Manual Or Automatic
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,014
Likes: 91
From: Concord, CA
My Focus had to be a stick in 2004 because I knew in order for the car to last that was the only way. With an automatic that would have let go long before the engine takes it's last breath. Simply don't trust any of today's automatics with all the electronics in them. Certainly not for 250,000 miles worth or less...
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 40,031
Likes: 1,521
From: Maine, Virginia
My Focus had to be a stick in 2004 because I knew in order for the car to last that was the only way. With an automatic that would have let go long before the engine takes it's last breath. Simply don't trust any of today's automatics with all the electronics in them. Certainly not for 250,000 miles worth or less...
So, for those of you who say manual or nothing, think about the people with disabilities who are plenty capable of driving an auto but not a manual.
I suppose that throwing a stick around gets some T levels up, personally, I prefer the automatic.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,858
Likes: 1
From: Dark side of the sun.
Auto period. Constant shifting, No thanks. When I drove a '99 Dodge 3500, it had a 5 speed and after about an hour, My left leg went into muscel failure by the constant shifting, hydraulic clutch that was a pain. Litteraly. A 3rd gear that loved to grind unless the clutch was down for 30 seconds or more and RPMs down around 500. Why shift a vehicle when it can do it on its own? Lower tow rating, always shifting the thing, and I don't see how manuals get better milage when you have to rev them higher than an auto does to shift.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
By this time, my original post might be buried so badly it won't be read ever again, but I think I posted that for limited-traction situations, an automatic can not be beat.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,243
Likes: 2
From: Chicago and Mt Carroll IL
In the Ranger, I find its beneficial in the snow to be able to shift through 1st, 2nd and 3rd to get it out of situations an auto trans would be incapable of doing anything but spinning the drive wheel.
The 5 speed torqshift in my 08 SD is seemingly, so far, the best automatic I've ever had, always seems to be in the right gear at the right time.
I wish my F450 boom truck had the ZF 5speed if only because of reliability issues of the e40od carting around 13,500 lbs.
The 5 speed torqshift in my 08 SD is seemingly, so far, the best automatic I've ever had, always seems to be in the right gear at the right time.
I wish my F450 boom truck had the ZF 5speed if only because of reliability issues of the e40od carting around 13,500 lbs.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,243
Likes: 2
From: Chicago and Mt Carroll IL
good point Art. With its' everlasting 2.3 Pinto motor the other benefit of the 5 speed in the Ranger is keeping it out of its own way. That truck is S-L-O-W. with a capital slow.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Careful!, my buddy's 83 Ranger 4x4 with a .040 over 2.3 Pinto motor, with comp cam, 32-36 weber carb and Edlebrock header will leave most newer V-6s in the dust. With the 5spd backing it, that little truck is MUCH better off than with a auto.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,243
Likes: 2
From: Chicago and Mt Carroll IL
Actually, I just gave the ranger to a long term employee who is moving to LA in January. I'm pretty sure he'll see at least 300k.
Last edited by LMS Residential; Dec 10, 2010 at 12:37 PM. Reason: spelling
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
My 84 is 2.8 V-6.......it only went 365,000 before the compression was too bad to keep driving.........Rebuild kit, .030 over......good for another 365!
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Thank you! The toyo-kyogo 5spd trans does have 400,000+ miles on it, I thought it was finally getting input bearing noise a while back, wound up just being a noisy throw out.........It just keeps going and going and going.
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