automatic or stick shift ?

[roverrocks]

However, that very effect also isolates the driver from what the vehicle is doing at any moment. The directness of the manual really puts the driver in communication with the vehicle, and hence more in control. With an auto, you're not really driving the vehicle to the degree you are with a manual. A manual makes you a more sensitive, subtle, and skilled driver.

I disagree with your statements wholeheartedly. Not my experience at all and I have owned both manuals and automatics in all kinds of trucks though I admit to only having had one Rover for 8 years and it is an auto.

 

[I Leak Oil]

Lots of people have broken axles, drive shafts, transfercases, etc. on vehicles with auto boxes. Land Rover or not so i don't buy the "protection" factor. Perhaps it's a mental security blanket more than anything similar to thinking a stick gives you a vast amount of vehicle control over an auto.

 

[Beowulf]

What I find interesting are the comments regarding Autos allow the driver to concentrate more on the terrain and driving. I have to say that after driving manuals since I first touched a steering wheel, the thought about shifting by hand is about as automatic as a true auto. I never think about it. I just feel the terrain, hear the engine and forces being exerted and the gears just seem to magically shift to where I need. Never do I think oh now I'm in for it.....what gear do I shift into. But, maybe that type of subconscious manual shifting is not normal.

 

[Antichrist]

Lots of people have broken axles, drive shafts, transfercases, etc. on vehicles with auto boxes. Land Rover or not so i don't buy the "protection" factor. Perhaps it's a mental security blanket more than anything similar to thinking a stick gives you a vast amount of vehicle control over an auto.

I do find I have vastly more control with a manual, certainly needing to use the brakes a lot less.

What I find interesting are the comments regarding Autos allow the driver to concentrate more on the terrain and driving. I have to say that after driving manuals since I first touched a steering wheel, the thought about shifting by hand is about as automatic as a true auto. I never think about it. I just feel the terrain, hear the engine and forces being exerted and the gears just seem to magically shift to where I need. Never do I think oh now I'm in for it.....what gear do I shift into. But, maybe that type of subconscious manual shifting is not normal.

That, IMO, sums it up well. I think a lot has to do with a person's age. A lot of (most?) drivers these days grew up with automatics as their daily drivers so driving a manual is a foreign experience. A guy I work with moved to Atlanta from Florida and when I voiced surprise that his sports car was an automatic he said there were too many hills here for a manual.

 

[Snagger]

Soooo, if you could convert a Range Rover Classic LWB from the ZF to an R380.... would you? do not consider cost, parts availability or anything technical.

Would you like to drive a manual RRC? (in America with a V8)

I was very specific in my search for my 1995 RRC soft dash - it had to be a factory fitted manual. Almost everyone in the UK and probably most of Europe learns to drive with manual cars. Only luxury vehicles tend to be fitted with auto over here. I have driven auto on many occasions = my father tends to get automatics and the hire car I used in Orlando last year as automatic. They're convenient, but I don't like them - they sap power and remove some control. In an offroader, there is the additional worry that it might change gear at a bad moment, like at high revs on a steep incline, which could cause a failed climb.

 

[Ray_G]

While I already voiced my preference for manuals, while acknowledging that the ZF is a damn good autobox actually (as far as those go) the reliability of a manual is something to reiterate. Aside from being able to start it on a roll, you can also power shift if need be (my ex wife power shifted all the way from Williamsburg to downtown Norfolk when our master cylinder went in our first 5speed Disco...b/c her father taught her to drive a manual and within that told her how to do it). If the auto goes, there you go...call the roll back.

Not saying I wouldn't get another auto Rover-I probably will; but do love my 5 speed day in and day out. When I mate it to a 4.6 that will be about as perfect as it gets IMHO.
r-
Ray

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Never do I think oh now I'm in for it.....what gear do I shift into. But, maybe that type of subconscious manual shifting is not normal.

I think this is part of the reason people prefer auto's. Most people nowadays learn to drive with auto's and when they finally do get around to driving a manual they watch the RPM gauge, or shift now light waiting for it to tell them to be in the next gear. The guy complaining about hills in a manual is a perfect example. One of the first things I learnt was how to get started on a hill, and that was with a trailer.

 

[Antichrist]

One of the first things I learnt was how to get started on a hill, and that was with a trailer.

LOL
My dad taught me how to drive a manual in our Travelall, by driving him around to put fliers in mailboxes. Luckily the battery was dead at the top of a hill, so then I learned how to roll start one.

 

[HillbillyfromAL]

Good stuff right there. My biggest disappointment when I decided I wanted a 04 Discovery was that it would be automatic, the next one was it wasn't DIESEL. I'm researching options to remedy both once I have the time and money.

 

[I Leak Oil]

I do find I have vastly more control with a manual, certainly needing to use the brakes a lot less.

That, IMO, sums it up well. I think a lot has to do with a person's age. A lot of (most?) drivers these days grew up with automatics as their daily drivers so driving a manual is a foreign experience. A guy I work with moved to Atlanta from Florida and when I voiced surprise that his sports car was an automatic he said there were too many hills here for a manual.

Abolutely Tom. You find you have more control. I'm sure the guys that are comfortable with an autobox will say the same. This debate is one of those 90wt vs. grease things. I KNOW you can relate to that one!

 

[ini88]

I love seeing auto drivers try stick off road for the first time. Its funny.

 

[LtFuzz]

I had a starter motor fail on me last year on my '95 R380 5-speed (my first manual Disco). I was 1,400 miles from home and had about 36 hours to get there.

In 4-low I'm not convinced an auto offers significantly less control but..... Bump starting got me home on time and reminded me how critical a manual transmission could be if you experienced a relatively minor failure but were far from help. The ability to potentially restart the engine without external power is a powerful advantage.

 

[VRock]

It's true that the cushioning effect of an auto can mitigate weaknesses in your drivetrain. A manual makes you a more sensitive, subtle, and skilled driver.

Agreed, on both counts.

I learned on a stick shift, and my current rig is only the second auto vehicle I've owned in quite a few. To be skilled with a manual is critical. Manual is much more fun. Still, I opted for an auto in the end.

 

[Antichrist]

Abolutely Tom. You find you have more control. I'm sure the guys that are comfortable with an autobox will say the same.

I'm comfortable with an automatic. But we were on Canada Creek Rd in Suches today with my wife's automatic and in 4-low and the transmission in one I had to use the brakes more than I do in my '95 in 4-low in 1st.
Granted, there might be something wrong with her transmission I don't know about, but I don't think so.

This debate is one of those 90wt vs. grease things. I KNOW you can relate to that one!

LOL yah.
I gave up and run grease in some and oil in others. :victory:

 

[REDROVER]

i did experience my rover automatic and now 6 speed manual. i will make sure my coming defender is automatic for sure i think auto gives more offload control . may be i am crazy? lol
or may be i am new to stick shift 4x4? as far as control going down hill, 1st gear and low on t case, my top speed is 1 mph. no auto will come close to that, not no mention at 75 mph 1800 rpm. but again i will make sure my defender is automatic. EM I GETTING OLD ??? haha

Eric