Patrol 3ltr 03-05, Manual or Auto?
Submitted: Wednesday, Apr 26, 2006 at 14:31
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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
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
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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
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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.
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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.
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