turbo diesel manual or automatic

Submitted: Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 20:54
ThreadID: 14397 Views:1831 Replies:8 FollowUps:6
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first time visitor to forum also first time user of computer. hello to all and i was wanting some advice on whether i should choose manual or automatic in my future purchase of toyota landcruiser. our plans are to travel up the east coast to cape york towing a camper trailer over a period of 3 months. hope somebody can help us in deciding thank you.
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Reply By: Rosco - Bris. - Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:22

Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:22
Lotsa ppls swear by autos ... great in sand, but have their drawbacks in other areas. In the end I think it all comes down to personal preference. I prefer a manual, but accept others have different requirements.

Take your pick, either will certainly do the job.

Cheers and bon voyage
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Follow Up By: patsy.c - Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:47

Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:47
thanks rosco, i have a preferance for manual but the latest autos are getting some good reports. thanks again. patsy. c
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Reply By: Truckster (Vic) - Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:31

Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:31
Automatic every time, specially for towing.. Makes life easier to start with....

Will always outdo a manual offroad, hills, and just slow work, start and stop easier.

YMMV
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Follow Up By: Jimbo - Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:44

Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:44
The T man is right IMHO, autos offer much greater creeping ability and the ability to change gear in the middle of a climb or when the sand gets too heavy is an huge advantage. Try doing a flying downchange in a manual as you are struggling to a stop, and in a manual and you will get bogged. In an auto you simply select a lower gear without loss of traction and proceed.

Manuals have greater engine breaking, but with modern vehicles judicious use of the brakes on a steep downhill run works well for me.

Neither is perfect but IMHO an auto, on balance, is better. If you're talking a performance car, it's a different question; give me a manual every time.

Jim.
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Reply By: Big Kidz (Andrew & Jen) - Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:43

Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:43
I have an auto T/D Landcruiser but with the older 4 speed box - new one is five speed I gather. Auto is better for towing and for 4wding seems to be just as good or better with the exception of steep downhill decents as the engine braking is not as good. I think most people are wanting auto now and resale should be better.

Andrew
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Follow Up By: Willem - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 10:46

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 10:46
Despite having y an auto you still got bogged in the desert, I understand...hahahahahahahahaha :-)
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Follow Up By: Big Kidz (Andrew & Jen) - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 22:15

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 22:15
Bogged in the desert - it was more that we had ceased to make forward progress - bogged is such a strong word!
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Reply By: patsy.c - Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:55

Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 21:55
well i did not expect this many responses in favour of automatic. as a truck driver and changing gears all day i will rethink my preferance for manual.thank you all for your input much appreciated.
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Follow Up By: Les Webb - Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 22:54

Monday, Jul 05, 2004 at 22:54
I have run an Auto for many years..in my 4WD club it is interesting to hear comments like "I willl get an auto next time" from manual owners having just witnessed how an auto out performs.. frankly the tougher the task the wider the gap in favour of auto...some auto's have a high 1st gear but use the hand brake on extreme down hill & all's well!
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Reply By: Peter 2 - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 08:04

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 08:04
After 6 manual 4wd's I now have an auto and would never go back to a manual, as has been mentioned steep descents are the only hiccup but can be worked around with practice, not so bad with the diesel though.
The other thing to watch is the long gradual descents on mountain roads, ie 20 k's etc, don't be tempted to pat the brakes occasionally as you would in a manual rather use the lower gears.
AnswerID: 66627

Reply By: steve - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 08:50

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 08:50
I have a manual current model Prado t/d and would go an auto when th 5 speed is available, just wasn't impressed with the present 4 speed. An auto also keeps the turbo on boost because when you are accelerating the throttle is always open, unlike a manual where you are on and off each time you change gears.

Steve.
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Reply By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 13:20

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 13:20
Yeah I'll probably go auto with my next fourby - but really the manual is much more fun and would be my preference....however as I age I don't seem to want to buggerise around as much selecting gears etc. In short the auto is easier but not as much fun IMHO.
AnswerID: 66658

Reply By: Member - Bob - Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 13:33

Tuesday, Jul 06, 2004 at 13:33
I'd never go back to a manual. Both my vehicles are autos and a superior to manuals I've had before, esp in the rough.
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Follow Up By: Member - Murray C (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 08, 2004 at 17:01

Thursday, Jul 08, 2004 at 17:01
Hey Patsy,
Would you be that cute little calabrian number that drives the big swedish truck? eh!
Nice post!
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