Opinions on buying a YJ

Brianjw82 · 10-14-2008, 06:30 PM

I'm still new to jeeps, I had my first jeep last year it was a 92 that I put a new interior in, shackle lifts, super swampers, and a couple other cool things. I sold it and my snowmobile to buy a ring for my now fiance. Anyway, last week I bought another 2.5 YJ, i put a deposit on it and before I picked it up the guy was pulling a tree out with it and broke something. He isn't very motivated to fix and offered my deposit back. Now I found a 4.0 (what I really wanted) with some mods for a fair price but it's an auto. My question is: are these trannies decent and is it lame to have an auto jeep? I won't be doing any serious beating but I don't want to have to replace it. It has 140kmi. I'm saving for a wedding and going to school so I'm broke and scraping the money together to buy the jeep so I can't really put anything into it.
Thanks in advance.

**ZeroGravity** · 10-14-2008, 06:41 PM

If you have a set of wheels maybe you should stick with that, for now.

And btw selling your Jeep and stuff for a ring is really, well, sweet.

Brianjw82 · 10-14-2008, 06:50 PM

I do, I have an 06' VW GTI. But I miss having a jeep especially with winter coming.

**rebelone50** · 10-14-2008, 06:53 PM

Be patient. Don't settle for something you don't really want. You'll buy it, regret it, hate it, sell it, then buy the one you want. Save your money. Check craigslist and everything else. The one you are looking for is out there

jgillespie · 10-14-2008, 07:03 PM

there are several guys on here that run with the auto. i'm going out on a limb here, but i bet they don't have too many problems with them. reason why i guess this is because most serious crawlers are stick and have a hand throttle. at least so i have seen

Brianjw82 · 10-15-2008, 07:51 PM

Thanks for the help.

06camarodude · 10-15-2008, 08:22 PM

Auto is fine for a vehicle that is mostly driven on-road, but in my experience, if you want a stick, get one. I regretted getting rid of my 5 speed manual Camaro, and my Heep is the first manual trans I've had since then. It's a blast to drive a manual, and I feel I have more control over the vehicle when it's a stick, my Formula is 300hp and an auto trans, and I still feel like I'm just along for the ride most of the time.

Plus, it's fun to let friends drive and laugh when they stall it at a red light. . . lol

jpfix · 10-15-2008, 11:22 PM

jeep.....wife
jelly donut....kickintheass

we all make decisions every day

JaikYJ · 10-17-2008, 07:38 AM

Automatic jeeps arent that bad, more and more guys are getting into them. From what I have read they are easier to run offroad then manual jeeps. If you like the mud I have heard that they are better too. I have read a couple threads about guys stalling out in mud pits with manual jeeps and getting mud and water sucked up between the clutch plates when pressing the clutch in. I have also read that you can use the starter motor to crawl out of the mud or water without pressing the clutch in. Really its personal preference. Manual is more fun to drive.

Brandon_YJ · 10-17-2008, 10:05 AM

ALOT of people get manuals because "it's cool" or it's "more manly". That's fine and all, but remember that they aren't getting a manual for them, but for others (just to impress them).
I'm too old to give a **** what others think, so I drive an automatic. Why? I don't have to worry about shifting, I don't wear my left leg out sitting in traffic, it's easier on road, it's easier off road, and the TF999 is a damned strong tranny. With almost 250,000 miles on mine it has never needed to be pulled from the Jeep since it was put in.
Why do people keep saying a stick is "better" for off road? Because you can select gears? I can select the gear I want to drive in with my auto (people tend to forget that)... and I don't have to worry about a clutch, or stalling.

So if you are having a conundrum about picking an auto or a stick because, as you say "is it lame to have an auto jeep", then maybe you should think long and hard on exactly why you are wanting to get a stick in the first place. That's alot of cash to spend because you don't want to look "lame".

I drove sticks for years, they were fun back in the day. Now I'm in the mood for comfort.

RCHavok797 · 10-17-2008, 11:06 AM

My YJ has an auto with 170,000 miles on it. The only complaint I have about it is that it doesn't have an overdrive.

**Mobile_Homie** · 10-17-2008, 11:34 AM

X2 Brandon
I had my auto rebuilt when I installed the SYE, tranny was chattering a little in first at 120,000 its prolly time. My only draw bact to an auto in any 4x4 is lack of engine back pressure coming off of long down grades. A freind of mine has an 30 Rubicon TJ w/ 4:1 low and an auto, I folowed him down some steep stuff and he hardly touched the brakes, while I was riding mine the whole way. Makes me want to sell my 231 w/sye so I can get an Atlas II

rrisher · 10-17-2008, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon_YJ

ALOT of people get manuals because "it's cool" or it's "more manly". That's fine and all, but remember that they aren't getting a manual for them, but for others (just to impress them).
I'm too old to give a **** what others think, so I drive an automatic. Why? I don't have to worry about shifting, I don't wear my left leg out sitting in traffic, it's easier on road, it's easier off road, and the TF999 is a damned strong tranny. With almost 250,000 miles on mine it has never needed to be pulled from the Jeep since it was put in.
Why do people keep saying a stick is "better" for off road? Because you can select gears? I can select the gear I want to drive in with my auto (people tend to forget that)... and I don't have to worry about a clutch, or stalling.

So if you are having a conundrum about picking an auto or a stick because, as you say "is it lame to have an auto jeep", then maybe you should think long and hard on exactly why you are wanting to get a stick in the first place. That's alot of cash to spend because you don't want to look "lame".

I drove sticks for years, they were fun back in the day. Now I'm in the mood for comfort.

Brandon - Well said!

ziebartrob · 10-17-2008, 11:45 AM

Brandon summed it up pretty well. Its mainly personal pref. Personally, I love having a 5spd. I threw cool out the window 10 years ago when we bought our first mini-van. I see plenty of auto's out on the trail, and if your buying it to wheel and dont have a lot of experience with a stick, you might be better off with an auto. Maybe I like my 5spd so much 'cause its that much further removed from the minivan:-)

Ratmeat · 10-17-2008, 12:02 PM

My Father has seen a few days four wheeling in his 67 + years and swears by the auto, even though he had a stick.

His reasons? He says that when you get stuck in mud or snow or even in some rock situations you can get the vehicle rocking back and forth by gently giving it gas and then shifting to reverse and then and then forward and reverse and doing it again and again until you get enough momentum to get going again. He says you just can't shift fast enough to do that with a stick.

I believe there are different techniques for the different types of trannies. I have a stick in my Jeep and love it, but I have a auto in my Durango and love it as well. The stick is fun to drive and the auto is comfortable to drive, as Brandon has said. It is personal taste as to what you like.

As for cool factor, cool is what you like, not what others think!