Nissan Patrol manual or auto GU 3LTD

Hi scooter..we have auto's at work and we flog the hell out of them ( well i do ).
They seem to pull just a good as the manuals if not a bit better, i have a 2002 manual and will be thinking seriously about updateing to an auto over the next few years.

Scooter.

I have a manual. The reason was that I wanted the extra torque and was not impressed with the additional price of the auto. My previous vehicle was a TD5 auto Disco Series II.

Having said that I feel that the auto is a better proposition with a turbo diesel. The auto disguises much of the turbo lag and is generally easier to drive around town and off road. The manual requires much more concentration to get it all right. The manaual is nice off road (low range) and when touring and towing.

With the new Patrol there is less power/torque/towing capacity with an auto 3.0l than the manual.

Regards

Paul

Hey Scooter,

I've got the latest model Auto and love it. Spent ages looking at the 4.8 & 3.0 manual and auto, and eventually went auto. You can look up my posts about this using the search facility.

Have driven about 15,000km's since January lots of towing an Adventure Camper at about 1.1 tonnes, some offroad, sand etc. In all cases I've loved the Auto. From all my research the only area a Manual is superior to an auto is on extreme downhills, and there are ways to make this easier with an auto too.

The 2 things I hate about the auto are:

1) Nissan have reduced it's torque output, by a lot comparted to the manual. I gather 'cause the auto box can't handle it.

2) 2.5 tonne towing capacity. I'll never need more, but it's rather pathetic that Nissan put a weak auto box in the diesel patrol, but a much stronger one in the Petrol.

Both of these things can be fixed, but it costs money to do it aftermarket.

Thanks,

Aaron.

Have a 2002 auto towing a KK. Never owned an auto 4x4 before and now wouldn't go back to a manual. Fantasic in sand, great over rocks and in water, hills require a little more skill. Worth every extra penny!!!

Hi Scooter,

I have a 2003 GU manual while my brother-in-law has a 2002 GU auto. I went the manual as all my previous 4WD's were manuals and I have always considered a real 4WD must be a manual. But after driving my B-I-L's auto, I reckon not getting an auto was a big mistake.

While I don't know what 4WD I will get next time (1-1/3 years to go on novated lease) I do know it will be a turbo diesel auto.

Cheers

Captain

PS. Survey to date looks pretty convincing for auto!!!

Scooter,

I traded in a 1998 4.5L auto petrol GU for a 3L TD auto just over 12 months ago. I tow a 1.5 tonne boat all over NSW but principally between Sydney and Lake Eucumbene in the Snowy Mountains. Initially I was concerned with the towing ability of a relatively small capacity, auto TD vs the 4.5 L petrol, but after the dealer arranged the loan of of one for a w/end, I went with the 3.0L auto and so far, I couldn't be happier with it. The towing performance has exceeded all my expectations and in fact, I think it is way ahead of the larger petrol engine. The fact that it uses a fraction of the fuel is an added bonus. The auto keeps the turbo spinning at all times once over abt 2000 rpm, so it is always in the power band. It has no trouble keeping up to the speed limit on the open road and rarely, if ever needs to drop below 3rd gear. I would go the auto without hesitation.
Cheers Peter

We chose the 3 ltr TD auto. mainly because my husband is getting deaf, and finds it easier than listening to gears; also one foot goes numb on long journeys and he can't feel the pedals. For towing, it is more economical as it selects the best gear more appropriately that i can. It has a choice of selecting own gear, holding in gear for longer etc. modes. Depends on what you want to do. If i drive in the city - i love the auto. Out in the bush, i feel more secure with a manual, knowing it is easier to start, tow etc. if in trouble. My 4wd crazy son prefers auto, and chooses do things like put V corvette motors in hilux with auto gearbox.

Another vote for the auto here too. Steep downhill slopes are the only disadvantage but a bit of practice at left foot braking soon sorts that out.

Well it seems an overwhelming vote for auto, I would like to ask all those with experience the following:

When in severe off road situations and particularly when all but bogged, what is the auto like to rock between a forward gear and reverse?

Manuals do this exceptionally well, and in a GQ Auto I have owned, it was useless! The GU may be different, but I think this is an important question, as it could mean the difference between digging/winching etc and driving away.

Food for thought!

Scooter, I am another Auto fan.
Even though I suffered the dreaded engine failure of the early models,this is the best truck out of 15 4wds previously owned.
Off road it is terrific,Why? because in addition to the Auto I have fitted Marks low range gears to the transfer case.
For around $1500 bucks you have the very best of both worlds,engine braking better than most manuals and non stalling hill climbs.
It tows my 17ft van with ease and runs on the sniff of an oily rag.
Regards

To all that took the time to answer my question a big thank you. I am off to the Nissan dealer today to have a look and a test drive. Cheers Scooter

Hi Scooter,

I have a 2004 3.0 TD Manual.

Whilst I love driving the Patrol, a couple of items I have noticed when 4 x4 ing with other people with auto's.

1. You have to watch when reving around 1500 to 2000 revs. I used to kangaroo hop in 1st gear inititally until I learnt to drive the car properly.

2. Low range gives you more control on downhill slopes, but not a crucial facter in deciding on the manual.

3. Sand driving is a bit of a bugger. If you are on soft sand, then low range is fine. When in high range on sand, the gear ratios can seem too far apart.

Hope this helps

TonyG

4.2 only comes in Manual.....

But I'd buy a 4.2 and go an Auto Conversion... best of every world.

G'day
I went through this process just over 2 years ago and got an auto 3L. At the time I test drove both manual and auto, I didn't really want to spend the extra, and being an ex heavy vehicles driver and instructor I really like my manuals. I found though that the auto just performed so much better that I was left with no choice. :-) Plus some good feed back from members here :-)
I tow a 1.5 tonne boat and it does it easy. Only problems with the auto,
1. You have to learn how to use the throttle ie if you want to accellerate quickly you have to gradually sqeeze it as you go through the gears
2. When towing I somtimes wish it had the manual shift mode as it seems to want to kick back like its a petrol motor (higher revving) but I want it to grunt along. Easily controlled by just backing off a little, but you can't really put your boot into otherwise it revs to hard. Its no big deal but could be better. When towing the boat and I hit some hills I turn off the cruise control otherwise it goes flat to the floor style.

I like the brake pedal size and location, I only use my left foot for braking in the auto and it is well located (the pedal) for right or left foot. Earlier in life I was a forklift driver and learned to use my left foot, I used to just use it in tight spots for convenience and safety, but as it is so convenient and safe I do it all the time now. It does take some practice though, particularly on that rare occassion when something unexpected happens.
I enjoyed mastering some pretty rough crash gear boxes in heavy old trucks, but I love my auto turbo diesel :-)
cheers
Rod