Manual or Auto

[Dartmoor345 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dartmoor345]

Hi Guys,

I have decided to get a 150 prado GXL but I am unsure weather to get a manual or Auto as I have seen a couple of negative stories for the manual and they seem to be a little cheaper when buying. Is there anything I need to know before I buy???

Thanks in advance for the great replies I'm sure I'll get! 😉

Mike

[pradoprime Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradoprime]

Hi Guys,

I have decided to get a 150 prado GXL but I am unsure weather to get a manual or Auto as I have seen a couple of negative stories for the manual and they seem to be a little cheaper when buying. Is there anything I need to know before I buy???

Thanks in advance for the great replies I'm sure I'll get! 😉

Mike

Mate if you intend to use it off road in any serious fashion Auto is the way to go, i find the control you have is amazing compared to the manual, my opinion only of course.

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

I was talked into test driving an auto prado over 6 years ago, and ended up getting an auto despite being initially determined to get a manual.
I am now on my second auto prado...and with all confidence I can say that I personally will NEVER get a manual 4wd again....auto all the way for me.
I have towed a trailer, camper trailer, 2.5t boat, caravan, i've been beach driving, been across the Simpson, all over the place...and I love the auto, seriously.
That's my opinion anyway...
Good luck and let us know how you go.

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fred63]

Me also first Auto 4WD also first Diesel.
The Auto really comes into it's own when you need to work slowly around and through obstacles.\
As mentioned by Pradoprime the control you have is great.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Ditto. Smooth, great control,great gearbox. Modern autos are at least as economical as manuals and work especially well with turbo diesels to keep them on song.Manual driver for 50 years!

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

Happy with the auto box on my 2.8 GXL (you also get an extra 30nm torque). Not quite BMW smooth but still good. 5th is still high and 6th very high - but seems to slip into 6th as expected (light throttle or slight down hill, plus being over about 70kmh). Probably much easier to resell also.

[HugoStiglitz Member Find all posts View Profile Close HugoStiglitz]

I have a 6spd manual 120 Series D4D.

if some magic fairy would come replace my manual box with an Auto i wouldn't mind one bit.
what i wouldn't give for an auto when i have to reverse up a hill to maneuver the camp trailer when hooking up or dropping off at home.

Really we just need to sell the house and move to a flat block.

[Fred63 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fred63]

I have even heard of it referred to as automagic

[bruggie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bruggie]

I had a Prado 120 and 150 manual Diesel for about 8 years in total. Nice gearbox and no issues at all. Personally I have a better driving experience with a manual but never used it for serious 4wd. Got great resale on my manuals but it appears to become rarer and in future could impact on resale?

[leethal1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close leethal1]

Personally I like manuals, aisin make some nice gearboxes for Toyota. however the autos are nice too, I recommend driving both and buying what you like.

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

i have a manual
alway like the manual for the extra control (ie i make it choose gears, and has excellent down hill control
the only grip i have is for some reason they put quite a tall 1st gear & reverse gear so pulling the boat out of the water, pulling a van up a hill or reversing up a drive way is a pain when towing

i have just brought an off road van , maybe now i would like the auto


has anyone done a manual to auto conversion?

i do like the new 6 sp auto in the new 2.8L , but could it be fitted to an older model ?
sorry to jack the thread a bit

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

For a small zippy 4 cyl car get a manual. For a larger car like the Prado get an auto, especially if you intend on going off-road with it. If you go driving in soft sand with a manual, then that's a dissadvantage right there. Towing in soft sand with a manual = bigger dissadvantage. Same for 4wding with steep hills. Burning clutches regularly in off-roading situations is not ideal. Also with an auto you can hold something in one hand such as a drink while driving in city conditions or when rounding a corner. Auto's are way better for larger cars.

The far and few advantages of a manual 4wd are still considerably outweighed by the practicality and ease of an auto.

[Dartmoor345 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dartmoor345]

Wow thanks for all the replies!

I think I am gonna get a Hilux now though, but will def get an auto after reading the comments.
Most of the off-roading I'll most likely be doing will be on sand dunes/beaches, the auto will come into its own, hopefully!!!

If anyone has any pros or cons for a hilux please let me know although I realise this is a Prado forum!

Thanks Mike

[Nik83 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nik83]

Lux is a great car but feels quite a bit narrower than the prado. The biggest difference you'll notice is in the drive feel , the interior quality, and the turning circle. The sr5 is still a work ute. A rather comfy one though.

If you can go either way, you'll probably prefer the prado. If the ute suits your needs more though, go for it :-)

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

I have even heard of it referred to as automagic

Though, I think I would prefer an automagic box if given the opportunity. Find I hunt between 2nd and 3rd off road a fair bit.