Is manual better than 8 speed auto?

[JTdiRtyD]

I mean, technically the ZF 8HP is also a sports transmission. It is used in numerous BMW m-sport variants, and in BMW models has different modes for faster shifts, holding gears longer, engine braking etc. I had it in my X5 M-Sport and it performed flawlessly. I had the diesel, tuned to ~640tq, and launch control in manual Sport+ was a lot of fun.

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[ShadowsPapa]

When backing a boat to the water, nothing beats an automatic. Parking a trailer of any sort, automatic. Towing capacity - automatic.
I've had all sorts of trucks and transmissions and the reverse on everything is just to highly geared to be able to accurately back a complex course. Straight is fine, but maneuvering with a stick, problematic.
I have to be able to make all sorts of turns and back and forth to get my long trailer back to where I park it - I'd destroy a clutch.
The stick is fun - but it's also more problematic as your hips and knees age.

 

[DanW]

In a late-model Jeep?
Hands-down the automatic is better.
Crappy gear ratios, weak construction & shitty clutch in the new ones.

Never had an issue with mine in 103k miles. I tow with it, crawl in Moab with it, and drive it like a sports car. It might not be tolerant of people who don´t know how to properly drive it, though. I had the new clutch installed due to recall. I feel no difference and the tech told me the old clutch did not show much wear. I had the change done around 99,000 miles. I was happy to get a new one installed for free. But the old one was just fine.

 

[Hootbro]

I would have nothing to do with the weak sauce version they currently have in it now.

 

[Rahkmalla]

It might not be tolerant of people who don´t know how to properly drive it, though

I think this is a bigger point than most people realize or are willing to admit. The clutch absolutely gives little feedback. But a lack of feedback doens't mean it can't be driven properly, it just means it's harder to learn and more sensitive to poor driving habits that other clutches might let people get away with, like using the clutch to hold on a hill rather than your brakes, overly slipped 1st gear starts, or non-rev matched downshifts.

I've spoken to people who said the clutch made them stall a lot. And on here i've seen people writing about not being able to achieve a smooth start in first gear ever. I tend not to take seriously the opinions of people who on one hand tell you the clutch is garbage (when it's simply bad) while on the other hand are inadvertently trying to convince me the way i drive my truck isn't possible. 3 stalls in 3 years (2 i blame on hill assist which i've since shut off) and smooth 1st gear starts are rote for me.

If I can start it smoothly, and someone else can't... can we just admit there's at least a combination of bad design and user error taking place here? In a mass produced product, a clutch that's unfriendly to newer, lazy, or improperly trained drivers IS a poor design choice after all.

 

[Mightytalldude]

Never had an issue with mine in 103k miles. I tow with it, crawl in Moab with it, and drive it like a sports car. It might not be tolerant of people who don´t know how to properly drive it, though. I had the new clutch installed due to recall. I feel no difference and the tech told me the old clutch did not show much wear. I had the change done around 99,000 miles. I was happy to get a new one installed for free. But the old one was just fine.

77k for mine on the recall, it showed on the vehicle inspection report as an active recall, along with the reprogram recall before that, I was getting license plates, and parts were finally available after a year waiting. Some wear, but it was really finicky before, and I would stall a couple times a day if I wasn't paying attention to the engagement. I had to put it into 4-low to back up my driveway and rev it for a lot of off road obstacles, but I blame the electronic throttle for being terrible for throttle tip in. New clutch total night and day difference, zero stalls, and I can back up the driveway normally, and off road with almost zero stalls.

 

[DanW]

I think this is a bigger point than most people realize or are willing to admit. The clutch absolutely gives little feedback. But a lack of feedback doens't mean it can't be driven properly, it just means it's harder to learn and more sensitive to poor driving habits that other clutches might let people get away with, like using the clutch to hold on a hill rather than your brakes, overly slipped 1st gear starts, or non-rev matched downshifts.

I've spoken to people who said the clutch made them stall a lot. And on here i've seen people writing about not being able to achieve a smooth start in first gear ever. I tend not to take seriously the opinions of people who on one hand tell you the clutch is garbage (when it's simply bad) while on the other hand are inadvertently trying to convince me the way i drive my truck isn't possible. 3 stalls in 3 years (2 i blame on hill assist which i've since shut off) and smooth 1st gear starts are rote for me.

If I can start it smoothly, and someone else can't... can we just admit there's at least a combination of bad design and user error taking place here? In a mass produced product, a clutch that's unfriendly to newer, lazy, or improperly trained drivers IS a poor design choice after all.

I just don´t agree that it is that difficult or a bad design. I´ve had many manuals and this is not the hardest one. I think so few people know how to drive them now and among that smaller pool, fewer were taught properly. Maybe I´m wrong. I think it is becoming a lost art.

I drive this Jeep back to back all the time with my C6 Corvette with a manual and while the C6 has better feedback, it is no trouble making the transition. Driving both puts a smile on my face.

Btw, nobody complained about the JK. I had a manual JK for 17 years and while I had no issues with it, either, it did not feel as good as the JL. It felt more like a dump truck. Fun, but not nearly as fun.

I do agree that the ratios leave something to be desired. The JK had it beat solidly in that area. I wound up putting 4.56 rings/pinions in my JL to make 6th gear usable. That helped it a bit.

 

[Badunit]

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

Don't know about back pay but if you are an EPA inspector a good ass kicking might be in order.

 

[Chaos Theory]

No.

Sorry, meant to come back to this and explain a little... I've got the MT and feel it's the clunkiest MT in any vehicle I've ever owned (which is most). In fact, if you search my post history, I was very close to trading my JT in after only a year for an auto (though admittedly I also wanted the diesel).

Over the last 3 years, I've 'gotten used to it'. Is it smooth? No. Do I still wish I had an auto? Yes.

I also will not get the clutch recall done. I have heard too many issues from people following that, and I don't want to pay for a 3rd party clutch. I also have mods, such as full belly shield, that I may be charged to remove from the dealership.

Anyway, back on track: The MT is disappointing, though your results may vary.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

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.

Take that manual truck on the twisties, up in the mountains and you’ll understand why a manual sports car is so much more fun to drive. A high performance car wont be much more fun to drive than a truck, down in the city.

 

[Cansberry]

The MT for this gen of Jeeps made me trade in for an auto box Wrangler. Not only the crappy engagement and poor clutch feel, but the wonky gearing and loss of towing capacity killed me. The auto is fantastic.

As a side note, I'd probably hop back in a JT if Jeep ever gets around to putting out a 4xe version that doesn't comprise towing and hauling. A pipe dream for sure, but we'll see what the future brings.

 

[incogneato]

Is manual better than 8 speed auto?

Personal preference.

What do you all prefer?

Manual.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

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.

Drive through Atlanta traffic with a stick, or, when a major interstate in that area experiences an accident on hills and you have to stop/go/stop/go/stop/go up hills and down hills.
SOOO thankful it was an automatic. You'd wear out a clutch in some of that traffic.

 

[Flyboy2109]

I've owned both. Had the automatic for 6 months and traded it in for a manual that i've now had for 3 years. Would not go back.

Complain complaints are:
Crappy clutch it's true, but it grows on you
Gear ratios chosen make you have to shift too much if you don't enjoy shifting gears, why are you even considering buying a manual transmission to begin with? Some people bitch about having to shift down from 5th to 3rd for passing power. The way i see it is i get to shift down to 3rd.
Recall thing of the past, you'd be hard pressed to find a unit that hasn't had its recall completed at this point, unless the owner doesn't want it done, like me. But people who don't want it done generally aren't selling them right now either.
No tangible benefit over the auto absolutely true. auto is faster and more efficient. This is true for all cars of the road today that still offer a manual. One doesn't buy a manual for the tangibles anymore. The intangible feel of being connected with your driving experience is the only advantage left

So it comes down to personal preference
Do you want to like manual transmissions but really don't? This one isn't winning you over. get the auto
Do you like manuals in toys only? Get the auto
Do you really genuinely prefer shifting your own gears in a daily? The quirks of this transmission/clutch won't really bother you.

I wouldn't be able to say it much better. And I add:

-This engine tranny combo does a poor job of holding back downhill. Going down a steep hill at 3500 rpm in 2nd just for some hold back is disconcerting. I bought a manual to get compression hold back and it doesn't do it well.
-The 1 and 2 gears are very low, then shift up to third and lug down, big ratio gap. I agree with folks that this is a high rev engine and use it that way, it is no GMC V8 that cruises below 2000 rpm, this likes to be there or higher.
-I cannot go up a grade at 55 or 60 in 5th, have to go in 4th. Yes, you will shift to 3rd for the quick pass.

After 3 years would I trade for an auto? Nope. I have adjusted my 1949 Power Wagon brain to the Glad now.

 

[six_speed_sarge]

I don't understand so much hate for the manual. I love mine.

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