Manual Transmission? Yea or Nay?
Still looking for the first truck in preparation for our first RV sometime next year and I've pretty much narrowed it down to an F2/350 with the V10. Not sure I want to roll the dice with a 6.0 Diese...
Forum Discussion
cutty72 wrote:
Unless I was buying brand new, I choose a manual.
It allows me the ability to pick the gear I want to be in, and how long I am going to hold it.
Model year 12 and newer vehicles excluded, what auto trans will let you hold a higher gear and really lug the engine? Yes, you can set the max gear, and wind it up, buy try to keep it in that high gear while really pulling up a hill...
Oh, and another bonus to driving a manual, you have a built in anti-theft device! The ability to drive a manual is a dying art.
Ford does. When you put a Ford automatic transmission selector in one of the numbered positions, it shifts to that gear as long as it won't over rev the engine, then holds it. There have been times when I have put the 6R75 in my 07 Expedition EL in 2 or 3, come to a stop for some reason, and then wondered why it was so gutless leaving the stop. I am not sure exactly what gears the newer 6R140 will let you start/hold, but I can start and hold in 1, 2, or 3.
I do understand what you are getting at, when climbing a hill and cresting a small rise, or slowing slightly for a corner, I don't want my automatic to shift up, then down, then down again, then back, I would rather just modulate the throttle, or if I can see the top of the hill and know if I just keep my foot in it a bit longer I will be at the top and let off the throttle instead of the transmission downshifting and screaming the last 200ft.
I love manual transmissions, I learned to drive on my dad's 81 Dodge 250 with a cabover camper on the back. NP435 (granny 4spd) with non synchronous 1st and manual steering. You had to pay attention while driving that truck. My personal vehicles have all been sticks but had to compromise on the family vehicle. But DW can drive my 5spd focus, and does all the time when it is just her and I am home. I will also be sure all my kids can drive a manual.
As regards to the OP's questions, it is purely a question of personal preferance. Anything with the 5R110 or later and there is no real dissadvantage to either one, just depends on how much you enjoy or don't enjoy driving a manual.
