Manual or Auto

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

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

I was talked out of a Hilux (SR5) and into a Prado. I didnt need the ute and was told (by somone who has both a Hilux and a Prado) I'd be dissapointed with the lower power, the slightly less comfortable interior and the bouncier rear end.
As utes get less and less work-horse like, the gap between the Hilux and Prado narrows...

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

You do realise that if you buy a HiLux you will miss out on all the PradoPoint community and chat!

[Laxy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laxy]

Don't be afraid of the manual, the 6-speed is a great 'box and is quicker for overtaking than the auto. Gives great control off road, the engine braking and torque in low range 2nd and 3rd is impressive. For sand I'm sure the auto would be the easier option. Set and forget.

Comes down to personal preference as both manual and auto are quality in the Prado, I just get bored shitless in automatics and diesel engine note/vibration combined with an auto irritates me no-end.

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

You can of course have the best of both worlds by selecting sport and moving the gear lever yourself!

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

The 6 speed auto seems to operate more like a gear limiter rather than a true semi-automatic. Good for engine braking and for me to stop it selecting too high a gear in town but it won't change up upon manual instruction unless it feels it can handle it and will still drop gears if needed. This works OK for me but can be a limitation in other ways.

[Laxy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Laxy]

Haha, someone got a sandy vag defending the automatics and negged me with this lovely message. Didn't know we had 14 year old Prado owners on the forum? Lucky boy.

"Getting bored with a nice car because it's an auto. Don't take out ur ADD on the auto box son."

For the record, I almost went with the auto because it drives so well. You can't lose going with either option.

[Joe Lighty Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lighty]

My Prado is my first 4WD. I was pretty sure I wanted a manual and my wife was dead sure she wasn't going to drive a 4WD unless is was a REAL ONE - i.e. manual.
But, after doing the research, and particularly as we wanted to tow, I went with the auto (much to my wife's dismay!). We don't regret it for a second - I won't buy a manual 4WD again. It is SO easy to drive offroad slowly and smoothly in the auto - I love it!

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

My Prado is my first 4WD. I was pretty sure I wanted a manual and my wife was dead sure she wasn't going to drive a 4WD unless is was a REAL ONE - i.e. manual.
But, after doing the research, and particularly as we wanted to tow, I went with the auto (much to my wife's dismay!). We don't regret it for a second - I won't buy a manual 4WD again. It is SO easy to drive offroad slowly and smoothly in the auto - I love it!

Likewise..except I had a couple of manual 4wds previously...but our 2010 Prado was our first new 4wd....got talked into an auto.,....absolutely no regrets!! I will never get a manual again
But I am a grandad now! (but a young one)

[TheLovePelican Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close TheLovePelican]

I have a manual and I love it, but I have always preferred driving a manual.

Both have pros and cons but it sounds like from all the previous posts that the Prado auto gearbox doesn't have the normal cons of an auto gearbox (like running away down steep slopes). In fairness I have never found my manual loses momentum and gets stuck changing gears in the soft sand so maybe they just make bloody good transmissions all-round for the Prado! Can't lose!

[OzDriver Member Find all posts View Profile Close OzDriver]

I have noticed that my 6 speed auto will change down automatically to assist braking in some situations. It also changes down to try to hold the cruise control speed when down hill (but only when about 5-7kmh over, which seem a bit too late given the camera crews). The changes seem to be getting smoother as it runs in (I think). Wish it had better roll-back resistance though.