst a/t made today it would have to the piece of crap that Dodge puts in their Rams. I know 6 different Ram owners who have had their tranny replaced 3 TIMES while the truck was under the factory 100000 mile warranty... Now that's the disposable bic lighter of all autos. I've never owned an eX with auto, let alone a 4R55E, and from what all you guys say, I think I'll stay away from the 4R55E. The only reason I'd ever think of getting an X with an auto is becuase I want one with the 302 V8. Even then I'd probably get sick of the slush box and do a custom tranny swap and use a Borg-Warner Tremec 5 out of mustang. THAT would be cool!!!!!

Originally posted by Webster3
A manual may be better in the snow for you... but every vehicle is different as much as every driver is.

Automatics are very smooth... your foot can slip off a clutch or you could make an error in the amount of pressure you release and spin out. Sure, if you are good with a clutch it is probably just as good as an auto, but better? Don't know about that one.

Ed

Well, unless you know of a way to start an auto off in second gear(skipping the high torque of first gear) then there is no way you would be able to control the amount of torque you put to the wheels with an auto. The only level of control you have with an auto is the gas pedal. I grew up in Michigan and I've driven many different vehicles with autos and with manuals. There are many times when an auto just can't get any traction and spin like crazy. Like I already stated you can start in second gear with a manual and you will not spin tires like the auto does. Also, if you were to lose traction while driving you can just push in the clutch and usually regain traction without ever touching the brakes. Putting an auto into neutral can sometimes do the same thing but not nearly as easily.

Originally posted by NaplesBill
Well, unless you know of a way to start an auto off in second gear(skipping the high torque of first gear) then there is no way you would be able to control the amount of torque you put to the wheels with an auto. The only level of control you have with an auto is the gas pedal. I grew up in Michigan and I've driven many different vehicles with autos and with manuals. There are many times when an auto just can't get any traction and spin like crazy. Like I already stated you can start in second gear with a manual and you will not spin tires like the auto does. Also, if you were to lose traction while driving you can just push in the clutch and usually regain traction without ever touching the brakes. Putting an auto into neutral can sometimes do the same thing but not nearly as easily.

I guess my understanding is that the torque converter in an automatic applies torque evenly and smoothly in close proportion to the speed of the engine until you reach higher speeds. I did a little research and your point about the torque issue may be well founded if I understand this correctly:

In addition to the very important job of allowing your car come to a complete stop without stalling the engine, the torque converter actually gives your car more torque when you accelerate out of a stop. Modern torque converters can multiply the torque of the engine by two to three times. This effect only happens when the engine is turning much faster than the transmission

That was from howstuffworks.com. So it sounds like because the torque converter multiplies the torque maybe the clutch is an advantage. Although it does suggest that this multiplication of torque happens when the engine is turning much faster than the transmission, which would suggest hard acceleration. I wonder how much the engine is ahead of the tranny in a gentle acceleration situation? Hmm.

Ed

yeah, but the torque gains aren't linear. you do have to "step on it" for the torque multiplication to be effective, whereas a manual realizes the torque instantly due to it being a gear,and a direct drive, and not fluid under pressure driving the drivetrain..

You can't get something for nothing, and a clutch/manual transmission will still get more torque to the ground than an automatic will, at any rpm more efficiently.


I have a 5-speed manual.

I love it in the snow. LOVE.

I've actually been having a buttload of fun in the snow these past weekends, lots more control in the snow than the automatic transmission equipped vehicle i was driving last year..

Now all I need is limited-slip rear end guts, some better gears and a chip. heh.

I saw the hand throttle mod in another thread so I would guess that the rock crawlers out there aren't really at much of any disadvantage at the end of the day anyways, if they have that mod.

I prefer manual transmissions any day of the week. I have driven many of both types, and I like the manuals better. My wife also prefers (by the way, she is Jedimaster1179 here, just got on a few days ago) manual. My 98 X sport is a 5 speed manual. I don't have a problem at all with being able to do other things (eat, drink non-alcoholic beverages, change Cd's, talk on the phone [I got an ear piece] etc) which I don't do often, and drive my stick. I also have no prob in any driving situation, cept when my knee starts to hurt in bumper to bumper traffic. I have been driving with a manual transmission so long it's like second nature. I like being in complete control. Power windows, door locks, seats, etc don't take away control, they usually give more control (I can lock both doors and put up both windows while driving, try that with manual control) The only thing I don't like is my stupid push button 4wd, but that's off topic. All in all, it serves my needs better and I wouldn't do without it. Some of the benefits I get out of it are:

1. Control
2. Power on Demand
3. Engine Braking (use sparringly)
4. Gas Milage (If you drive right)
5. Fun
6. Actually having to drive when I drive
7. Having to become more familiar with the vehicle
8. Having to pay closer attention to the engine noises
9. Acceleration
10. Something to do with the left foot
11. Feeling the gears
12. Skipping gears


Some of the Negatives of the Auto, for me are:

1. Left foot hitting the floor or the brake when I'm "supposed to" shift
2. Less engine control
3. If one gear goes, the whole thing is useless
4. extra large brake pedal
5. hard to make shift when you want it to (it can be done)
6. Less fun
7. Right hand doesn't know what to do
8. Feel like the car is driving me
9. Left foot doesn't know what to do
10. Too much time to shift from forward to reverse and back
11. Can't skip gears.
12. Can't downshift to pass a slow car.

I looooove sticks, but thats probably only because I don't have one. I taught myself a when I got my licence in an '80 MGB and get to play around in my dads 540 every once in a while, but my truck is an auto (not an option with the V8 :().

My ex is first out three that is an auto. Living in L.A. It's alot easier, but I still miss my stic shift. My next car will be a stic. Mustang GT baby! You gotta have a stic in that car. Too bad my wife dosn't know how to drive a manual:D

Don't worry I'll teach her.;)

Originally posted by Crazy5711

7. Right hand doesn't know what to do


No comment. ;)

Ed

I thought autos were for girls. Isn`t that why they developed them?








:p

Yeah,

and trucks are for dudes :)

Originally posted by ld50
I thought autos were for girls. Isn`t that why they developed them?








:p

As much as I'd like to believe that, I don't think so!

Originally posted by ld50
I thought autos were for girls. Isn`t that why they developed them?


:p


Actually I think auto's were made by guys that didn't want to put down their beer to shift!

:eek:

Ed

Originally posted by Webster3
No comment. ;)

Ed

Actually, I'm a lefty, :thumbsup: :p :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Well,,
I have both. I have a 93 5 speed AND a 93 auto (actually my son's, but I'm still paying for some of it).

I bought both used last year (03). The auto was rebuilt/replaced in 2001 by the previous owner. I hope that isnt a routine problem.

My manual now has a clutch slave cylinder problem that will probably require replacement.

So? I guess I like both since I have both.

BTW, it sure makes it nice to troubleshoot stuff when you have a running spare to swap parts!

Stu

I like the manual. Mine was an a4ld twice and both crapped out even the second built one. I finally swapped to a manual. Should be tougher. Now for the hand throttle...

I too have an automatic x, but prefer manual tranny. I had to get another auto due to the day to day commute to work and school..too much traffic here in the city to be driving stick. thats one of the reasons for me selling my stang and getting the x...

Mine is a M/T, it took a few weeks to find her too.
My last car was a MT (I miss it terribly). Big difference in gear ratios thats for sure. But always loads of fun. You have to really love to drive a 5spd here in q-tip land!

manual IMO is a lot better not only off-raod but on-road as well. Feels better knowing that I can control which gear is appropriate at this particular moment... downshifts, upshifts... how would I know otherwise?

Ok. My x is an auto with 250000 km's. i like my auto buti also like standard...kinda. the first standard i drove was the one in my 53' GMC. loved it, was fun. got used to that tranny and i liked driving standard. Problem??? I drove my moms ranger (dont know year) and that hydralic clutch garbage just killed my want to drive a standard. Ill still drive my 53 but not any new standard.

Cant find the post but someone commented on the downshifting of a standard for passing as an advantage over auto's. Auto's do that too. kind of a bugger thou. last time my parents expedition (i have a explorer) downshifted when we were passin on the highway we blew the frost plug out the side of the engine

Actually, I'm a lefty, < terrible

i like my auto because im a new driver. i mean when im merging into heavy traffic and i cant even stay in my own F**king lane when im shoulder checking i dont need to worry about shifting

lastly, i really have no clue but the advantages of standard over auto in winter seem kinda shaky. lets say your a new driver or not the best stick shifter. everything changes. you really need a good bit of skill to handle a standard with adaquite results over an automatic. sure some people can shift gears without using the clutch but that doesnt help the other people whom cant (or are listening to music so they cant hear the engine rpm's. Also to that post on how its too hard to shift from reverse to drive in an auto...that seems silly. you really can do the same as you can with a standard and not come to a complete stop and shift to drive. it seems like it would be harder in a standard to do somthing like that because you have to worry about the additional lowering of your rpm's so you dont stall it.

Ok im dun

Driving a stick is much more fun. But unless you Off Road you just can't crank it up anywhere. If you do and your caught the fines are high and your Insurance will go up.
But its good for spinning the wheels in front of your friends and showing off for the girls! It worked for me when I was a kid.

I like automatic because I drive it for 540miles one way home or to school (that's about 10 hrs.) and I don't want to think about shifting and I like haveing a place to put my drinks...

Have an auto Tranny Explorer and manual tranny Navajo. Hands down I hate the auto. The next time the auto has to come out 3 times already in 2 years. It is not going back together as an Auto. Next time it is getting a mazda 5-speed. that has never let me down yet.

autos, better in the northern va traffic and dc area!!!! but if in the mtns for the weekend, gooooooo for the sticks, i have a auto in my 2k2 sport

Just wanted to know how many of you prefer the auto. or manual transmission. Mine's auto. but I'd rather have the manual.

I don't know if I've answered this one yet or not, so here goes... My Explorer is an auto... I have this thing against most trucks with sticks, it's just not right for some reason... However, my dad had a 2001 Ranger for a short time that he borrowed from my half-brother... That thing had a little 4 cyl engine and I don't think I could've standed driving that thing if it didn't have a stick... Pretty cool truck :)

When I get my Explorer paid off (hopefully in January or February), I'm going to get a Subaru Impreza as a Daily Driver and just use the Explorer for wheeling, camping, and other special occasions... And that car is going to be a 5 speed. I won't settle for an automatic in that car... :cool:

Auto all the time its to much hassle to have a manual change in London traffic.
Guess I'm just lasy

I have had 2 Autos and 2 Sticks, and there is nothing like a Floor Shift Manual. Column shifts suck, but I had an '87 F150 with a 4 Speed Granny that would TOW! and a T handle shifter felt just right!
Gas milage is better (it takes some of the torque in the engine just to run the auto tranny), plus more power put to use. You get a better feel for what the car is actually doing in my opinion.
I guess I am also looking at the fact that I just destroyed the Auto on my EX wast week during trip to Kentucky ( in the OH MY GOD! Mountains of West Va.).

I alway buy manual rigs, but my wife traded for her/our X and it was an auto.
After wheeling it for a while, I won't go back. I like a stick in something i can DRIVE, if you know what I mean.

I don't miss rowing the clutch and stick on the trails at all. Besides, lets see a full throttle shift in thick mud with a manual :burnout:

in mud or snow for that matter you are better off with a stick...

BTW why would you want to shift in mud?

I have an auto, but I wish I had a manual.

I hate to admit this, but I have not a clue about driving a stick. My family's cars are all automatic, mine included so driving a stick-shift car for me is a rare. I've driving one before but it was a disaster!! But if I get a car with a stick, such as a '95 BMW 540i with the 6-speed :p, then I don't mind doing a lot of learning and prepare a lump sum for replacing the clutch.

currently have a 2002 sport, and thats' auto but love to drive my 97 mazda truck,a 5 speed on the back roads nothing like being able to select your own gear and also drive a 26' international w/ 13 speeds so 5 gears seems like a cake walk when it's all said and done,

Manual on sports cars and sport sedans.
Auto on big ass trucks. Except the F150. That would be sweet to drive with sticks!






PS. this thread is not considered "dead" is it? I mean, its ONLY 3 months old since the last post. :p

Living in a major city, you'd think I'd be all about the automatic transmission, but I prefer manual.

My household only has auto trans equipped vehicles........I'd love to drive a manual trans again. BUT, I'M MARRIED.........AND, SHE CAN'T DRIVE A MANUAL :fire: . I'D LIKE HER TO LEARN........THOUGH, I DON'T THINK IT'LL HAPPEN;) .

JEEZ, the things we do for LOVE.

Aloha, Mark

I like a manual most times, stuck in traffic I wish I had the auto though.
My X is a stick and I dont have to worry about the wife driving it and messing it up cause she cant drive a manual. :)
I drive in sand a lot too and I think that is hard on autos.

It's not so much that I'm afraid that she'll mess it up (trans)..........it's just that she told me that last time she tried a manual......she had an accident.....it scares her.....and me too. :eek:

Aloha, Mark

Here in NYC I prefer an automatic because of all the stop and go its hard to get passed first or second gear, but out side the city I love to drive my brothers 5spd jetta.

Try finding a used 95+ explorer that's manual and 4x4. . .It's nearly imposible.
I DID IT!!! lol i vote manual. i just love the manuals. ill never own and auto. driving my moms auto X is nice sometimes when backing the trailer around the corner into the garage, only thing i really like about them lol. picking your gear is alot better with the stick too. i dunno but i love the manuals, cause 3 pedals are better than 2 lol

:bounce: manual :burnout:

I only know how to drive an automatic, and don't plan on getting a vehicle that is manual. It would be good to know anyway. I have an idea how it's done. I've worked on a manual transmission, and moved cars in a driveway with a manual, so I know that it's not very difficult.

manual all the way :thumbsup: only reason i got the auto, well 2 reasons, wife, and cant get a manual with the v8 so auto it was

I prefer Auto's over manuals, I don't want to be bothered shifting and using the clutch. Plus you don't got to worry about burning out the clutch. For some they might feel that its boring but steering the car is enjoyment enough for me. My 12 year old Accord has 82k miles on it, we never had problems and always good gas mileage. Auto's from now until the end for me.

I prefer Auto's over manuals, I don't want to be bothered shifting and using the clutch. Plus you don't got to worry about burning out the clutch.

I have to go the other direction with this. i have replaced three autos in three years. the third time i went 5 speed and am never goin back. Im not worried with burning out a clutch beceause i have proper gearing and on the trails 4.88 lorange and 36's is like a sunday stroll in the park. :thumbsup:

Manual all the way... :p: I have several reasons too. But the main reason is just because I feel like I have more control over the vehicle and they are a hell of a lot cheaper to fix and maintain. :thumbsup:

I have to go the other direction with this. i have replaced three autos in three years. the third time i went 5 speed and am never goin back. Im not worried with burning out a clutch beceause i have proper gearing and on the trails 4.88 lorange and 36's is like a sunday stroll in the park. :thumbsup:

Explain this then, how is it I put 82,000 miles (Mostly city miles mind you) on my car and automatic transmission but it never broke down or costed me any money? Except changing the transmission fluid now and then. I never want to be bothered shifting so even if I had to replace the transmission several times in a vehicles lifetime I would do it. :thumbsup:

Explain this then, how is it I put 82,000 miles (Mostly city miles mind you) on my car and automatic transmission but it never broke down or costed me any money? Except changing the transmission fluid now and then. I never want to be bothered shifting so even if I had to replace the transmission several times in a vehicles lifetime I would do it. :thumbsup:

You had a decent tranny and didn't do neutral drops at every stop light? My manual lasted 120,000 before i needed to replace anything, so mine is 40,000 better right? no...just that it lasted, i took care of it. Oh and I never had to change any fluid either :D

The a4's in our explorer to fully suck though.

You had a decent tranny and didn't do neutral drops at every stop light? My manual lasted 120,000 before i needed to replace anything, so mine is 40,000 better right? no...just that it lasted, i took care of it. Oh and I never had to change any fluid either :D

The a4's in our explorer to fully suck though.


Yes I think its fairly decent since it did well for me, and the only time I put my car into neutral is when I go into a car wash. We take good care of our vehicles and everything we own.

Just because you got 120K miles doesn't mean your transmission is any better. I feel my transmission can make it that far if I own the car by time I get to that point. The next person that owns the car will probably get it to that point if they take good care of it.

Also you failed to tell me if you got mostly city or highway miles on your vehicle? Everyone knows that stop and go traffic is more detrimental to your vehicles mechanics. I driven allot of highway mileage but I been in 10's of thousands of miles of stop and go traffic in the past 12 years. Even with all that stress my automatic transmission never gave me problems.

You might of never changed the fluids in your transmission, but we did it because we wanted to. Maybe the auto sucked because you never changed the fluids? I would wager that the Ford Auto's were poorly made. I could of went without changing the timing belts, but why risk it when I can afford to get it changed?

Don't get me wrong I have had minor problems with my vehicle but it never left me stranded. The engine and transmission along with the rest of my car are in prime condition and I have gotten my money out of this vehicle several times over.

How is the 6 SP Auto? I hear many people complaining about older Auto's but what about the new one?

I never had an auto in mine. mostly city. Where did I say mine was better? Actually, I said specifically that it wasn't better. The a4 is a turd, the m5 (manual) isn't too much better. The newer ones are worlds better from what I understand.

I never had an auto in mine. mostly city. Where did I say mine was better? Actually, I said specifically that it wasn't better. The a4 is a turd, the m5 (manual) isn't too much better. The newer ones are worlds better from what I understand.

If both the automatic and manual transmission suck why didn't you ditch your Explorer and buy the new model?

Auto.... With a auto/manual valve body and a floor shifter

If both the automatic and manual transmission suck why didn't you ditch your Explorer and buy the new model?

Because the tranny can be replaced with a MUCH better one, and the 1st gens are the best (in my opinion) base for a trail/rock rig.

Manual.... the gears shift when you want them to.... and you get power when you want it.