NFRs2000NYC. It is clear you aren't a manual guy and the reasons you point out to own an auto are silly to me. Please stop misinforming people about manuals, your facts aren't facts. In all the cars I have had i had only one that i had to replace the clutch on and that was because I basically doubled the horsepower (stock was 180hp @engine when I was done 304 whp).
The simple matter is you like autos and there is nothing wrong with that. You're trying very hard to justify it for some reason.
I like manuals and will probably always choose a manual because I like the connection to the car and I like the sense of control on my gears. Even if an auto was faster, like German cars DSGs, I would still pick a manual because I like it. That is all that it comes down to. What do you prefer to drive.
Autos are good in traffic and make 4wheeling easier. Manuals are more fun in my opinion, there is a connection you get with the car in a manual.
Wrong again. I love manuals. Every single sports car I have ever owned, including my s2000 that I still own are manuals. Let me ask you something...are 40s the best tires? Obviously the answer is "it depends." Are manuals better than autos? Again, the answer is, it depends.
Now, to address your points....first of all, the stuff I posted for the OP to consider is factual, and if I posted something that is opinion based, I said so. What you posted is 100% opinion based. I too stated that with a sports car, I would prefer a manual EVEN IF the auto (like the porsche PDK) was faster. There is indeed something about rowing gears down a mountain road thats special. I never argued that. Controlling your gears...there is absolutely no difference in gear control in your manual and my auto. You want to stay in 2nd? I can do that as well. You want to downshift on command? I can do that as well. For the subjective stuff, you can't compare the sniper rifle manual of a quality sports car vs the slop-a-thon manual in a jeep. The JK manual is also known for having some issues, and some quirks, not to mention a few limitations like not being able to shift if submerged, although that's minor. As for fun...absolutely, manuals on sports cars are more fun on the road, but I guess that's where you and I differ....I don't think the wrangler is any form of fun on the road. IF anything, it's a cool summer cruiser, but not "fun."
The reason why I am "trying hard" is when I bought my 2012 Sahara, I wish someone tried hard to talk me out of it, and to get the Rubicon. I made mistakes that ended up costing more than I expected and wished I went a different route. It's one thing to take something on a test drive, it's another to live with something every day. I was very happy with my 2.5 AEV lift, until I lived with it for 6 months. Now, I'm content but given another chance, I would have gone a different route. Honesty is the most helpful advice. Saying "Im a manual guy, so get a manual" isn't honesty, it's just emotional justification. I AM a manual guy, and don't like anything about the JK manual tranny. There is not one single saving grace or benefit to having one, other than the novelty of rowing your own gears. Now, that is the 100% pure truth without any opinion injected in it. That's what the OP needs to hear so he can make an informed decision when purchasing. If he likes the manual, then by all means, I sure as hell ain't gonna stop him. I simply wanted him to have all the info to make a choice. When I got my 2012, I got an auto (after testdriving a manual 4 times.) When I got my 2014, again, ordered an auto. Im not praising the auto because I have one. I got the auto because I think it was the best choice for me when I factored in everything. The OP can do the same. :thumb: