Mark C replied:

Hi John I operate 4wd passenger & Tag along tours and use an 80 series auto - its great. The only area where manuals have it over autos is compression braking on very steep downhill tracks - however thats easily overcome by appropriate use of the brake When towing or working it hard on sandhills & the like, the transmission hump inside the vehicle tends to get hot. Again easily overcome by fitting a trans cooler for around $200. I wouldnt go past them. Hapy touring and hope to see you on tour

Joseph Baz replied:

Jhon,Idrove manual 4x4 all my life and it was out of my wife insistance,we converted to auto and it is great specially were gradual power is needed to avoid getting bogged,personally i have never experience overheating,even over sand dunes. Hope this is of some help Cheers Joe

Greg Cartan replied:

Have an NL auto Pajero - brilliant; especialy in sand and any issues with downhill braking can be overcome with a little care and forethough; more importantly perhaps a mate of mine who has owned a string manual toyotas because you cant trust those autos has recently changed to a 100 series auto after goiing across the Simpson with us and hes now a convert - so there must be something in it?? Greg

Tim replied:

John, I have read the other responses and what they are saying is pretty much spot on. An auto is great for beachwork because of the ability to change through the gears with no power loss which is where a lot of mannuals become stuck however the gear box can heat up when it is constantly jumping through the gears, this problem can be overcome by selecting the gear and using the gear box some what similiar to a mannual. The economy is usually better in an auto but you dont have the ability to compresion brake like a mannual. The big thing which can make a huge difference is if you are travelling by yourself in a remote location and your battery dies, in an auto your srewed in a mannual you at least have a chance. Tim