Automatic Vs Manual - Is the Auto a "Drivers" car?

[braddo]

I like driving manuals and the wife likes driving manuals.
But there is no way I would go back to a manual in these modern turbo diesels in a 4wd. Lack of torque down low, above idle before turbo kicks in, is annoying. Makes it impossible to slowly turn the wheels in sand when all you do with more revs is get bogged.
Towing is so much better with auto. If you don`t tow or ever drive in sand you might get away with a manual. But the auto manual argument in new modern diesel turbos was settled as soon as they fitted 5 speed autos.

We've had no problems towing or in sand (or even a 2 hour mud recovery) with our D4D manual. You definitely have to work harder and have control, but they are very capable!

[braddo]

I spent a few hours today driving my bosses 2011 GX automatic turbo diesel. I'm more than happy i decided to go with the manual transmission in my car. Also it was interesting to note the big diffence between a rock stock Prado and my modded Prado.

Definately manual diesel Prado for me..

Wasn't your last Prado a V6 Auto?

[maxjj]

I like driving manuals and the wife likes driving manuals.
But there is no way I would go back to a manual in these modern turbo diesels in a 4wd. Lack of torque down low, above idle before turbo kicks in, is annoying. Makes it impossible to slowly turn the wheels in sand when all you do with more revs is get bogged.
Towing is so much better with auto. If you don`t tow or ever drive in sand you might get away with a manual. But the auto manual argument in new modern diesel turbos was settled as soon as they fitted 5 speed autos.

[Octane94]

hey ############# im pretty sure you cant roll start a common rail as they have a Electric fuel injectors so if the battery is caput your in trouble


and as a male i drive a manual not my wifes auto

What are you talking about mate, ive rollstarted my common rail many times.

[Anth120playdo]

hey ############# im pretty sure you cant roll start a common rail as they have a Electric fuel injectors so if the battery is caput your in trouble


and as a male i drive a manual not my wifes auto

Generally a battery can be discharged and not be able to crank start, but have enough jiggawatts :-) to run the vehicle assuming your alternator is working. Personally Have 1kz so it will roll start very easy. Also if the alternator is shagged it will go a long way on a good battery, even further on 2 of them.

[AJ120]

and as a male i drive a manual not my wifes auto

As a man I spend enough time changing gears with an 18 speed roadranger, so more than happy to relax with my Auto on the trails

Cheers Andrew

[daniel]

hey ############# im pretty sure you cant roll start a common rail as they have a Electric fuel injectors so if the battery is caput your in trouble


and as a male i drive a manual not my wifes auto

[Anth120playdo]

Based on a huge list of facts I think it's about 50/50 there are many advantages and disadvantages of both.
It all depends on what your going to do with the vehicle.

Manual for me as I need the reliability of it, eg, they are old school reliable!, it will still work a long time with water in the oil and I can roll start it if my battery or starter craps itself. Also for the wet slippery descents, nothing but diesel manual for those.

That being said, I'd love an auto for the ease, and responsiveness, autos work much better with turbos.
I can see huge advantages of auto in sand, and smooth power delivery on rough terrain.
Beware it is here where the autos will cook, not clutches in msnuals, the clutch is engaged when climbing rocky hills.
If a Prado clutch is slipping, it needs to be replaced, but will go a long way before it is undrivable.

[matt150]

I spent a few hours today driving my bosses 2011 GX automatic turbo diesel. I'm more than happy i decided to go with the manual transmission in my car. Also it was interesting to note the big diffence between a rock stock Prado and my modded Prado.

Definately manual diesel Prado for me..

[KAKADAZ]

Do Toyota even sell a fast car in Australia ? Nissan still sell the Skyline what has Tojo got?

Top selling large 4x4 (200 series)
Top selling mid size (prado)
Top three small (rav4)
Top selling 4x4 ute (Hilux)
Worlds top selling car (corolla)

Why stuff around with low number sports car sales. Nissan make the best BFYB sports car bar none R35 but everything else the sell struggles for numbers. I know which range of cars and sales numbers Nissan would prefer (any manufacturer for that matter)

[wooley]

Do Toyota even sell a fast car in Australia ? Nissan still sell the Skyline what has Tojo got?

Ft86 is coming... I've got my name down

[barryswanson]

Do Toyota even sell a fast car in Australia ? Nissan still sell the Skyline what has Tojo got?

[Steve M]

Gotta love those Aurion's go like a scalded cat, and if you havnt yet go and have yourself a drive of the TRD aurion, that will put a smile on your dial, holey hell they put you back in the seat even though they are front wheel drive. I have driven my mates new 317kw clubby a few times but the TRD Aurion I reckon was still more fun, Id like to line the two them up, even though the clubby is 317kw I reckon the TRD aurion would give it a run for its money..cheap to buy second hand to, shame they dont make them any more, there were a few that self destructed but apparantly they solved the problem...Cheers Steve

[wooley]

"Vin Diesel voice on" I live my life quarter mile at a time.....for that 16 seconds theres nothing but me and my auto prado.....lifted with chunky treads.....for that 16 seconds I'm free



yeah aarrrr no...Auto prados are not drivers cars especially when I just sold a highly modded VE HSV manual the prado in comparison is like being stuck in a slow lift with Kenny G playing.

The prado actually makes every other vehicle a drivers car; every time I get in another vehicle, such as our Aurion, I almost rap it around a pole within 100m... I suppose that's what happens driving a prado, tractors, trucks, etc. around all day, you forget that some vehicles actually move when the pedal is flat to the floor.

[KAKADAZ]

The Kakadu DAC (Crawl... has five speeds) it is good at slowing the car down to a snails pace but is very very noisy.