Is manual better than 8 speed auto?

[BCB]

Kind of a personal preference question. I drive a manual because I prefer shifting and have more control over the vehicle (I'm 70 yo). A friend has an automatic. We both get about the same gas mileage. I agree that the automatic is better/easier in stop and go traffic, but again, personal preference.

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[Sandman 4x4]

Past Wranglers I’ve owned only had the inefficient 3 speed automatic, so at the time I always chosen the 5 speed manual. But today’s manual has weird ratios that could only put a smile on an epa inspectors face. The automatic is really nice, smooth easy to control with either the go pedal or shift moved to the left in manual mode, where I’ve gotten used to taking advantage of two features I’ve seen only in a few automatics. Like the ability to start off smoothly in rain and snow in second gear, plus short shift up to keep rpm’s low on flat ground, or prevent the trans from downshifting to early and often, with preventing to lug the engine unnecessarily. Or just put it in D a just Drive away smoothly.

 

[Stan H]

To me the biggest advantage is the controlled downhill descent in 4low IMHO unquestionably the best feature of the Automatic transmission I can't begin to tell you how good it works controlling wheel slippage and allowing smooth downhill egress

 

[MikeNH]

If not for the clutch issues Jeep can’t fix I’d say manual but auto gets the win here. Plus I like the remote start in hot/cold days. Haha

 

[Badunit]

For around town and off road I prefer a manual. It will be in the gear I choose at all times and it is a lot more fun. I also like it in icy/snowy road conditions because I can totally remove power/drag from the wheels by hitting the clutch if a patch of ice shows up unexpectedly or a bridge looks sketchy.

For highway, I found the engine too lacking in torque to want the manual. It needs to downshift on a lot of the small hills on the highways I drive here and the automatic does it seamlessly. I don't mind downshifting a manual for passing someone but I do mind downshifting to maintain speed on what I consider to be minor hills.

I can't say which is better. Some days I wish I had a manual. Other days I'm glad I don't.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

It's annoying to shift gears with a beer in my hand, so I went automatic this time.

 

[Badunit]

It's annoying to shift gears with a beer in my hand, so I went automatic this time.

Two person operation: You do the clutch, your passenger does the shift. It becomes natural, no need to say a thing.

 

[nanook12]

The old straight 6 wrangler and Cherokee were better with a manual. The diesel gladiator is better with the German 8 speed auto. That is one smooth operator

 

[Choatecav]

I have the 6 speed manual in my '21 Mojave and I love it. The clutch is very light, which I don't particularly care for, but I have adapted. I tow a small trailer with it occasionally, with no problems.
I am now retired and live in country, on a horse farm. I don't think I would like it if I were still driving in the city every day.

 

[Mightytalldude]

Manual here. It's a sports car transmission, and happy to be driven like a sports car, especially if you add a throttle controller to it, and set it to the Ultimate setting. The Rubicon with the 4:1 transfer case and 4:10 gearing is better matched to the manual transmission. I have a Sport S, and it's a bit more challenging doing off road technical trails, but much easier now with the recall clutch installed. I've driven only manuals for the last 40 years, and this is the least truck like transmission out of all of them. My wife has an auto on her JLU, and is more relaxing on short stop and go traffic, and sort of a set it and forget it for long trips. The manual is sporty and fun, the auto is easy and relaxing.

 

[Rahkmalla]

But today’s manual has weird ratios that could only put a smile on an epa inspectors face

Man, i just learned today I'm an EPA inspector. Wonder my start date was? Am i owed any back pay?

 

[GeneralMaximus]

Trucks=Practical=Automatics
Sports Cars=Fun Performance=Manuals

 

[Rahkmalla]

Trucks=Practical=Automatics
Sports Cars=Fun Performance=Manuals

And yet, my manual truck is a blast to drive. I take it out on joy rides with no destination all the time. Recently test drove a 2025 Z 6mt and while it was certainly faster, i was left with the stinging feeling that buying a performance car that's no more fun to drive than my truck just seemed like a waste of money.

 

[Mightytalldude]

And yet, my manual truck is a blast to drive. I take it out on joy rides with no destination all the time. Recently test drove a 2025 Z 6mt and while it was certainly faster, i was left with the stinging feeling that buying a performance car that's no more fun to drive than my truck just seemed like a waste of money.

To be fair, you CAN take the doors and top off a sports car for a similar experience, it's just more difficult to put back to factory specs after the drive.

Add a throttle controller to your JT, it's a whole new world of fun.

 

[sharpsicle]

The manual just doesn't hold up as well as the auto. Not made for the truck and limits you from doing things with the truck.

I am a huge lover of stick shift vehicles, but the Gladiator just isn't a vehicle for it to make sense. Definitely fun to row the gears, but that's about where the plus of the MT ends. Everything else, the AT is superior.

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