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Manual or Auto

16K views 198 replies 79 participants last post by  Thunderstrike 
#1 ·
Hello all, last Thursday I ordered my first Jeep ever. 2012 - brilliant silver - Rubicon Unlimited. I ordered a 6-speed manual transmission. Our other family vehicle is also a manual transmission.

I'm having second thoughts about getting an automatic instead. It is nice to just be able to cruise (which is mostly what I will do) without having to switch gears often. I will go off road but not often or heavily. Will an auto be ok for minor off road fun? Ive heard that the 2012's are 5 speed automatics.

Quick response would be appreciated as I don't have much time to change the order.

thx all!
 
#2 ·
I would get the auto 5 speed.
 
#8 ·
With the hill start assist the new sticks are like driving an auto on the trails. Not saying you should get a stick but I love mine :2thumbsup:
 
#6 ·
I agree with all above... I had both and the auto wins... the 5 spd is good for bopping around town... but when you go off road and end up having to go slow over rough terrain, even easy wheelin' on logging roads... playing with the clutch all the time sucks.
 
#9 ·
Where are all of the manual guys? I’m sure they’ll show up.

I like a manual for sports cars and my DD - things on the street. I like the automatic for off-road stuff - like my Jeep.
 
#13 ·
I was set on getting an auto for a really long time for the same reason as others have posted here, I wanted to save manuals for sport cars and motorcycles. Bu then I test drove a standard jk and fell in love. I will not buy anything other than standard. But I'm not you. I don't mind shifting while just cruising around town. I think it's a lot more fun that way. I don't know much about offloading with a standard.
 
#14 ·
If you have to ask the question, get the stick. It's so good at finding the right gear, I often forget and think it's an automatic. If you're not doing rock-crawling, the stick should be alright too for off-road. The stick also feels more powerful, I noticed it's only the auto guys who bytch about the lack of power. I feel the power on mine is more than adequate with the stick.
 
#27 ·
love my 6-speed, and the challenge of the third pedal offroad. With the low range transfer case that will come with your rubi, it is not nearly as hard. Select your gear and walk up the toughest obstacles...if you're not doing heavy offroading, it won't be tough at all.
 
#28 ·
6-speed manual is the way to go unless you spend a lot of time in city traffic. When I was in the 5 hour traffic jam at the NASCAR race last month, I kept thinking what hell on earth that would have been with the 6-speed. I ended up with automatic against my wishes because i got a deal on it I couldn't pass up... but it's nice in city traffic.
 
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