Patrol 3ltr 03-05, Manual or Auto?

Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 14:31

ThreadID: 33263 Views:2365 Replies:11 FollowUps:5

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4Harves

Hi All,
I have been looking for a manual 3ltr 03-05 Patrol for some time here in WA and they seem to be scarse. Most Patrols are auto. Am I looking for a manual for the wrong reasons. I thought manual is better for towing and offroad. I have a 03 Nissan Navara ST-R 3ltr, and could not be more happy with the performance but am now looking for a little more leg room in the back for the boys. Have been towing a Jayco Eagle Outback aroound for a few months now with no problems.
The question I have is why are most of the Patrols auto. Is auto better than manual. I have no experience with auto and would be grateful if someone can tell me if I am on the right path or not. I will be using the Patrol for some bush/beach work, but mainly for road towing. Most of the other 4x4 owners I know have manual, mostly Cruisers but I am more than happy to stay with Nissans, from experience.

Regards,

Chris

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Reply By: Member - Alan (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 14:41

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 14:41

Hi

I may be off the mark, but here are my thoughts:

- I bought auto as my wife was still going to drive car also - and she does not like manual
- I still use the car alot around metro area so auto is easier.
- auto is pretty good in sand as gear changing smooth to keep momentum
- 4.2l is available in manual only (if auto had been available in 4.2 - I woudl have bought 4.2 auto instead of 3l)

Perhaps if people want diesel manual, they have tended towards 4.2 - leaving the 3.0 litre as the default choice if you want auto.

I am very happy with my 3.0 auto. Just had dtronic installed last week and now even better.

Alan

AnswerID: 169092

Reply By: Leroy - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 14:50

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 14:50

plenty of manuals around. I have one and brother in laws is also. Mate has an auto but bought that because of his wife. I have driven his auto around off road and I reckon I would get one next time. A pleasure to drive without thinking too much about gear selections or unforseen circumstances entailing you to change gears etc.. Down hill, engine braking is an issue but you soon learn techniques to overcome this like driving through the brakes or install one of those torque converter lockup kits.
I bought a manual because I thought also if i flatten my batter I could roll start it.....err it happened and i couldn't!!

Leroy

AnswerID: 169097

Reply By: RosscoH - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 15:21

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 15:21

Hi Chris,
Go the Auto, You will wonder why you never had one before, Mine is a 2000 3.0lt, magic in the bush and on the sand. We have a Cavalier Camper that we pull on the road, is heavily modified and weighs over a ton loaded and it is only on long steep climbs that a little more power would be nice, cruises on the highway easily at 100-120klms/hr
Cheers Rossco.

AnswerID: 169102

Follow Up By: 4Harves - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 21:48

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 21:48

Thanks for all the info.
Makes life a little easier trying to find what i wanted to get in a second hand rig with more choices in auto. Now have to convince the better half (as she who should be obeyed likes to be know as) as she loves the manual as well.
Cheers,
Chris.

FollowupID: 424547

Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 15:36

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 15:36

Chris,

Reckon I'll go for the auto next time with the torque lock fitted. Was thinking this anyway but after $1,100 on new clutch after 107,000 I figure the auto might avoid clutch issues.

Peter

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AnswerID: 169105

Follow Up By: Mark (Geelong) - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 19:52

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 19:52

Peter,
Where did uou get clutch installed for $1100?
dealer here is talking $1500

Mark (Geelong)

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FollowupID: 424508

Reply By: Peter 2 - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 16:45

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 16:45

Brother in law has had several 3 litres, the auto allows the engine to get on boost quicker which masks the lack of grunt down low especially when towing off the mark uphill.
Remember though that the auto only has a 2.5t towingcapacity where the manual is higher.

AnswerID: 169114

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 18:51

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 18:51

Yep - manual is 3.2t capacity for trailer with brakes.

FollowupID: 424488

Follow Up By: Leroy - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 19:50

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 19:50

ah yes turbo lag was the other thing I forgot to mention also! Not so evident in an auto.

Leroy

FollowupID: 424507

Reply By: Bonz (Vic) - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 20:48

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 20:48

Well I have a manual and now think I should have gpt the auto, better everywhere off road, and not cause I am a lazy ar$e, I actually like changing gears but the auto is much better alla round, not just for the missus as a shopping trolley.

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AnswerID: 169183

Reply By: Outbacktourer - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 21:21

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 21:21

Another vote here for the Auto, particularly if you do beach and towing, just make sure you get a Tranny temp gauge (keep under 100C) and use the O/D button sparingly. It's like a SS prop, you wonder if it's worth it but once you have had one there is no going back!

AnswerID: 169195

Reply By: gompy - Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 22:01

Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 22:01

Go with the auto, I made the mistake of getting a manual, but traded it in for a auto after 3 months! could not get used to the turbo lag, the car was virtually undriveble. I am very happy with the auto, more so since I installed an DPchip, awesome!!

AnswerID: 169205

Reply By: Member - Captain (WA) - Thursday, Apr 27, 2006 at 08:20

Thursday, Apr 27, 2006 at 08:20

Yet another vote for the auto. I have the manual and will be changing to an auto when I change over vehicles in October. Turbo diesels and autos are a match made in heaven!!!

Cheers

Captain

AnswerID: 169262

Reply By: Leroy - Thursday, Apr 27, 2006 at 09:30

Thursday, Apr 27, 2006 at 09:30

See Chris there are plenty of manuals around. Now after this thread they have depriated significantly so you should be able to pick one up for a good price ;-))

Leroy

AnswerID: 169276