Auto or Manual can't decide ??

[Big Mike]

Greetings, been away from the site for a while...

Looking to get back into an H3 as a 2nd vehicle trying to decide between an auto tranny or manual ??
Previous H3 was a manual and liked it pretty good, but not finding much in a manual close by, H3's with the auto tranny are plentifull around here..

Looking at a 2007 or newer for the 3.7 I remember from my previous time on this site some of the 3.5's had issues..

Moderate wheeling is all that is planned nothing to hardcore this rig will be mostly for winter use..


Pro's and cons of manual vs auto ??


Thanks,
Mike

*edit the yellow H3 in my avatar is long gone..

 

[3Hummers]

Hands free with the auto, wife more likely to drive an auto, auto has much higher availability and likely easier resale. Personally I think having one of the few manual tranny H3s would be cool but the vast majority of the market prefers autos.

 

[High Five H2]

I liked manuals for a long time, but after I swapped a 5 speed into my old cherokee, I decided I liked autos better for off-roading. For a car, a manual though. As long as it's not a 4 speed, I don't really care either way. Autos are even getting better gas mileage these days, for the most part.

 

[cbetts]

I like my manual:


PROS

• Wife less likely to drive it
• Avoids the transmission cooler leak issue
• Capability of a little better gas mileage
• Better crawl rate when wheeling (when paired with the 4:1 transfer case)
• No TCM glitches whatsoever!
• Smaller unit, less likely to get hit by rocks when wheeling

CONS

• May be irritating in city traffic
• Difficult to climb hills without rollback (some models may have hill holder, mine doesn't)
• Need to replace entire shifter for custom knob
• Clutch maintenance

I was a truck driver for five years so driving a manual is natural for me.

 

[atvspeed4]

I loved my manual H3 when used within its intended parameters. Especially with 35s it was much more enjoyable to drive. The only issue I ran into was with durability when I towed over capacity with the 35s

 

[rsc]

Was that durability issues with the clutch parts or the transmission internals?

 

[atvspeed4]

Internals. Clutch lasted till 110k with hard use

 

[alrock]

My auto failed at 110,000 miles, so durability may not be the biggest issue. I wanted a manual but like you said, they are harder to find. I've not heard anyone complain about having being "stuck with one" so that's a good testament to how the owners like them. If they were problematic, we'd hear about them.

 

[rsc]

I have heard complaints about the clutch- too small and slipping in low [4.11:1] on descents and that the internals were not up to offroad abuse but those were singular issues and seemed to be less than reliable testimony. I really want one if it can hang offroad without grenading but can't find many to choose from.

 

[cbetts]

I have heard complaints about the clutch- too small and slipping in low [4.11:1] on descents and that the internals were not up to offroad abuse but those were singular issues and seemed to be less than reliable testimony. I really want one if it can hang offroad without grenading but can't find many to choose from.

If I recall, the slipping issue was fixed with the 3.7 since it came with bigger clutch components. I replaced my clutch at 85K but it was worn from abusive city driving.

 

[Kurt]

I'm a big fan of autos while off roading, durability depends on the platform, I found the 4L80E on the H1's pretty stout, as long as regular service and maintenance is performed and you catch things before critical failures [I had a solenoid going out causing harder than normal shifts 2 years ago, I had it replaced right away as well as a pressure switch, and that was a $300 repair]. I like keeping both hands on the wheel during wheeling off road.

On the other hand I love bombing across the desert in a chenowth buggy with the VW 4 speed... that's fun.

 

[Ryan212]

I love a manual but in a hummer an auto is my preference. Got a m6 gto as a daily driver

 

[08H3]

I really don't think anyone can make a convincing argument either way. Personal preference is the only factor.

 

[High Five H2]

I really don't think anyone can make a convincing argument either way. Personal preference is the only factor.

Yeah, it's one of those ford vs. Chevy things. Get what you like. It is a shame that manuals are becoming less and less common, though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MaxPF]

Like 03 sez: personal preference. However, if the little red guy on your shoulder that represents the manual is yelling "Do it! Do it!" in your ear, then you really should listen

Oh, if you do go manual, make sure to join the Brotherhood of Handshakers.

 

[skeptic]

For wheeling, auto wins. More generally:

Truck, SUV or commuter in regular stop and go traffic = automatic
Sporty car not used for commuting in traffic = manual (or possibly paddle shifter)

 

[cbetts]

Wow, I am the opposite. I like manual on the freeway. I tend to drive autos by manually hearing down. I guess it depends on what you are used to driving.

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[skeptic]

Wow, I am the opposite. I like manual on the freeway. I tend to drive autos by manually hearing down. I guess it depends on what you are used to driving.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

If on the freeway = just driving along then yes, if it means heavy stop and go traffic, it gets old quick. It's been 10 years since I had a commute, but last time I did it was in heavy Miami stop and go traffic. Not everyone will agree, but it was enough for me to form a strong "stick shift in heavy traffic sucks" opinion.

 

[3Hummers]

My experience mirrors Skeptic's.

 

[cbetts]

Yeah, everyone knows I am weird . . .

 

[rsc]

I lived in Miami, also lived in Houston...I would take a manual in Miami over anything in Houston. I didn't mind driving a standard in Houston stop and go, you just adjust your driving a little. I prefer a stick in a truck, in a sports car, in an SUV, in a commuter car, actually everywhere. I've tried the "auto-stick" deals from VW and Kia and never liked them. I like the direct connection between the engine and wheels, no freewheeling on deceleration, no slow/delayed downshifts, no adaptive transmission programming thinking I want a nice slow and smooth take off when I'm trying to make it through an intersection from a stop when someone blows a light and I need to go RIGHT NOW!

 

[MaxPF]

For wheeling, auto wins.

I disagree. It depends on gearing and driving style. A manual with deep enough gearing to prevent stalls can make for some very elegant low speed crawling. Durability and reliability also favor the manual. If the gearing isn't deep enough to prevent engine stalling, then yes the auto is easier to wheel.

More generally:

Truck, SUV or commuter in regular stop and go traffic = automatic

I agree. Manuals in stop-and-go sucks. Then again, stop-and-go sucks period, even with an auto. Which is why I avoid it like the plague.

Sporty car not used for commuting in traffic = manual (or possibly paddle shifter)

I'm not a flappy-paddle person in general, but twin-shaft, twin-clutch transmissions operated with paddles do shift amazingly fast. If you're road racing they beat a regular manual hands-down. But for sheer driving fun in a sports car, give me a conventional manual.

Manuals are also better for trucks that tow.... assuming the driver isn't an idiot or crappy at driving a manual. The latter is why you are seeing more auto-shift gearboxes in class 8 over-the-road trucks. Automatics and auto-shifts are already the rule for in-town trucks. I know a few guys in the OTR trucking industry and they say autos and auto-shifts have lower maintenance and fewer repairs than manuals because inexperienced or impatient drivers can't break ****.

 

[skeptic]

I disagree. It depends on gearing and driving style. A manual with deep enough gearing to prevent stalls can make for some very elegant low speed crawling. Durability and reliability also favor the manual. If the gearing isn't deep enough to prevent engine stalling, then yes the auto is easier to wheel.

Low enough gearing can help a lot, but I'd still rather have an auto when wheeling. It's not just about not killing the engine. I can think of some wheeling advantages an auto has over a manual, but I can't think of any for a manual over an auto. Ultimately though unless you are doing competitions all that matters is what you prefer.

 

[MaxPF]

I can think of some wheeling advantages an auto has over a manual, but I can't think of any for a manual over an auto.

Technical wheeling. You can leave it in gear and creepy-crawl over terrain. Autos tend to lurch as you apply throttle to get a tire on a rock and then the tire crests and drops off the other side. You see it all the time in rocky terrain. As I said, you can do some very elegant wheeling with a decently geared manual.

 

[08H3]

I'll just add that the H3 gearing is low enough that the manual is not a problem. I've never once had to set out and wait for a buddy with an automatic get back from the trail because my manual couldn't make it. Still, I stand by my earlier comment that this all comes down to personal preference and nothing else. If you're even debating auto v. manual, I'm assuming you're competent with both so in the end it really doesn't matter.