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Last Call: Manual vs. Auto.. Why? (HELP!!)

Efthreeoh

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So my H3T is an Alpha with the small block and a totally inadequate 4-speed GM 4L60E, which means a lot of power is wasted while the thing shifts. The 5.3L is 300 HP and 320 foot-pound torque. The truck has 33" and weighs 5,100 pounds. Once I figured out how to drive the stupid automatic and keep it somewhat in the correct gear, 300 HP/310TQ is well more than adequate to move the vehicle in sporty fashion.

Considering the 2.3L/manual trans New Bronco will weigh about 800 pounds less than my H3T and the 2.3L is turbo'd so the torque curve will be more flat than the N/A 5.3L and peak torque on the 2.3L comes earlier in the RPM band, I think the 2.3L Bronco will not disappoint in manual trans trim. The power will be much more useable in manual trans guise.

My 2 cents.
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GaryB2220

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Ford has been having a lot of issues with their automatic transmissions lately. So many recalls and lawsuits. I've always been a fan of manual transmissions. Who knows what problems this one might have. The technology has been around forever so maybe the chances of an issue are smaller. Manual transmissions make it feel like I'm actually driving the car. Automatic makes me feel barely any different than being a passenger. It makes the decisions for you, when it's going to shift etc. I don't care how smart these things have become, there's no way it's gonna read my mind and shift the way I want it too every time. Plus, in looking forward to pulling out a gas station or drivethru in crawler gear.
 

Drex

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Well... I am not one of the 0.5% that will use most of the capability for the Bronco. There are far more comfortable and luxurious offerings for the same money that would work just fine for me. The Bronco is the only one with a manual available. That is the advantage. Why would people not get the one different thing a Bronco offers over other suitable products?

It is meant to be a fun vehicle, that is the draw, so that means 2 doors, a fun color (hint; anything with the words 'gray', 'black', or 'white' in the color is not a fun color), and a manual transmission.

Go fun or go home!

Practical rationalizations, while sadly necessary in vehicle choices, are the antithesis to the Bronco, therefore; Manual because unpractical fun is the point.
 

Thed

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As much as I want the V6, because it is a superior engine in literally every way, I'm still stuck with the I4 because the manual is non-negotiable. My daily is my work truck, a 2020 F-350, and I spend way too much time behind that wheel to even consider an auto.
 

KingWillard

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I am in the same boat in that I am getting myself the Bronco as a 50th Birthday present! I’ve been pretty sure about the manual the whole time for a couple of reasons. The hp and torque seem comparable to my current Tacoma, which I often wish was a manual. Then I think about my old ‘95 4Runner with only 150 hp and a manual. It was fun to drive, and it took me anywhere I wanted to go. I think the Bronco with a manual will be a perfect combination of those two vehicles for me. I’m also super excited to take the top off!
 

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Ricepuddin

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DrewBronc21

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Mrpenn46

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I know most of the benefits / negatives. Most of my friends and family think I should get the Auto because I will get tired of the stick.

I'm going Auto, I've been rowing my own gears in sporty cars for the last 15 years-ish. I'm ready for some "lazy" driving and I just don't find rowing my own gears in trucks all that fun. At least in a sporty car you can make real use of heel/toe down shifts etc. Also I'm not planning crazy rock crawling so I don't think the manual will be all that advantageous.
 

tlowell01

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I had a 1997 Ford Mustang GT with a MT for 16 years and LOVED the manual. Driving it in the horrible traffic of Houston and Los Angeles never bothered me. I replaced it with at 2014 Escape, and it just isn't the same driving experience.

I'm not worried about the 2.3L 4-cyl vs the 2.7 v6. The 2.3L has more power than any car I've ever had.

I plan on having my Badlands for the long haul, and I figure by the time I need a new daily driver, cars won't have engines or transmissions because everything will be electric/self driving. So I have to get a MT while I still can!
 

mneblett

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I didn't read all the posts. I'll speak in automobile philosophical terms.

If you have to ask complete strangers, yet Bronco enthusiasts, for an answer then you really don't want a manual transmission. I drive 33,000 miles a year just as my daily commute to my office. It's a trip that starts rural and finishes in Northern Virginia in some of the nation's best worst traffic. I'm a dedicated manual transmission driver; I hate automatic transmissions. I paid my way through college driving professionally as a courier in Washington, DC. Yes, in a manual Ford Escort.

I provide these personal experiences to make a point that a true manual trans enthusiast never looks at manually shifting gears as a chore, regardless of the traffic situation. He is a person, that shifting manually is so natural to him that he doesn't even notice; it's like eating soup with a spoon. Worse, if he does drive an automatic in heavy traffic, he finds it tiresome for his right leg to be constantly on the brake holding back the engine torque trying to constantly move the car forward.

So if you have to ask whether you want the manual in the Bronco because it is tied to engine selection, then get the auto trans and larger engine. If the choice of transmission is in consideration of "convenience" of auto shifting gears because of traffic, then get the auto trans.

I'm the opposite of you, I'd rather have the 3.7L but since it lacks the manual trans, the 3.7 is not even in consideration. As others have said, the 2.3L at 270 HP and 310 TQ should have more than enough power for the New Bronco.
I have also commuted in the same traffic for the ~40 years, 90% of the time with a manual, either motorcycle or car. I've never understood why people complain about manuals in traffic, but that's probably because I enjoy manuals.

As for the OP's question, I believe the folks saying "if you have to ask, get an auto" may be missing the point. Sounds to me like he wants a manual, but he's getting a lot of pressure to get an auto from family/friends. If I am correct, then: who cares what they think -- get what makes *you* happy!

Full disclosure: we're going with the 2.7L, so auto for us. We still have a Corvette and a Mustang for manual rowing. Besides, we don't think we'll be disappointed with the 10 speed auto as we have the same auto in our F-150, and it's the best auto we've ever had.
 

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Ricepuddin

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a lot of recalls and class action lawsuit on the 10R80 automatic transmission but Ford has had issues with the MT82 manual. Will see how the Getrag holds up in the Bronco.
Oh no doubt, I had a mustang with the mt82. Mine was fine but I know a lot of people had issues.

My point is the iTs MaDe In ChInA argument is dumb. We won't know which one is good or which is junk untill they've been on the road for awhile.

Hell both could be an absolute shit show and the motors could leak more than a discount colostomy bag.
 

Efthreeoh

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I have also commuted in the same traffic for the ~40 years, 90% of the time with a manual, either motorcycle or car. I've never understood why people complain about manuals in traffic, but that's probably because I enjoy manuals.

As for the OP's question, I believe the folks saying "if you have to ask, get an auto" may be missing the point. Sounds to me like he wants a manual, but he's getting a lot of pressure to get an auto from family/friends. If I am correct, then: who cares what they think -- get what makes *you* happy!

Full disclosure: we're going with the 2.7L, so auto for us. We still have a Corvette and a Mustang for manual rowing. Besides, we don't think we'll be disappointed with the 10 speed auto as we have the same auto in our F-150, and it's the best auto we've ever had.
I'm just suggesting that if one is teetering over a manual vs. automatic and the discussion involves "convenience" of not having to use a clutch, then auto should be the decision. A true manual enthusiast never sees shifting as an inconvenience or a chore; they actually see it as reverse, manually shifting is a convenience.

I have no argument for not getting the 10-speed auto. Research on it shows it's a great transmission. I have no doubt it is. I may go test drive a Ranger with the 10-speed and a Mustang with the manual just to get a frame of reference. But I'm just personally opposed to automatics. Now that they can be manually shifted is no enticement for me.
 

Efthreeoh

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The manual will be slower than the V6 auto. The auto/V6 combo is an amazing value. The manual will get old in traffic. These are facts.

I'm still getting the manual.

For the life of me, I just can't figure out how to drive an auto properly.
No lie, I blew up the auto in my H3T trying to figure out how to drive it correctly. Who know the 4L60 had a weak 3rd gear? ... LOL
 

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I cant count how many times ive looked over at Bruno and said man i wish this tundra was a manual,never sat in any of my 3 pedal stuff and wished it was auto.
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