Auto or manual, which is best?
Jan 22, 2005 | 02:28 PM
#1
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Auto or manual, which is best?
Hello,
Brand new here, but am thinking about buying a 4runner. Recently sold my '78 FJ-40. Found one in the area, and it's an '87, very good shape, 4-cyl, loaded, and everything works. I wanted a manual tranny, and it this one has an auto. What are the pro's and con's of both.
Appreciate any input.
Jim
Brand new here, but am thinking about buying a 4runner. Recently sold my '78 FJ-40. Found one in the area, and it's an '87, very good shape, 4-cyl, loaded, and everything works. I wanted a manual tranny, and it this one has an auto. What are the pro's and con's of both.
Appreciate any input.
Jim
Jan 22, 2005 | 03:57 PM
#3
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From: Eastern NC
Manual- more power,better mpg,cheaper to buy, harder to find Auto-better during heavy traffic, vehicle will not move when shifting into gear, easy to drive if one leg is broken, More expensive to buy, easier to find if buying
Jan 22, 2005 | 04:54 PM
#4
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From: 100 miles offshore as much as possible, & Springfield Oregon USA
Geez, you don't even to SEARCH to find a pile of opinions on this subject.
Not even halfway down the first page there's a thread with over 180 posts on this very subject - it's called "5-speed or Autormatic, which one do you have?"
I'll save you the trouble - get a 5 speed!
Not even halfway down the first page there's a thread with over 180 posts on this very subject - it's called "5-speed or Autormatic, which one do you have?"
I'll save you the trouble - get a 5 speed!
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Jan 27, 2005 | 02:22 AM
#9
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From: Grew up in Santa Clarita/San Fernando Valley's...now in Washington State
5 speed all the way!!!!!
And Slowrunner, it's always rush hour here in SoCal......
"Welcome to Los Angeles California,former home of the Oakland tRaiders, and drive-by shooting lanes!!!!!"
And Slowrunner, it's always rush hour here in SoCal......
"Welcome to Los Angeles California,former home of the Oakland tRaiders, and drive-by shooting lanes!!!!!"
Jan 27, 2005 | 05:55 AM
#11
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From: Oklahoma State
Well maybe I'm just an old goat but I like an auto, especially off-roading. I like being able to stop in the middle of a steep hill and not need 3 legs to get going again. The only way I'd consider a 5-speed off-road is with a crawler t-case. Oh and city traffic with an auto is nice for this old goat too. 
Jan 27, 2005 | 07:42 AM
#12
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From: SLC, UT
On a 4-cyl get a 5-speed.
I have an auto because I got a really good price on my 4Runner. When I was looking, I wanted a 5-speed. But now that I have the auto, I am glad that I got it. I would rather pull my boat with an auto rather than a 5-speed.
I have an auto because I got a really good price on my 4Runner. When I was looking, I wanted a 5-speed. But now that I have the auto, I am glad that I got it. I would rather pull my boat with an auto rather than a 5-speed.
Jan 27, 2005 | 07:46 AM
#13
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From: Richmond, Va
Originally Posted by SLC Punk
On a 4-cyl get a 5-speed.
I have an auto because I got a really good price on my 4Runner. When I was looking, I wanted a 5-speed. But now that I have the auto, I am glad that I got it. I would rather pull my boat with an auto rather than a 5-speed.
I have an auto because I got a really good price on my 4Runner. When I was looking, I wanted a 5-speed. But now that I have the auto, I am glad that I got it. I would rather pull my boat with an auto rather than a 5-speed.
Jan 27, 2005 | 07:51 AM
#14
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From: Washington State
Originally Posted by mt_goat
Well maybe I'm just an old goat but I like an auto, especially off-roading. I like being able to stop in the middle of a steep hill and not need 3 legs to get going again. The only way I'd consider a 5-speed off-road is with a crawler t-case. Oh and city traffic with an auto is nice for this old goat too.
Jan 27, 2005 | 08:47 AM
#15
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From: Northern New Mexico
Why did you let go of the FJ-40? I know lots of people who won't let anyone ese drive theirs. just curious.
If you get the 5-speed, you'll have lots of fun changing out the clutch components when they wear out. That's if you decide to do it yourself.
If you get the 5-speed, you'll have lots of fun changing out the clutch components when they wear out. That's if you decide to do it yourself.
Jan 27, 2005 | 10:25 AM
#20
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From: 100 miles offshore as much as possible, & Springfield Oregon USA
I agree, as I get older an auto is kinda nice around town.
But I will not have one for the trail. There is the 3 legged issue, but that's overcomeable. (Is that a word..?) Here's the scenarios I hate with autos:
1- going up that same hill, getting stopped. To get going again you give it gas, it doesn't move, you give it a bit more, finally the torque converter transfers enough power but your rpms are a bit too high and too much power goes to the wheels and you spin them, sliding backwards down hill....
2- coming back down a slippery slope, steep enough that simply being in 4LO and manually selected 1st gear will not hold you back. With foot on brake the tires try to lock up, you try to modulate the pedal and either keep sliding (cuz the wheels can stop without killing the engine on an auto) or you start picking up speed. Not so bad unless there a tight bend with a cliff at the bottom of the slope...
I have been there in both these situations many many times and autos scare the living crap more often than not.
Now for rock crawling autos are nice (although I still prefer a manual) and for the dunes autos are great!
But I will not have one for the trail. There is the 3 legged issue, but that's overcomeable. (Is that a word..?) Here's the scenarios I hate with autos:
1- going up that same hill, getting stopped. To get going again you give it gas, it doesn't move, you give it a bit more, finally the torque converter transfers enough power but your rpms are a bit too high and too much power goes to the wheels and you spin them, sliding backwards down hill....
2- coming back down a slippery slope, steep enough that simply being in 4LO and manually selected 1st gear will not hold you back. With foot on brake the tires try to lock up, you try to modulate the pedal and either keep sliding (cuz the wheels can stop without killing the engine on an auto) or you start picking up speed. Not so bad unless there a tight bend with a cliff at the bottom of the slope...
I have been there in both these situations many many times and autos scare the living crap more often than not.
Now for rock crawling autos are nice (although I still prefer a manual) and for the dunes autos are great!
Last edited by Flamedx4; Jan 27, 2005 at 10:26 AM.
