Sponsored

Any regrets going automatic?

JG1000

Active Member
First Name
JG
Joined
Aug 13, 2020
Threads
11
Messages
27
Reaction score
16
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
JLU
I know the automatic transmission is way better than the manual transmission. I’m seeing the new 392 rubicon is offered in automatic only and I’m not saying I’ll be getting one anytime soon. I’ve been driving manual for a long time to a point where driving an automatic is uncomfortable for me because my foot is constantly reaching for a clutch pedal that’s not there and my hand is constantly going for a gear change that’s unnecessary. Just out of curiosity how many of you out here made the switch to automatic from manual and if you have any regrets or love it better?
Sponsored

 

jackgraves7

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jack
Joined
Jun 12, 2020
Threads
15
Messages
104
Reaction score
198
Location
Raleigh
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLUS
Vehicle Showcase
1
I came from a manual TJ, and I went with the automatic in the JL because it truly is an excellent transmission. You can run larger tires without regearing whereas a manual you will definitely need to regear. Yes, at times I wish I had the control and connection a manual gives you, but when I am stuck in 5:00 traffic I have zero regrets. It is also buttery smooth.
 

aldo98229

Well-Known Member
First Name
Aldo
Joined
Nov 16, 2019
Threads
86
Messages
11,019
Reaction score
27,682
Location
Bellingham, WA
Vehicle(s)
2023 Jeep Gladiator, 2018 Fiat 124 Spider
Occupation
Market Research
Vehicle Showcase
3
None.

I owned four Wranglers with the 6-speed manual. They were loads of fun, but this 8-speed automatic is so good I don’t miss the manual one bit.

Besides, I discovered that off-roading with an automatic transmission is 100 x easier!

Full disclosure: I also own a Fiat 124 Spider with manual transmission, so I get my fix driving that.
 

Sponsored

Whaler27

Well-Known Member
First Name
Alex
Joined
Jul 1, 2020
Threads
48
Messages
1,903
Reaction score
3,758
Location
Oregon
Vehicle(s)
2019 JL, 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Altitude Ecodiesel, 2005 Mustang GT, 2018 Ford Raptor, 2018 BMW R1200GSA, 2020 Honda Monkeybikes (2), 1972 Honda CT-70, 1980 Honda CT-70,
Occupation
Saving the world :-)
I’ve driven manual transmissions my whole life, and I still had a manual TJ until a few months ago, but I don’t have the habits you describe, perhaps because I drive several different vehicles, automatic and manual, every week.

The new automatic is mostly great, particularly in traffic. It’s also nice to have a free hand for the coffee. Downshifting for engine breaking works fine too. My only regret is the loss of a vehicle that would have been good to teach the grandkids how to drive on, as I still believe people should be able to drive a manual even if they choose to drive automatic.
 

mnjeeper

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Oct 5, 2020
Threads
14
Messages
936
Reaction score
1,676
Location
MN
Vehicle(s)
98 TJ, 2021 JLUR
None. I have had a few manuals in the past, love them. Autos are getting so good lately there won't be manuals in a few years, or they will be a decent upcharge, as opposed to the discount they used to be.

I get my shifting fix on two wheels now.
 

TheLodgeOne

Well-Known Member
First Name
Luke
Joined
Sep 12, 2019
Threads
6
Messages
150
Reaction score
107
Location
Kansas City
Vehicle(s)
2020 JLR
None. I have had a few manuals in the past, love them. Autos are getting so good lately there won't be manuals in a few years, or they will be a decent upcharge, as opposed to the discount they used to be.

I get my shifting fix on two wheels now.
all of Europe drives manuals.. there will definitely still be manuals around.
 

oldcjguy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Aug 26, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
569
Reaction score
691
Location
Central FL
Vehicle(s)
16 Challenger Hellcat, 19 Challenger Scatpack, 20 JLUR Recon
Occupation
Software Engineer
None at all. I've driven manuals my whole life (and I'm gettin' old). I've built hot rods and jeeps. I've drag raced, even then I was always a 3 pedal guy. My GT500, my SRTs were all manuals and I loved them. When the 8 speed came out and I got to see how good a job they did with the tcm in that thing I was really impressed. (I'm a software engineer) I switched to an auto when I got my hellcat challenger in 2016. That things shifted so much better than I ever could. It can skip gears upshifting and sown shifting, knew when to up shift, it knew when to down shift, it knew when to hold a gear even if I wasn't on the throttle yet. it knew when I wanted spirited driving and when I didn't. So when I traded that car in for my jeep it was a no brainer. The torque multiplication that comes with having a torque converter, the really low first gear, the overdrives and the extra gears in between. That transmission always seems to be in the right rpm band. Going from a 700hp V8 to the 2.0T, the auto was a no brainer. Even if the 2.0 could be had with a manual I'd have opt'd for the auto.
 

Htfan

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jeff
Joined
Nov 18, 2019
Threads
18
Messages
1,183
Reaction score
1,134
Location
Orange County, CA
Vehicle(s)
2018 JLU Sport S - 3.6L
Vehicle Showcase
1
No regrets at all going automatic. I've driven manuals for years (4x4 & sports cars) and love the 8sp.
 

Sponsored

Dgr401

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dennis
Joined
Jul 16, 2020
Threads
1
Messages
473
Reaction score
975
Location
Rhode Island
Vehicle(s)
2020 Wrangler JL Sport S - Granite Crystal
Occupation
Retired
I grew up on manual transmissions and I truly still enjoy them. Having said that I have been diving automatics for a while now. I sometimes use the auto stick feature on a back road, not a manual but it can still be fun. By the way, no one in our family (nieces and nephews) under the age of 40 have a clue on how to drive a manual.
 

mnjeeper

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Oct 5, 2020
Threads
14
Messages
936
Reaction score
1,676
Location
MN
Vehicle(s)
98 TJ, 2021 JLUR
all of Europe drives manuals.. there will definitely still be manuals around.
My buddy in England went to autos a few years ago. I believe his M4 DCT was his first. He felt shame, but admitted the performance was better.
 

dsgrey

Well-Known Member
First Name
Kevin
Joined
Apr 19, 2019
Threads
2
Messages
736
Reaction score
639
Location
Texas
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLU
Vehicle Showcase
1
Nope! Most of my many vehicles over the years were sticks. I still like to drive them but I do NOT miss stop and go traffic in a stick.
Sponsored

 
 



Top