Auto vs Manual

[LEON S Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close LEON S]

Hi,

I have just joined this site and its great to see that so many people are prado followers. that does say something about the vehicle for sure.
I live in Uganda, originally from South Africa (and seeing that there are so many Aussies on the site I suppose I should congratulate you on the rugby over the weekend).

I am looking at buying a 90 Series Prado Diesel (KZJ90). I am however going to the vehicle offroad quite often but also be using it in the city of Kampala to commute (horrible traffic). So heres the question do I get a AUTO or do I get a MANUAL.

Would appreciate all comments (Except about the Rugby that still hurts deep down inside)

Cheers

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

Re: Auto vs Manual

When i bought the Prado it had to be a Auto, only because my car before that was a manual.. The peak hour traffic on a Heavy Duty clutch killed my enthusiasm (and my left leg).

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

Re: Auto vs Manual

Hi,

I have just joined this site and its great to see that so many people are prado followers. that does say something about the vehicle for sure.
I live in Uganda, originally from South Africa (and seeing that there are so many Aussies on the site I suppose I should congratulate you on the rugby over the weekend).

I am looking at buying a 90 Series Prado Diesel (KZJ90). I am however going to the vehicle offroad quite often but also be using it in the city of Kampala to commute (horrible traffic). So heres the question do I get a AUTO or do I get a MANUAL.

Would appreciate all comments (Except about the Rugby that still hurts deep down inside)

Cheers

Hi Leon

Go the Wallabies.......sorry couldn't resist.

I would go for an auto, they are much easier to drive, especally in off road situations, I have found that you are less likely to lift the front wheels off of the ground when going up steep inclines, they are also better when in rocky terrain, you may find that there are more poeple out there that say manual for steep declines, but the Toyota autos have very good gearing, so that is not really a problem, also a little trick you can do, is when going down steep hills, you can actually keep it in high range and just use the ABS as down hill assist, this is because ABS is still active, the ABS turns off when you are in low range.

[LEON S Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close LEON S]

Re: Auto vs Manual

Switched

Thanks boet, much appreciated, and I tend to agree, I currently drive a 79 series Land Cruiser pick up and my left thigh is about the same size as "Pocock's"

Croozza

Thanks alot for the advice.
Hopefully we can get rid of our useless rugby couch and compete again in the world cup next year.

Cheers

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

Re: Auto vs Manual

I've got a manual KZJ95 Prado and it works well in all off road conditions once you learn to control the clutch in different situations.

My friend advised me to get an auto 4x4 because I'ma newbie to 4WDing, but I'm managing with the manual so far.

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

Re: Auto vs Manual

I've got a manual KZJ95 Prado and it works well in all off road conditions once you learn to control the clutch in different situations.

My friend advised me to get an auto 4x4 because I'ma newbie to 4WDing, but I'm managing with the manual so far.

Let me just say, just because your a newbe does not mean you have to have an auto, and it does not mean that your a 4wd god if you have a manual. I have had many manual 4wds over the past 15 yrs of 4wding, and I have found that an auto is alot easier to drive in all conditions, it is not a soft way to go about 4wding, in the past I even convinced some of the comp 4wds to try an auto, and look at them now, 95% of them are now autos.

[dhula Member Find all posts View Profile Close dhula]

Re: Auto vs Manual

I've had manual 4wds my hole life until the prado which was a forced decision because of my wifes new fake knee.
I was always one of those "auto's shouldn't be used in 4wd's, manuals are much better in the bush" kinda people.

Not any more, auto all the way for me now.

Much easier in the city and much easier in the bush (on you, the car and on the bush)
Yes you do loose a bit of downhill engine braking but by using the correct techniques and practice you can overcome this with ease. IMO the one downfall of autos in the bush is much more made up for by the ease it does everything else.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: Auto vs Manual

Hi Leon, Leon here

If my 90 wasn't a daily driver as well as my 4wd vehicle I would have a manual... BUT... there's no way I would want to drive a manual in heavy traffic every day, which is, unfortunately, what I spend most of my time doing

[LEON S Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close LEON S]

Re: Auto vs Manual

Gents

Thanks so much for all the advice, I am convinced that auto will be the way for me to go, but that is mainly because
I will commute in the city traffic on a daily basis.

Hopefully my next post will be pics of the new ride.....

Have a great weekend.

Cheers
Leon