Replies

Thanks for the info, sounds like it should at least be reliable, one of the things that has always kept me from buying an auto. That and the performance hit.

Have to admit knowing nothing about what sort of transmission works best offroad. Bad roads are the only type of four wheeling I'd be doing, lots of lava strewn back roads, so I guess slow going is the drill. No mud or anything slippery.

From a Jeep Forum:

Originally Posted by DropItLow
most hardcore jeep guys will get stick because it gives you precise control over gearing and clutch engagement. I say go with the stick if you’re not going to commute anywhere and do some off roading.

You must not off road a lot, because the exact opposite is actually true, the general consensus is this has been asked about 3000 times it really doesn’t matter whatever you chose, but the 5% that are hard core competitors or heavy off road enthusiasts all prefer an automatic over the stick with an automatic you have far more control when in areas like Johnson Valley and other rock crawling off road parks. For everything else if you are not one of the 5% you will probably never be in a situation to notice the draw backs of manual.

Also if this is 2012 with the penstar engine the new 5spd is a far better transmission, in design than the 42RLE that was behind the 3.8L, the 3.8L and 42RLE were originally in the dodge caravan, and to save some design work Chrysler in their infinite wisdom figured putting in a jeep would be a great way to replace the aging 4.0L, but they were sadly wrong, hence the Penstar and new 5spd was conceived. With the new JKs there is really no reason to order a manual IMO.
__________________
Max

2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
4.0L, 42RLE, Dual Tops, Full Doors, JKS Front Disconnects, Cragar Soft 8 Black Wheels, 33x12.5x15 Goodyear Duratracs, .75” Front Coil Spacers, Bushwacker 6” Flat Fender Flares, Skid Row Steering Box Skid, LubeLockers, Rubicon Locker Mod, OBA, Cobra 19 Ultra III CB, 3’ Firestik, Rough Country 2.2 Steering Stabilizer, RC 1.25” BL, RC 1” MML, RC Grab Handles, Fog Lamp Bent Pin Mod, 4” Apline S Series Speakers, Kenwood Excelon 6.5” Speakers, 6.5” JL Audio 6W3V3 Subwoofer (in center console) w/MTX Thunder 202 amp, IPF H4 Headlight Housing, Sliverstar H4 bulbs.