Standard transmissions continued to outsell autos in both cars and trucks until the early 90's. The fuel efficiency and durability gap between autos and manuals gets a little narrower every year. Some studies have shown that an auto can increase the life of an average engine and power train by 20%. 62% of all new vehicles (combined) sold in the U.S. now have autos and the percentage grows every year. I havent seen figures for light trucks but I'm guessing it's around 45%.

 

>I don't follow, I never suggested that I hated women. I was
>actually suggesting that either gender would be better off
>driving a manual.

It's an old joke from "Our Gang". It infers that it takes a "Real Man" to want to do things the hard way. That show was before my time but I did catch some reruns when I was a kid.


alanscott

 

>I'm in the market for a truck. I hear a lot of problems from
>auto trans. Can somebody give me some pros and cons for both
>trans? What about the life of both over time, and cost to
>rebuild or replace?
>
>Thanks!

I think the main thing to consider is in the towing. An automatic transmission creates a lot of heat, even when it is locked up. This heat is then transferred to the engine.

Also, when you take your foot off the accelerator, the trans will freewheel. You then loose the ability for the vehicle to slow down using the engine. This freewheeling also causes more heat due to friction.

My opinion . . . If you plan to tow, go with the manual.

I have an 85, 6.9L with a 4 speed manual. 142,000 original miles. Still on the original clutch. No transmission problems. Don't ride the clutch, and you will have many many miles of problem free service out of your manual trans.

 

Looks like the autos are losing.

OOOWELL I have to step on the losing side.
The auto is just so much easier, and a lot easier when using it for plowing.
My co-worker is over 60 years old and his reaction is he drove a lot of manuals in the past and he is just TIRED of them.
I can drive them, I just don't like to.
I'm American LAZY.

 

My dad and I figured out on the weekend that I had been using a clutch since I was 7 years old (lawn tractor). I'm 22 now, so thats 15 years, wouldn't go back!